Song: No Tomorrow
    By: David Chappell

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Gray

The battle that seemed to have lasted for months, was over when the sun dawned over us. No one really understood what the beacon of light was, and no one questioned it. After fighting and surviving, we were all just happy to have made it through alive. When we were returning the civilians back to Crocus, we found Erza and Crime Sorcière. Sterling was with them as well, and the reunion with him made all of us joyful as he walked beside us while Wendy was sitting on his shoulders. The moment we saw Sterling, we knocked him over with a big bear hug, which ended Wendy getting a ride from the Commander.

The Second Commander told us of their victory against the Dragonlings, and of how Jellal protected the First Commander with his life. We all watched as Erza leaned on Jellal with a soft blush taking place on her cheeks. Not only did we find out about the couple's engagement, but we were also told of Ultear's sacrifice that saved most of us from death.

And I was never able to thank her.

Before Sterling left he asked of us where Lucy was, and to make sure we find her and Natsu. That included Gwen as well. I haven't seen her since she and the rescue team left that morning to save Lucy. Now we were going to have to find those three before we can depart for home. As the sun continued to climb up in the morning, Fairy Tail swept through the rubbled city to find our nakamas. An hour or so, we eventually found Lucy and Natsu. Both mages were lying side by side in deep sleep and were battered from an epic battle it seemed. But how we found out about Gwen was what Lucy was holding tightly in her chest. It was Gwen's clothes, torn to shreds and masked in blood. It wasn't so difficult to figure out what happened.

Now as the afternoon rolled in, all the guilds were staying in what was left of the castle. The King and Princess were more than happy to bring healers and supplies for us to have after saving EarthLand from the Dragons. With gauze wrapped around my arms and chest, I knew I was going to need time to rehabilitate. Thankfully my wounds were not as severe as they felt, but it would still take time for me to be back in shape. Natsu, however, was in a different situation.

Not only had he broken a few bones, but he was severely burned on his chest, arms, and neck. Large bruises covered him as he also had a gash on his skull. He was one of the top priorities for Wendy and the healers. What I couldn't understand is how. How can Natsu, a Fire Dragon Slayer, get third-degree burns?

Lucy was another concern for Wendy too. Though she only had a large wound on her thigh, and a deep cut across her forehead, Lucy was sleeping for a very long time. Even though she has been tended and bandaged, she still hasn't wakened up yet. The guild has been staying at the castle for a couple of days after the incident, and Natsu and Lucy haven't even stirred from their slumber. Natsu I can understand. But Lucy...something wasn't right.

On our fourth day in the castle, I moved along the corridors to check on my comrades. There were many guilds wandering about laughing, joking, and caring for their injured comrades. It seemed the darkness has finally passed over us all, and we can finally breathe again. I continue to move silently until footsteps followed me. "Gray-sama?" It was Juvia. I turned around as she had a bandage over her cheek and gauze wrapping around her shoulder. Her eyes looked up to mine as she fidget with her skirt. "Juvia wanted to make sure that Gray-sama was okay. Because, Gray-sama saved the group from being caught and Juvia is only worried that you haven't fully recovered yet." A soft smile came across my face when I found myself putting my hand on top of her head. "I'm doing a lot better now. Thank you Juvia." A blush swept over her cheeks when she shook her head. "Ah-Ahh..."

Juvia took a step back as she held her cheeks in embarrassment. "Juvia will go make sure her nakamas are okay too! Juvia will see you soon Gray-sama!" The Water Mage turned on her heels and went back to the Main Corridor of where the guilds were. My smile still lingered on my face when I continued walking to visit my sleeping comrades.

Natsu's room was first so I allowed myself in. A couple of healers surrounded him while slowly mending his bones back in place. The burns were wrapped in ice packs as they seemed to haven't been healed at all, and his head was wrapped in bandages like a mummy. Natsu's eyes were still closed while he breathed shallow breaths. I took a few steps until I was right next to him. "How is he?" I asked without taking my eyes off him.

The healer next to me sighed. "There has been very little progress to his injuries. We have managed to mend two out of the six broken bones, but the burns refuse to heal. This will take time for him to overcome and return to his healthy self. It is possible this could be Dragon fire that has scorched him. But we're not so sure, we have never seen a burn like this before." I nodded while crossing my arms.

None of this made any sense. Natsu, a Dragon Slayer, seared nearly to death by what...Dragon Fire? That's a load of bullshit. The Pinkie eats fire for the Gods sake. This must have been a completely different fire than we have ever faced before. And the only other person with him was Lucy, and she's still asleep. A sigh escaped me when I moved back to the door. "Keep up the good work." It was all I said when I closed the door. I moved forward walking down the hallway to reach Lucy's room. No one would be in there, she was fine physically. But mentally, and spiritually, I wouldn't have a clue. After finding out about Gwen's passing I have an idea this is the reason she won't wake up. All I can hope for is that she eventually allows herself to come back to us.

Lucy's door was closed, and just like Natsu's, I allowed myself in. My eyes traced to the bed discovering no one was in it. The sheets were messy and unmade. Immediately fear made me panic. I swept the room until I saw the balcony doors open, and sitting over the ledge was Lucy. Her wings cocooned by her sides as one leg was up allowing her to rest her arm on her knee while the other was hanging on the outside. Lucy stared into oblivion with dull brown eyes.

What the hell happened to her?

"Lucy?" Lucy's head looked up at me with the saddest eyes I have ever seen. In her other hand were Gwen's clothes. "They've been cleaned." She muttered as she looked down at the ripped up cloth. I nodded. "We had to clean you up and you wouldn't let them go. So the healers decided to clean those too while you held them." Lucy closed her eyes and sighed with defeat. "How's..." The Celestial Mage swallowed her throat. "How's Natsu doing?"

"Why don't you look for yourself? He hasn't woken up after we found you two. He's...he isn't doing well." Lucy changed to where she was sitting in front of me as her wings hung off the balcony. "I know. It was a stupid question for me to ask. He isn't healing is he?" I was struck with confusion. How did Lucy know that? No one has seen her leave this room. It isn't possible she could have known that. "How did you know that?" I stepped closer to Lucy until I was leaning on the doors of the balcony. My arms crossed when I laid my head on the white wood. I was concerned about Lucy. I know that she's more than the Celestial Mage I once knew. She was the Light Goddess and the Dark One. The Balance that keeps Magic alive. But, there was more to it now. More than she was letting on...

I shook my head and pushed myself off the door. With a few steps I was sitting next to Lucy while the wind eased my tense muscles. The air was fresh again, and I leaned back to look at the blue cloudless sky. "It's a pretty day isn't it?" Lucy looked up at the sky with me. "I guess? It's just the sky, it'll always be there for you to look at." The wind ceased to exist. I glanced over when I noticed Lucy's lips trembling as if she was stopping herself from crying. "Lucy," I began when I turned around to face outwards. "you don't need to tell me what's going on. But, you are my family. I care about you just like anyone else in Fairy Tail. If it's about Natsu, he'll be right back to his regular self in a matter of days. You'll see." The blonde turned the other direction, holding herself with the clothes in her arms. "It's not just about Natsu."

'What?'

"Then what is it about?" I asked now facing Lucy's head. She was shaking, her nails digging into her arms. Lucy shook her head and inhaled sharply. "I...I shouldn't tell you this. But eventually everyone will find out, and I don't think I can hold this burden any longer!" Lucy cried when I hesitantly hovered my hand over her shoulder. "Lucy?" I whispered when a moment later I found Lucy in my chest hugging me tightly. My arms became stiff while I felt like a statue. Tears touched my shirtless skin when Lucy wept.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't be doing this, but I've never felt so alone!" Lucy sobbed hiding her face away from me. Whatever this was, it must have been wearing Lucy down. Perhaps that's why she didn't wake up; because she didn't want to confront whatever has happened. "I'm sorry about Gwen." I wrapped my arms around the Celestial Mage and looked up at the sky. Clouds, out of nowhere, drifted over the sun. "Gray," Lucy began when her head moved up. My eyes came back down to face her dull brown ones. "can you keep a secret? Can you promise me that you will never tell anyone what I am about to confess to you?" I have never seen Lucy like this before. Never has she asked me for something like this. "What about Natsu? He's your boyfriend he should know this."

"I can't tell him! Not only am I afraid that this affects him too, but I can't bear the thought of his reaction. You're the only one that I know will handle what I'm about to tell you. But please, you have to swear you will never tell anyone! Not even Natsu!" Lucy cried as tears continue to flow down her cheeks. Her eyes were beginning to puff up as she was now hiccuping from the number of tears she has shed. Who knows how many times she cried in her sleep, and no one was there to help her.

I nodded. "I promise, I won't tell anyone." When Lucy heard my answer she sighed in relief until she backed away. She put her hand against to ledge and wiped away her eyes. Tears were still shedding, but she was calming down. "It's true. Gwen did die." She started when she looked away. Thunder roared in the distance, signaling that rain was close. "But, she didn't die the way you think. I bet everyone saw the unknown Dragon that destroyed the Eclipse Gate. Truth is, Gwen, became a Dragon in order to destroy the Gate."

"You can't be serious!?" Lucy shook her head. "It's true. The eighth Dragon was Gwen. After her roar, she used not only all of her magic but herself in order to complete the task. Gwen gave me Solantir so I would not be a Half-Soul when she parted. Once Gwen lost Solantir, she turned into dust." My heart felt a weight upon it when Lucy's grip tightened of the only thing left of Gwen. It made more sense of the clothes. She didn't disappear out of thin air. She died from old age. "I'm so sorry Lucy."

"There's nothing to be sorry for Gray. She made that choice, and I couldn't stop her in time. I wanted to be the one to destroy the Gate. I wasn't ready to lose another person I love. I thought I was past that...but I was wrong." Lucy looked at her hands, clenching her teeth before slamming them back down. "It was my fault! I almost eradicated EarthLand! I nearly murdered everyone I loved all because of my emotions!" The Celestial Mage shook in anger as she stared into the ground. I could only stand there and listen to her as she told me everything. "The beacon, it was Solantir's magic. It's an unknown magic I have never seen before. His fire... it's not from this world, there's more to his magic. Not only can his fire burn you to death, but it can also harm the spirit as well. That's why Gwen never used Dragon Slayer Magic. It was far too dangerous to use on anyone or anything. Not only that, but it teaches you the unspeakable spell. The spell of how to become a Dragon..."

"Lucy this...this can't be good for you! You're already harboring in so much power for the Balance, but now a Dragon that's beyond even Acnologia!? How are you even still alive?!" Lucy started to shake again. "Because...because I'm not even human." She spoke when a tear landed next to her hand. All I did was stand there in shock. There was nothing I could say that could ease Lucy's pain. I may be one of the last people to react harshly, but this was getting out of hand. "You're not human?"

"No. I can't tell you much about this, because I fear the Gods will come after you if I say too much. I'm being watched. I'm starting to remember memories before I became...this." She pointed at herself in disgust. "I wasn't created by my mother and father, but by clay, the Gods gave to my creator. It's a long story, and I won't tell you it for your safety." My hand found Lucy's shoulder as I gazed through her long hair. Her eyes were opened, peering into nothing while seeming lost and scared. "That I can understand Lucy. I can respect your secrecy if it means you're only protecting your family."

"There's more." Lucy said when she pulled herself up. Thunder roared closer when lightening struck miles away. The storm was growing closer. "I believed, that when I became both Light Goddess and Dark One, I was given a choice for my life. The choice if I was ready to die or not." My hand jerked away. "Lucy-"

"I didn't realize until now the opportunity was given to me multiple times until I accepted Solantir. The choice to die peacefully; to wait for you all alongside my family that was stolen from me. The Darkness and Light gave me one more chance...and I refused their offer." Lucy snapped her direction at me; her face stone cold while tears continued to slide down her cheeks. "I have ultimately accepted my place in being the Balance, and I have accepted Solantir as my soul. Now that I have...I no longer have the gift of dying..."

It hit me like a boulder.

I stumbled a few steps back when I pointed at the person in front of me. "You're...you are..." The sentence couldn't even be finished. Those who have this curse carry it because they did something unforgivable with the Gods. But what did Lucy do? She did nothing! All she has ever wanted was to live a normal life with us! "Yes, Gray..." The broken girl before me said when the first drop of rain hit her cheek.

"I am Immortal."

The rain poured down on us, but neither of us moved. Lucy stared into my eyes, reading my soul like a book. Out of nowhere, Lucy chuckled. "You probably think this has gone overboard. Well, it has the moment I had dreamt of that nightmare so long ago." With the rain beating down on me, I eventually relaxed. I'm not one to feel sorry for people, it would only make them feel worse. But, this was too much for one person to handle. Without thinking, I pulled Lucy into a hug. I know it was wrong of me, she has a boyfriend, but she was my family too. The little sister I never had. I gently rubbed Lucy's back. "It's okay to be angry Lucy. Just let it all out."

Seconds later, her crying became louder. I felt Lucy hold onto me for support when she screamed at the sky. Her sobs and cries didn't falter when she fell to her knees and I followed. Lucy slammed her fists onto my back, onto the ground, and howled with hatred. Hatred of the Gods cursing her, hatred of the fact she will lose us, hatred because, in the end, she will be alone. Minutes that felt like hours passed, and Lucy once again settled. "I'm okay. I'm better now."

"No, you're not. No one can just say they're better after living through this shit." I heard Lucy chuckle under her breath and pulled away from our hug again. "There's one more thing." We both crawled until we were inside her room to take cover from the rain. As Lucy moved her wet hair off her face, she stared at the corner to avoid eye contact. "Natsu, I'm worried I've dragged him into all of this. Into my mess." Again I was quiet in order for her to speak. Lucy inhaled and exhaled softly. "When I was in the beacon of light, I was trapped. I became a prisoner for the Darkness and Light. While being there...I was disappearing. I thought I was going to die."

Lucy shuffled around uncomfortably. "Until my mother came to me. She pulled me back up from whatever Hell I was in, and encouraged me to go back. Even if it meant I lose you all in the end, I would rather walk alone in all the Five Realms than kill you all with a swift death. It wouldn't be fair if I did that. So, while I was trying to escape my prison, Natsu was trying to stop me physically. That is how he got the burns. I was consumed by Solantir's flames, and nothing happened to me. I was fine, but Natsu wasn't. When I broke free, at the moment I was open to the world. My soul was unlocked to everybody. I fear because Natsu was holding me, that he and I share a connection now. He and I share souls because of what he did to bring me back." I put a hand over my chin. "So you think, that you and Natsu have the same connection as you and Gwen had?" Lucy nodded. "Yes, that's what I believe."

"And how is this bad? This is good isn't it?" The Celestial Mage shook her head in response. "Gray, when two people share a soul it can be very dangerous. Though there are some positive things about it, the negatives out rule it. If one of us dies, the other will become a Half-Soul. You share your partner's pain no matter how far you are from them, and if you're away from each other for too long, both partners tend to become unstable. It's like you're missing something and you're willing to do anything to find that missing piece, no matter how far apart they are."

"Well, I don't think you guys will be far apart from each other. You two are lovers and both of you are committed to your relationship. Why worry?" The blonde-haired mage looked down, her hair being a curtain for her face. "How long?" An eyebrow raised from her question. "What?" Lucy clenched her fists. "How long... I don't know if you forgot Gray, but I'm immortal. I don't know if the curse also shares with Natsu. It's possible that he could die of old age while I still look like I'm turning twenty! I can't push our relationship beyond boyfriend and girlfriend! I can't leave Natsu or else we'll both go insane without each other! I can't have children because, in the end, I would have to bury them in their grave! I've given up everything just so no one else will have to suffer this damn curse and the pitiful, useless war against the Balance!" Lucy huffed as she placed her hand over her eyes. "I can't take that away from Natsu too. I can't take his life or his future."

"This is something you can't hide from him, Lucy. You need to tell him." It was silent in the room while Lucy just sat in place looking through her options and choices on what can be done. I sighed while closing my eyes, because not only did I know what she was going to do, but I had no choice but accept her decision. "No. Not until I know he's safe from the curse. I can find Hades, maybe he knows about the Gods curse and if it can affect the person tethered to the cursed one. If he's safe, I'll tell him everything." My arms crossed as I stared her down. "And if he isn't safe?"

That was the one question I knew Lucy didn't want to hear. She says that she doesn't want to take Natsu's dream of living a life, but maybe deep down, she hopes that he is immortal like her. To know she won't be alone for eternity, to be by Natsu's side forever. And she thinks it's selfish to imagine that. Lucy only believes what she is doing is right.

"Then I'll find a way to break our connection, so he can be free of it."

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Natsu

Lucy... I can hear her. Her soul is calling for me, but I can't reach her. My soul is swept by a white flame that continues to torment me. When I assume the worst is over, it only returns stronger as it suffocates me to the point I can no longer breath. I yearned to be with her. It almost pains me to be so far away from Lucy. Her voice, as soft as an angel, speaks to what I guessed was to herself.

"...I'll find a way to break our connection, so he can be free of it."

No Lucy, I don't want to be separated. I want to protect you, I want to love you for the rest of our lives.

Please... "Stay with me."

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So Natsu and Lucy are connected now, but does that mean Natsu holds the Unforgivable Curse too? Very interesting...

Only a few more chapters left and I will be starting on the Final Book. For those that have been with me since Book One, the Final Book is gonna be worse tenfold then what you usually read of my writing. Lots of sadness, lots of death, lots and lots of tears will be shed. Question is, will you make it through The Ending?

That's the Title of the Final Book.😊

As always Lovelies...love you all!❤️