STARS SHALL NEVER RISE • private

Tetsukazu was undeniably a strange place, but the fact they had moved their in the first place? Not so strange. The once legal guild had fallen from the Magic Council's grace, and whose fault was that? None other than hers, and as much as she hated it, the Coming Storm was unable to escape her fate. She had become completely numb to the sensory and the rush of negativity that came from killing, or even torturing those who opposed her. It was nothing new, and it mattered not, anymore. Despite the apathy, however, Lucie still hated it, but no longer even bothered to fight with Ren anymore. All she cared about was blocking out his obnoxious voice, which simply pressed her buttons even more. If she sensed he wanted somebody dead, she was fine with doing it if it meant he would no longer press his words on her mind. Was that what he wanted? Either way, it was a good thing she was no longer too stubborn over the topic.

Ever so quietly, as always, Lucie sat on a large fallen tree-trunk, holding her tiny blade, Crepundia, and simply staring down at it, as her reflection gazed back at her from the shiny dagger. It had not been too long since she had last used it, but the special blade remained just as beautiful as it had before being sullied. The child was no good at cleaning weapons, but the strange knife seemed to do it all on its own somehow, as if it eagerly absorbed the blood it received after a kill. Breathing out a silent sigh, the small girl remained sitting still on the trunk, enjoying the peace for once, with no life in sight for Ren to urge her to kill, with no need for Ren to speak in her mind, and with nothing better to do.

The other presences were not too hard for the young soul mage to sense. She noticed more than one, but only actually began to acknowledge the existence of the visitor as he approached closer. Turning her head, Lucie focused her crimson gaze on her guildmate. She had never talked to him before, but at least remembered him somewhat from the guild meeting long ago. She barely really did remember much from that meeting, having hidden herself underneath a table for the brunt of it. But instead of turning her into the Rune Knights, the guild had stuck up for her and had even assumed dark status to keep her in the guild. She wanted to be grateful... but what was gratitude to begin with? Ren never gave her a spare moment for any of it.

Nevertheless, she could only recall faces really, not names, at least barely. Who was this person again? Surely the name would come to her. He spoke calmly, but the young child could sense his caution, which was rightfully there. She was the sixth Coming Storm, after all- a well known villain and criminal. Surely he, however, an Ace of Fairy Tail, would not fear her? She did not sense any fright, luckily. Only caution. He asked to speak with her alone, to which she was fine with. She nodded quietly, but did not speak. Talking really was impossible for her, and too much of her main waking energy was being focused on blocking out the voice of that hidden malevolent spirit inside of her.

About the situation? What a stupid and pointless thing to ask. One must have been living under a rock if they did not realize the predicament that Fairy Tail was now in. They were a dark guild, and it was her fault. Anyone and everyone knew that, even if they were not in her guild in the first place. The guild far from it's home, in Magnolia? True, and they were now in Tetsukazu, but was 'home' a place, or was it the 'family' you were always with? Such words were foreign to the young, uneducated girl. They meant absolutely nothing, even if she tried to apply meaning.

Mura's next words were quite confusing, and made Lucie only blink her vivid dark red eyes in confusion and curiosity, before she widened them in slight shock for a brief moment, only to avert her gaze to the ground and release a slight huff of air in a sigh. Did he know... about Ren? How was she supposed to respond? On one hand she wanted to let him know and confirm his suspicions, but what would that mean? Would Ren later get revenge for such a thing in betraying him? Could Mura help her? From that comment alone, the malevolent spirit most likely had already noticed, and likely was quietly brooding and plotting to himself, as she no longer felt his presence and words being imposed on her mind. Yes, he had definitely picked up on it. Nevertheless, Lucie simply did not reply, but tightened her hands into fists, clutching her skirt on her lap, her eyes still focused solemnly on the strange land below her feet.

His gaze bore into her, and to the child, it was quite unsettling. The first few lines to leave his mouth seemed like ramble to the small girl, as she had trouble understanding. What could he see? And how in the world could she help him? Better yet, what was she helping him with? What was he supposed to aid her on? The subject was confusing, though Lucie began to draw lines and connections. Did he sense or suspect Ren? The very thought made Lucie panic slightly. What would Ren do if he found out? He likely had picked up on it too, and was hiding his presence from the seemingly spiritually-aware guildmate of theirs. As Mura announced that he 'could' help her with whatever it was, likely dealing with the now quiet malevolent spirit, he began to change somehow, almost as if he were glowing and fading out.

Ever so slightly startled and already unnerved and uncertain, Lucie sprang up from the log and leaped away several feet to face him. Worry shone in her deep red eyes and on her expression. He usually seemed so calm, but this was all going too quickly. She could not process it all. If it had to do with Ren, she would be glad to be free of his presence. However, such a thing was unfathomable to the girl who had not known any different her whole life. Ren was a part of her, just as much as a body part like an arm or leg or eye. She was not about to sacrifice such a thing to the unknown, even if she hated it. Besides, if the attempt failed, she was the one who would suffer the spirit's wrath, and he had his own unique ways of tormenting her. As long as she behaved and obeyed Ren, she was safe. What would become of this situation, however?

Finally, Mura asked the million dollar question; who was inside? It was not like she even could realistically say it out loud, and the idea of her betraying Ren's presence and name was enough to frighten her more, making her take a visible step back with a slight flinch. To make matters worse, the Fairy Tail Ace was drawing out his sword. She was probably unable to outrun him, having short legs and being weak, but the instinct and urge to run and find a safe place to hide was significantly growing. Lucie trembled, gazing at the wizard before her with an unsheathed katana. She could only clutch tightly to her tiny blade, Crepundia, despite not wanting to fight at all.

Help me, Ren... I'm scared... her thoughts screamed internally as she shook. At the sight of Mura, she was shaking with fear. It was easier to simply turn to Ren and for once hope he would surface to deal with the problem while her mind quieted and her spirit hid itself in the background. Ren's voice was not there however, and even locating the spirit's presence was hard. Where was he? For once, she was not blocking him out... and now he chose to run? Or did he enjoy seeing her fear? He found pleasure in her misery and pain, after all. Why was she not surprised?