Flames & Keys
Dear Lucy,
When you left yesterday, we were down to Bisca, Al, Meredy, Jellal, and the group that was on Tenroujima, minus Gramps and Gildarts. Right after you left, we evacuated the kids. I can’t believe we didn’t do this sooner, but I guess things weren’t severe enough for us to let them go until now. The older kids, like Asuka and even Iris, seemed to understand, but the younger ones had a hard time. Nashi wouldn’t stop crying. I’d say you can’t imagine how hard it was to say goodbye to our baby girl, but I know you do. You already did. She said her first word. “Mama.” I know it’s stupid, but I was in tears myself. She misses you. Just as much as I do. Please be okay. I know you can change this. I believe in you. When you succeed, because I know you will, you and Nashi can come home. I hope that happens soon. It’s unbelievably lonely without you. Then, we can really be a family, you know, like Bisca and Al were with Asuka before all of this. I think we’ll both be happier then.
Love,
Natsu
Dear Lucy,
The casualties were pretty bad today. Yesterday, just after we evacuated the kids, we lost Cana, Gray, Lisanna, and Al. Al took a shot for Bisca. She acted really different after that. She wouldn’t talk or look at anyone, eat, or sleep. Today, we lost her, too, along with Mira, Elfman, and Erza. I guess Mira and Elfman are probably happy, because they’re with Lisanna, and Erza wasn’t doing so well after losing Al and Gray, but losing Bisca, I think that was it for her. When Erza died, she was crying over Bisca. She was caught off guard. They were best friends; I can’t imagine how that must have been. For Erza to see Bisca die right in front of her, I mean. She seemed so helpless. Not like the Erza I know at all. At least they’re together now. Maybe wherever they are is better than here, but I still can’t seem to grasp the fact that they’re gone. Jellal and Meredy are still clinging to each other, like they have been since losing Ultear, but Erza’s passing made Jellal worse. He acts like he’s fine, for Meredy, but he’s a bad liar. I’m not sure how much longer he’ll last without breaking down. I’m not sure how long anyone will last. But I can’t stop thinking about the kids. I never thought any of the guild would leave their children behind. It’s not by choice, but that’s exactly what we’re doing. All I can do is hope that you’ll be able to change this. Please, Lucy; everyone’s depending on you. I know they all believe in you just as much as I do. Please come home soon.
Love,
Natsu
Dear Lucy,
Today we lost Evergreen and Juvia. It doesn’t sound like it’d be that bad, because that’s not many casualties, but it’s worse than anyone could have imagined. Meredy is worse now, and Jellal, the self-sacrificial idiot, keeps trying to seem like he’s okay. Since Ultear died, he’s stepped in and taken care of Meredy, but their entire foundation is falling apart. Freed has been in tears all day, Bixlow won’t even look up from the ground, and Laxus breaks everything he touches. I think Laxus said that Evergreen’s stepfather abused her mom and she was afraid he’d hurt her too, so when they were around eight or nine, Freed and Bixlow found out and promised that they’d protect her from anything they could. But in the end, they couldn’t protect her from everything. I think both of them have survivor’s guilt. And on top of that, Freed and Laxus have already lost their wives and had to say goodbye to their kids. Now they’ve lost a sister, or the closest thing they ever had to one. And three more of the guilds’ kids have been orphaned.
I don’t know how much longer I can live with this. Lucy, please be safe. For me. For the life we could’ve had.
Love,
Natsu
Dear Lucy,
The remainder of the Raijinshuu went today. They all went out together, and they went out with a bang. Literally. The three of them were caught in an explosion of some sort, so I hear. I wasn’t there. Jellal took a shot for Meredy. He died on the spot. Meredy was screaming for him to wake up. I didn’t hear all of it, but she said something like “bad sense of humor,” “not funny,” “joke’s over.” She didn’t want to believe he was gone. Over the last couple of years, I think he was almost like a father to her. She’s lost everyone. I don’t think Meredy’s going to be around much longer. I’m not sure what to do about it.
I’m sure you’ll fix this, Luce. I know this’ll be over soon. Please prove me right.
Love,
Natsu
Lucy,
Meredy. Last night in her sleep. Not surprised, she was depressed. Only one other casualty today. I was slashed across the chest. I should’ve died right away, but I didn’t. Wendy says I shouldn’t be writing this. She thinks I should rest. But it’s pointless. I’m fading fast. Could have anywhere from an hour to twenty seconds left. But I had to write this, because it may be my last chance to say I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you. I wish you were here right now, so I could see you one last time. I’m sorry we never got to have the wedding you wanted, or raise Nashi, or build a life together. I’m sorry I couldn’t’ give you any of that. I think you should know, I wanted that too.
Please, Lucy, save our future. For the guild. For Nashi and the other kids. For us. For the home we could’ve had.
I’m getting close. I love you, Lucy. Don’t ever forget that.
