The room was filled with an eerie stillness after Lucy fell unconscious. Brandish, despite her exhaustion, continued using her magic, her hands glowing softly as she tried to heal Lucy.
Brandish's voice cracked as she muttered under her breath, her desperation showing. ["You're not allowed to give up, Lucy… You hear me? Not after all of this."]
Dimaria, standing uneasily in the corner, had long since dropped her usual sarcastic demeanor. She couldn't stand the sight of Lucy looking so frail.
["You've been through worse, Lucy Heartfilia,"] Dimaria said, her voice low but firm. ["You're not going to die here, not after surviving so much."]
The newborn's cries echoed through the room, the tiny voice a reminder of the life Lucy had just brought into the world. Brandish's magic flickered for a moment as her strength waned, but Lucy's condition remained unchanged—her breathing shallow, her skin pale.
As the seconds ticked by, hope seemed to slip away. Brandish's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her lips trembling. ["Come on, Lucy… don't do this."]
Suddenly, a soft glow began to surround Lucy's body. Brandish froze, her eyes widening in shock. The golden, celestial light was unlike anything she had ever seen. Dimaria stepped forward, her eyes narrowing.
["What… is this?"] Brandish whispered, her voice barely audible.
The light grew brighter, wrapping around Lucy's body like a protective shield. It shimmered with a warmth that seemed to come from the heavens themselves, gently cradling Lucy in its embrace. Brandish and Dimaria exchanged looks of disbelief, neither able to comprehend the magic before them.
As the celestial light pulsed, Lucy's breathing began to steady. Her heartbeat, once faint and erratic, grew stronger. It was as though the stars themselves were intervening, refusing to let her fall.
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Back in Magnolia, tension hung heavy in the air of the guild hall. Natsu sat by the window, his hands resting on his knees, uncharacteristically calm after hours of relentless worry. The sudden shift in his demeanor had everyone on edge, unsure of what to make of it.
Erza, standing nearby with Gray and Wendy, spoke in a hushed tone. ["Are you certain, Natsu? You're sure she's alright?"]
Natsu nodded, his gaze distant. ["I don't know how I know… but something's changed. She's still out there. I can feel it."]
Gray raised an eyebrow, his skepticism barely concealed. ["You're saying you can sense her? From all the way here?"]
["I'm not just saying it."] Natsu's voice was steady, filled with conviction. ["I know she's okay."]
Levy, standing by Wendy's side, bit her lip. ["If Natsu says it's okay… maybe we should trust him. Laxus already sent Erik out to search, and he hasn't found anything. Maybe it's time we stop pushing. Maybe she's fine."]
Wendy glanced at Levy before nodding slowly. ["If Lucy is okay, we need to trust that she'll come back when she's ready."]
Despite the reassurances, the guild members exchanged worried looks, the uncertainty still lingering in their hearts.
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Inside Lucy's unconscious mind, she found herself standing in a dreamlike space, surrounded by stars and a soft, glowing mist. The stars shimmered brightly above her, casting a surreal light over the scene. In the distance, Lucy saw the silhouette of a figure emerging from the mist.
Her heart raced as she recognized him. ["You… What are you doing here?"] she gasped.
Zeref stood before her, his expression unreadable, his dark cloak swirling in the celestial light. His voice was calm, almost gentle. ["It's not what you think, Lucy. I am not here to harm you."]
Lucy's body tensed. ["You're dead. Natsu—he—"]
Zeref nodded slightly. ["Yes, I am gone. But my power… it remains within you, Lucy Heartfilia. You carry the power of both Mavis and me. That is why I'm here."]
Lucy's breath caught in her throat. ["What are you talking about? I don't understand that!!"]
Zeref's voice echoed softly, as if carried by the wind. ["You've always had great strength, Lucy. But now, you stand at a crossroads. The magic you possess is tied to something greater. And it's not just my power—it's the power of the stars, the celestial magic you've inherited."]
Lucy looked down at her hands, which were glowing with the same light that surrounded her unconscious body in the real world. Her voice wavered. ["But… I'm so tired. I don't know if I can keep fighting."]
Zeref stepped closer, his presence commanding yet gentle. ["You must protect the life you've brought into this world. The magic within you is tied to the stars, and it will not abandon you. You are stronger than you know."]
Tears welled up in Lucy's eyes, her voice barely a whisper. ["Natsu… I wish he was here."]
Zeref's eyes softened, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. ["My brother's heart burns for you, even across the distance. That bond will guide him to you. But for now, you must rest. Gather your strength, Lucy. For there are challenges ahead."]
The vision began to fade, and with it, Lucy felt a wave of peace wash over her. She knew, deep down, that she couldn't give up—not now.
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Back in Magnolia, at Natsu's small house, Happy fluttered nervously beside his friend. ["Natsu… Lucy will be okay, right?"]
Natsu hesitated, his eyes distant for a moment, before he nodded. ["Yeah… she will. I can feel it."]
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In Alvarez, Lucy stirred in her bed. Her eyelids fluttered open as the celestial magic surrounding her finally began to fade. Brandish, who had been hovering anxiously, gasped in relief.
["Lucy? Lucy, can you hear me?"] Brandish's voice was shaky but filled with hope.
Lucy's voice was faint, but she managed a small smile. [ "I… I'm okay."]
Brandish let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. ["Thank the stars…"]
Dimaria, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, allowed herself a small smile. "You really don't know how to quit, do you, Heartfilia?"
Lucy's gaze shifted to the tiny bundle in her arms—her newborn baby. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gently cradled the child, her heart swelling with love and determination.
["Natsu… we did it,"] she whispered softly, her voice filled with emotion.
Brandish, sitting beside her, smiled. ["You're stronger than anyone gives you credit for, Lucy. So… what will you name her?"]
Lucy looked down at her baby's tiny face, and with a soft, loving smile, she whispered, ["Her name is Nashi. Nashi Dragneel."]
Lucy pressed a gentle kiss to her daughter's forehead, her heart filled with a fierce determination. ["Nashi… I won't let anything hurt you. Not now, not ever."]