The shadow of the Celestial Spirit King stood with arms folded, floating above the lake behind the guild under the starry sky.
At his feet, the lake rippled in eerie stillness water splashes frozen in midair, the world hushed.
For the Spirit King to manifest in the human world was dangerous enough to shake the realm. In a populated town, even a fraction of his true power could cause disaster.
That was why he appeared only as a projection of starlight, visible and audible only to Spirits and Celestial Mages.
"Three years! Loke has suffered for three whole years!"
Lucy planted herself firmly before the kneeling Loke, her gaze unwavering as she shouted up at the Spirit King. "For his friends, for Aries he bore it all alone! That's not something I can accept!"
"I, too, grieve the pain of my old friend," the Spirit King replied, his voice deep and resonant, yet distant.
"When you say old friend, I mean my current friend. Are you listening carefully, Bearded Daddy?!" Lucy snapped, stepping forward.
The Spirit King's expression shifted, however slightly. …Beard… Daddy?
"Loke is not guilty at all! I won't agree to anything less than his innocence!"
Lucy's fists clenched, her magic flaring far past her limits. "I absolutely won't accept this!!!"
"That's enough, Lucy! Stop!"
Loke's voice shook with terror. He shouted, pale and desperate, "If I disappear like this, at least I'll atone for my sins! That's the only way!"
He had never wanted to involve Lucy, or anyone else. He only wanted to fade quietly, alone.
"Even if you vanish, Karen won't come back. All you'll do is add more sorrow!"
Lucy's retort rang out, her voice filled with conviction. The girl who had endured the Phantom Lord war had grown she knew what it meant to shoulder the weight of friends.
Buzz!!
Golden light erupted. One by one, Celestial Spirits answered her call.
Aquarius. Taurus. Cancer. Virgo. Plue. Horologium.
They appeared at her side, their forms radiant with starlight, faces resolute.
It lasted only a heartbeat, but the vision of so many stars blazing together was breathtaking.
"Multiple gates… opened at once? Even Karen could never do that "
Loke's eyes widened in shock. He could only stare at Lucy's back.
Even the Spirit King paused, astonishment flickering in his gaze.
Through the starlight, he sensed something in Lucy something different from her mother, Layla. A resonance, yet unique.
The golden glow faded. Exhausted, Lucy's legs gave out. Loke caught her as she collapsed, holding her gently.
With great effort, Lucy raised her head, eyes fixed on the towering Spirit King. "Since you're also a Celestial… then you should understand Loke's feelings. Aries's feelings. Right?"
Silence fell, heavy and solemn.
"To be rebuked so fiercely by my old friend…" The Spirit King's voice rumbled low. "…It seems the fault lies not in them, but in the rules."
"Leo, who sinned to protect a partner and the old friend who risked everything to save him…"
Slowly, the Spirit King lowered his arms. "For the sake of this beautiful bond, I will make an exception."
"Leo, thank the stars for your devotion. I absolve you of guilt. You are permitted to return to the Spirit World."
Lucy let out a long breath, relief washing over her. She even lifted a trembling thumb toward the celestial monarch. "Not bad, huh? Pretty cool line there, Bearded Daddy."
The Spirit King's stern expression cracked. A laugh rumbled from him, shaking the stars.
His twin white banners of hair whether beard or nose-hair, no one could say bobbed as he chuckled.
"But I " Loke lowered his head, self-reproach still burning inside him.
He couldn't believe his sins could be forgiven so easily.
"If you truly wish to atone," the Spirit King intoned, "then from this day forth, you must protect your old friend with your life."
The immense figure of the Celestial Spirit King began to dissolve into drifting starlight. His voice echoed through the night air as he faded from sight:
"Is she a worthy partner for you?"
The still lake stirred, rippling as the suspended droplets fell back into place. The stagnant flow of space-time returned to normal, and the night breeze carried a gentle comfort across the water.
"Lucy! Loke!"
Urgent voices rang out from behind. Natsu, Gray, Happy, Erza, and Mira rushed forward, worry etched on their faces.
By contrast, Chase remained composed. He had already pieced together what had transpired, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. Judging from Lucy and Loke's condition, the crisis had ended well.
Still… it was a pity he hadn't been able to spar with the Celestial Spirit King.
A card from someone of that caliber would've been incredible… though, let's be real, I'd probably get flattened like a rookie.
After all, the Spirit King's strength was at least on par with Mard Geer of Tartaros, the true master of the Underworld. An opponent far beyond his current reach.
The others exhaled in relief as Lucy quickly explained that Loke was safe.
"I didn't expect you to actually be a Celestial Spirit, Loke! Can you transform into some kind of gorilla like Virgo?" Natsu circled him curiously.
"Sorry, Natsu." Loke managed a weary smile. "Even though I'm Leo, I'm still humanoid. I don't transform."
"Wahaha! Lions are just big cats, right? So cool!"
Happy's eyes sparkled, imagining what he might grow into someday.
Lucy instantly shattered his fantasy. "…Lions aren't cats! They're not even the same species. And Leo is just his title!"
She'd recovered quickly from her magic drain thanks to the physical enhancer Chase had given her.
"What a beautiful key…" Erza observed as the golden Leo Key gleamed in Lucy's hand. "So, Lucy, does this mean Loke is your Spirit now?"
"Yes!" Lucy said brightly. "Not just a Spirit, but my partner!"
"Wait, what about our agreement?" Gray frowned.
"Don't worry," Loke said breezily. "When the time comes, Lucy can just terminate the contract temporarily."
Lucy nearly tripped. He's already planning the termination before I even sign?
"Ah, so this means you and Loke will be inseparable from now on." Mira gave Lucy a sly, teasing glance.
Lucy's face turned red. "Don't get the wrong idea, Sister Mira! QAQ!"
Before she could protest further, Loke suddenly scooped her into a princess carry.
"That's right," he said with a dazzling smile. "From now on, I'll be Lucy's Prince Charming."
"Wha ?! Where did all that sadness go just now? Put me down right this second!"
"I wanna have a Celestial Spirit too!" Natsu exclaimed. "Preferably a fire-breathing dragon!"
"The Spirits aren't there just for you to fight, idiot!" Gray shouted back.
Loke smirked. "Don't worry. I've got plenty of experience. If I toss Lucy up into the air, she'll definitely scream "
"Brother Chase, stop him!!"
Lucy's shriek rang out across the night. "You stinky guy go to hell!!"
....
Keep supporting me with you comments and reviews if you like the story please drop a power stone and your support is very much appreciated.
Want to read 40+ chapters ahead , share your fandom thoughts, or just fuel my translation caffeine habit? or if you want to support me please Join me on Patreon here! :
patreon.com/Keep_ItUp