Obsidian Velvet

Lucy watched as the guild rushed around trying to get a party ready. Everyone was bumping into each other and everything. Luckily, nobody was fighting, but working together. She was beyond confused. All she knew was that Makarov had talked to a mage who said he would be back this afternoon. Who was the mage? She didn’t know. Why everyone was throwing a party for him? She didn’t know that either. And every time she asked, nobody filled her in.

She sighed and sat in a corner and watched preparations. Until Levy popped up next to her.

“Hey, so like, you wanna come with me to the bookstore?” Levy asked in excitement.

“Sure!” Lucy smiled and followed her out of the guild. They arrived at the bookstore but Levy led her into a room she had never been in. Lucy looked around in curiosity.

“What is this room?” Lucy asked as she looked around and found books upon books written in an ancient language.

“This is his room. He wrote many of these books and a majority of them he found on missions. They’re nothing compared to what I will bring him.” Levy smiled as she searched through books upon books.

“Okay, can you please tell me who this guy is?! Nobody will tell me and I am so confused on why everyone is prepping a freaking party for him.”

Levy giggled and turned to her. “His name is Onyx. He is on another level of power. Higher than Gildarts and Makarov. He is a rare gem and Makarov raised him as his own in the guild when he came here ten years ago. Makarov wants him to stay mainly because he would rather have someone like him on his side than against him. That is why we are prepping a party. So he feels welcomed back from a long mission.”

“What’s his magic?”

“To be honest, only Makarov knows. Nobody ever sees his magic, and he is always going solo.”

“So, what exactly are we looking for here?”

“There was a book on demons he was talking about getting when he gets back. He said he had the owner hold it for him in his room.”

“Why are you looking for it?”

“Brownie points, dude. He’s a nice guy, but lemme tell ya, he can be hella scary when he gets mad.” Levy held up a book and smiled “Found it!” She giggled.

“If you’re aiming for brownie points, it sounds like you like him.” Lucy smirked as she followed Levy to the counter.

“He is very cute.” Levy said as she paid for the book and led Lucy back to the guild.

Lucy was curious about what the dude would look like. Before they entered the guild, Levy announced it was her and Lucy so people don’t blow their confetti. Lucy giggled as they entered.

“So, when is he supposed to be back?” Natsu asked in excitement. He hadn’t seen his friend in over two years.

“Soon, Natsu. Soon.” Makarov said. Just as the words left his mouth, the guild doors opened and a guy about Natsu’s height walked in.

He had blue eyes, white hair that ended at the base of his neck and was lazily swept back, a purple knee length sweater with black flames, black skinny jeans, and black boots. He had two lip piercings on both sides of his bottom lip. He jumped in surprise when confetti was suddenly everywhere and everyone was yelling.

Lucy saw him smile as he was welcomed back. Levy rushed over and gave him the book. She saw him smile softly at her before giving her a hug.

After a while, everything calmed down. Makarov gestured for Onyx to follow him to his office.

“I see the mission went well?” Makarov asked as he sat at his desk and Onyx sat in a chair in front of the desk.

“You could say that. I now have four demons and my health isn’t exactly up to par with where it should be.”

Makarov sighed. “You still don’t have a way to stop it do you?”

Onyx shook his head. “The way I figure it, I have a few months before the process begins. First sign is black veins. Second is my hair will become black and my eyes white. Third and final is that my marks glow blue. Once all that happens, it’s irreversible. When black veins appear, it’s time to worry.”

Makarov nodded and stroked his mustache. “So we can still find a solution.”

Onyx nodded “but it has to be quick. I’m already getting sick more often than I used to. And let’s be honest, these demons aren’t exactly helping.”

“We can contact Porlyusica.”

“She hates me. I feel like she would try and poison me.”

“I will have someone be there with you.”

Onyx gave him a wary look but nodded. “Alright fine. But not right now.”

Makarov nodded. “Just relax for today.”

Onyx nodded and left the room. He went downstairs and sat with Team Natsu. He flashed a smile and waited for them to notice he was there.

Lucy was the first to notice. They locked eyes and he smiled softly at her before getting up and sitting next to her. “You don’t look familiar.” He said softly before gently holding out his hand. “I’m Onyx.”

Lucy smiled and gently shook his hand, silently shocked at how soft it was. “I’m Lucy. I’ve been here about a year now.”

“I take it you like it? Otherwise you wouldn’t stay.”

Lucy nodded. “It took a little bit to get used to the loudness and in the groove of things, but, I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”

Onyx smiled. “That’s good! Do you like to read?”

Lucy nodded excitedly and they began talking books. They were so engrossed in their discussion they didn’t realize Makarov, the team, or Mira watching them.

“Seems like they’ve really hit it off.” Mira said, already preparing her ship name and ways to get them together.

“I think Lucy and Natsu would be a better pair.” Levy said as she popped up.

“Why do you say that?” Mira asked as she tilted her head slightly.

Levy shrugged. “They’re always together, doing missions. He follows her like a lost puppy.”

“Yes, well, let’s look at the facts. She and Onyx have a connection she and Natsu don’t.” Mira said with attitude. “Besides, tomorrow is training day. And he will be there. I know it.”

“Oh! Speaking of training day…” Natsu said before he stood and walked over to the two.

“Hey, Onyx. Question.” Natsu said as he stood in front of them.

Onyx looked up at him. “Shoot.”

“Would you like to be my training partner for training day tomorrow?”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Natsu.”

“Oh come on! I wanna duel you.”

“Fine. But just this once.”

Natsu fist bumped the air before going back to the small group. “I got someone other than Gray this time.”

Mira giggled and noticed it was beginning to get dark. She told everyone the guild would close soon and people began to slowly leave.

Everyone but Onyx had left. He sighed heavily and rubbed his head before creating a wind current around the guild to gather all the confetti and decorations into the middle of the guild. He hummed as he lit the pile on fire. Watching it burn, he smirked wickedly. “Best watch yourself tomorrow, Natsu Dragneel” he said in a singsong feminine He chuckled before putting out the fire, restoring the floor to its original state then left.