Early the next morning, at the temporary quarters beside the new guild's construction site.
Lucy lay draped over the bar like a puddle of slime.
Swept up in her emotions the night before, she had opened all her gates at once, summoning every one of her Celestial Spirits-something she would never even have dared imagine before. With Blanc's magic supporting her, she hadn't felt much at the time, but her body delivered its honest verdict the next morning.
Now she felt like someone who had gone ages without exercising and suddenly attempted an intense workout. Every inch of her body ached.
"Lucy, are you all right?" Mira thoughtfully slid a glass of warm milk in front of her.
"Still alive..." Lucy weakly raised one finger. "Probably."
Still, when she reached toward her waist and touched the brand-new, lion-headed key gleaming gold in the morning light, the corners of her mouth lifted despite herself.
I saved a friend and got another Zodiac Key. Oh my gosh, I'm amazing! What would Fairy Tail ever do without me? Little flowers of joy bloomed in Lucy's heart.
"Hey, good morning, Lucy."
A familiar voice, tinged with amusement, suddenly sounded beside her ear.
Lucy answered automatically, "Oh, good morning, Loke..."
Then she realized what had just happened. Her expression froze, and she whipped her head around.
Loke was sitting on the barrel stool beside her, smiling and waving.
His once-short orange hair was now wild and voluminous, flaring back like a lion's mane. Dressed in a sharply tailored black suit, he looked even bolder and more confident than he had in his playboy days.
"L-Loke!?"
Lucy sprang off her stool, nearly knocking over her milk. "What are you doing here!? I didn't summon you!"
"Don't worry." Loke pressed a hand downward in a soothing gesture.