Chapter 30

"It doesn't look as if you're ready to call it quits yet, huh, pussycat?" Vivi asked, frowning.

The Nemean Lion, who was starting to look worse for wear, only snarled in reply as it crouched down looking ready to spring. Vivi sighed. She doesn't like beating up on poor defenseless animals. It just wasn't her style. And this kitten looked ready to fall over. The hellfire certainly did a number on it. His pelt had large burns—some so deep they reached his hide. And while weapons couldn't penetrate its hide, it seemed as if the fire did some damage since the skin of its body was scorched black.

"Why won't you just stand down?" Vivi asked as she switched her guitar out for her violin and bow. "This isn't going to end well for you."

Another snarl replied to her question causing her to shake her head. Well, if the cat insisted, she'd oblige. Vivi started playing on her violin. The notes she played were long and dramatic as they went up in pitch. It was a suspenseful tune that had the Nemean Lion shifting uneasily on its paws as darkness seemed to creep into the jungle.

"Melody of Absolute Darkness." Vivi said.

Darkness then completely fell onto the jungle with the Nemean Lion's roar being heard far and wide. As the song started to come to a close, the darkness seeped away from the area. Vivi brought it to a halt as the darkness left her body as well. She let out a break while looking to the large feline before it. It laid on the ground in a submissive manner while mewling like a kicked kitten. Vivi opened her hands with her bow and violin disappearing. She then walked towards the Nemean Lion. It whimpered as she drew close. Vivi crouched down in front of it while placing her hand on its head.

"Sorry for the rough treatment." Vivi said, petting its fur.

She then stood while taking off jogging towards the direction that Lucy and Indy had gone. She needed to catch up to them before they ran into the creature lying within the tomb. She wasn't sure exactly what was inside, but she knew her guildmate would need help. Vivi made it to the tomb with little trouble while guessing Lucy and Indy were already inside.

"Well, time to go in," Vivi said while grabbing the flashlight from her bag.

She stepped into the tomb noting it was a kind of narrow passageway. Fighting in here wouldn't be easy if the entire tomb was like this. Couldn't think of that now though. She still needed to catch up to her friends.

𖦹𖦹𖦹

Lucy looked around nervously as she led the way through the tomb following Indy's instructions.

"This document is a blueprint of sorts to the tomb after it was first created." Indy said as she was looking it over. "I'm sure things might not be the same since so much time has passed. But with this, we might be able to pinpoint where Millhiore's remains are thus finding her key."

"Good." Lucy said. "The faster we can get out of here the better."

Indy nodded in agreement since this place was rather dark and unwelcoming. She did enjoy an adventure or two, but she'd rather avoid the monster inside the tomb. Just then a loud bellowing noise rang through the tomb bringing the two to a complete halt. The two exchanged a glance then looked down the hall where the noise was coming from.

"What was that?" Lucy asked.

Her reply was another bellow—louder than the last. A gust of air also burst from the hall whipping their hair and clothes back. The floor then started to shake as if something was racing towards them.

"Whatever it is, it's coming fast." Indy said. "And I don't believe we have time to avoid it."

Lucy was afraid of that. However, despite her fear, she immediately reached for her gate keys. She grabbed Taurus's key while gripping it tightly. Just then the creature coming for them made it into the light. Lucy gasped looking up at the hulking figure. It stood on two feet like a man, but its upper half was all bull. It took a swing at the two, but they managed to dodge its hooves.

"A Minotaur." Indy said. "Not good. They have enough brute strength to rip a grown man in half."

"Yeah, well I have a cow man of my own." Lucy said, holding out her key. "Open Gate of the Golden Bull: Taurus!"

Taurus appeared in a golden light while letting out a loud bellow himself. He grabbed his axe while turning towards the Minotaur.

"Listen, brother, there's only enough roooom for one booovin in Lucy-san's life." Taurus said. "That's me!"

He ran forward to attack the Minotaur who charged towards him as well. Taurus took a swing at the Minotaur, who despite his size, dodged the axe. He then put both of his fists together to hit Taurus in the back—slamming the Celestial Spirit into the ground.

"No, Taurus!" Lucy called out in worry.

Taurus grunted as he was pushed farther into the ground. Lucy glared at the Minotaur while grabbing her whip.

"Hey, smelley, over here!" She called while slinging out her whip to wrap it around the Minotaur's neck. "He's not the only one you're fighting."

Lucy pulled as hard as she could, which made the Minotaur bellow in anger. It reached back, grabbing the whip. Lucy gasped as it easily jerked her forward to slam her into the other side of the hall. She coughed as the air left her body.

"Lucy-san…" Taurus called in worry as she fell to the floor.

The Minotaur went to go after Lucy again, but Indy took action to help the fallen wizard.

"Rope Magic: Spider Net!" Indy casted her spell.

Ropes flew magically from the sleeves of her jacket to knot together to form a large spider-like web of ropes that wrapped around the Minotaur. It roared angrily while trying to pull away from the net. Indy grunted digging her feet into the ground to hold the beast back as Lucy managed to get to her knees.

"Taurus, are you alright?" Lucy asked, crawling over to her spirit.

"Lucy-san… Lucy-san… be careful." Taurus said completely out of it.

Lucy frowned knowing he wouldn't be able to fight anymore. She quickly closed his gate not wanting to put him through any more pain.

"Alright, Bull Man, let's see how you deal with this," Lucy said, grabbing another key. "Open Gate of the Maiden: Virgo!"

Virgo appeared next out of the ground with her entrance causing a large hole that had the Minotaur tumbling in. It cried out in surprise while gripping the edge of the hole, which was hard with the net still around him.

"You summoned, Princess?" Virgo asked bowing.

"Yeah, let's teach this guy a lesson, Virgo!" Lucy said, holding her whip tightly. "We have to hold on until Vivi can reach us."

"As you wish." Virgo said as the Minotaur managed to climb out of the hole.

It ripped away the net from around it, which threw Indy in the air much as Lucy had been thrown.

"Indy!" Lucy called out in worry.

Lucy ran forward catching the professor in her arms while falling to the ground with her. Lucy groaned at the rough landing then gasped as a large shadow fell over them. They looked up seeing the Minotaur leaning over them with a large pillar in it's hands. It bellowed, going to hit the two women with the pillar, but it was hit at the knees by Virgo and at the head by Vivi who finally appeared. The creature spun in the air then landed on the ground with a loud thud.

"Man, that was close." Vivi said then grinned at Virgo. "Wait to go, Virgo. Girl power!"

She held her hand out to the spirit who gave a not-very-energetic-high-five. Lucy let out a sigh of relief when seeing her guildmate.

"You're here." Lucy said as she sat up with Indy.

"Told you I'd catch up." Vivi said. "Sorry it took so long. That kitty wanted to play for a bit."

Indy just stared up in amazement at the blue-haired wizard. First she defeats an Amazon as if it's nothing. She declares a one-on-one battle with a Nemean Lion—a creature not even the locals fight willing—and she won. She didn't even seem to have a scratch on her. Were all Fairy Tail wizards this strong? Vivi helped the two off the ground when the Minotaur was back to his feet suddenly. He bellowed in pure rage then swung at Vivi. Lucy called out for Vivi to watch out, and the bluenette barely had any time to dodge. She managed it though while rolling out of the way.

"Man, this thing sure is tougher than that cat." Vivi said though she was grinning.

"Stop looking so happy about it!" Lucy snapped.

Vivi just laughed then had to dodge that giant monster all over again. It was going to be hard fighting it in such a small space. She was a bit surprised that the beast could move so well in such tight spaces. She'd feel better if she could get it outside where there wouldn't be so much damage to the temple. She didn't want the entire thing collapsing on them.

"Hey, Professor, why won't you go looking for that key?" Vivi asked Indy. "Lucy and I can keep this thing at bay while you're doing that. We need to get it and get out of here. All this fighting might cause this place to collapse at any second."

Lucy's eyes widened realizing Vivi was right. They needed to hurry up and find that key. They didn't want the entire place falling on them.

"Right!" Indy said, nodding. "Please, be careful!"

"You too!" Lucy called back.

Indy hurried up to run farther into the temple as the two Fairy Tail wizards turned to fight the Minotaur.

"You ready for this, Lucy?" Vivi asked as the two friends stood side-by-side.

"Yeah!" Lucy said.

Vivi nodded her head then snapped her fingers with her guitar appearing in her hands. Lucy held her whip firmly in hand as Virgo waited for her next orders. The Minotaur bellowed at them as it charged forward.