Finding Forgiveness {Jerza}

Understanding the Value of Life

Erza's P.O.V.

"Can't you just use your tele-whatever to tell him you're alive?" Natsu asked me as he jogged along the streets with me clinging to his back. 

"My telepathy isn't working; it must be after effects of the curse," I replied half-minded-ly as I scanned the area for Jellal. He was nowhere to be seen.

My heart was pounding out of my fragile chest.

He wouldn't do it, would he?

He wouldn't just give up on living, he wouldn't just call it quits... Would he?

Natsu kept on running, "Tell me if you see something, alright?"

"Of course," I agreed as he continued along the pathway. We were getting far out of the town now, it's tall buildings becoming silhouettes against the night sky. 

Jellal... Why did you ever leave my side?

Jellal's P.O.V.

With tears streaming down my face, I allowed myself to move forwards, putting one foot in front of the other. For Erza.

"Jellal," An older woman's voice called from behind me, causing me to stop mid-step. Startled, I went to turn around, "Don't look!" She ordered me.

Still stunned from it all, I obliged. I kept my eyes on the town, and the pain inside my rib cage.

After a moment of silence, I spoke up, "Who are you? And how do you know my name?"

I sniffled and ran the back of my hand across my face nervously as I waited for her response.

"What do you think you're doing here, Jellal?" She ignored my questions, "Were you honestly going to step over that edge?"

I instantly tensed up, wondering why she was worrying about me. Of course, it's human nature to feel empathy, but why does she care about me as an individual?

I stayed silent as these thoughts ran through my mind. It was quiet between us for awhile as a calm breeze caressed my skin and swung through the air around me. I heard faint sounds from the town below, still somewhat alive at this hour.

"What happened, Jellal?" She asked calmly. She had a gentle voice, one that was therapeutic and sincere. I figured I should at least give this woman the conversation she wanted since she made the effort to stop me.

I'm sorry you'll have to wait a bit longer, Erza.

Erza.

The name itself triggered emotions like dominoes, toppling over one another to create a chaotic mess inside my brain. I drew in a long, steady breath before slowly lowering myself to the ground. I sat on the tip of the cliff, and criss-crossed my legs. 

With a deep breath, I allowed myself to say it aloud.

"I lost the woman I love," I spoke silently, watching every word that left my mouth. The sentence sounded alien to my ears- almost as if someone else had said it.

I heard a faint gasp from the woman behind me, "Erza?"

How did she know her name? How did she even know my own? I was so confused... 

But I was still too upset to care.

Sometimes in life, there's a time when you have to stop questioning everything that's foreign to you, and accept what's in front of you. If you waste your time questioning it all, you'll miss the most important things.

That's what I've learned, at least.

"Erza Scarlet," I repeated to her, wiping tears away from my cheeks, "Her name was Erza Scarlet."