As soon as the ship docked, Vivi jumped overboard causing Lucy to gasp in worry.
"Vivi, be careful!" Lucy chided as Vivi landed on the dock.
Vivi looked up at Lucy giving a carefree grin. Much like the ones Natsu gives her daily. It was almost scary how much alike the two were.
"She seems ready to get going." Indy said as she stood beside Lucy.
Next to them the men were setting down the ramp with men on the dock securing it.
"Yeah," Lucy said, chuckling. "Probably ready to face those monsters."
The two women then walked down the ramp to where Vivi was waiting for them.
"So, Indy, where to go first?" Vivi asked. "I'm ready for monster bashing, creepy crypts exploring fun."
Lucy sighed though wasn't surprised. Everyone in Fairy Tail seemed ready to get to the fighting part of every job. She was certain many members of the guild didn't take jobs without fighting involved. Or at least danger involved. Her guild mates are crazy.
"I was planning to check into an inn for the night, but we made it were sooner than I thought despite the storm." Indy said. "If you wish, we can head straight for the jungle. We will have to end up camping before reaching the tomb. However, there would be no leaving the jungle without staying at least one night within its domain."
Lucy shuddered just thinking about what could happen to them while they were in there. Especially at night. Monsters could easily pick them off. Lucy then shook her head to push those thoughts to the side. She couldn't be scared off. Inside that jungle was a tomb that held a Primordial Zodiac Key. She had to keep telling herself that, and even if they made it all the way to find it empty, at least she tried. She's a Fairy Tail wizard now. She couldn't give up on a job after giving her word to see it through.
"Works for me." Vivi said, still grinning broadly. "Lucy?"
Vivi and Indy looked to Lucy to make sure she was okay with heading for the jungle now.
"Let's get going." Lucy said then blinked. "But, wait, don't we need permission to go into the tomb? I mean, we are just visitors here."
"I took care of that before I even sent out the job request." Indy said as she pulled out some official looking papers from her bag. "The people of Kea were very kind to give us permission. They said anyone brave enough to go into the tomb was welcomed there."
Lucy was sure stupid enough was a better way to put it, but at least they had permission. She'd rather keep from angering an entire nation by treading somewhere they didn't have permission to be.
"Well, now that that's settled, let's get going." Vivi said. "If we keep standing around here, we really will have to stay here tonight."
The two companions nodded their heads before starting to head through the town. Lucy looked around taking in the sights thinking everything looked so beautiful. There were large white marble structures with tall, prestigious white pillars. There were people dressed in fine robes and togas walking around with laurels wrapped in their hair as well. It was like they had stepped into a history book. Everything here was so traditional. Lucy was then distracted when hearing what sounded like metal clashing with metal. Their party of three came to a halt as they looked to what appeared to be a fighting ring.
The ring was surrounded by stone seats where a few people were scattered about watching those in the middle of the ring fighting. It was two women dressed in tightfitting strapless bodysuits. The suits also didn't have legs, so it revealed a lot of skin. They also had on strapless leather armor that stopped at their torso. They then had on brown knee-high-boots that had metal plates on them like armor. They both carried a shield and spear in hand as they fought each other. Each swing was strong and precise showing their skill.
"Whoa." Lucy said.
"They're the Amazons." Indy said. "Warrior women of Kea. They are a separate affiliation to Kea's army. They mostly pray to Kea's god of war Ares and his sister Athena known for her perfect war strategies. But they also look to Millhiore for guidance."
After Indy said that, Vivi noticed the engravings on their shields resembled a dog.
"Millhiore was partnered with the first Amazon—Otrera." Indy said. "The two fought in many battles together. During their time together, Otrera created the Amazons. Women who swore to take up the path of a warrior. That means they forsaken motherhood and swore to never love because this would distract them from their duty as warriors. Any Amazon who breaks these rules, is immediately exiled and seen as a disgrace. There is even an old legend that once an Amazon breaks her vow that in the eyes of Millhiore their guardian deity, she has lost all rights to the great spirit's protection and guidance."
Lucy's brow furrowed. Sounds like a tough life. She never really gave much thought of ever being a mother…but the thought of having to give it up completely put a bad taste in her mouth. Not to mention, she wanted to find love someday.
"Sounds hardcore." Vivi said, crossing her arms over her chest. "So are they just soldiers. "Or do they practice magic as well."
"Some do." Indy said as they kept walking. "Those with the silver circlets around their heads are magic practitioners."
She nodded towards the Amazons sitting in the stands. Some of them indeed had silver circlets around their heads. However, one wore a circlet made of gold, and wore a long red crape as well. There was also a large black dog at her feet.
"That one there is the current leader of the Amazons." Indy said, looking back forward. "It means she has proven herself the strongest of her peers and that their elders chose her worthy of leadership."
"She sounds tough." Vivi said grinning as she subconsciously cracked her knuckles. "Wonder just how strong she is."
Lucy paled, already knowing what was going through Vivi's mind. Lucy quickly grabbed Vivi to pull her along.
"No!" Lucy said firmly. "We don't have time for you to be picking fights! We're here on a job, remember?"
Indy watched in amusement as Vivi pouted at Lucy who continued to pull her along. Fairy Tail wizards were certainly interesting.
"Yeah, yeah," Vivi said. "I know."
Lucy nodded in satisfaction while glad Vivi didn't go down there to challenge that Amazon. Who knows what would have happened. Not to mention Lucy wasn't sure if Vivi could beat someone that scary. These Amazons sound like a bunch of Erzas.
"Good." Lucy said. "Now let's keep going. You're the one who said we needed to hurry, right, Vivi?"
When Lucy didn't get a reply, she blinked before turning her head to where Vivi had been. When Lucy didn't see the bluenette, she gasped. She whirled around seeing Vivi had gone right down to that fighting ring. She walked right through making the two fighting Amazons pause in what they were doing.
"No, she can't be serious." Lucy said, looking ready to cry.
It seems she was because Vivi stopped right in front of the leader of the Amazons with her hands on her hips.
"I hear you're pretty strong." Vivi said. "I'm curious. Who's stronger? The Amazonian Wizard of Kea or the Musical Wizard of Fiore?"
"Vivi, no!" Lucy screamed while running towards her guild mate.
Indy watched them go curious to see what would happen. Who is stronger? A Kea Wizard or a Fiore Wizard? Whatever is going to happen… it'd surely make an interesting chapter in her next novel.