Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Hello everyone 🙂

If you're reading this for the first time or just coming back to see if it's been updated, glad to have you here. Some clarification moving forward:

I'll be straight up in saying that this fic will be my own spin on "Alternate Fairy Tail." Effectively, the road not taken by Mashima.

E very canon arc from The Battle of Fairy Tail up to Alvarez won't be happening, and we'll be moving forward with a different, more personal tale surrounding our main cast (Natsu, Erza, Lucy, Gray, Laxus, etc). Zeref and Acnologia will not be primary antagonists and will be limited to historical references. Natsu won't be Zeref's brother in this, nor will he be a demon. And certain characters will be altered accordingly.

That said, I am going to try and stay as close to the source material as humanly possible.

As always, feel free to provide feedback. I may or may not implement ideas given to me in reviews 😉

With all that said--let's get cracking!

ACT 1 - AWAKENING

September 1st, The Tower of Heaven

It was all over.

Smoke and dust rose from the shattered blue crystalline floor beneath his feet. All that came now was a soft, gentle breeze that had come from the sea about a mile below.

Natsu Dragneel was just about ready to tear down the whole damned tower with his own two hands. Even with the persisting ache in his muscles and bones, he was willing to do it. If only so he and his friends could wake up from this nightmare.

Laying half-dead on the floor below him was the unconscious figure of the former Wizard Saint who'd brought them here in the first place. Jellal was finally broken, bruised, and bloody. Locks of blue hair were now stained with dark red from the cuts Natsu had inflicted on his forehead. Only with Natsu's enhanced senses could he hear the faint heartbeat that flickered on the edge between life and death.

The Dragon Slayer contemplated on what he'd do next. The power that coursed through his body told him he could burn up the sea if he so wished. He didn't understand this power… these scales that now lined his arms and face. What was this? Some kind of power left by Igneel?

It wasn't his place to deal with Jellal any further, however. The former councilman was defeated. And if by some miracle he got back up, Natsu would finish what he started. Even after he'd killed Simon and hurt his friends… even after what he'd done to Erza.

Erza.

Natsu turned around, still holding Jellal up by his collar. He searched around the cavern of lacrima crystals for any sign of her. Immediately, he saw her standing on the opposite end, just by Simon's corpse.

She was watching him with those brown eyes of hers. Intently. Studying him as if he'd changed into a new person entirely.

He found himself smiling at her, and his spirits were lifted when she smiled back.

Instinctively, he let go of Jellal, letting the blue-haired man fall to the floor with a dull thud! He had started making his way over to Erza when he felt his legs give out. He fell to his knees, and a wave of nausea and exhaustion hit him. It was as if he'd taken a step outside of his own body. He knew he was leaning forward as unconsciousness washed over him.

But he never felt the hard surface of the tower floor. He felt a pair of arms wrap around him. And just before he finally gave in, he heard a distant, almost angelic voice whisper into his ear.

"You're really incredible… Natsu."

He awoke minutes later, the last of the adrenaline in his body kicking him awake.

Natsu immediately recognized the hard crystalline surface of the floor. He shot up onto his feet and looked sharply around the room. He was no longer the thinking human he once was, now he gathered his surroundings the same way an cornered animal would.

After seeing the limp body that once belonged to Simon, and the broken form of Jellal, he started looking for Erza.

He found her. She was floating, rather peacefully even, inside of the lacrima. Her scarlet hair floated above and around her as if she were underwater. Her eyes were closed, and there wasn't even a single worried line on her forehead.

He didn't even stop to ask why she was even in there. Natsu went into action and ran over to the giant lacrima, looking for any sort of way to get her out. As he touched the crystal, he saw the surface ripple like water. The outer edges were hardening, however. Shit! Could he get in there and pull her out? He'd just have to try.

Natsu plunged his hand into the lacrima. He almost grinned as it had accepted him, and sunk his forearm deeper into the crystal.

Erza was right in the middle of the damned thing! Almost a full body's length away from him. Natsu ground his teeth as he felt a dull stinging sensation begin to launch up his fully submerged arm. Now his shoulder was inside, and his torso would soon follow. He stepped inside of it as well to give him slightly more reach, but was careful so as to not place his head anywhere near it.

The lacrima greedily pulled at him the more he went inside. Natsu managed to keep his weight towards his back foot, however, countering it. "Come on…" He said to himself as he brushed his fingers against Erza's arm. If she felt it, she gave no sign of it. She looked like she was asleep.

Natsu took another step forward and got a firm grip on her arm. He pulled her towards him, but was dismayed when it had little effect. She'd only moved slightly closer to him, but was otherwise rooted to her spot.

The Dragon Slayer, now angry at the stupid lacrima that refused to give him his friend back, had taken another step forward. More than half of his body was now submerged. He coiled his right arm around Erza's waist and pulled her towards him with the last reserves of his strength. His muscles screamed at him as he fought against the stubborn resistance provided by the lacrima. He realized he was winning the exchange as Erza's waist made contact with his, and then began to shift onto his back foot.

There was one last burst of defiance from the lacrima. Natsu felt it try to drag him in as well, but with raw animal instinct, Natsu kept himself firmly planted as he brought Erza out of it.

Thhhhlop!

Natsu fell sharply onto his back, with Erza falling on top of him. They were free! He got up and rested her gently on the tower floor. "Erza? Erza?" He cradled her head in his hands. "Come on! Wake up Erza!"

There was no answer. Natsu placed his ear over her mouth and listened. A surge of relief blasted through his mind as he felt her breath softly, but slowly. She was alive!

Not wasting any time, the Dragon Slayer had looped his arms around her waist and under her knees respectively into a bridal carry. "It's alright, Erza." He told her, "Everything will be fine. I'll get us out of here." He stood up and started looking around for an exit.

He knew that the stairs that had been wrapped around the tower's exterior was not an option. No doubt it was all lacrima by now. The hole in the center of the tower would also not be particularly appealing.

How much magic did he have left in him? Could he make it to the coast? Natsu decided that he would just have to try it, as it was likely his best option. He took a step forward to the open veranda that gave him a view of the sea and the night sky above.

Below his feet, he felt the tower begin to rumble and quake. All around him, chunks of blue crystal fell from the ceiling, and the walls shook terribly. A sharp BOOM had erupted from the lower floors. Natsu realized that rather soon, this place was going to explode.

"N-N-Nat…" A voice quivered from behind him.

Natsu glanced sharply at the intrusion. He immediately narrowed his eyes at the crawling, prone figure of Jellal as he slowly made his way over to them. If looks could kill, then the blue-haired man would've been incinerated. Touch her again and I'll finish what I started, asshole.

The former councilman had looked up at him, half-alive, and with searching green eyes. Jellal coughed suddenly and spat out a large clot of fresh blood. "Natsu…" He said. "Go…"

"What do you think I'm doing?" Natsu asked rhetorically, and angrily.

Jellal didn't reply then. Instead he shifted towards the lacrima and all but dove into it as best as he could from his position on the floor. Natsu watched as the crystal accepted him as well, tugging greedily at the broken and bleeding body of the blue-haired mage. As Jellal was almost more than halfway into the lacrima, Natsu felt the quaking of the tower begin to lessen.

The Wizard Saint had looked at him once again, there was sort of tired pleading in those eyes. Natsu realized that he was no longer looking at the same man who'd tried to take his life earlier. This wasn't the man who'd coldly attempted to sacrifice Erza to appease some spirit that was haunting him. What Natsu saw was a man who knew he was about to die, but who knew that at the very least, he was going to die saving those he'd wronged. "G-Get Erza out of here. Give her a s-second chance." He said. "Give her the life she deserves…"

Natsu paused. He didn't understand what the other man had meant with that last line. As he watched Jellal give him one last nod before being fully engulfed inside the lacrima, he felt the tower stop shaking entirely. Suddenly it was completely stable, save for the soft glow that began to emit from its core.

He didn't need to be told twice. Natsu turned around and found the coastline off in the far distance. Tugging one last time at Erza so as to keep her in his grasp, he leapt off the tower and focused the remnants of his magical power into his feet, rocketing away into the night.

As he got further away from the tower, with the uneven blue structure becoming nothing more than a tall blot in the distance, Natsu felt a surge of raw magical energy spike from the tower. He ignored it however and kept going, jetting through the air.

A fantastic, almost blinding light emitted from behind them, illuminating the entire sea below him, before it had suddenly died away.

By the time Natsu had made it to the shore, the Tower of Heaven had disappeared completely.

Present: September 4th, Akane Resort

Three days later, Natsu awoke in his room back at Akane Resort.

For a few moments, he couldn't see a damned thing. It wasn't until he turned his head to the right that he saw the crack of light between the window curtains. The moon hung brightly in the night sky, beaming down through the glass and onto his face.

Groggily, Natsu had sat up from the bed of pillows and thick blankets. He felt as if someone had taken a bell hammer and had blasted him right in the face with it. His head pounded with a dull, thudding pain as each second passed by.

He felt for the pillows again and remembered their touch. Back in my room then, he surmised.

Natsu gripped his forehead again as another wave of nausea washed over him. Had he fallen unconscious after he spoke with Erza on the beach? Probably. No doubt she and the rest of their friends had brought him back here.

More questions threatened to flood his mind, but something else soon took priority over them. A lurching, queasy sensation had pulsated in his stomach, and Natsu knew right then and there what was about to happen.

Hastily, he threw the blankets off of himself and all but jumped out of bed. Half-remembering where the bathroom was, he stumbled over to the opposite wall and felt for the ridges of a doorframe. When he found it, he stepped inside and felt for the porcelain sink, hanging his head over it.

It was then that he felt everything come crashing down on him. Just barely managing to stay on his feet, he vomited up the bile that had been floating around in his stomach for the last few days. A bitter acidic taste filled his mouth, occasionally crackling with unused magical residue.

When he was done, he exhaled sharply and caught his breath. His stomach gurgled and popped in response as it calmed for the moment.

Natsu searched blindly for the small lacrima lamp that would've been next to the bathroom door just above the sink. He found it and flicked it on. He nearly held up a hand to his eyes as they readjusted to the light before letting it fall back to the porcelain railing. Unconsciously, he shut the door behind him, and then looked into the mirror on the wall opposite of himself.

He laughed with a dry croak, which then gave way into a fit of coughs. Once he was stable, he looked at himself in the mirror again.

His body was practically covered with bandages. The skin on his shoulders and his chest was mostly bare, save for the purplish yellow blotches where he'd been badly bruised. His arms and waist were almost mummified, and there was a long strip coming up over his right shoulder, and another wrapped around his neck. Though he was wearing his usual puffy white pants, he knew his legs were also bandaged as well. And finally, there was a strip of white cloth coiled diagonally around his forehead and the crown of his skull.

Shit. He chuckled again, this time without coughing. He'd really had a number done on him at the tower.

The Dragon Slayer felt his stomach begin to rumble violently, he instinctively hovered over the sink and felt the acidic bile come up. He vomited again for a moment, and watched as the greenish brown fluid tinged with blue washed down into the drain.

A foul stench permeated the bathroom now. It was far more powerful due to his sense of smell being significantly more potent. As he took a step back, a cold bead of sweat ran down his forehead, and he felt his headache lessen somewhat.

Water. The one word command had come from the depths of his mind. Natsu complied readily, feeling just how dry his throat was after having not drunk anything for the last three days, with the last thing he had had being sea water. He craned his neck down under the shiny silver faucet and flipped the tap over to the right side of the sink.

He drank his fill for what seemed like minutes. A surge of relief welled within him as he got hydrated. Once he was finished, he flipped off the tap and stood upright, his other memories coming back to him.

First he was relieved. Thankful for the fact that they'd all gotten out of it safe and sound. Grateful that they'd all woken up from this nightmare…

That feeling didn't last long, however. What followed was a small, nagging tug that began to poke at the edges of his mind. Something that ate away at the sense of security he'd felt only minutes ago.

But why did he feel this way? Why? He'd asked himself.

His mind quickly answered.

His humiliating attempt at a fight with Fukuro… Simon scolding him on the exterior of the Tower… His half-baked duel against Jellal… Eating the Etherion… Saving Erza from the lacrima… All of it came back to him in waves. Denial. Disappointment. Bitterness. Shame. And most of all… Anger.

That last emotion confused him the most. Why was he so angry when he'd won? What had brought it about?

Natsu found himself unable to look into his own eyes. He looked down into the sink and stared at the last bits of green-blue sludge washing down the drain. I won, didn't I? So why does it feel like I got my ass handed to me?

A small, sinister sliver of doubt answered his internal question. Because you did. Jellal had you beat before you ate the Etherion, remember?

He dug his closed bandaged fists into the wooden table top. Deciding to ignore that voice as best he could, he stepped away from the sink and glared at his reflection in the mirror. Two onyx eyes burned right back into him as he was reminded of something else during that battle with Jellal…

"Natsu Dragneel… the child of Igneel…

...I wanted to taste the destructive power of a Dragon Slayer before I destroyed you.

But this is nothing to fear at all."

Unconsciously, he'd summoned his flames into his fists. He glanced down at his hands once he realized it, and watched them burn away the bandages covering his forearms. Fuck.

He put them out. Deciding it was probably best if he went back to sleep and put it all out of his mind. Natsu found the door handle and twisted it, but not before glancing at his reflection one last time.

Nothing to fear at all.

Snarling, he practically yanked open the door and flicked off the lamp lacrima, making his way back into his room.

Just as he was about to slide back into bed, his darker thoughts were interrupted as he heard the sound of nearby snoring.

Natsu looked over to the left side of the room. Almost immediately, all of the anger, bitterness, and shameful feelings had left him right then as he finally took stock of his surroundings.

Laying outstretched on the couch in his hotel room was Lucy. She had her blonde hair bundled up into a loose bun, and was covered in a thick blanket. Resting below her, between the foot of the couch and the middle of the floor was Gray, with a pillow tucked underneath his head as he slept.

What? But…

A slight rustling sound drew his attention back towards his bed. He looked to the foot of the mattress and saw Happy curled up into a ball. He must've been dreaming of catching fish, since he was lazily swinging his paws out in the air.

It was then that he saw a pale foot out of the corner of his eyes. He followed it all the way up to the sleeping form that snoozed quietly in the chair that had been placed at the side of his bed. Locks of scarlet red hair dangled loosely from a slightly bandaged head. Erza.

She was totally passed out in the chair. Though she was wearing her pajamas, she too had a blanket to keep her warm, even if it had since fallen away from her shoulders and just above her waist.

Natsu exhaled sharply, looking at all four of them once again in realization. And… in gratitude.

Had they all come to stay with him while he recovered? They each had their own rooms, right? But why…

They don't need a reason, he told himself. His heart began to beat warmer than it had when he'd scolded himself in the bathroom. All of his bitter thoughts had quickly disappeared, replaced by a snug, homely feeling that put his mind at ease now that his friends were here, with him.

Tiredness washed over him then. He decided it was best to simply go back to sleep before his demons came back to haunt him. Natsu stepped over to the side of his bed, standing barely a few inches away from Erza. Remembering her half-fallen blanket, he took it and gently raised it up to her shoulders. The redhead seemed to snuggle more into her chair as a reaction, and seemed to clutch the blanket closer to her.

Natsu fell into his bed and lazily pulled up the covers. He stared up at the ceiling for a few moments before he finally closed his eyes and let the darkness take him away.

Two days later, they had given a final send off for Sho, Wally, and Millianna. Erza cried ugly tears while Natsu had managed to shoot off the fireworks he and Gray had prepared. They didn't do much else that evening besides having a quiet meal together before going back to their respective rooms.

Early the next morning, Natsu awoke feeling his body ache all over from just how much he'd exerted himself at the tower. The bruises that marked his chest and shoulders, as well as the various cuts had initially discouraged him from training, each came with their own pain.

The sun peeked through the curtains, and Natsu saw that there wasn't a single cloud in the crimson sky. He averted his eyes to look up at the ceiling, a newly acquired habit of his.

He heard Happy snore softly by the foot of the bed. It was looking to be a rather peaceful day today.

So why did he feel… unsatisfied? That was the right word, wasn't it?

It was certainly one way to describe how he was feeling right then and there. Dissatisfied. Uncomfortable. Restless.

Why?

Natsu had hoped that his demons might've left him permanently two days prior. Prayed that this feeling of unease would simply show itself out of his mind. Yet, much to his dismay, it hadn't gone at all. It was simply waiting for the right moment to strike.

...I wanted to taste the destructive power of a Dragon Slayer before I destroyed you.

But this is nothing to fear at all.

The taunt by itself was not what bothered him. The fact that Jellal was right, was what truly made him clench his fists in anger.

He replayed their fight in his head. Over and over and over again. I threw everything I had at him, and he walked out of it without a scratch.

The child of Igneel. Natsu scoffed. What would Igneel even say if he'd watched his fight against Jellal? Nothing good, he knew that for certain.

"Natsu! How could you allow yourself to be defeated by such an inferior mage? And you have the gall to call yourself the Son of Igneel?!"

I tried, dad.

"You tried? You tried?! Does it matter if you tried? Or does it matter if you LOST?"

But I won, dad. I saved Erza and I won.

"You didn't win, boy! You lost and then you resorted to luck! Do you know who relies on luck? The dead!"

But-

"Don't go and make excuses, boy! You are the Son of Igneel! Dragons do not make excuses! They win! Excuses do not affect the outcome, so they cannot affect how you do in battle! Do you understand?!"

….

"Well? Answer me, son!"

Natsu simply continued to glare up at the ceiling. His anger towards Jellal was quickly fading away, now being redirected at not only the voices in his head… but also himself.

How could he have been so careless before? They all walked into someone else's game completely unprepared. And he, the dunderhead of the team, had been the most ill-equipped of them all. Fukuro manhandled him rather easily by taking advantage of his motion sickness, and then Jellal simply moped the floor with him.

No matter how many times the others congratulated him for his victory over a Wizard Saint, there would always be that bitter aftertaste left in his mouth. The knowledge that he hadn't actually won, but that he'd simply gotten lucky. Lucky because he hadn't been killed by eating the Etherion. Lucky because Erza had fought his opponent beforehand. Lucky because Simon had sacrificed his life to save them both.

All Natsu could do was just stand there and watch.

"What the fuck was that?" He asked himself as he replayed his performance in his head. "What could I have done differently?"

No answers came to mind. Natsu balled up his fists and snarled out of frustration. He didn't know what else to do. No solutions came to mind other than to train.

Ignoring the strain and the ache in his arms, chest, and legs, he threw up the blankets and planted his feet firmly onto the floor. He got down into a push-up position and got to work. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven…

Eighty reps later and his left arm seized up on him. He cursed as he fell onto the floor and rolled onto his back, feeling the first few beads of sweat on his face soak into his bandages.

If Erza were here, she'd probably scold him for being careless enough to train without having recovered. But Natsu didn't care. He wouldn't have even cared if she was here right now. All that mattered to him was getting the voices inside of his head, outside of his head. And if he had to sweat himself to the point of exhaustion in order to do so, he would.

After a few moments, the pain went away. Natsu resumed his position so as to finish the set of one hundred and got right back to it. Eight-eight, eighty-nine, ninety-

"What are you doing?"

Natsu had stopped midway through ninety-one when he looked up at the bed. Happy was sitting upright on the mattress, rubbing the tiredness out of his eyes as he looked down at Natsu.

The Dragon Slayer opted to finish his set first. Ninety-one, ninety-two… "Training." He said with a low grunt as he went down towards the floor, his arms and chest screaming at him to stop.

"Why?" His friend had asked rather curiously. "Shouldn't you be resting?"

"Yeah." Natsu said, standing up from the floor with a few beads of sweat running down his forehead. He hated that he felt more out of breath than usual.

"So why aren't you resting?"

"Can't sleep."

Happy frowned. "Why not?"

The Dragon Slayer looked over at the blue cat. He bit his tongue as his patience was about to run out. He let out a long sigh. "Because I just can't, Happy. That's why." He said firmly, then moving into position so he could do his burpees.

Thankfully, Happy hadn't questioned him further.

Natsu got on with his burpees, hating each and every single rep he did. He absolutely despised burpees, but he was once told by Gildarts that "they get the job done!" It was especially worse now because of his condition. His whole body cried out in pain as he went rep after rep, and he had to stop more frequently simply because he hadn't been keeping up with his training in the last few days, so he needed to give his lungs more time to recover.

How could he sleep knowing what he knew anyway? He'd been singlehandedly demolished by some blue-haired punk who'd worshiped the spirit of a dead dark wizard practically his whole life. Knowing just how quickly Erza had been reduced to tears. Knowing that Simon had only died because Natsu had been too weak to stop Jellal beforehand.

"Are you coming out with us to the park later?" Happy asked as Natsu stopped momentarily to gasp for air.

"Nah." Natsu said instinctively. He didn't want to. "Not today, buddy."

"But didn't you say you wanted to get the funnel cakes there? I wanted to have some too."

"You can get them with Lucy."

Happy looked downcast at the floor. "It's not the same with her. She's so self-conscious about what she eats. I don't know why. I mean, it's not like she isn't fat already." The cat said with a straight face, almost as if he was talking about the weather.

Natsu allowed himself a small snicker. Maybe this exercise thing was working after all. "Don't let her hear you say that."

"What can she do? She can't blow up mountains like you can."

"No. But she's definitely got a temper. And it's rude to say things like that about her."

Happy nodded. "Yeah. I guess." He said. "Can we go there later then?"

The Dragon Slayer paused at that. "Don't know, buddy." How could he just go and get funnel cake after they'd all nearly died less than a week ago? He didn't know why, but the prospect of stuffing himself full so soon after making so many careless mistakes simply bothered him. He decided to deflect the question. "How about you go get some breakfast with the others? I'm not hungry, so I'll stay up here."

His friend seemed to get excited upon hearing the word 'breakfast'. Happy jumped off the bed. "Aye sir!" He said.

The rest of the day passed by rather quickly. Happy covered for him with his comrades, thankfully. And Natsu continued to brood alone in his room until it was time for bed. He stared up at the ceiling and counted to ten over and over again until he finally fell asleep.

The next day was eerily similar to the last. Natsu awoke in the morning and went straight to training. His body had recovered some of its prior strength, but he was still in pain as he continued to do his reps.

Happy had stayed with Lucy overnight. So Natsu had the whole room to himself, and was given time to reflect. And to decide on what he'd do once they returned to Magnolia. As of right now, all he could really think to do was to train both his body and his magical abilities as much as possible. But outside of that… he came up with nothing.

As he performed his fifty-seventh push up on his sixth set, however, he heard two pairs of footsteps approach his door in the outer hallway.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Natsu shot to his feet. He listened intently with his enhanced hearing. The breathing pattern was familiar… Lucy.

What does she want?

He went over to the door and opened it. Lucy stood on the other side with her closed fist half-raised to knock again. Erza stood behind her. Both of them were wearing rather conservative looking sundresses. Erza in yellow and Lucy in white. She lowered it and smiled at him.

"Hey Natsu!"

"What's up?" He asked plainly, not realizing he was shirtless save for the bandages on his chest.

"We're heading out to the beach," Erza said, having flicked back a lock of her hair. "We wanted to know if you'd like to join us."

On any other day… sure. But now?

If I stay here, I can train some more. At least train until I can't stay awake any longer, his mind had rationalized.

What would he do at the beach besides, well… keeping to himself? He wasn't in the mood to play beach games with Happy and Lucy, or to sit and tan in the sun. Hell, he didn't even care about beating the Human Popsicle (another of his nicknames for Gray) at volleyball again.

It was then that Natsu realized his friends were still in 'vacation mode'. What happened at the tower was simply an inconvenience to them. Nothing more. He didn't know whether or not to consider them lucky, or blind.

The answer came easily to him. "I'm good." He said, already closing the door. "See you guys later."

"Wait!" Lucy's plea had made him stop momentarily. "What about dinner this evening? We're all going to go to that fancy restaurant down in the lounge. Don't you want to come with us?"

"Sure," he said with a rather dismissive wave of his hand, half-thinking about the answer. His only objective was to get the both of them out of his hair.

"Okay! We'll be heading down around 8pm. See you there!"

Natsu nodded one last time to the both of them before shutting the door and going back into the small living area in his room. He heard their footsteps echo down the hall, and their voices fade away. Knowing that they were gone, he got right back to his push ups.

He had been too focused on his training to have noticed the look of concern that Erza had worn, just before he closed the door.

Dinner had brought a small reprieve, however.

The rest of his team had been rather animated as the meal went on. Each of them were wearing business casual attire: Gray kept a sweater along with some jeans; Lucy and Erza wore gray and black pencil skirts respectively, with the latter wearing her usual white blouse, and Lucy wearing a pink one; while Natsu had tossed aside his black and gold vest in favor of a white dress shirt and fitting black pants.

It wasn't quite the fancy restaurant that Lucy had made it out to be, but Natsu figured she might've been a bit hyperbolic so as to get her point across. Her father was one of the richest men in Fiore, after all.

Natsu, for his part, had largely kept quiet. That itself was a rather normal occurrence during mealtime, since he'd stuff himself silly with whatever food he ordered. This time however he opted to simply observe his comrades as they discussed the weather, the guild, and what jobs they would take once they all returned to Magnolia.

"...and I know I'm kind of beating a dead horse here," Lucy said with a slightly embarrassed expression. "But I do have to pay my rent by the end of the month."

Oh, there was that, too.

Natsu rolled his eyes and quietly ate the tomahawk steak he ordered for himself. It was always the same with Lucy and her rent.

"We've got you handled, Lucy." Gray said. The Ice-Make mage had just wiped his mouth after finishing one of the grilled chicken breasts on his plate. "I'm sure there's loads of jobs we can take once we get back to the guild."

"Agreed." Erza nodded firmly. "You're a valued member of our team. It is our responsibility to help you make end's meet."

Lucy, however, had sweatdropped. "Is it your responsibility to also cause needless amounts of property damage?"

"Only when the situation calls for it."

"But it happens like… 99% of the time we all go out on a job! Our rewards always get cut in half!"

Happy snickered from Natsu's side. "I don't know what you're expecting, Luceee~" He said. "You're asking three of Fairy Tail's strongest mages to not do what they do best. Right, Natsu?"

He'd been caught off guard by the question. He stopped digging his knife into the steak and looked up. Everyone else looked to him to continue the conversation.

"Uh… yeah," Natsu said with a flickering smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "What Happy said."

The Dragon Slayer went back to eating his steak, but that awkward lull in the conversation had stayed and festered between all five of them. A few uncomfortable moments passed until Gray coughed and asked something about Lucy's keys, so as to break the tension.

Natsu pretended not to notice anything had happened, but internally he was scolding himself for bringing down the mood. That wasn't at all his intention.

It felt wrong to take out his frustrations and sour mood on his teammates. It wasn't their fault that he'd made such careless mistakes at the tower. A part of him knew that they were expecting him to be the usual boisterous Dragon Slayer that he was. But all of that energy had left him the day they came back to Akane Beach. Now it had been replaced by guilt, anger, and shame.

And he didn't even understand why.

Thankfully, as he started listening once more, the conversation had regained its light tone.

"-what did she say?" Lucy asked.

Gray shrugged. "Said she'd head back to Magnolia. See about joining the guild."

"That's wonderful!" The blonde said. "I know she has a history with Phantom Lord, but I'm sure Juvia will be an excellent addition to the guild. I don't think I would've made it out of the tower if it wasn't for her."

"She said the same thing about you, actually."

The blonde had blushed. "Oh, whatever it was, I'm sure it was nothing."

"Nonsense, Lucy. You're a capable mage in your own right." Erza said. "And I agree. Juvia certainly made a difference in our fight against Jellal. I'm glad she's joining Fairy Tail, though I'm a little confused as to why she was even here in the first place."

Gray had scratched the back of his head, hiding his embarrassment and going back to his meal. It had gone totally unnoticed by Erza and Lucy. But it had not gone unnoticed by Happy.

"You liiiiiiiiiiiiike her~" Happy said suddenly, pointing his fork at the Ice-Make mage.

"No I don't! How the hell did you come to that conclusion?!"

As Natsu cut the last bit of meat off the tomahawk bone, he set down his fork and knife. Whatever scraps of energy he had left had seemingly been drained out of him. He downed the glass of water next to his plate and felt his head begin to pound with a dull pain. He sighed heavily, not realizing how loud he'd been as he gripped his forehead.

"Natsu? Are you alright?" Lucy asked, concerned. "You look a bit pale."

The Dragon Slayer felt a cold sensation wash over him then. "Yeah… I'm good." He said, then coming to a decision. He didn't want to bring down the mood any longer. "I'm gonna head up to my room. See you guys in the morning, yeah?" He asked without expecting an answer, having already gotten out of his seat.

"But we haven't gotten dessert yet, Natsu~" Happy said.

"Yeah, ash-for-brains." Gray lounged back in his seat. "Thought food was the love of your life or something."

"Not tonight, guys." Natsu shook his head, taking out a wad of jewel notes from his pocket and placing them on the table. "Here, that should cover dinner." He said, then turning and making his way out of the restaurant and into the main lobby.

The dull cigar scent of the private lounge was quickly replaced by a cold blast of fresh oxygen as he strode by the front desk and made for the elevators. He pressed the glowing yellow button that had an arrow facing up.

He watched the small number box above the doors light up and begin to count down. 10, 9, 8…

A firm but small hand had grasped his shoulder. Natsu immediately looked at it and then at its owner.

Erza stood behind him, and carefully removed her hand when he noticed her. "Natsu, what's wrong?" She asked, folding her arms and giving him a rather stern glare.

For the life of him, he didn't even know why he was completely unphased under the death stare she was giving him. Now he just looked at her as if she'd cracked a bad joke. "Nothing." He said. "Just a bit tired."

"I understand that you're still sick. But you've just been… reclusive these last few days."

"Yeah. I know."

Erza's gaze had softened. She pursed her lips and took a step forward. "What's wrong, Natsu? You haven't been yourself lately. It's…" She looked away. "It's worrying the rest of us."

Should he tell her? Natsu didn't know whether or not she would get it. He didn't completely understand the problem himself. All he knew is that he was angry for letting down Igneel. For letting Simon die, for letting Jellal walk all over him…

And for seeing Erza cry.

No. This wasn't her problem. He shouldn't make it her problem. As much as Natsu trusted Erza, he couldn't do that to her. She'd had more than enough emotional stuff on her plate. Right now, she needed time to herself, and he needed to get himself out of whatever this rut was. Perhaps he might tell someone one day soon, but for now, this was something he'd have to sort out on his own.

"No," He said with a gentle smile, placing his hand on Erza's arm. "Nothing's wrong, Erza. I'm just tired."

Ding!

He looked over his shoulder and at the elevator. The two doors opened revealing an empty car.

Natsu took his hand away and went inside. Erza followed him, but stopped at the threshold between the main floor and the car. As he clicked the button for the 8th floor, he gave Erza one last smile.

"Goodnight, Erza." He said.

"Goodnight, Natsu." Came her reply. He didn't notice her downcast look as the doors closed shut. Ding!

Once he arrived back in his room, he took a seat on the lone armchair at the head of the coffee table in the living area. On his throne of reflection, he looked at the wide landscape painting hanging on the opposite wall and went back to the demons that were plaguing his mind.

He stayed there until the early hours of the morning. Just watching the still-life wheat fields in the painting and never once moving.

Author's Note:

Hello everyone. The Son of Wanderer here.

Before we dive in, there are a few things I'd like to clear up. Some of these may dissuade you from reading further, if that is the case, then no harm done. However, for those of you who are interested, here's what NOT to expect:

A full retelling of Fairy Tail. That's not the point of this story. It's not happening. As a matter of fact, I'm going to ignore many of the arcs that happen after the Tower of Heaven.

Jellal ain't coming back. He's staying dead. Not because the pairing wouldn't work with him there, but because he shouldn't have come back in the first place. He was cooler as a villain anyway.

Zero MAIN OCs. Can't be bothered, so we're working with the original cast here.

No Battle of Fairy Tail. This version of Laxus isn't a dickhead (well, maybe just a little bit at the start).

That should be it, I believe. Without further ado, I look forward to sharing this adventure with you.

So long,

The Son of Wanderer

Chapter Text

September 12th, Akane Beach Railway Station

As minutes passed by on the large circular clock inside of the train station, Natsu Dragneel had calmly tapped his foot against the floor.

The Dragon Slayer sat on one of the benches on the westbound platform; they would be taking the train back to Hargeon, and from there to Magnolia. A journey that amounted to a total of six or so hours. He estimated they would arrive later in the afternoon.

He'd woken up early in the morning, far earlier than the others for that matter. After waking up Happy as he trained rather vigorously, he'd taken a shower, gotten dressed, and packed his things. He was ready to go home.

Natsu didn't really pay attention to the fact that Happy had largely kept to himself, only occasionally catching the blue cat watching him curiously, but otherwise staying quiet. It had been like that for the remainder of their stay at Akane Resort as well. And not just with Happy.

Since he'd abruptly left dinner a few days back, feigning tiredness so he could brood in private, the others had seemed to be walking on eggshells when they were around him. Well, with the exception of Gray, of course. However, Natsu had noticed the distinct lack of insults being thrown his way after he'd left them behind in the lounge. Perhaps Gray was being cautious as well, just in his own way.

Whatever the case, Natsu hadn't intended to put a damper on his friends' vacation. He just couldn't bring himself to be as lively as he once was. Not with everything that was on his mind.

After packing, he ate a rather quiet breakfast with Happy and waited in the lobby for the others to come down and check out. Together, the whole team had set out to the train station where they were currently waiting for the next ride to Hargeon.

Lucy and Gray had stood by the edge of the platform just a short distance from Natsu and Happy, and Erza was currently speaking to the woman behind the ticket booth. The general mood wasn't exactly tense, but it certainly didn't hold its usual warmth, either. At least, it didn't for Natsu. But then again, he only had himself to blame for that.

Natsu for his part simply stared a hole into the concrete platform itself, and reflected on his failed duel with Fukuro, the owl wizard from Death's Head Caucus.

The bitter taste of inner shame had washed over him as he recalled just how easily he'd been taken out by the assassin. It had been a bad matchup to be sure, especially since Fukuro had done his homework on him in the first place, actually knowing about his motion sickness and using it to his advantage. It stung even more as he already knew that Gray of all people had to step in and finish the job, effectively cleaning up Natsu's trash. Another mark to add to his recent list of failures.

What could I have done differently?

Fukuro had been fast, but not that fast on his own. He'd relied on his jetpack for the most part.

Had it been possible for him to avoid the jetpack? Of course, but Natsu hadn't anticipated the mechanical hands that the device seemed to have. What sort of jetpack has hands anyways? He wondered, mostly frustrated as he looked back on it all.

Could he have kept his distance? But then how would he attack? None of his spells, save his roar at least, were particularly long-ranged. And even then it would usually take him a few seconds to inhale the air around him to get it ready. Longer if his magic reserves were running low.

Igneel had only ever taught him spells that focused solely on melee combat. His father loved to fight after all. He could afford to get in close and personal.

That might work for a dragon… but what about for a human? Natsu had figured out the hard way that he simply had much different limitations than a dragon. He was smaller, weaker, frailer. Clearly more susceptible to pain and injury. As much as Natsu enjoyed fighting close quarters… he knew that he had to adapt from this recent loss. Something had to be done.

What if… A flash of inspiration struck him. A rough, but galvanizing idea began to take shape. What if he made a spell that could address this impediment? Could he pull it off? And if he could, then how?

Truthfully, he didn't really know how much having a longer-ranged spell would help in the long run. But it was something he could latch onto, something he could improve on. And at this point, he was willing to take whatever he could get. Natsu was determined to make it work. He'd seen the Stripper make spears and lances out of ice, and he'd seen Erza rotate between various weapons; breaking the curse on Galuna Island had immediately come to mind. Natsu had used his magic to increase the velocity of Erza's spear. Who was to say he couldn't create a spell that could mimic the spear itself, though? It wouldn't hurt to give it a shot.

That said, Natsu knew that his lack of range hadn't been the core issue at hand. It was something he'd neglected to deal with over the years which had clearly come back to bite him in the ass.

His motion sickness had gotten him in the end. The weakness by itself hadn't presented any problems before, but now?

Fukuro had known about it. And if he knew, then others must as well. They'd try to take advantage of it if he gave them the chance.

Natsu did not want to end up in a situation like that ever again. The feeling of being completely helpless while others needed him only made him simmer with renewed anger. No, something had to be done about his motion sickness.

Was there a way he could get over it? And if so, how could he pull it off?

"Natsu?"

Broken out of his musings, Natsu glanced down at the blue cat who sat next to him. Happy was staring at him with a look that bordered between concern and confusion.

"Yeah buddy?"

"What's wrong with you?"

He shouldn't have been so surprised at how blunt Happy had been with his question. After all, Natsu had raised him ever since he'd hatched from his egg. The Dragon Slayer scratched the back of his head and looked away.

"Nothing." He said. "Just thinking."

Happy frowned. "Why though?" He asked. "What's going on?"

Natsu, not wanting to explain himself, gave his friend a hard look. "Happy. Leave it."

The Exceed hadn't replied, obviously getting the hint that Natsu hadn't wanted to talk about it. Happy pouted and folded his arms, looking away at the tracks.

Natsu let out a quiet breath, letting the awkward silence hang in the air. He glanced to his right, looking down the tracks that led to the smaller coastal towns and villages to the east. He squinted when he saw a small, black plume of smoke rise in the far distance. Nobody else had taken notice of it, of course. They couldn't see as well as he could.

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMPHHHHH! The train roared as it applied the brakes on the tracks. People gathered on the platform had stood up from their seats.

A few minutes later, the train pulled into the station, coming to a complete halt. Natsu got up and slung his pack over his shoulders before walking over to Erza and the others. Happy followed close behind him.

They waited for the people on the train to get off before boarding. The five of them quickly found an empty car and put away their luggage on the racks above their seats before sitting down. Instinctively, Natsu felt his gut squeeze uncomfortably in anticipation for what would come next.

Gray and Lucy had sat in the two seats on the opposite side of the car, with Happy resting next to the blonde. Meanwhile Natsu found himself sitting between the window and Erza.

This was their usual seating arrangement since they'd gone out on so many jobs together. Natsu mostly slept whenever they had to ride the train, either in his seat, or with his head on Erza's lap. All so he could avoid the queasy sensation that would build up in his stomach and make the world spin around him.

BRRRRRRRRRRRMMMPHHHHH! The train blasted its horn again as it started forward and began to pick up speed. Natsu immediately heard a sharp, whistling sound that tried to penetrate his eardrums, his vision beginning to whirl into a violent vortex of sounds and colors. He broke out into a cold sweat and leaned forward, posting his elbows on his knees just to keep himself upright.

His insides lurched and gurgled, threatening to come up out of his throat like the Etherion had. His hands were clammy all of the sudden.

"Natsu, come here," He heard Erza's voice even through the loud howling sound in his ears. It didn't sound like a demand like usual, more like she was asking him politely. He felt her hand touch his shoulder and pull him closer.

A part of him was yelling for him to obey. To take the easy way out and just rest his head on Erza's lap. It wasn't like he hadn't done this before, right? Maybe he could just…

No. He told himself. Somehow, he found the strength to lift his arm and gently push Erza's hand away. He shook his head, kept himself upright, and tried to steady his breathing. You're going to get over this. You're going to get accustomed to it. You're going to adapt to it…

One way or another.

Six hours later

The ride back to Magnolia had been comfortable, but silent.

As the train came to a halt in the railway station placed along the town's southern edges, Erza Scarlet had watched the shifting clouds in the sky through the window of their car, and had unconsciously measured the position of the sun. She didn't need a clock to tell her it was early in the afternoon.

By now, plenty of the townsfolk who had their normal, every day jobs would be breaking from lunch and getting back to work. Within a few hours they'd go home and prepare for dinner, relax for the evening, and then head off to bed.

She liked the homely feeling she got from this town. The residents and shopkeepers always made her feel welcome, regardless of the changing seasons, or even if there had been some sort of tragedy that took place in recent times. Even after the battle with Phantom Lord, these people still opened their doors and smiled at her and her comrades.

Erza watched as her friends got up from their seats. As if a switch had been flicked, Natsu had been the first one on his feet. He grabbed his pack, wiped his forehead clear of sweat, and strode out of the compartment. Lucy and Happy followed. Erza followed behind Gray out into the long hallway, though her mind was currently elsewhere. She wasn't even paying attention to the ice wizard when he'd thoughtlessly taken off his shirt and left it on the floor of the train.

The Knight had breathed in the fresh afternoon air as she stepped out onto the platform, her mind wandering to the guild and what they'd been up to as of late. It had only been roughly two weeks since she and her team left for Akane Resort, but in her mind, it felt as if years had passed by.

Had they finished the new guild hall while she and the others were away? Erza hoped so, though she was willing to get to work if that hadn't been the case.

"Gray! You're not wearing a shirt!"

Erza was brought back to the present by Lucy's half-shriek as they made their way along the train platform. The blonde was practically glaring at the ice wizard.

Gray, for his part, had only now just noticed he was half-naked. "What?" he looked down, only slightly surprised. "Ah, shit."

"That's all you have to say? You were literally wearing a shirt not two minutes ago!"

"Well, it's not like I can't-"

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRMPPPHHHHHHHH! The train blasted out its horn once again as passengers had finished boarding. It picked up speed, and started chugging along down the tracks once more. And with it, Gray's shirt.

"Fuck." The Ice-Make mage smoothed back his hair, giving the train a mildly frustrated glance as it began to fade away into the distance. "Well, I've got another one anyways."

The group stopped for a few moments while Gray opened up his pack and found a sweater. Then they continued on out of the station and into Magnolia Town itself, quickly finding their way to South Gate Park.

Erza found herself by the rear of the group. A rather uncommon position given that she'd been considered the de-facto leader of their team by the others. She wasn't concerned about it, however. It gave her the chance to take a step back and reflect on the last few weeks, and on how her teammates were doing.

Both Lucy and Gray had taken their excursion to the tower rather well. Erza was proud of them both for having respectively defeated two powerful assassins from a renowned dark guild. Meanwhile Happy had been up to his usual antics as always, though he seemed slightly more dejected today than days prior.

Erza would hazard a guess at what the cause had ultimately been.

Natsu silently led the group from the front. It hadn't taken a genius to know that something was off with him. Though Erza had been slightly hurt by his rejection to lay his head on her lap earlier on the train, she forced herself to look past it and focus on the problem at hand.

She knew his unusual behavior had to have been related to what happened at the tower. What she didn't know was the specifics behind his sudden change.

Was it his fight with the assassin Gray defeated? Or was it when he'd fought Jellal?

The redhead could understand the potential reasoning behind the first example. Both Natsu and Gray were highly competitive, especially when put up against one another. She wouldn't have blamed him for taking the defeat especially hard, as Gray had to come in and finish the job.

But hadn't he redeemed himself when he faced down Jellal? Natsu had won in the end. Even if Jellal seemed to be the more powerful of the two initially.

She racked her mind for any possible explanation, but nothing came up. What possible reason could Natsu have for being upset at his victory over a Wizard Saint? Wasn't fighting the thing he lived for? Wouldn't he celebrate over it?

The rest of their team had noticed it too. But Erza supposed that both Gray and Lucy were operating under the assumption that Natsu's strange behavior would eventually pass, and he'd be back to being the happy-go-lucky Dragon Slayer he usually was. They probably think he's still sick.

Erza, however, was not as optimistic. Whenever Natsu lost fights in the past, he'd always stay the same. Whether it was her he'd challenged, or Mira, or Laxus, or even Gildarts for that matter, he'd shrug it off like it was nothing and even come back for more.

But now? Him staying isolated in his hotel room was an obvious factor, but Happy had also informed them that Natsu rarely ate, slept, and that he was training when he should've been resting. None of them knew how to proceed with confronting him, since his newly stoic demeanor was enough for them to deal with.

Why change now, though? Because they'd been caught off guard in the hotel? Or because their lives had been threatened for real this time around?

Whatever the case, Erza wanted to find out what was bothering Natsu deep down. If only so she could help him. He was a member of their team after all.

And because he ate the Etherion. He was willing to die just so he could save you, a traitorous voice spoke up from within her head.

She forced it back down, however, and rationalized the ridiculous, but admittedly heroic deed as something he might've done for anyone else on their team.

South Gate Park was quickly put behind the group of five. They soon made their way into the center of town, with Kardia Cathedral being visible at the far end of the street as they came upon the next intersection.

"I don't know if it's because we almost died a few weeks ago, but everything just seems… nicer around here." Lucy said warmly.

"Maybe you just lost weight and you're finally seeing the world as healthy people see it." Happy quipped.

"Excuse me?!"

The blue cat hadn't seemed to notice the blonde's outburst. "You were fat before and because of that, everything was dark and depressing. Now that you've lost weight, everything is bright and nice."

Lucy almost growled. "I wasn't fat! Where do you get off saying things like that?!"

"Why are you mad at me? I just complimented you for slimming down."

The bickering between the two had subsequently broken out into an argument. Both Natsu and Gray seemed entirely disinterested in what was taking place, while Erza found herself slowly itching to go to her favorite cake shop in town.

It was like this often enough when they went out on jobs, but now Erza had been broken out of her musings once again, and that the two of them were beginning to draw more and more attention to themselves from the townsfolk passing by on the street, Erza figured it was time to lay down the law.

Just before she could say anything, however, Happy had bolted away from Lucy and ran up to Natsu's side.

"Natsu~! Lucy keeps insulting me even though I complimented her! She's being mean!"

The blonde pouted in response. "Well maybe if you hadn't called me fat, we wouldn't be doing this!"

Natsu came to a complete halt as they arrived at the intersection. He half-turned to face the rest of them, his face a mask of calmed anger. He narrowed his onyx eyes and first looked down at Happy, and then at Lucy.

There was a cold, silent fury behind those draconic eyes. Erza knew it all too well. It was similar to the stern, dangerous glare that Master Makarov would wear when he actually got serious about something.

"Both of you." He began, his voice firm. "Shut up!"

The simple command had completely demolished the bitter atmosphere between the blonde and the cat. And it had absolutely floored Erza.

Here was a man she'd known for the better part of her life, always playing the carefree Dragon Slayer she knew him to be. Usually he'd just ignored these occasional small-time spats between their companions, but now he'd just gone and effortlessly slipped into the role of the stern and disciplined parent.

Natsu…

"Now apologize to each other. Right now."

Both Lucy and Happy did a brief double take themselves before sheepishly looking at one another and mumbling their apologies.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you both." Natsu said, clearly playing it off as if he hadn't heard them with his enhanced hearing. Even Erza knew he heard things most others couldn't.

The two were louder as they spoke clearly to one another this time. "I'm sorry." They said at the same time.

"Good." Natsu glanced down the left road now. His expression morphed back into one of disinterest. "I'm gonna head home for the day. You guys go to the guild if you like."

Erza had finally recovered from her shock. She stepped forward, putting force into her voice. "Natsu, Master Makarov will be expecting us to report in."

It was barely a reason at all, but she had to say something to get him to stick around so she could continue observing his behavior.

However, her attempt did not quite have the effect she'd wanted. "You can tell him yourself then, Erza." The Dragon Slayer said off-handedly, then looking down at Happy. "You coming with? Or do you want to go see the guild?"

Happy seemed to contemplate what he'd say to the stranger standing in front of him. After a few moments, he'd looked up and matched Natsu's gaze. "I'll go to the guild."

"Cool." The reply was effortless, as if the voice behind it was going to say it regardless of the answer. Natsu looked at the rest of them one more time before nodding. "See you guys later." He said, and then marched off in the opposite road to the east. Erza knew that both his and Happy's house was in the eastern forest, so that clearly must've been where he was going.

The Knight, for one exceedingly rare moment, was totally dumbfounded by what had just happened. So too were her companions since they all stood there, in the middle of the street watching Natsu's back as he strode down the main road.

Gray was the first to break the tension. "To be fair, you guys were making a racket."

Lucy punched him in the arm.

With an awkward silence beginning to set in, Erza took the lead and went down the west road in the direction of Fairy Tail's guild hall.

What is going on with you, Natsu?

Tick, tick, tick, tick…

It was roughly an hour later. Erza sat with the Master's Office in the new and improved Fairy Tail guild building.

After Natsu had left them in the streets of Magnolia, none of them had spoken a word to each other until they reached the gigantic, sprawling castle-esque structure that was now their new home. It was so fantastically different from the previously demolished building that they could only marvel at it.

They were greeted quickly by Max who, for some reason, managed the souvenir shop outside of the front gates (Erza wasn't entirely sure on why Fairy Tail needed a souvenir shop to begin with). He showed them inside, where Mira was all too happy to receive them. The barmaid had waved them over and gave them a quick tour of the new guildhall. All the while a grand brawl had been raging across the main floor in the background.

Some things never change, Erza thought with a brief, guilty smile. The difference in atmosphere was a much needed reprieve to their rather perplexing morning and early afternoon.

She was pleased to see some of the new additions; namely the open cafe where she'd imagined herself ordering tea and strawberry cake, and being able to enjoy both without interruption. The swimming pool was nice, but as for the arcade in the basement… Erza felt it was unneeded. It promoted far too much laziness, when this place was meant to be a guild for wizards to seek and acquire work. Again, however, she knew in the end she'd spend very little time in the basement area. So she quickly managed to put it out of her mind.

They were also met with a newly recovered Juvia, who was now a proud member of Fairy Tail. She joined up with them as they toured the new guildhall, occasionally remarking on Gray's clothing before giving Lucy a deadly glare.

And as a side note: Erza's confusion about why the blue-haired young woman had been in Akane Resort was swiftly answered by her clear attachment to Gray.

After the tour was over, Team Natsu (minus Natsu himself) had unanimously decided to split up. Gray and Juvia joined in the guildwide brawl, while Lucy and Happy quickly made amends for their earlier spat and went to the cafe together. Erza, meanwhile, had asked Mira as to where Master Makarov was. Having been told he was in his office, she decided to go speak to him in private.

And now, here she was, having just finished her rather thorough explanation of events during her team's raid on the Tower of Heaven. Makarov had largely kept silent as she went over everything, with him only adopting a rather serious look when she mentioned how the tower was hit with Etherion, Simon's sacrifice, and how Natsu took it upon himself to confront a Wizard Saint and save her from certain death, twice.

When she was finished, he grunted before turning his chair to face the window on the right side of the room. The old man was looking at the clouds in the sky, clearly reflecting on the story she'd told him.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick… She smiled at the intrusion of the grandfather clock that rested on the left half of the office. It made her feel like she was back in her room at Fairy Hills on a warm winter's evening, enjoying a mug of hot chocolate on the couch while she read one of her favorite adventure books as it snowed outside.

"You probably heard about the news on your way back here," The old man grumbled, having swiveled his chair back so he was facing her. "The Magic Council has been disbanded due to this whole fiasco, at least for the moment of course. Having not just one, but two infiltrators in the ranks has a nasty way of creating distrust between the other council members. I suspect they'll be back rather soon, however."

"How do you know?" Erza asked. She'd heard about its disbandment from one of the workers at the Akane Beach Train Station, but not much else.

Makarov tapped his nose playfully and grinned. "Just a hunch, my dear." He said, waving the matter aside. "But anyway. The Magic Council is hardly important. What I want to know is how you five got out of there. And how you're all holding up."

Erza smiled back at the old man. While he was still a pervert at times, she knew he cared deeply for every single soul in the guild.

She started small. "I don't quite understand it myself. I did decide to merge with the lacrima so the others could have time to escape, but Natsu… well he got me out. Gave me a good scolding for doing so, too." She said, not noticing the faint dusting of pink on her cheeks as she mentioned the pink-haired Dragon Slayer. The memory of her waking up in his arms on Akane Beach had also come to the forefront of her mind.

"Hmph. Good. Would've done the same myself." Makarov commented, waving his hand for her to go on.

She did. "As for the tower not exploding… I could only speculate. I think Jellal might've had something to do with it."

"You think he came to his senses?"

"It's possible," She shrugged. "But I don't know for certain."

Makarov nodded. "Hmmm…" He put his hands behind his head and lay back against the chair, having already kicked up his feet onto the surface of his desk. There was a slight pause before he continued. "And how are you holding up?"

Erza thought of the answer before giving it. "I'm doing well."

"And the rest of your team? How about them?"

"Lucy and Gray are fine. They came out of it with little to no physical injury. I must also commend Juvia for her aid. Her help was unexpected, but exceptional."

Makarov nodded in approval. He gestured for her to continue.

She did. "Happy is fine as well." The Knight paused as she reached the final, absent member of their team. "And Natsu…"

The old man had removed his feet from his desk after having endured her pause for long enough. He sat forward, now with both hands planted on the table facing down.

The redhead knew that look all too well. She had his undivided attention now.

"Elaborate, Erza." Makarov asked. "What's the matter?"

I… don't know, was what she wanted to say.

Erza frowned as she thought of the best way to put it. She decided to simply describe the symptoms of the problem itself since she hadn't a single clue about the cause.

"Natsu… he's been acting… odd to say the least." She said, "At first we all assumed he was simply recovering from his sickness-the after effects of eating the Etherion. But as he recovered, it became apparent that something was wrong with him."

She was quick to defend her comrade after hearing her own words. "Not wrong with him as a person, of course! Just that… well… he was being withdrawn. He didn't communicate with us unless we spoke directly to him. Happy told us that he also wasn't resting when he was supposed to, and was training at God knows when in the morning. That was all he did, apparently. Day in, day out. It was like he wanted to avoid us for some reason."

"On the way here, he even snapped at Lucy and Happy. To be fair to him, they were arguing rather loudly. But even then, it was strange to see him so…" She tried to find the right word.

"Severe," Makarov had finished her sentence.

"Yes, severe." Erza said with a nod. She leaned forward slightly as she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. "Master, I'm worried about him. I don't know how to speak with him about this. I…" She trailed off, not knowing where to go from there.

For all of her experience in combat and with her magic, she never really understood people in general. In the past, her answer to Natsu's antics had been primarily with force. It was one of the only things he understood. Well, besides food, naturally.

Now, however, she was entering into completely new territory. Erza wasn't a fool. She knew damn well that between the two of them, Natsu had more than evened out the playing field. Were they to fight again, even just to spar, she knew he'd hold the slightest of edges over her. Regardless of if she wore her Flame Empress Armor or not.

Force wouldn't work with him anymore. The threat of it hadn't done anything to him back at the resort, and it certainly hadn't worked before he left them in the middle of town.

So what was there for her to do? Erza hated the feeling of helplessness. For all she knew, he needed her. Perhaps he just didn't know how to put it into words, or maybe he was simply too prideful to admit it. Whatever the case, she wanted to do something about it.

Makarov had listened attentively to her the whole time. Briefly, he glanced down at the desk and opened his mouth to speak.

"Erza… what do you think the problem is?" He asked.

She pursed her lips before speaking again. "I… I don't know." She admitted.

"Hmmmm…" The old man hummed. He pivoted his seat so he was facing the window again.

More silence hung in the air. The uncomfortable air was only lessened somewhat by the ticking of the grandfather clock. Otherwise, Erza found herself staring a hole into the bare coffee table.

Had she explained everything? Yes, she had. She distinctly remembered telling Master Makarov about Natsu's exploits during their raid on the tower. He knew everything she knew now.

But what exactly would come of it?

The Knight looked up as she heard the old man swivel his chair back around, facing her once again. What would his council be?

"You've done well, Erza. I'm proud of both you and the rest of your team for how you all handled things." He then got to the meat of the problem. "As for Natsu… I suggest that he be left alone in the meantime. Attempting to force him to come back to the guild, or to socialize at all for that matter, will only result in pushing him away."

What? Erza frowned. They had to do something! "But Master, I-"

"No buts, Erza." The old man shook his head. "Natsu is in a very… delicate place right now. He'll come around on his own, but you need to have faith."

Erza was at a loss. It sounded more like an order if anything.

A part of her wanted to pound her fists against the coffee table, stand up, and go out to find Natsu herself so she could give him a piece of her mind. Where did he get off doing this to the rest of them anyway? They were meant to be a team, after all!

But… soon she began to see the wisdom given to her from her guildmaster. She could see that plan totally backfiring. Nobody would benefit from it.

Resignedly, she sighed. At the very least, she was certain Natsu would come back. He had to.

"What…" Erza began hesitantly. "What is plaguing him then?"

"I don't know for sure." Makarov admitted. "However, I'll look more into the matter myself." He sat forward then, his voice becoming stern in a grandfatherly sort of way. "For now, however, you and the rest of your team must focus on recovering your strength. Rest, rest, and more rest. I will not take 'no' for an answer, Erza."

The redhead nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Of course, Master."

"Ask Mira for some cake before you head back to Fairy Hills for the day. You've earned it." He said, giving her her queue to leave.

Erza stood up from her spot on the couch. She made for the door and gave the old man one last nod before clicking it open.

Makarov watched as the door soon gently closed shut behind her, before rotating his chair for the third time and faced the wide open rectangular window in his office. The clouds outside were parting, and sun had hung just low enough to shine its rays into his workspace.

The aging guildmaster had thought grimly on the subject at hand and let out a tired sigh. He hated lying, especially to those under his care. Yet he knew that it had to be done. He didn't want to reveal what he suspected to Erza simply because he didn't want her to worry incessantly about the matter. She certainly wasn't happy regardless, but now she could focus on recovering.

He looked out the window again, and saw the slight tinge of orange on the horizon. The sun would set in a few hours.

Internally, he was reminded of a realization he'd first had when Precht gave him responsibility over Fairy Tail: every mage had to grow up at some point. And that went especially for someone like Natsu…

My thoughts are with you, Natsu… You're certainly in for a rude awakening.

Chapter Text

September 27th, Outskirts of Magnolia

Thump! Five hundred and seventy-six.

Thump! Five hundred and seventy-seven.

Thump! Five hundred and seventy-eight.

It was early in the morning. The sun hadn't even begun to rise. The sky was as black as night, and still populated with stars.

Natsu Dragneel hadn't been able to sleep. He went to bed the evening prior and found himself simply staring up at the ceiling, even after he'd been awake for close to twenty-three hours beforehand. He felt tired, the ache in his bones and muscles had told him as much. He knew full well that he should be sleeping. But for some reason beyond his comprehension, he just couldn't manage it.

After an hour of trying to calm his restless mind, Natsu had slipped quietly out of his hammock, left a snoring Happy inside their home, and went outside to train.

And now, only six hours later after having exerted his magical abilities, but also his body to its limits, he was monotonously punching the great oak tree in the large clearing that was his backyard.

He'd recalled a rather dull technique that Igneel had taught him as a kid. His father would sit him down before a mighty stone and have him punch it one thousand times for no reason whatsoever. Whenever he'd ask his father for an explanation, the great red dragon would only rebuke him.

"Shut up, boy. Now get to work."

Years later as a young adult, Natsu still hadn't understood why Igneel made him punch a stone until his fist was bruised and bloodied. But what he did know was that it made him focus and block out all distractions in his mind. He'd rarely practiced the technique after Igneel left and had almost forgotten about it altogether. Until today, that is.

Thump! Five hundred and eighty-four.

Thump! Five hundred and eighty-five.

Natsu stopped himself momentarily as he felt an all-too familiar lurching sensation hit his gut. He posted himself up against the tree and felt it all come back up once again as he vomited out onto the grass. The acidic taste of bile mixed with crackling blue magical energy had almost sapped the last of his strength. His Etherion-sickness had gotten somewhat better in the last few weeks, but it had yet to fully go away on its own.

The queasiness had ceased almost immediately as he was done. He caught his breath while he tried to swallow down the bitter acrid aftertaste. Warm pellets of sweat ran down his face and forehead. He wiped them away and stood upright, assuming his prior position. With lightning-fast speed, even for a sick man, he launched his left fist out at the oak once again.

Thump! Five hundred and eighty-six.

Far in the distance, out of the corner of his eyes and through the trees, he saw the small sliver of orange appear on the horizon. The first cracks of dawn over a new day.

Thump! Five hundred and eighty-seven.

Soon his thoughts drifted over to something else. To the things he didn't want to think about. The demons he'd been running from.

"Interesting! Show me the dragon wizard's power!"

Natsu snarled at the oak as if it had insulted his friends. His next punch came harder than the last.

THUMP! Five hundred and eighty-eight.

"Are you being serious?"

He growled this time, and hit the wood again with far more aggression behind his strike.

THUMP! Five hundred and eighty-nine.

"Natsu Dragneel…"

The pink-haired man wasn't even aware that he'd started using his flames.

THUNK! THUNK! Five ninety, five ninety-one!

"...the child of Igneel…"

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! The oak shook violently, trembling after each strike from his closed fists. He was using both hands now, not even paying attention to the black burn marks on the trunk of the tree.

"I had wanted to taste the destructive power of a Dragon Slayer… but this is nothing to fear at all."

He growled, not aware of the magical pressure that was now building up from his aura.

"Natsu, take care of Erza."

"ARGH!" With one last devastating blow, Natsu had punched into the core of the tall, mighty oak tree and felt the wood fracture underneath the sheer force behind his closed fist.

Snapped out of his rage, he took a step backwards and held a hand up to protect his eyes as the trunk of the oak began to rip and tear, splintering apart completely, and sending flying shards of wood everywhere. The sound that followed was almost akin to several dozen lightning bolts striking the same spot consecutively. Crrrrrrrrracccck! Which, as the tree lurched backward and away from him, was followed by a sharp, BOOM!

Leaves rustled harshly in the clearing. It began to tone down now that the tree was lying awkwardly on the forest floor.

Natsu came back to his senses and took stock of his handiwork. He looked at his hands and let the flames coating his knuckles die away on their own. He exhaled sharply. Shit.

He hadn't meant to go that hard.

The Dragon Slayer sighed harshly, beginning to feel his head pound with a dull pain.

"Your technique doesn't work, you cranky old lizard…" He said under his breath, half-hoping Igneel had heard him somewhere out in the world. Wherever the old bastard was right now, at least.

His conscience, however, was satisfied with the brutality with which he'd taken down the oak. The voices in his head disappeared for the moment, and Natsu decided to seize the opportunity. He walked over to the fallen oak, sat down, and rested his back against the trunk.

As the darkness came to take him away, he simply watched the small slivers of orange turn into light blue. With his eyelids feeling far too heavy to keep up, Natsu finally fell asleep.

"Helloooooo! Natsu~"

It was hours later. Natsu opened his eyes, blinking once as they adjusted to the clear blue sky above him, and the gaze of the sun. He wasn't in the shade, but his positioning hadn't bothered him in the slightest. Realizing that he was laying on his side, he posted his hand on the ground and sat upright.

Sitting on the fallen tree trunk above his head was none other than Happy. He flicked the cat a brief smile as he let his head rest against the oak. "Morning, Happy."

"Morning, Natsu." His friend greeted him back. "What's up with the tree?"

"Err…" The Dragon Slayer scratched the back of his head. "Got a bit carried away with training."

"I thought we had the training dummy in the house for that, though?"

Natsu took a moment to think about a proper reply. He'd stopped using the training dummy ever since they got back from Akane Resort. He didn't use it because it simply wasn't as durable as it used to be, and also because written in red lettering on the face of the thing, was the name Erza.

"Didn't want to wake you up. I couldn't sleep again." Natsu said, not wanting to explain himself. He didn't notice the unconvinced look that Happy had given him though.

"Right," The cat shook his head. "You've been acting super weird, you know."

Natsu glanced up at him and frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You're never around the guild any more. I don't think you've been there since we got back. You haven't even seen the new guild hall yet. And you love the guild!" Happy exclaimed, his tail flicking angrily at Natsu's forehead. He barely noticed the impact, though. "Didn't Lucy and Gray come over to ask you out on jobs?"

The Dragon Slayer had looked down towards the ground. It was true that he'd been visited, albeit briefly, by his teammates in the last few weeks. Lucy and Gray had each taken turns making the walk to his house, and sometimes they'd even come by together. Every single time they'd ask him to come to guild or go out on some job with them, and every time he'd politely declined. Erza had been the only one to not visit him, which had only bothered him somewhat. However he quickly rationalized that she must've been busy handling something S-Class related.

Deep down, Natsu appreciated their concern for him. The fact that they made it a point to check on him and see how he was doing only made him feel rather guilty about it all. But he didn't feel comfortable enough to divulge what he was really thinking about to them.

It annoyed him that both Gray and Lucy could be so nonchalant, that they could simply go back to their normal selves and pretend that everything that took place at the Tower never even happened. Why had he been the only one who was genuinely bothered about how close they all were to dying? That they had been totally caught off guard and placed in someone else's game, to simply be used as chess pieces?

How was he supposed to just ignore it all? How could he go back to his usual, care-free self when he felt responsible for their safety, and that when the chips were down, he wasn't enough to protect them?

"I had wanted to taste the destructive power of a dragon slayer… but this is nothing to fear at all."

He couldn't prevent Simon's death. He couldn't stop Erza from bawling her eyes out. And he hated that he couldn't do anything about it until he'd eaten that stupid lacrima.

"Yeah, they did." Natsu said with no emotion. He didn't want Happy to see the guilt in his eyes. "I've been busy training. We'll go out on a job or something later."

Happy jumped down from the trunk of the oak with his wings. He sat next to Natsu now. The Dragon Slayer knew he wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer. "They keep asking me about you, and I'm tired of giving them the same answer. Don't you think you should at least go and say hi? Just so they don't have to worry?"

Shit.

Had he been too distant from the guild? Probably. No, he most definitely had been.

Natsu ran a hand through his hair, fighting a battle with his guilty conscience and losing terribly. It wasn't their fault, right? How could it have been? Maybe…

Maybe just a quick visit… I need to eat something that isn't cooked over a campfire anyway.

He looked over at the blue cat sitting next to him. Sometimes, Happy could give a real kick in the ass when it was needed. Natsu felt proud of him.

"I guess we could pop in and grab some food. Maybe go out on a job with the rest of the team if they're around."

"Aye sir!" Happy immediately jumped into the air and pumped his fist out of excitement.

Natsu smiled as he got to his feet and started walking back home with Happy at his side.

Little did he know that today, he would get exactly what he needed.

The peaceful walk through Magnolia had managed to lift his spirits.

Townsfolk were going about their usual business. South Gate Park was as picturesque as ever, and Natsu found himself enjoying the cool autumn breeze paired with the warming rays of the sun. It was pleasant in spite of the fact that his muscles ached incessantly thanks to his rather uninhibited training routine.

After a quick dip in the lake near his house so he could bathe, Natsu had gotten changed into a fresh set of clothes. He wore his usual black sandals and puffy white pants, but chose to forgo the black waistcoat he typically wore. Instead he took the long brown shearling coat that Mira had once bought for him as a gift and slipped it on, pleased to find that it fit him perfectly.

With that, both he and Happy set out into town. He shared the occasional wave with one of the townsfolk who passed him in the street. He was a well-known wizard from Fairy Tail after all. The sight of pink hair was unmistakable to them.

It was around noon by the time he made it to his destination. Natsu was initially surprised at just how… medieval the whole thing seemed.

Happy seemed to like it a lot. But after a few minutes of getting used to it, Natsu admitted that he preferred the smaller scaled version that he'd grown up in. It had given him a homey sort of feeling, and had reminded him of his early childhood with Igneel.

There was a long line of townspeople gathered just in front of the souvenir shop by the entrance. Max gave him a wave, "Hey Natsu! Good to see you."

"You too, Max." The Dragon Slayer said in kind, giving him a nod and letting Max get back to serving his customers.

He pushed open the twin wooden doors easily and stepped inside. Happy glided in the air above him, flying over to the bar where he took a seat.

Sure enough, the rest of the guild was already in the middle of an all-out brawl. Chairs and benches flew through the air. He saw Elfman lift up Nab by the scruff of his collar and throw him against one of the nearby pillars before being hit in the back with a chair by Alzack. The Take-Over mage had almost crumpled to the floor, and managed to turn around and grapple his attacker. It was then that he was hit in the face with a fire blast coming from Macao.

Natsu allowed himself a small, jovial smile before making his way over to the bar to join Happy. He sat down on the closest stool and continued to watch the ensuing chaos in peace.

It wasn't long before Mira had made her way over to him, casually ducking a chair that nearly split against the wall behind her. "Hi Natsu! What can I get for you?"

"Hey Mira," He smiled back at her. "Dealer's choice. I'm starving."

"Coming right up!" The barmaid took a few notes on a piece of paper and went back into the kitchens.

A few moments later she returned with a mug of what smelled like ale to him. "Food is on its way. I brought you this in the meantime."

"Thanks," He took the mug anyway, even if it was impossible for him to get drunk.

"That coat looks good on you~! Glad you finally decided to wear it." She said with a playful wiggle of her eyebrows. "Why the change in wardrobe?"

"Decided to go with something else today."

In truth, he felt he'd grown out of the black and gold vest, and had only picked the coat since he didn't really know what else to wear in the meantime.

Mira posted her elbows on the bar and leaned forward. "So, what have you been up to? You haven't been in here all that much." She said, "This is your first time seeing the new guild hall, right?"

"Uhh… yeah that's right. It looks nice." He took a moment to think before answering. "Training. Recovering. Not much else, really." He paused as he saw the barmaid's unwavering gaze on him. What did she want from him? "Uh… how's the guild doing?"

It was as if he'd flipped a switch with his question. Mira leaned away and beamed. "Oh, everyone's doing well. Jet and Droy are still pining after Levy; Elfman recently renovated our house actually. He's got a client from a merchant guild who he's doing retainer work for at the moment." She rattled off from some invisible list in her head. "Oh! We've got a few more members actually! Some of them you might know. Juvia for instance?"

Natsu was genuinely surprised by that revelation. His view of the water mage from Phantom Lord had changed ever since she'd joined them in their raid on the Tower of Heaven. He liked her, even if she was a bit strange. Then again, all of us are pretty weird. "Really? Where is she?"

"Oh she went out on a job with your team, actually." Mira said off-handedly. "I think they'll be back later today? The job wasn't that far away if I recall correctly."

Damn. He was going to ask about his team next. It sucked to hear that they were already out on a job without him, but Natsu realized that he only had himself to blame. "Well that's… good to hear."

Mira nodded in agreement. "Maybe you'll get to see them? Speaking of which," She leaned forward again. "Have they been visiting you? I assume you've been staying home these last few weeks."

The Dragon Slayer sipped at his ale. "Yeah. Lucy and Gray stopped by a few times. Erza wasn't there, but I guess she's handling S-Class stuff or something."

He noticed Mira's slight frown. "Hmmm… well maybe she'll stop by sooner than you think."

"Yeah. Maybe." He shrugged.

The distant ringing of a bell came up. Mira gave Natsu one last warm smile before heading back into the kitchens.

The pink-haired man simply took another swig of his ale. The cold brew of spices flushed down his throat, washing away the traces of acidic aftertaste left by the bile he'd thrown up earlier that morning.

Moments later, Mira came out holding several trays filled with ribeye steaks, grilled chicken breasts, and servings of fried potatoes sprinkled with salt, olive oil, and paprika. Natsu immediately forgot all about his prior troubles as she set down the plates before him. "Enjoy!"

"What do I owe you, Mira?" He asked, reaching into his pocket for the wad of jewel notes he usually kept on his person whenever he'd go out.

"Not a penny." The barmaid said as she bent forward and kissed him on the cheek. "It's good to have you back, Natsu."

Natsu paused for a moment to process what just happened. He smiled. "Good to be back," he said before tucking in.

The meal, as always, was delicious. Guild food always managed to hit the spot, and was always doused with the necessary portions of pepper and garlic that he preferred. The whole time, Happy was also silently enjoying his company while he munched on a fresh koi given to him by Mira.

In the background, the guild-wide brawl had persisted. It reached its peak when Elfman, Alzack, Jet, and Droy were the only ones left standing. The four of them battled it out until they eventually collapsed from exhaustion, each of them calling for a time out. At the same time, Natsu chatted with Happy and Mira about the town's preparation for the upcoming Harvest Festival, which most of the guild also seemed rather excited for.

By the time Natsu had finished his meal, he'd stood up from his stool and slid a few notes across the bar as a tip for Mira. At first she refused, but Natsu stood firm and said that he wouldn't accept a refusal. Reluctantly, but with a warm smile, she relented.

He turned towards the doors and was about to show himself out when another voice had stopped him cold in his tracks.

"Natsu, wait."

The Dragon Slayer complied with the familiar voice. He looked over his shoulder to see the short and squat figure of Makarov standing by the foot of the stairs leading up to the second floor.

"Gramps? What's up?"

"Would you care for a cup of coffee, my boy? There's a small matter I wish to discuss with you. In private."

Natsu tried to find an excuse to say no. But the cool stern look in the old man's eyes told him that it might've been best to accept his offer. "Okay… but not for long."

Makarov grinned. "Perfect." he gestured to the stairs. "Right this way."

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

All was silent within the small box-like office except for the constant serene tick of the grandfather clock.

Makarov sat in the chair by his desk. On the opposite side of the room by the door was the long brown leather couch and an accompanying coffee table. A small wisp of steam floated up into the air above the table, its source being the hot cup of coffee that sat before Makarov's guest.

Sitting on the couch was Natsu. He sat upright rather confidently, though he avoided Makarov's inspecting gaze by looking calmly around the room.

The guildmaster of Fairy Tail had taken note of the boy's appearance. It was without a doubt, different compared to when he'd last seen Natsu. In fact, calling him a boy anymore might've been premature.

For starters, Natsu was clearly leaner than he'd been ever before. Erza had mentioned that he hadn't been eating much. His spiky salmon hair was several inches longer, just about neck-length. Where Natsu's features had once been almost boyish, he seemed to have aged almost half a decade in the last month alone. There were even faint traces of a small stubble along his chin and jawline.

And his eyes! Makarov could see the difference in Natsu's onyx eyes. There was that faraway, detached gaze that was looking for something. Far different from the present, energetic boy who always managed to light up people's faces around the guild, the same boy whom Makarov saw as practically his own grandson.

Time to go to work, Makarov thought.

"Natsu, my boy." He got the Dragon Slayer's attention. "A few weeks ago, just after you and your team returned from Akane Resort, Erza came to inform me of what took place there."

It was a subtle enough way of breaking the ice, but it worked. Understanding dawned in Natsu's eyes.

Makarov continued. "She spoke very highly of your efforts at the Tower of Heaven." He was somewhat dismayed when his indirect compliment had no effect on the boy. The old man decided to get to the point. "She also informed me that you kept to your room and largely avoided her and the others. Is there anything you would like to tell me regarding this matter?"

Natsu glanced at the floor for a few moments. Makarov could see the gears turning behind his eyes. After a few moments, the boy shook his head rather plainly. "No."

So you're going to be difficult about this, then? Makarov sighed. "Natsu, you can trust me. I swear that I will not divulge what you say here to anyone. Is the issue at all regarding your duel with the former councilman, Fernandez? Because-"

The guildmaster was almost shocked as he saw Natsu stand sharply from his seat on the couch and make for the door. "Sorry Gramps, busy schedule today."

Makarov knew he couldn't let that happen. Not when his suspicions had been so suddenly confirmed. "Natsu." He said with as much authority as he could muster into his voice.

It worked. The Dragon Slayer had halted his advance on the door, his hand just inches away from the handle. He turned his head and looked at Makarov.

"If you have any care at all for your friends, you will take a seat and listen very carefully to what I have to say. Do you understand?"

Silence filled the gap soon after. It seemed as if hours had passed by between the two of them.

Slowly, Natsu began to withdraw his hand from the doorknob. He made his way over to the couch again and sat down. His eyes did not meet Makarov's.

It was clear that he'd struck a nerve in the boy. Deciding to take something of a calmer tone, Makarov sighed, and leaned forward only slightly so that his elbows were posted on his desk.

"Erza told me everything that happened. But that is besides the point. What concerns me is this rather… withdrawn behavior coming from you these last few weeks. If I am not mistaken, today is the first day in almost a month that you've appeared in the guild. I do not need to tell you why this may seem out of character to your fellow guildmates." He said. "I would like to know why. If only so that I may be able to help you."

Natsu's only response was to stare a hole into the floor. Why wasn't he responding?

Perhaps he doesn't want to make it anyone else's problem?

Makarov sat back in his seat and sipped at the mug of black coffee in front of him. The immovable object that was Natsu had presented something of an unexpected challenge thus far. But the aging guildmaster was not about to give up.

A flash of inspiration came to mind right then. He was reminded of another young man from years ago who had once been in a very similar situation to Natsu. Yes… perhaps that might work. And it would also allow him to gain Natsu's trust in the same instance.

He set down the porcelain cup onto his desk, making sure it had been loud enough to get Natsu's attention. "What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room." His statement had the intended effect. Natsu looked up at him then and matched his gaze. "Do you understand?"

The boy was confused, but curious as to where he was going with this. He nodded, albeit reluctantly.

Makarov sighed. Don't hate me for this Gildarts. "Years ago, long before any of you brats joined the guild, Gildarts had been our only S-Class Mage. Back then, he was far more eager to prove himself-much like you are for that matter. He was a good soul, of course. Always kind to those of lesser power in the guild. I remember him being rather prone to personal insults, however. He was also rather reckless, and quick to anger."

If Natsu was being reticent before, now Makarov had his full and undivided attention. The boy bent forward and listened rather attentively.

"It was his first S-Class Mission, I believe. He was contracted by the Magic Council to find an artifact called the 'Crown of Absolution'. He was also paired up with an S-Class Mage from Lamia Scale, a young woman named Irina." Makarov explained. "She was about a year younger than him, I think. They got along rather well for the most part, especially in spite of the competitive rivalries between our guilds. It wasn't long before they found out where the Crown was being kept. A dark guild had been using it to control a great sea serpent which had been terrorizing the northern coastlines of Fiore, by the Whirlpool Sea."

"Why?" Natsu asked. Makarov might've grinned now that he was getting the young man to engage with him.

"Plunder, unfortunately." The old man had said. "The Whirlpool Sea is a rather popular trade route. The dark guild in question had known this and used the Crown and the Sea Serpent to destroy trade ships. Later they would loot the wreckage at the bottom of the sea. One of their numbers was a water mage if I remember right." He waved his hand aside, getting back on track. "Both Gildarts and Irina found the guild and the Serpent. While Gildarts was eager to fight off the Serpent, Irina had suggested they instead focus on the guildmaster. Gildarts refused and fought the beast regardless."

He continued, still remembering the defeated look on Gildarts' face after he came back from that job all those years ago. "Suffice to say… despite his best attempts to protect her, Irina was killed. Gildarts slew the beast and defeated the guild in control of it, but…" He spread his hands out. "He wasn't quite the same afterwards. He blamed himself for Irina's death, and while he was able to move on from it, I don't think he ever forgave himself for what happened to her. It was that day that he decided to change who he was at his core, so he could grow into the man he is today." Makarov said.

Natsu, for his part, only wore a deep-set frown as he stared into the coffee table.

Makarov knew. Now was his chance.

The old man looked squarely at the Dragon Slayer sitting across the room from him. "I know you blame yourself for what happened at the Tower. Just as Gildarts blamed himself for what happened to Irina. But my boy, you cannot let yourself be consumed by those feelings. They will destroy you." He said. "I am not asking you to let go of the anger you feel, I am asking you to use it, to channel it, towards a higher purpose; to become the best possible version of yourself."

And with that, the old man finally leant forward, placing both of his hands flat against the table. "Now. Tell me everything."

The floodgates had opened from there. Makarov listened attentively as Natsu told him what had happened from his point of view. Everything. His battle with the owl assassin; him interrupting Jellal's ceremony; and even when the boy had eaten the Etherion.

The young man's emotions were by far the most powerful when he'd mentioned the death of Simon, Erza's childhood friend. Natsu had coiled his hand into a fist and brought it hard onto the coffee table, ratting the porcelain cup and spilling coffee onto the wood.

"It's like I was punching air, Gramps." He said with a cold snarl. "He was fast. Too fast. And no matter what I do… I can't get his voice out of my head. I keep hearing him even when I try to sleep at night. He keeps saying, 'I wanted to taste the destructive power of a Dragon Slayer, but this is nothing to fear.'" Natsu ran a hand down his face. "There wasn't anything I could do. Felt like I was letting down Igneel just because of it."

Sounds about right… Everything that Natsu was saying completely tallied with Makarov's suspicions. The boy felt he was insufficient, even if the Dragon Slayer was easily one of the most powerful wizards in the guild. Makarov wouldn't even have been particularly surprised if Natsu was a notch above Erza by this point.

Regardless, this was a clear issue for him. Especially with his comparison to a mage who was far older than himself… Natsu needed guidance. He had the makings to transcend the level of even a Wizard Saint, but he needed to be pushed in the right direction…

"You believed that eating the Etherion… it was the only way out?" The old man asked.

Natsu nodded. "Yeah… there wasn't any fire around… so I chose the next best thing." He shook his head. "I won, gramps... but I didn't beat him."

...but didn't I beat him… the words had been said with about as much disdain as the boy could muster. Makarov knew the feeling of shame all too well. He'd been a young man once upon a time as well. For Natsu, however, it would've been amplified a thousandfold.

There were many more people for him to disappoint…

"And you feel that if you were strong enough, that the Etherion wouldn't have been needed?" The old man asked again.

"Yes." The answer was instantaneous. "If I was as strong as Gildarts, then I could've saved Simon. I could've stopped Jellal sooner. Maybe then Erza wouldn't have had to cry."

Ah… there it was.

"Natsu." Makarov started as he sat back in his chair. "You must understand that Simon made his own decisions. Simon, for his part, chose to sacrifice himself to save both you and Erza. His death is not your fault."

"But-"

Makarov cut him off with a slight wave of his hand. Time for the clincher. "I'm not finished." He said sternly. "Allow me to give you yet another example." He sat back as he collected his thoughts. "In the last few weeks alone, Erza has shown improvement with regard to how she's previously carried herself in the guild. She has been sociable, often speaking with others outside of your team, such as Levy and Macao. She has since ceased wearing armor as well, and is now taking part in regular guild activities. Not to mention, her skills as a leader have benefited greatly. All because her demons have been put to rest. All because of…" he pointed a bony finger out at the young man sitting across from him. "You."

The pink-haired man had raised his eyebrows out of surprise. Makarov continued. "Going by your logic, Natsu… Erza's growth, not simply as a mage but as a woman, is also your fault."

Natsu said nothing in reply. He sat there, almost dumbfounded by the revelation.

Makarov decided that playtime was over. He'd open this young man's eyes even if it was the last thing he'd do. "Erza was once buried in her mistakes. In her past. I remember a time when she wouldn't even dare speak to anyone else in the guild… but thanks to you, she was able to finally move past all of it." Makarov said with a warm, thankful smile. "Now, my boy, it is up to you to do the same for yourself. The anger you have been given is a gift, truly it is. But you must take care with it. Don't use it to punish yourself unnecessarily, to avoid those who cherish you… instead use it to grow stronger for their sake. And for yourself as well. Do you understand?"

It took a moment for the Dragon Slayer to respond.

On the opposite side of the room, Natsu's mind was a whirlwind of rampaging thoughts and ideas. He never truly considered the flip side of things; that even though he'd made mistakes, that he had really made a positive difference in the end.

Erza was alright. She was safe. So were the rest of his friends.

He looked down at his hands, glossing over the bruised reddened knuckles on his fists.

What the hell had he'd been doing? Staying away from them, at least?

Natsu stood up from his seat on the couch. He would be better. He had to.

That said… Natsu knew he couldn't avoid his friends forever… but something had to change. He just couldn't go back to the way things were before.

But what would that change ultimately be?

Deciding he needed time to think about it on his own, he resolved to head home. Tomorrow, he would come in early and go out on a job the first chance he got with his friends. By hook or by crook, he would make it happen. "Thanks, Gramps."

"Not at all, Natsu." The old man shook his head. "That's why I'm here."

Just as Natsu made to leave, another idea had come to Makarov then. Perhaps… would it work?

"Natsu, just a second." He said as he took a sheet of paper from the stack by the corner of his desk and scribbled a few words onto it with his pen. Once he was finished, he held it up, offering it to the boy.

The pink-haired man had come over with a confused look on his face. He took the paper and read out loud what was written on it. "'To change my life, I need…'" He looked down at Makarov. "What's this for?"

"Consider it a… test of sorts. I'd like you to finish the sentence on the page. Not now, of course. Give me your answer in a few days' time. For now, I suggest you head home and take a couple of hours to mull it over."

"But-"

"No buts, Natsu." Makarov said sharply. "Just humor an old man this one time. Answer truthfully. Search within yourself when you do. I look forward to seeing what you come up with."

After a few moments, Natsu had nodded, folding the sheet of paper and tucking it away in his coat. "A few days… Friday sound good then?"

"Friday."

For the first time in the last month alone, Makarov had seen that oh-so familiar wide, beaming grin on Natsu's face. "Alright. See you later, Gramps."

"You too, Natsu."

And with that, a rather hopeful-looking Natsu clicked open the door and shut it closed behind him.

Makarov let silence fill the room for a few moments, before he downed the rest of his coffee and found himself staring into the wide photo which had been sitting on his desk.

In the frame stood six teenagers standing in front of the old Fairy Tail guildhall. Written in the bottom left corner was the date, "X736" From left to right, there was Goldmine, Bob, himself, Rob, Yajima, and Porlyusica.

The guildmaster had found himself looking directly at the blonde-haired youth who stood with his arms crossed in the middle of the group. There was a cheshire grin on young Makarov's face. The very same one that he'd just seen on Natsu not even a few minutes ago.

"Hmph!" He chuckled mildly. Those were the days…

He was quickly brought back to reality by the ticking of the grandfather clock. Makarov resumed his frown from before and sighed heavily.

Makarov knew he wasn't getting any younger. If anything, the guild war with Phantom Lord had told him that he was reaching his limits. Perhaps it would be best to retire soon enough. Hand off the responsibility to the younger generation. Maybe not now, but… it was possible he could keep it up for another year or two before passing the torch…

The old man shook his head. He'd figure out who his successor would be later on. Right now, however, perhaps there was something he could do for Natsu. Makarov sensed that the boy was lost, and that right now, what he needed was someone to show him the path forward. If all went right with the test he'd given Natsu, then Makarov knew that the young man would be off to a fantastic start. And yet…

Makarov had been mentored by Precht back in his youth, which he supposed had been because Precht had practically been a second father to him. Ideas began to meld and form. As if something had snapped into place within his mind, Makarov reached over and snatched another sheet of paper from the corner pile, setting it down in front of him. The old man got to work, jotting down the thoughts which continued to poke and prod at him.

Before he knew it, an hour had passed by. And the single sheet before him had turned into two and then five. The longer the list had gotten, the more he thought about it, and the more optimistic Makarov felt concerning the potential for Natsu.

It was precisely an hour after Natsu's meeting with Makarov that Erza Scarlet and the rest of her team had arrived back in Magnolia Town.

The Knight had walked at the head, since she was more or less their unofficial leader. Behind her, Lucy and Gray walked on either side of her, and they were separated by a rather prim and proper-looking Juvia.

The Water Mage had been invited by Gray to join Team Natsu as a temporary member, since Natsu himself had been AWOL for the last month or so. Largely so Juvia could get accustomed to guild life within Fairy Tail. So far, she seemed to be enjoying it. Even if she occasionally sent glares directly at Lucy whenever the blonde would get a bit too close to Gray for her liking.

Erza, for her part, was simply happy to be back in town. A part of her was somewhat let down that the job they went on had gone so smoothly-a duke located just outside of Hargeon had some thieves rob him in the night. Though finding the thieves had proved to be incredibly challenging, ultimately they'd been able to find the tricksters and take them into custody, retrieving the duke's stolen collection of priceless paintings in the end as well.

It wasn't so much that everything had gone so well, just that it lacked that… chaotic flair which tended to make most of their jobs quite interesting. And fun, for that matter.

Whatever the case, at least she'd soon be back at the bar within the guildhall munching on a well-earned slice of strawberry cheesecake.

"Well, I'm quite proud of how well we handled that robbery job!" Lucy said out loud, not really paying attention as some passersby gave her odd looks when she'd said that. "Zero property damage… and our reward didn't get slashed in half this time around! I can pay my rent for the next two months!"

Gray snorted back a laugh. "Yeah well maybe now you can stop nagging us."

"Hey! I'm not a nag!"

"Juvia thinks Lucy-san has also been complaining quite frequently about her rent payments being due." The bluenette spoke up from Gray's side, getting an amused smirk out of the Ice Make Mage. "She was rather vocal about it when Erza-san and Gray-sama were speaking with the client about his stolen paintings."

"Juviaaaaaaaa!" Lucy groaned. "I told you that in confidence…"

Erza stopped listening to their ongoing conversation and focused on where she was going. She had long since accepted the small, individual quirks of her teammates. It was the least she could do, since she knew full well that she had some of her own. And having someone as boisterous and outgoing as Natsu tended to get one accustomed to the strange.

The group of four soon found themselves in front of the massive, castle-like structure of the guildhall. Just as always these days, Max had waved to them again before they walked inside.

The guild was quieter than yesterday. It was Tuesday, so Erza knew that plenty of their members were out on jobs. That and she knew that the annual S-Class Exams would be coming up in December. Perhaps some mages were even gearing up so they could get nominated.

Unlikely… She knew that was something of an optimistic view of things. Most mages only went out on so many jobs in the weeks leading up to the S-Class Exams. Which, ironically, is what kept so many of them from getting promoted in the first place.

"If you want to be a successful wizard… look at what everyone else is doing. Now do the opposite." Erza still remembered that bit of sage advice she got from Master Makarov way back when she first joined Fairy Tail. She'd taken it to heart. She worked hard and had gone above and beyond. Everyone else only took jobs when it was easy money, or when there wasn't much required of them. Erza deliberately sought out more difficult jobs, even when she wasn't busy, or when she didn't even feel like it, and had risen through the ranks because of it. Sure enough, she'd made S-Class by the time she was fifteen years old.

If you wanted to be S-Class, you had to put in the work. You had to be consistent about it, too. It wasn't simply a matter of rushing through as many jobs as you could right before the trials were about to start. When you were S-Class, you needed to set an example for other mages. That's just how it was.

"Guess everyone's kind of just hanging out today," Lucy shrugged from her side. "Tuesdays are pretty slow, I guess."

"Hey guys!"

The four of them turned to see the platinum-haired Mirajane waving them over from behind the bar. She wore a beaming smile on her face. Sitting on the bar next to her with a fully grilled haddock in his mouth, was Happy.

Happy? But if he's here, then… Erza didn't know why her heart had tingled at the prospect of seeing Natsu again, but it did. She didn't bother arguing with it. She simply waved back at Mira and walked over to the bar.

"Good afternoon, Mira." She greeted the barmaid in turn. "Has business been slow today?"

"It was a bit rowdy earlier, but thankfully everyone's gotten it out of their systems."

Erza nodded. She looked down at the blue cat who was munching happily on his grilled fish. "Happy, how are you?"

"Irmgh drrrrgth hraaaaagth!" Came the cat's muffled, enthusiastic response.

Rude… Perhaps it was time to teach Happy some basic table manners.

"You know, Happy… it's impolite to speak to someone when you're eating." She said, unconsciously giving the cat one of her sternest glares yet.

Her veiled threat had had the intended effect. Happy quickly gulped down the chunk of haddock he'd been chewing on and took the rest of the fish out of his mouth, giving a rather nervous laugh as he did so. "Heh… I-I'm s-sorry Erza!" He quickly held up his fish to her in surrender. "I'm doing great! B-but would you like some fish? Mira made it for me just now!"

"No, thank you," Erza said as she slid into the stool directly across from the barmaid. The others had followed her example and corralled around the bar.

"You know, you guys just missed Natsu," Mira said as they all got comfortable. "He was asking if you went out on a job or not, and left after he found out you guys weren't here."

Erza felt her heart tug internally. A pang of guilt seeped into her mind. Maybe if they'd waited for him? Then-

Gray had scoffed. "Classic flames-for-brains… idiot comes around when we're already out on a job."

"Is he alright?" Lucy asked. Erza could feel the worry in her voice.

"Oh, he's doing fine." Mira nodded with a smile. "I'd say he's fully recovered! He ate up a storm and then he went to go speak with Master Makarov. After that he left. Though he did say he'd come back tomorrow."

Lucy sighed. "Well, that's a relief." She said, "Every time I went to visit him, he was so distant. It's good to hear he's coming back around."

"Yeah, no kidding." Gray muttered, looking sheepishly out at the guildhall. The Ice Make Mage was secretly happy that Natsu had come out of his isolation, but he wouldn't dare admit it to anyone. No, he'd take that admission to his grave if he had to.

"What did you say, Gray-sama?" Juvia had asked from his side.

"Nothing!"

Erza for her part had only paid attention to the middle portion of Mira's explanation. "Then he went to go speak with Master Makarov…"

Does that mean…

Master Makarov had told her he'd be looking into the matter. If he and Natsu spoke… then surely he must've figured out what was going on with Natsu… right?

Erza sincerely hoped so. But another part of her knew that even trying to get answers out of the old man would've been like pulling teeth. He was notoriously tight-lipped when it came to the personal matters of others. Especially those within the guild.

"Well, I'm gonna go home. I'm tuckered out." Lucy said. "See you guys here tomorrow?"

Gray dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Yeah yeah, see you, Lucy."

"Bye, Lucy-san." Juvia said.

Erza had been too preoccupied with her thoughts to wish Lucy a good evening, but it hadn't even mattered. Happy decided to go with Lucy and stay at her place for the night. Not soon after, Gray said he wanted to go take a dip in the indoor swimming pool on the guild premises, and Juvia had offered to join him.

And then there was only one…

"So Erza…" Mira's excitable smile seemed almost devious now that they were alone. "What have you been up to?"

"Err… nothing as of late." She said, "You mentioned that Natsu came and spoke with Master Makarov?"

"Yep! They were up in his office for a good long while. Natsu came out looking like he'd just won a million jewel."

"And…" Erza looked abashedly down at the bar. "Did he… ask you about anything? Besides us being out on a job, of course." She added hastily.

Mira seemed to take her sweet time thinking of a proper answer. After a few moments, she pursed her lips and gave Erza a rather lopsided smirk. "Well… he didn't talk much… though he did mention that his team had been visiting him occasionally. Well, except for you."

Erza Scarlet felt the blood drain out of her face. She knew exactly where the Demon was going with this. Damn her! Damn her straight to hell!

In truth, Erza felt an incredible sense of guilt for not having visited Natsu in the last few weeks. Out of paranoia that she might do or say the wrong thing, and from no small amount of procrastination on her part, she simply didn't know how to best approach him. The whole time, she'd rationalized that Master Makarov had told her to leave Natsu alone in the meantime. That he'd come back when he was ready.

And he had, hadn't he? So why did she… Why did she feel so rotten about it all?

She couldn't share what was said in her private meeting with Master Makarov, could she? No, it was far too personal for Natsu. Deciding that she couldn't, Erza said the next best thing that came to mind. "I… just haven't gotten the chance to go see him."

The Knight knew it was a lame excuse. And she knew that Mira wasn't about to let her off the hook that easily. Erza could see it in the Demon's eyes right then.

"Please, Erza." Mira shook her head. "You haven't gone out on a single S-Class job since you got back from the resort. If anything, you've been more relaxed than ever."

"Know what I think?" She asked, leaning in. "I think you're just too emotionally distant to go see him and support him." Mira leaned back and shrugged nonchalantly. "It's either that, or you've got some sort of weird crush on him that I didn't know about."

Erza did not know why she'd reacted so strongly to that last line. She immediately stood to her feet, not even aware that her cheeks had taken on a pink tint. "I do not!" She said, furious that the barmaid would even suggest something so… so… so ridiculous! "Now, if you'll excuse me, Mira, I think I'll be heading back to Fairy Hills for the day."

Mira shook her head. "But don't you want to go see Natsu first?" She said with a twinkle in her eyes. "I think he would reaaaaaaally appreciate it if you went to visit him. You know… at his house?"

"He's still recovering. It wouldn't be polite for me to intrude-"

"Come on, Erza~" Mira beamed. "You could just drop in and say hi… that's all you would need to do…"

The rational, thinking part of Erza's mind tried to whirl away, attempting to concoct any sort of excuse to get out of it. The amount of internal resistance she felt towards going out to Natsu's house, all the way out in the middle of the woods, was astounding. It was probably enough to completely alter the course of the sun.

Natsu was surely trying to recover. He probably just came in today because Happy had asked him to… or something. Erza knew that the last thing he needed was to see her, the one person who'd always been there to ruin his fun whenever he picked a fight with Gray or participated in one of the classic guild-wide brawls.

And hadn't she been the reason why he was sick in the first place? He'd eaten the Etherion for her! He'd gotten involved in that whole mess with the Tower of Heaven because of her! It was her fault that he was suffering right now…

What right did she have to go visit him? What right did she have to… to…

Natsu would do the same for you, wouldn't he?

That damned traitorous voice had spoken up again. The part of her that wasn't thinking rationally, but from the heart…

Erza felt her fingers dig into her palms. Damn it all! "Fine…"

"Yay!" Mira clapped again. She had definitely pretended not to notice Erza's outburst when she prodded the redhead about having a small crush on Natsu. Mira decided she would keep that little tidbit tucked away for further teasing later down the road. And also because her matchmaker side had flared up mischievously in the back of her mind. "You need a good housewarming gift then! Maybe a bottle of firewhisky should do the trick! Natsu's always liked the stuff. Oh, or maybe some food? I don't know, something-"

"Mira…" Erza decided to interrupt the barmaid before she really started rattling off the list in her head. The Knight had come to a decision on what she would share with Natsu. She would keep it simple.

"...could you… give me a slice of cake? To go?"

About twenty minutes later, Erza Scarlet found herself walking through the foothills in the eastern forest.

It was, by all means, a lovely autumn afternoon. The leaves and surrounding foliage had only just begun to turn red and orange. Then there was a gentle breeze blowing through the air, which had lightly brushed away the stray locks of hair in front of her eyes.

Erza unconsciously fiddled with her blue skirt with one hand while she held the boxed up strawberry cake in the other. The whole time, as she was marching up the hill, she found herself thinking back on her exchange with Mirajane.

I do not have a crush on Natsu, that would be preposterous, she thought rather angrily to herself. Where did the Demon get off making such absurd accusations like that? Maybe Mira should become a comedian.

No. Natsu was a… friend. Yes. He was a friend. A very close, very dear… friend. There were absolutely zero romantic feelings for him in the back of her mind whatsoever. None, without a doubt. Nothing. Zero. Nada.

In fact, as Natsu's house soon came into view, Erza decided that she would actually keep her intrusion on his life rather brief and cool. Anything to prove that Demon wrong. She would knock on his door, ask him how he was doing, hand him the cake, and then leave. Keep it simple stupid. That was the general rule. Yes, that's the way to do it.

Erza had only ever been to Natsu's house the one time. It had been just after he'd built it when they were younger. To see it still standing was a testament to his skills as a carpenter and as a stonemason. If he hadn't been one of the most destructive mages she'd ever known, then Erza figured that Natsu might've done well with his own construction company.

The roughly plowed dirt pathway led up to a lopsided oval-shaped wooden sign that simply read, 'Natsu & Happy' in neat cursive lettering. Erza figured that he must've gotten Levy to write it for him, since Natsu couldn't care less about his writing skills.

A few more steps later and Erza found herself standing in front of the dark oaken door. She glanced up at the top left corner of the building and sweatdropped when she saw a large tree branch sticking plainly out of the white plaster exterior. Maybe this place needs a little fixing up after all… While it certainly wasn't pretty… Even Erza had to admit that the rough shape of the building gave it a certain charm.

Remembering why she was there, Erza hesitantly raised her fist to the door. Just as she was about to knock, she heard the latch click from the other side. Sharply, the door swung open.

Natsu stood on the other side of the doorway. He glanced down at her with tired onyx eyes, seeming totally unsurprised about her being there.

"What's up, Erza?" He asked.

"Uh… I…" Erza Scarlet cursed herself right then and there.

She hadn't even seen him in a month. Internally, Erza knew it was difficult for someone to actually change their physique in such a short span of time, but Natsu seemed to have pulled it off.

He looked buffer than he did before. Leaner too. His muscles seemed to have gotten bigger during his self-imposed exile in the woods. He must have been training night and day. Then there was his hair. Erza noticed that his locks of spiky pink hair had only gotten longer. Now it looked more like a wild, untamed mane that spilled over in all directions.

It had taken her less than a second to completely forget the script. And to totally forget why she was even there in the first place.

"Uh…" She started, an idea beginning to form. "H-how did you know I was coming here?"

Natsu tapped his nose as if it had been obvious. "I could smell you and hear you about half a mile up the trail." He said easily. "You were saying something about Mira, I think?" He shrugged. "Honestly, I wasn't really listening." He looked down at the item in her hand. "Cake?"

Feeling her nerves begin to pound some sense back into her mind, and trying to ignore the fact that he'd actually scented her out on her way up here, Erza decided to get down to business. She shot out the hand holding the boxed up cake towards him. "Right. This is for you, Natsu." She said coolly, albeit unintentionally. "I didn't know what you preferred, so I got you my usual order."

He looked down at the white cardboard box and accepted it. "Err… thanks, Erza."

"Of course, Natsu." She said, remembering that it was proper for one to be polite.

Much to her chagrin, Natsu didn't even reply to her off-hand comment. He simply nodded with a shit-eating grin. Meanwhile, Erza felt herself begin to boil in the awkward silence that followed.

Minutes seemed to have passed by as the two of them stared at one another. Erza desperately tried to find something to say, something to continue the conversation perhaps. Nothing came to her rescue. Damn it! Why was she making such a big deal out of this? I'm just bringing him cake, nothing else!

Again, she felt her mouth open. "I… also wanted to apologize."

"For what?"

"For not coming to visit you." She explained. "I know Lucy and Gray came to check up on you. But I didn't… it was unbecoming of me. I should have been there for you while you recovered your strength."

Natsu looked at her for a moment. The gears behind his eyes were turning, spinning, reflecting. What was he thinking about? And more importantly… What was he thinking about her?

She didn't know. Instinctually, she felt the need to flinch under his gaze. For a man who was often too loud and boisterous… Natsu had surprised her with just how intense he could really be.

Then again, it certainly wouldn't have been the first time she'd been forced to change her perspective on him.

After a moment… he smiled at her. A warm, genuine, beaming smile.

"No harm done, Erza. You brought me your favorite cake, so let's just call it even."

How? How could he just be so… carefree about it all? Erza had dreaded the possibility of him cursing her for it. She hadn't been a good teammate after all. And he was only sick because of her. Should she ask him to hit her? That would make up for it all in the end, wouldn't it?

The redhead fought the urge to do so. She'd already been told countless times by Lucy that asking to be hit for making a mistake was… well… not exactly something most people were sold on.

"Of course," She nodded, deciding to change the subject. "Mira also told us you stopped by the guild earlier today. Since we just missed you, we wanted to know if you'd like to go out on a job with us tomorrow?"

She didn't know why she'd asked, especially since she already knew he planned on coming back tomorrow regardless. And because they didn't even have a job planned. Get it together, Scarlet. Now!

"Sure," Natsu grinned warmly at her. "I gotta talk with Gramps, first… but I wouldn't mind tagging along so we can crack some skulls together."

Erza felt herself smile back at him. "Wonderful." She said, "I'm sure the others would be delighted." It was then that her instincts told her to leave. Now, and quickly. "Well… I'll be seeing you at the guild. Later, Natsu."

She stepped away from the doorframe and swiftly turned her back to him. Erza made it a point to march briskly down the path, back past the oval wooden sign and onto the dirt-gravel road once again.

Just as she was nearing the treeline, she was stopped by his voice again.

"Uh… hey, Erza!"

The Knight came to an abrupt halt. She turned sharply to look at him. "Yes?"

"You're a class act. You know that?"

She didn't know why, but she felt a slight, tingling sensation in her chest when she heard those words go in through her ears.

Her reply was instinctual. "You're welcome, Natsu." She said, before giving an awkward dip of her head and turning back around.

Erza Scarlet never heard the door close behind her. As she walked back into Magnolia Town, she felt as if there was a spring in her step.

And she wasn't even aware that she was blushing.

Chapter Text

September 29th, Fairy Hills

Erza Scarlet, with a hot cup of orange pekoe tea in her hands, sat in the sunroom inside of her apartment at Fairy Hills.

The early morning sky had been set in an almost deep shade of violet-blue as it hung over Magnolia Town like a curtain, bordered with white and then orange in the far distance as the sun began to rise in the east.

Many shopkeepers throughout Magnolia would soon get their stores up and running for the day ahead of them. It was getting close enough to the weekend, and business would soon pick up for those glorious two days as the townsfolk made their usual rounds with their time off before the cycle reset itself completely on Monday. This was the typical homely routine that each of them silently followed, though none of them paid much mind to.

Erza took herself out of her own imagination and sipped at her tea. It was light and sweet on her tongue, just the right temperature as well. She was satisfied.

She'd begun her morning like countless others before it. She'd gotten up before the sun had, and went out to do her cardio training followed by her stretching routine. Afterwards she came back, showered, changed into a white blouse and a modest pleated blue skirt, and finally prepared her breakfast consisting of a single egg pan-fried and cooked on all sides; a small bowl of raw oats; some strawberries which she'd expertly cut into slices; and a banana.

When all was said and done, Erza made herself some tea. Then she went into her pine sunroom which overlooked the entirety of Magnolia and the surrounding countryside through a wide glass window. She sat curled up on the loveseat by the wall, with her breakfast and a book she'd been reading on the coffee table before her.

She absolutely loved little mornings like this. There wasn't some threat to the guild that needed dealing with. Lives weren't at risk. Nothing was coming to kill her. She was free to do whatever.

It was a stark change compared to her earlier self. Months ago, she would've found it difficult to sit back and just… enjoy the scenery outside of eating cake in the guild, where there was usually enough noise to drown out the voices in her head.

There was always something to do, someplace to be. Whether it was an S-Class Assignment or she was just out with her team, it didn't matter. Playing a game of life chess with a psychotic madman who threatened to kill both sets of her childhood friends tended to keep one living on edge most of the time.

That whole part of her life had come to a close, however.

It had taken some time getting used to. Erza used to have nights where she'd stay awake staring up at the ceiling, worried sick about Sho, Simon, Wally, and Millianna.

But now? Now she couldn't believe how much time she had on her hands.

Outside of her training routine, or even going on jobs with her team, there was so much time in the day. She could feasibly do anything. Take up some new hobbies, maybe get a pet. A dog? She liked dogs, so why not?

Fear had been Erza's main driver for the better part of her life. And now that she didn't have to live in fear of anything…

It both unironically terrified her and excited her at the same time.

It was one of the reasons why she'd quickly taken more to reading. Before, she had her… well… her other, racier collection of novels. The mere thought of them made her blush.

To fill the time, she'd asked Levy for any recommendations. The blue-haired girl had happily given her a rather worn stack of books belonging to a series titled collectively as 'The Adventures of Randolph Callahan'

"You simply have to try them, Erza!" Levy had said, rather excitedly at the time. "They're a bit old-fashioned, but all of them are excellent reads! The fourth one might get you raising your eyebrows, but-"

The point was, that Levy had given her ringing endorsement.

So, Erza picked up the series. And very quickly, she found herself hooked.

It was focused on the titular character in question: Randolph Callahan, a rather rugged, physically unattractive, and 'supposedly brainless' adventurer who was also a secret operative for the Magic Council. Many of the books mirrored some of the real-life S-Class Missions that Erza went on occasionally, so she found most of it to be believable.

As she set down her tea next to her breakfast, she picked up the green-covered book on the right side of the coffee table. The cover depicted a cracked steel shield split halfway down the middle. It was titled, 'Aegis of the Abyss'

She quickly found where she'd left off. Callahan had just uncovered a massive organized human trafficking ring that was in circulation largely in western Fiore. Unfortunately, he'd been caught and held prisoner by the villain, a dark mage named Aegar Karkarev, who had served as Callahan's arch-nemesis for the last three novels. Aegar had killed Callahan's wife, and at this point, Erza was expecting Callahan to find some sort of way to get out of it alive while also getting his revenge.

"-All right, Sir Callahan. But I am so sure of my facts that I am now going to kill you with my own hands and dispose of your body without further ado. On reflection, I would rather do it myself than have one of my men perform the deed. You have been a thorn in my side for far too long. The account which I have to settle with you is a personal one. Have you ever heard the expression 'kirisute gomen'?"

Callahan groaned. "Spare me the history lectures, Karkarev!"

"It dates from the time of the Sunrise Warriors. It means literally 'killing and going away.' If a lowly peasant, such as yourself for instance, hindered a warrior's passage along the road or failed to show him proper respect, the warrior was within his rights to lop off the peasant's head. I regard myself as a latter-day Sunrise Warrior. My fine blade has already been bloodied as you well know, yet being able to cut its teeth on a head such as yours… Well that would be a pleasure all by itself." Karkarev turned to his mistress. "You agree, my darling?"

The squat flat face had looked up. The yellow light behind the toad-woman's eyes had glowed sadistically. "But of course, my love! What you decide is always correct. But be careful, this animal is dangerous."

"You forget, my sweet. Since nine months ago, he has ceased to be an animal. With only a simple stroke of surgery on the woman he loved, I reduced him to human dimensions."

And with that, the tall, dominant figure had strode forward, expertly drawing the long tongue of white steel on his belt.

"Allow me to demonstrate for you."

Erza glanced up from her book and found herself looking out the window.

The chapter ended there. There were about three more until the book was finished, so Erza could guess at what the ending was. Still, she knew that she'd pick it up again and read.

She gently folded the top right corner of the page she'd left off on and placed it back on the coffee table. Then she went about finishing her breakfast.

The sun had come out to play. Erza watched as it shone its light over South Gate Park while she enjoyed her oats. The energy she'd expended with her cardio came back to her swiftly.

As she sipped again at her tea, she wondered what the day would have in store for her. Admittedly, outside of Natsu rejoining society (something that Erza was immensely grateful for), life in the guild hadn't been eventful the entirety of September. Going out on jobs provided its own challenge, but Erza simply classified them as work and kept it at that.

It wasn't that she was particularly restless. If anything, Erza enjoyed the rare, calm moments that were afforded to her. However, she felt a sort of… apprehension at starting her day.

No, not apprehension… What was the word? She thought to herself. Aimlessness! That was it. Besides keeping to her usual daily routine, there was a sense of aimlessness about. Nothing for her to strive towards or anything like that.

She didn't really know what it meant. It wasn't like she'd ever felt aimless years ago.

Was it because of the Tower? Because of Jellal? Perhaps she'd been compelled deep down to become as strong as she was, so that one day, she could return to the Tower and free the rest of her friends.

But it was all over now. Sho, Wally, Milliana, Simon… They were all free in some way or another. And if she was right in her assumptions, Jellal had managed to break out of whatever hold that evil spirit had over him in the end.

It was perplexing. Erza never once had to battle with feelings of existential crisis. Yet now…

What am I supposed to do?

No answer came to her then.

The absence of something, anything to latch onto… made her unreasonably scared deep down. It shouldn't have. But it did. The little one-eyed girl who'd cried herself to sleep in her cell had come to the surface. Erza set down her cup of tea and looked at her hands and at the old scars around her wrists.

Her hands were shaking, visibly even.

She exhaled sharply and breathed in and out deeply to calm her nerves. It was barely working.

Everything felt so cold all of a sudden. She rubbed her arms so as to make them warm again. They were shaking too.

A memory came to her then, almost as if it had been a shield to ward away the darkness that seeped into her mind. It was a distant one, but something she'd kept tucked away. One that brought warmth into her being.

Natsu smiled at her after he'd beaten Jellal, hadn't he? That stupid, beaming grin he wore. She was seeing it all over again. The upturned corners of his lips, the way his teeth flashed at her, how his eyes crinkled like they usually did.

It felt like… like Erza had been the only woman to ever exist right then.

She didn't know why, but the thought of it alone made her feel whole again. Her hands stopped shaking, and her nerves relaxed. Maybe… maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

What was she thinking? This new challenge wasn't scary at all. Perhaps it would even be good for her. So that she could find something new to build towards.

It's what Natsu would do. He would've just taken it and run. Like he always did.

It was decided. Erza looked over to a nearby bookshelf. Among her collection of romance novels she spied a small leather-bound book. She stood up and went over to the shelf, pulling it out. It was an old gift given to her by Master Makarov after she aced her S-Class Exam. But she never really had a use for the thing, so she let it gather dust.

Until now, at least. She sat down again and took one of the pens she kept on the coffee table. Cracking open the old leather journal, she landed on the first page. The first step of any goal was to get it in writing. Just so she could remind herself of it on occasion.

Erza knew that she wanted to make a difference. She wanted to set a good example for other mages to follow, especially for her fellow guildmates. But outside of already being S-Class… Well, she didn't quite know what else to jot down.

Her mind was blank, except with the occasional interruption of some random thought or the other. The small argument between Lucy and Gray on their last job, or her desire for a good slice of cake at that exact moment.

Whatever came up, she batted it away, trying to think of something, anything, to write down.

She sat there for a while, not counting the minutes as they passed by. She scratched the crown of her head, wondering what she'd actually do.

Ding, ding, the soft chiming of the small clock that hung over the mantle on the opposite side of the sunroom reminded her of its existence. Erza looked up from her journal.

It was nine. Almost time for her to head off to the guild. Had she actually been staring at a blank page for the last twenty minutes?

Erza was immediately frustrated, but she resolved to have at least one thing written down before she left. After a few moments of sorting through the thoughts in her head, she decided to ask herself a question.

What difference do I want to make with my life?

And so she wrote it down on the page.

She herself didn't know the answer to that question. Not yet, anyways. But perhaps she would soon enough.

Satisfied with herself, she closed the journal and left it on the coffee table. Then she stood up, took the empty tea cup and bowl, and went into the kitchen to wash them both.

As she walked off to the guild later that morning, Erza felt rather optimistic about what her day had in store for her.

Fairy Tail Guild Hall, Guildmaster's Office

Tick, tick, tick, tick…

Laxus Dreyar shot a hard glare at the tall grandfather clock.

He contemplated for only the briefest of moments whether or not he'd fire off a lightning bolt at that damned thing.

But ultimately, even in spite of the four mugs of ale he had in him already, he decided against it. He looked away and thought about how he'd explain himself this time around.

He never regretted blasting the dark mage scum unconscious. What had the fool's name been? Hako? Mato? Zatô?

Zatô. That had been the one.

What an incredible difference there had been between a body full of life and a body that had the lights knocked out of it with a single blow. Quite suddenly, nobody was home.

Well, no more insults against Fairy Tail in that case. All it took was a low-effort lightning bolt on his part. No scathing remarks left to be made, only the uncontrollable jittering of one's muscles as the body convulsed on the cold wooden floor.

His little encounter with the ape wizard from Naked Mummy had been the finishing touch on a bad S-Class Assignment. One of the worst-grimy, dangerous, and without any redeeming quality besides getting him away from the guild.

A bigshot Mayor up in Northern Fiore had found out about a cult of demon worshippers-supposedly they were a dark guild beholden to Tartaros in some form or another. They were in operation up in the mountains. Reports were coming in from towns and villages that had been dotted in the countryside below the slopes. People were disappearing from their homes in the middle of the night. Men, women, children. A few here, a few there. Townsfolk were also getting bad dreams, nightmares, and visions. They felt control over their minds begin to slip as it went on.

It all smelt pretty bad from the get-go. The Mayor had hired a few mercenaries to look into it. But they came up empty-handed in the end. He decided to issue an S-Class Request and send it to the best guild in Fiore: Fairy Tail.

Laxus had taken on the job in a heartbeat. He even took his Thunder God Tribe with him as well. It wouldn't have been the first tough assignment he'd taken them on. And although he wouldn't dare admit it to Freed, Evergreen, or Bickslow, he was fairly confident in their abilities. They'd improved a lot over the last year alone.

Getting to Yarodale Town had been a nightmare. They had to take the train initially. His motion sickness came at him in full force, though Laxus had been able to blunt its effects somewhat thanks to his grandfather's 'exercise'. After that, it took them several days to get through the autumn tundra until they reached their destination.

He'd taken rather well to the Mayor; a stolid man named Ronson who looked after the people under his care as if they were his own children, albeit in a disciplinarian sort of way. Not at all the same way his grandfather ran Fairy Tail, what with the drinking and unearned carousing that took place.

From there, it was a relatively simple matter of picking up the trail of the missing persons. Laxus was able to do so with his heightened sense of smell. About a day later in the mountains, they'd scouted out the cultists' base of operations. Freed set up his barriers while the others prepared accordingly.

The raid took place very early the next morning. The Thunder God Tribe stormed the hideout, and Laxus battled the guildmaster while the others took care of his minions, then went on to free the captives. Thankfully, the people who'd been taken had yet to be sacrificed.

When all was said and done, Laxus had to put down the cult leader once and for all. The man was just a pile of ashes now. And it was the act of killing that had managed to put him out of his mood.

Laxus hated killing in general. So much so that when he had to do it, afterward he would try his utmost to forget about it entirely.

Anyway, it had to be done. Elsewise, the cult leader simply wouldn't stop trying to make sacrifices to his demon masters.

Once they'd returned the townsfolk to their homes and collected the reward, Laxus decided to head back to the guild the long way so as to deal with the morbid thoughts in his head. He ordered Freed and the others to go back on the train. He knew they'd follow him without question otherwise.

It was at Onibus Town where he encountered Zatô.

He ordered an ale and sat at the bar, planning to keep to himself. Behind him, the door swung open sharply, banging against the wall.

The ape-like man had walked in wearing a diamond-patterned shirt over his barrel-like chest. The afro on his head swung back and forth as he strutted towards the bar. The dark mage was an absurd-looking fellow, indeed.

He'd just so happened to stop a few feet away from Laxus. And even worse (as it had disrupted Laxus' mood) he had recognized him too.

"Well, well… Look at what we got here…" Zatô grinned, flashing rows of chapped golden teeth. "Another Fairy Tail fly. Ah, but not just any fly… we got the 'great and powerful' Laxus Dreyar!" He said in a mocking tone.

Laxus just wished the fool would disappear. "Piss off. I'm drinking."

"Nah, I'll pass."

He didn't reply, not even as he saw the dark mage slide into the stool next to him out of his peripherals.

The bartender approached with a rather cautious look on his square face. "Look here-this is a place for good folk. We don't want any trouble."

"How about this? Get me something to drink and I'll consider it."

As the barman went away hurriedly, Laxus gripped his mug tighter. Unconsciously, he'd already prepared his Lightning Body just in case Zatô was going to throw the first blow, which was looking like a real possibility within the next few minutes.

Or perhaps even, if Laxus decided to do it himself.

"Say, wonder what your guild's gotten up to lately-well, besides getting rammed in the ass by Phantom Lord that is." The dark mage said, loud enough for everyone in the bar to hear.

"You don't know how to shut that mouth of yours, do you?"

"Don't need to with legal rats like you. What are you gonna do anyways? Call granddaddy about it?"

The barman came back, hesitantly placing a mug in front of the ape-man and then briskly walking away.

Laxus wasn't about to let this punk get to him. Not some dark guild trash like this fool, anyway. He slowly turned his head and looked at him.

"What's your name?"

"Zatô. What's it to you?"

"Oh, nothing. Just funny is all." Laxus smirked. "For a nobody, you talk a pretty big game."

Zatô seemed unaffected by his comment as well. "I'm not surprised. I don't go in for making a fool out of myself, unlike your old man's guild."

The Lightning Mage snorted and set his mug down on the counter. "Next time you talk about my grandfather, it's lights out." He said calmly. "Now, how about you make like a good doggy and piss off. Otherwise, I'll have to show you some manners."

It was as if he'd told the other man a hilarious joke. Zatô burst out into laughter, even going so far as to smack the bar.

"Damn that's funny." The ape-man shook his head. "Nah, I think I'm good right here." He said, then inching closer to Laxus, even tapping him with his elbow.

"Say, a little bird told me your old man was too weak to deal with Phantom Lord. Something to do with his heart. Did I hear that righ-"

Suddenly, as if a switch had been flicked, Zatô's entire body was engulfed in a storm of golden sparks and bolts. He convulsed violently in his seat and quickly fell to the painted-green wooden floor, continuing to jolt painfully until Laxus was satisfied.

When the lightning had stopped, the ape-man simply lay there unconscious, his clothes and skin letting off plums of smoke, and his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

Laxus stood up. He downed the last of his ale and glanced down at the fallen dark mage. "Told you." He paid the bartender for his drink and left soon after.

He took the first train back to Magnolia. And after being interrupted so crudely, he managed to ignore the incessant ache in his stomach as he stewed in silence.

Once he made his way back to the guild, he was immediately reminded of why he disliked being there in the first place.

There was so much waste in the guild. The older members, like Macao and Wakaba, just sat there all day drinking. That fool, Nab, stood indecisively in front of the notice board, still rooted to the exact spot Laxus had last seen him in. If there was anything Laxus did genuinely hate, it was indecisiveness. He wanted to zap the idiot from the first day he joined the guild.

The rest of them partied and brawled like a bunch of morons. Without a care in the world. As if their guild didn't have more enemies like Phantom Lord. As if they didn't have actual competition among the other legal guilds.

Was his grandfather simply letting just anyone in these days? It seemed so. With the number of kids running around, the guild seemed more like a daycare than anything else. It simply annoyed Laxus to his core.

Fairy Tail was supposed to be number one! The best of the best! But if someone walked into the guild, they'd just see a bunch of drunken imbeciles throwing chairs and benches at one another. Old men sitting around talking about the 'glory days', a bunch of kids playing games in an arcade, or women sitting by the pool as if they were just lounging at the beach.

Where was the magic in just lazing around doing nothing? If none of them were able to actually hold their own, nor were actually contributing to the guild's success, then what was the point of them being there?

He went to the second floor to get away from it all. Cut it out. Stop being so damned pessimistic. The old man knows what he's doing. All of this is just a reaction from a bad S-Class Job. You're stale. Tired of having to be tough. You want a change. A slice of life, of something different.

Laxus took his usual seat by the front window overlooking Magnolia. He needed to do something outrageous tonight, anything to soak up the morbid atmosphere he'd been consumed in.

A good beer, followed by a world-class meal. Then in the evening he'd go out into town, lose all of his reward money at the local gambling club, and find some tart to take home with him. Yes, that was the way to play the hand. That was exactly what he'd do.

"Laxus."

He immediately recognized the stern, authoritative voice. Laxus glanced down at the short figure of his grandfather.

Was there a note of rebuke in there? Had the old man heard about him frying some nobody to a crisp in Onibus Town?

Word travels fast. Then again, his grandfather always seemed to know everything that was going on.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Would you join me in my office? There's an important matter I wish to discuss with you personally."

The Lightning Mage wasn't in the mood. He and his old man had their differences. Still, he knew better than to argue. If his grandfather thought it was important, then it was important. His lunch could wait for a bit.

A few minutes later, he was sitting on the long leather couch in the Guildmaster's Office, glaring at the clock which was resting against the wall to his left.

He decided to finally meet his grandfather's gaze. Those two black dots hadn't left him in the last few minutes.

What the hell was this about anyway? Laxus opted to break the ice. "What do you want to talk about, old man?"

Makarov had gently leaned forward, posting his elbows on his desk. "I was curious to know what you've been up to. Your friends came back without you a few days ago."

Laxus folded his arms and sat back. Your friends. Grandpa had meant the Thunder God Tribe.

"Was the job tougher than you expected?" His grandfather asked.

"No. It was fine."

"But?"

What was this supposed to be? Therapy? Laxus didn't need therapy. He didn't care about talking through his problems. Talking wasn't going to solve the fact that he'd killed a man. He'd just have to live with it. That was that.

"We dealt with the problem. Saved some people. Others died."

"I see." The old man nodded, seeming to understand what he was saying. How did his grandpa always know what he meant all of the time? "You had to take a life."

"Yeah."

Another lapse in the conversation. Laxus heard his stomach rumble. He wanted his lunch.

His grandfather shrugged, taking on a more solemn expression. "It wasn't the first difficult choice you've had to make, and it certainly won't be the last either. But I'm sure you know this well enough." He smiled kindly. "I won't say that I haven't been in your situation, I have. The best thing you can do is to make up for it. Give back in some way. And move on."

"I wasn't asking for your advice."

"And yet, you're receiving it nonetheless."

Laxus snorted and looked away.

Though he wouldn't admit it to his grandfather, he was thankful for his counsel. It was a reprieve, a bright spot in the rather morbid week he'd been having. Perhaps this evening wasn't looking so down after all. Even though Makarov was far past his prime, he still had the occasional nugget of wisdom to hand out. And Laxus hadn't suffered from listening to him from time to time.

The Lightning Mage came back to reality then. He knew all of this was a deflection. Grandpa wanted something from him. Or more accurately, wanted his help with whatever was on his mind at the moment.

He looked back at his grandfather. "You asked me to come in here for a reason. What is it?"

As if he'd been prepared for the inevitable question, Makarov had sat back in his seat and let out a slow sigh. "I need a favor from you." The old man said. "It's going to involve plenty of effort on your part. And you'll need to be on hand around the guild more often should you choose to accept."

"What is it?" Laxus repeated himself. He was genuinely surprised. His grandfather never often came to him asking for a favor. Whatever it was, must've been something important to him.

"You might call it 'babysitting'" Makarov said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "However, I believe it's a chance for you to give back. In a way."

And so, his grandfather told him what it was. In explicit detail. First the context behind it, then what he needed from Laxus.

By the end of the old man's explanation, Laxus had been sitting on the edge of his seat. It certainly was not what he was expecting when he walked into the guild, and not what he thought his grandfather wanted to talk to him about.

Years ago, Laxus would've actually considered it to be babysitting. But after hearing the whole story, he could understand the reasoning behind it.

But… Why me? He decided to voice his thoughts. "Why me?"

"In truth, you were my second choice for this task, as I understand you value your time. And because of your apprehension for being around the guild in general. However, since Gildarts is not available, and because you are by far the most powerful and seasoned mage in the guild next to him, I have decided to offer you this assignment."

Well, that was certainly a compliment to behold. "Why not give it to Erza? She knows him better than I do."

His grandfather broke away his gaze, now looking at his desk. "Erza, I'm afraid, is going through her own troubles at the moment. And although I have full confidence in her abilities, I believe that someone with your talents…" He said pointedly. "...would be better suited."

The lacrima. Laxus nodded, knowing full well what the old man had meant. His grandfather never liked talking about it, so Laxus never talked about it either. Simple as that.

"So," Makarov cleared the air. "Will you do it?"

Laxus leaned back in his seat. Every fiber of his being told him to say no. It was a complete waste of time. Zero chance of it working in the end, either.

Natsu was a complete idiot. After all these years in the guild, Laxus had never once seen him take anything seriously. The kid always lounged around eating food, talking about his dragon, or whatever. Every time he 'challenged' Laxus to a fight, Laxus always found himself smoking the kid with ease. Even then, he still wouldn't learn to respect his elders. Wouldn't face up to the fact that there were some people who were just out of his league.

The kid did have a few saving graces, of course. Natsu definitely wasn't a coward, neither was he indecisive. He was somewhat entertaining as well. It was hard to be bored when he was around. There's that, at least.

Still, he had a particularly thick skull. How he won any fights outside of the guild was a miracle, since the kid seemed intent on fighting just about anyone with a pulse.

One of these days, Natsu was bound to piss someone off. And he'd either be forced to learn his lesson the hardest way possible, or he'd end up dead.

What in the hell was Grandpa even thinking with this one? What was he even building towards with this little project of his? Didn't he know that it was completely hopeless?

Laxus caught himself. There he was being so damned pessimistic again. It was decision time.

If he said no… then what would he do? Continue on with his day, probably. Laxus fully intended to follow through with his plans for the evening; get stinking drunk (because he'd earned it, unlike those fools down in the guild hall), eat his fill of the best-cooked food in Magnolia, lose all of his money at poker, and find some woman to take home for the evening.

And what would he do when he woke up tomorrow?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

He'd probably take another S-Class Job in a week or something just to get out of Magnolia. Then the cycle would repeat itself all over again.

So what if he said yes?

Well… he didn't know.

Laxus would practically be grounded in Magnolia for the foreseeable future…

…Which also meant he'd be forced to endure the foolish antics from Fairy Tail's weaker members.

And yet…

Here was that 'slice of different' he'd been asking for. Something outside of his usual routine.

The idea, and the possibility of trying something… new… simply intrigued him. At least if it didn't work out, he wouldn't be bored.

Besides, it was a favor for the old man. Family, at least in Laxus' book, came first.

He had his answer.

"Yeah, I'll do it." Laxus said decisively as he locked eyes with his grandfather. "When do you want me to start?"

"I'll be speaking with Natsu first thing tomorrow. Remember that little test I gave you a few years back? Well, I gave it to him a couple days ago. Depending on his answer, we'll move forward from there. If he gets it right, and he accepts, then will next week work for you?"

"Yeah. It does."

"Excellent! Thank you, Laxus!" His grandfather clasped his hands together, a meaningful gesture of gratitude, and one that did genuinely make Laxus feel all warm in the heart. "I greatly appreciate your assistance in this matter."

Laxus nodded, knowing that it was time to go. His lunch was long overdue. He stood up.

As Laxus clicked open the door, with one foot out and the other still in, he gave the old man one last glance. He smiled.

"Your welcome, Grandpa."

Chapter Text

September 29th, Magnolia Outskirts

Natsu Dragneel had never been more frustrated in his life.

It had been nearly three days since Master Makarov had given him his so-called 'test' and he was nowhere close to having finished it.

The single slip of white paper sat plainly on the coffee table in the middle of his living room. He'd cleared away all of the dirty pots, pans, and dishes that hadn't been cleaned for weeks and placed the sheet by itself on the table to give it more importance.

And now, the evening before he was due to report back to Gramps, he was pacing the circumference of the coffee table, expertly navigating around the various bits and bobs strewn all about the floor of his house. His stone barbells lay carelessly about, as well as the many crates and boxes that were filled untidily with his clothes and other items he'd long forgotten about.

To change my life, I need… what? What do I need?

The question hadn't seriously been on his mind til now. Until today, he was only making it a point to just get back into the flow of things. Start up with his friends again and all that.

But now? He knew he had to get it figured out. And soon. Natsu was partially thankful that Happy had decided to stay over with Lucy for the night. It would give him the space he needed to think.

"What do I need? What do I need?" He asked himself as he continued to pace the mess that was his home. It didn't help that occasionally he'd step on a loose spring that had since detached from the nearby sofa. The sharp bit of steel wire dug into the sole of his foot, not drawing blood, but being sufficiently annoying.

Natsu kicked it away and refocused on the issue at hand. What did he need?

He told Gramps everything about what happened at the Tower, and in turn, the old man had actually… helped him see everything differently. He was thankful for that, truly.

Besides some much-needed relief, however, Natsu decided he'd still find a way to become stronger. After all, the old man had told him to become 'the best possible version of yourself' or whatever that meant. Natsu supposed that meant getting more powerful, too.

But what did the question mean? To change my life?

Change his life how exactly? Financially? It wasn't like he was dying for more money. In truth, he didn't even care about having all the jewel in the world. He already kept several million or so buried underneath a tree in his backyard as a sort of failsafe. He was happy enough with his living situation, and he had his friends, so… what else was there to change?

Well, there was the matter of finding Igneel, of course. That had to happen. Finding a colossal red lizard shouldn't have been so difficult, but Natsu had been searching for over a decade and not a single solid lead had come up in that time. What if Igneel wasn't in Fiore anymore?

Guess I'll have to go looking outside of Fiore then. He shrugged mentally. That was beside the point.

S-Class? The title had long lost its flavor. At least it had for him. Yet after facing down a Wizard Saint, Natsu wondered if it was a pursuit worthy of his time. Perhaps it would be better to raise his standards. Perhaps not.

So if he was completely satisfied with the things and people in his life… then if there was something he needed to change… what would it be?

He gave you the stupid paper because you told him about your fight with Jellal. Start there.

Power. Raw power. Natsu knew that was the answer. Or at least close to it. How in the hell could Gildarts be so damned powerful? Same for Jellal. What did they do that he hadn't done?

After all, he was a fucking Dragon Slayer. The Son of Igneel, the Fire Dragon King himself. And for some reason beyond his comprehension, they could just wipe the floor with him.

Even Gajeel was a tough battle at the time. Looking back on it, Natsu hated the fact that Lucy had to step in and help him with that particular fight. It was humiliating, and it reflected poorly on him. Not that he needed somebody else's help, but that he'd gone out of his way to rescue her, and in the end, it had been Lucy who needed to rescue him.

If another threat came along, was he supposed to just hope that someone would always be there to help him?

Not a chance, Natsu thought to himself. That would be the end of him.

That was the change he needed to make then, right? Become more powerful. More capable. Able to take on whoever came along to attack him or his friends. Punching things never got old, so if he was strong like Gildarts, it would get easier.

Right?

Natsu desperately wished that was the answer. To change my life, I need to be more powerful. He wanted that to be the end of it. He was even itching to go over to the coffee table right now and finish the damn sentence.

But… there was that tiny nugget of doubt in his mind telling him otherwise. You know that's not the answer. Not even close. Try again.

"But what?" He asked nobody in particular, frustration evident in his voice. "What is the answer?"

The empty house simply yawned back at him.

"Gah!" He kicked one of the stray boxes on the floor. It flew to the other side of his living room and crashed against the wall next to his hammock.

This whole 'test' was stupid to begin with. Downright idiotic. Natsu considered burning up the scrap of paper right then and there but decided against it. He crashed down onto the sofa, feeling a wave of tiredness wash over him.

Answer it in the morning, he told himself. Ignoring his guilty conscience this time around, he stood up and walked over to the opposite side of the room. He slung into the hammock and let out a sharp sigh as he glanced up at the wooden beams on the ceiling.

What the hell was the point of the test anyway? To annoy him? Gramps certainly had a sense of humor in that case. What in the hell was the point of anything he'd told him then? Even that story about Gildarts and Irina? What sort of lesson was the old man hoping he'd glean from-

Wait… the story… the lesson…

Natsu sat upright and stared a hole into the far wall. What did Gramps say at the end of it?

The nugget of doubt that plagued him earlier came back in full force, but this time as a blaring flash of inspiration.

With the last of his energy, Natsu jumped out of the hammock and strode back over to the coffee table containing the single sheet of folded paper. He blinked several times as he put himself back into the memory of his meeting with Master Makarov, trying to recall the entirety of the story he told him about Gildarts' first S-Class Mission.

Gildarts had met up with the girl from Lamia Scale, Irina. They took on a dark guild and a Sea Serpent. Gildarts wanted to fight the serpent like a hero instead of working with Irina and taking out the dark wizards in control of the beast. Irina was killed, and Gildarts slew the beast and finished the job.

So? What was the point then? Natsu knew it was meant to be a sort of comparison between what happened with him and his friends at the Tower. But what was the old man trying to tell him?

What did Gildarts do after he finished the job? Natsu paced his living room now. He was onto something, he could feel it in his bones. Pieces of the puzzle snapped cleanly together in his mind. In his very soul. What was it that Gramps said at the end of the story?

"...that he decided to change who he was at his core, so he could grow into the man he is today."

He decided to change who he was at his core.

Change who he was at his core.

Change who HE was.

Natsu smoothed his hand back through his hair and let out a slow, careful sigh in realization.

Of course! That simply had to be it! It wasn't about changing anything external… It was about changing himself!

Gildarts changed himself, and now he's… well, he's Gildarts. That's how he became so damned powerful! He looked inward and decided to change who he was so he could ultimately change his own life for the better. So he could make a much more positive impact on the lives of other people.

Pride swelled into his being. He'd figured it out! Or at least, he thought he had. There was a possibility of him being wrong… but Natsu was willing to bet everything he had on this being the correct answer.

He strode over to the coffee table and took up the pen next to the paper. Very slowly, very carefully, he finished the sentence. To change my life, I need… to first change myself.

There. He set down the pen and gazed at the four words he'd added with a certain reverence. He'd done it. And now, he can finally claim his reward. Sleep.

Deciding that he wouldn't think anymore about the test itself, he plucked up the sheet, folded it twice, and slipped it into his pocket. Then he went back over to his hammock and fell right in.

A few minutes later, Natsu was out like a light.

September 30th, Early Morning

The next morning, Natsu awoke feeling unusually well-rested.

As he got up and out of his hammock, he stretched his arms out wide and yawned. Then he looked out the window, which had begun to show the sun in all its glory.

Early morning by the looks of it, Natsu thought to himself. It would be hours before the guild opened. What would he do until then?

Train, most like. It was the obvious answer. And he had nothing better to do. Nothing except…

A very strange, very foreign feeling came over him then. Natsu had no idea what it was exactly, nor where it had sprung from within his mind. But it was there, front and center, almost making him see everything clearly for what felt like, the first time in his life.

He took a good long glance at his living room, spying over the mess of dirty dishes stained with old bits of food, the lop-sided shelf that hung over one of his sofas, and the large stone barbells that lay next to the coffee table. Even the loose springs, gears, pillows, and odd blankets that were untidily all over the main floor.

Despite the complete dump that he lived in… Natsu merely wore a calm smile.

Guess this place could do with a thorough cleaning… he thought to himself.

He had a few hours to kill, right? He could just tidy all of this up for now, go train, wash, then head off to the guild. Yeah, that sounded about right. Solid plan.

Natsu didn't waste much time. He got right to work.

The first object to go was the old training dummy that he'd stopped using for a month now. He'd set up the thing years ago, back when he still considered Erza a rival of his. Since the tower, though, he couldn't bring himself to think of her as competition. Just the thought of her name aroused a sort of protective… almost primal instinct within him that he couldn't quite place.

Nevertheless, it had to go. It was clear that he'd outgrown it. Natsu tossed the old body of straw and wood into the firepit in his backyard before heading back inside.

Everything else was fairly simple to move around. The barbells he placed next to his hammock in neat rows. The shelf he'd placed upright against the wall, shutting all of the drawers.

For the sofas, he placed one on each side of the coffee table, which he also cleaned of various dirty pots and pans. Natsu took the dishes outside and washed them in the nearby creek. Once he was finished, he took them back inside and stacked them neatly on the shelf from largest to smallest.

Two hours later, Natsu stood in the center of a very different-looking house. He placed all of Happy's toys in a chest underneath his hammock, and had swept up any remaining debris from the floor with the dusty old broom he'd kept next to the stove.

Natsu felt himself swell with pride as he looked over his handiwork. The floors were spotless. His things sorted. That hole in his hammock would need sewing, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.

Should be heading off to the guild soon.

He nodded in agreement with his thoughts. A quick training session ought to do the trick. Burpees and Push Ups? Followed by some cardio? Yeah. That would do it.

With the rest of his day already decided, Natsu Dragneel marched over to the front door, opened it, and gently shut it behind him.

Tick, tick, tick, tick…

Natsu was starting to grow fond of the grandfather clock that clicked away like a beating heart in the small square office.

On the opposite side of the room, Makarov had shuffled a few papers aside on his desk. He hadn't initially looked up when Natsu first entered the room a few minutes prior, though he'd greeted him politely. The old man seemed to be engrossed in whatever documents were in front of him. As he scribbled away, Natsu took his seat on the couch.

"Property damage?" Natsu opted to take the first stab at conversation.

"Worse," The old man shook his head and finally looked at him, closing the folder and tossing it into his OUT tray. "Taxes."

There was a slight tiredness in those black dots, some of the strain in the blood vessels around the iris. Makarov had woken up recently, of course, but he probably hadn't gotten much sleep in the last few days. "So!" he clapped his hands together and grinned with renewed vigor. "You finished the assignment, eh?"

"Yeah, I did." The Dragon Slayer withdrew the folded sheet from his pocket and placed it on Makarov's desk before he took his seat on the couch.

The old man tugged the slip closer to him, but he didn't open it. "Coffee?"

"Yes, please."

Mira was called up rather quickly. In a few minutes, Natsu held a warm mug of fresh black coffee, with Makarov having gotten a refill.

"Alright then, let's see what you've got." Gramps unfolded the letter. Not even a few seconds into reading it he grinned, looking practically ten years younger. He read it out loud. "To change my life, I need to first change myself."

Natsu scratched the back of his head. His uncertainty was waging a war against his resolve. "Remembered the story you told about Gildarts… how he decided to change who he was at the end so he wouldn't let someone else die on his watch. It just kind of… clicked."

"Hmph!" The old man chuckled. "That was precisely the answer I was looking for, Natsu."

"Yeah well, I-" Wait, what? "It was?"

Makarov had smiled kindly at him. "Natsu… The point of this exercise was only meant to determine whether or not you were ready to accept personal change. Your answer shows that you've begun to understand that one's success and power come from within, not from external factors or things. And it helps me decide if I should invest my time in you. I certainly hope you were sincere with your answer. This," He said tapping the slip of paper. "...is wisdom beyond your years."

The fact that he'd gotten it right was still jarring to him. Natsu only wore a shit-eating smile as he felt himself swell with pride.

Damn right, Dragneel! Sounds like you've earned a solid victory breakfast! Especially after you spent the whole night trying to piece this one together. Natsu decided he'd sort something out after this meeting. Mira would probably jump at the chance to put together a meal for him.

Besides his self-congratulatory mood… Natsu supposed that Makarov was making some sense. He'd personally come to the conclusion that he'd needed to change himself in some way. He just didn't know what his next few steps would be.

But there was still a question on his mind. Something the old man had said in passing. "...and it helps me decide if I should invest my time into you."

What was that about? What did Makarov mean exactly?

"Thanks, Gramps. But what did you mean when you said 'investing your time'?" The Dragon Slayer scratched his cheek. "I don't understand."

It was then that the old man had sat forward. He took a long draw at his coffee and let out a deep sigh.

"Natsu," Makarov said. "I don't know if you knew this, but my father was one of the founding members of Fairy Tail. His name was Yuri. He was a very accomplished wizard in his own right, very proficient with Lightning Magic in particular. He passed away when I was a boy. Sickness of the heart, you see."

Natsu frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Things like that can happen, unfortunately. Our time together was short but precious. Before he died, he named one of his closest friends, Precht, as my godfather. Precht, as it so happens, was also my predecessor. He was Fairy Tail's second guildmaster."

"What happened to him?"

Makarov waved his hand aside. "He left the guild of his own accord years ago after making me his successor. I suspect he may have continued his studies, but I haven't heard from him since. He likely settled down, perhaps he even started a family."

The old man continued. "From a young age, I was mentored personally by Precht in the arts of magic. Thanks to his teachings, I can say wholeheartedly that I've had a very interesting career as a wizard. And since becoming Fairy Tail's third guildmaster, I have continued this tradition. I have mentored three others: Gildarts first, Laxus, and then Erza to a somewhat lesser degree. Their skills and talents speak for themselves. As it stands, I also wish to extend this offer to you, Natsu."

Natsu was astounded. He didn't quite know what to say. This wasn't exactly what he'd expected to hear when he walked into the guild this morning.

Why me? And why now? Those were the only two questions to pop into his head.

"But-"

The old man had seen his questions a mile off. He raised his hand, stopping Natsu in his tracks. "Please, Natsu. I am offering to help you. I am quite probably one of the only people who can-and because I genuinely want to see you succeed." He paused. "I have been in your situation. It's difficult being a young man who only wishes to protect those he cares about. At times it's tempting to distance yourself from them, cut them off even, if only so you can protect yourself."

It was as if the old man had… read his mind. Like he'd cracked open Natsu's skull and inspected his brain… somehow. Makarov wasn't telepathic, was he?

If he was, then Natsu shouldn't have been so surprised.

He had been tempted, in those early days after he'd woken up in his room at Akane Resort. He did cut himself off from his friends. Now, of course, he was on much better terms with them. But the fact that Master Makarov had called it out as if he were talking about the symptoms of a disease… simply spoke volumes about how knowledgable the old man truly was.

"...Your encounter with the former Councilman Fernandez was enough for me to pull the trigger and make this offer to you. It's clear that you took the matter far differently than your friends had."

"Yeah…" Natsu nodded.

He was feeling numb all of a sudden, recalling how his team had just… gone back to normal as if nothing had happened.

Like they hadn't been nearly killed in the casino alone.

Was there something wrong with him? Was he crazy?

"That's good," Makarov said, instantly cutting away his doubts. "Natsu, as capable as your friends may be, there will come a day when they will all look to you. Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. They won't know what to do. On that day, your instincts will be proven right. And that's precisely when you'll need to be that rock for them. Be the light in the dark and guide them through the storm. Do you understand?"

He did. The old man was talking about a day that hadn't come yet. But somehow, Natsu knew that it would.

This was real.

"I do."

"Good." Makarov smiled kindly at him once more. He smacked the top of the table and sat forward. "But… onto the topic at hand."

The Wizard Saint took his smoking pipe out from his coat pocket and filled it. "I am perfectly willing to offer you a twelve-month mentorship. Just the same offer I made to Gildarts all those years ago. I cannot help you find Igneel. I know very little about dragons. However, I can help you grow into your own power. I can teach you how to earn the universal respect and admiration of your peers and many others. And I can show you how to become the best possible version of yourself, how to become the man who always pulls through, who can think quickly on his feet and make tactical, strategical decisions to boot. However, I must warn you…"

Natsu leaned forward.

"...the path will not be easy. In fact, it will be extremely uncomfortable for you. You will want to give up at times. It is inevitable but necessary. Pain is a part of the process of change. However, I am fully confident that you can pull it off."

"So," Makarov sat back in his seat, having lit his smoking pipe by snapping a small flame to life with his fingers. A fresh plume of smoke exited the old man's nostrils as he leveled his gaze with the Dragon Slayer.

"Care to take it on, Natsu?"

Chapter Text

October 1st, The Eastern Forest

Day 1

"So… why exactly are we out here, Gramps?"

It was early the next day. So early that the sun hadn't even begun to rise above the mountains far to the east. The inky black curtain of the midnight sky, dotted with glimmering white and blue stars, was currently clashing with the pink and pale orange morning light. Very soon, daylight would come out to play, and it would be glorious.

The day prior, after Makarov had queried his offer to Natsu, the young man didn't even hesitate for a second before accepting. The old guildmaster was of course pleased with this, and managed to stave off the ensuing barrage of questions of when they'd begin sparring. Naturally, this alone had helped pinpoint what exactly Makarov needed to make clear to Natsu before they officially got started with the program.

The sparring would come later. Makarov had already enlisted Laxus for that side of things. First, however, they would need to establish the essentials: Natsu needed to find out what sort of man he wanted to become, and more importantly… how he'd get there.

And so, Makarov decided to send Natsu home for the rest of the day, telling him that they would be getting up early and meeting in the Eastern Forest, just outside of Natsu's home. From there, he would outline how he planned to help Natsu.

Now, as they both stood opposite of one another in a small clandestine clearing about half a kilometer away from Natsu's home, Makarov decided to breathe in the fresh morning air scented with dew and took a seat on the arched stone towards the middle of the clearing. Once he was comfortable, he withdrew his smoking pipe and tobacco pouch from the pocket of his orange jacket and got busy.

Natsu, not even peeved that his question had been swiftly dodged, had also taken a seat on the slightly damp green grass just below the stone. He was wearing his usual get-up; the puffy white trousers and sandals, but now with the shearling coat he seemed to sport these days. It suited him, though Makarov certainly wouldn't put the young man in any sort of high-end establishment.

But that sort of thing didn't matter at the moment. Right now, they needed to get down to business.

"This place is beautiful, isn't it?" Makarov asked though the downward tone of his voice made it out to be more of a statement of fact. "Have you ever been out this far from Magnolia, Natsu? On this side of the town, I mean."

"I've gone a lot further than this place."

"So you've never been here before, then? In this exact clearing?"

Natsu looked rather uncertain. Not that he seemed insecure, but rather that he just didn't think this line of questioning particularly mattered. "Well, no. Not in this place. But I know there's a ravine just a few kilometers northeast. Happy and I used to play hide-and-seek there with Lisanna."

The ravine was of no consequence to Makarov. But the point was still there. "Natsu, much like this clearing, which was recently undiscovered by you-there are many parts within your mind that you've yet to discover. Many things that you didn't know about yourself, which are laying dormant, waiting to be found."

Now the young man gave him a confused glance. "Umm… okay." He said, unsure of what to reply with. "What do you mean?"

"The human mind is much like a map. There are different continents and regions-parts of the brain in this instance have stark differences. Size, climate, population, natural resources, the list goes on. The point is, is that most people barely if ever decide to fully explore what is out there. They instead keep themselves regulated to a very small portion of that map. Their hometown, or the place they grew up. This makes them stay comfortable with where they are, and they never get to experience what goes on in the outside world. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just that it greatly limits their growth, and their options for what they want to do with their lives."

"Okay… so what's this got to do with my mind, then?"

Makarov gave a sharp smile. "Everything, quite honestly. When we arrive at the human part of this analogy, people often become too comfortable with who they are. Never once do they experience personal growth, nor do they seek to change themselves, even if their lives are horrible, or if they're not quite getting the results they want. Take a look at yourself. You've stayed the same person for about nineteen years, and you've done precious little to change who you are. You might as well be some country bumpkin who's lived in a small village his whole life. You are perfectly comfortable with where you are, and even the results you've gotten in your life thus far."

The young man's expression had morphed into a deep frown. "But I'm not comfortable with where I am. That's why I'm here, right? That's what I told you with this whole Jellal thing."

"Ah," Makarov grinned. He was presented with yet another opportunity to poke the young man's ego. Good. "But you are comfortable. You, Natsu Dragneel, have everything you want in life. You're perfectly happy, so happy that you're fine with allowing yourself to get steamrolled in your battles, or to be known as the "stupid" member of your team. You simply love being the village idiot, don't you?"

Natsu had soon folded his arms but didn't lose his nerve. Good. Natsu seemed to have gotten better at controlling his emotions. He'd need that.

His words, however, still affected the young man. Those onyx eyes had twitched irritably and narrowed. "No. Why would I?"

It was then that Makarov bellowed out a harsh laugh, letting a lungful of tobacco smoke escape from his parted lips. Very deliberately, he leaned forward.

"Because Natsu… if you genuinely weren't comfortable with all of those things, and with the results you've gotten in your life thus far… you would've done something about it earlier, and certainly far before you ever set foot in that Tower."

The single, efficient answer had floored the Dragon Slayer into silence. Very quickly, Natsu broke his gaze away and stared into the grass. Was Gramps doing this just to irritate him? Probably. He was succeeding, and even worse, it was a genuine point.

Makarov continued. "Think of all the times you've attempted to challenge Gildarts, Laxus, and even Erza to various duels. For the last decade alone that you've been in this guild, you've made zero progress towards beating any of them." The old guildmaster knew that an argument could be made for a pitched battle against Erza. It was likely that Natsu outmatched her by now. However, he'd keep that to himself. The point needed to be hammered home. "If you genuinely were uncomfortable with laying beaten, broken, and humiliated after challenging any of them for the first time, you would've worked and trained like an animal to eventually close the gap in power between yourself and them. You would have smartened up, carried yourself differently, and thought more strategically, perhaps you might've even learned other forms of magic to compliment your Fire Dragon Slaying Magic. And you know what would have happened?"

Natsu looked up at him then, still listening attentively.

"You would have succeeded. There's no doubt in my mind that you could have potentially even gotten close to Gildarts' level by now. You just weren't serious about it."

The young man opened his mouth to protest, but no reply came. He just stayed silent and accepted the verbal lashing.

"All those times you claimed, promised even, that you would beat Laxus, or Gildarts, or Erza the next time you challenged them… and every single time you failed to deliver," Makarov said plainly, relighting the bowl of his pipe. "Is that what you want to be known for? Is that the example you want to set for your future children? Is that the type of man you want to be for the rest of your life?"

No. The answer was instantaneous within Natsu's mind. "No," he said firmly, with conviction.

Makarov smirked. "So… what are you going to do about it, hmmm? What sort of man do you want to be? What is the life that you want to live?"

And… that was where his mind left him.

Nothing came to Natsu then. Nothing. Not a single thought entered his head. He just sat there, looking down at the grass as the sun finally climbed over the mountains in the east, with daylight grazing the right side of his face.

I… don't know.

What else could he do but voice that same line? "I don't know." He said coldly.

Inside he was angry. How in the hell was this all supposed to help him get stronger? To amp his magical power? What was this supposed to be, some sort of self-improvement nonsense that the old man was pushing on him? What a bloody laugh!

And yet, Makarov was right. If he, Natsu Dragneel had taken his training more seriously, had taken himself more seriously… perhaps he would be just as powerful as Gildarts by now. He might even be S-Class. Hell, perhaps he'd even have eaten Jellal for breakfast instead of almost getting killed by the blue-haired prick.

The cold silence that had been set between them was broken by Makarov, who, after having relit his pipe twice more, let out a satisfied gust of smoke. "Face it, kid. In some alternate universe, there's another version of you who's already at Gildart's level of strength. Same age, same history, same look as you. But that Natsu decided to get his act together earlier on. Maybe it was after his first defeat, maybe it was after his twentieth, doesn't matter. He didn't make the cut by complete accident, or by waiting around with his thumb up his ass. He figured out who he wanted to be, where he wanted to go, what he wanted to do, and got right to work."

Finally, Natsu leveled his gaze with Makarov's. "So… that's what I've got to do then? Figure out who I want to be in life?"

"Beats letting life take you for a ride." The old man quipped. "Life'll take you for all you've got, kid… but only if you let it. Instead, if you squeeze what you want out of life, and work-and I mean really work… you'll get it. Nothing simpler. Do you understand, Natsu?"

"Yeah," The young man said firmly, sitting up a little straighter than before. "I do."

"Good." Makarov was pleased. It seemed that now, Natsu's mind was open, malleable, and willing to change after he'd had the truth dumped on him. That would go a long way, certainly. "Well, my morning tirade aside… let's move on to today's docket."

The old man sat forward, slipping his hand into his lower coat pocket and withdrawing a small, folded sheet of crisp paper that he'd written on the night prior. He held it in his right hand as he continued. "The point of our little meeting today, Natsu, is to establish what exactly you and I will be doing to facilitate your personal growth. From there, we will work towards changing your life, ideally, for the better." Makarov said. "My role between the two of us is that of the Mentor. I am not a teacher who sits you down and teaches you a particular subject for several hours on end, nor am I a coach who will teach you the mechanics of what it means to be an SS-Class Wizard. That is something you'll, hopefully, figure out on your own. My purpose here is to ask you bold, profound questions, and your responsibility, as the Mentee, or Student, is to find the answers to those questions and rapidly implement them into your life. This is basic cause and effect, and this is how change happens. Are you following along?"

"I think so…" Natsu said, scratching his head. He was privately satisfied that the old man wouldn't sit him down and teach him how to read and write like Erza had when they were kids. That method of teaching felt stifling to him. "What do you mean about you not being a coach or something like that?"

"A Coach and a Mentor play two different roles. A Coach focuses more on the mechanics of a profession, the tactics, and the basic know-how-you would learn from a coach how to professionally speak with clients in person after answering their job requests." Makarov elaborated. "A Mentor, on the other hand, is more of a trusted advisor who offers guidance, and as I've already mentioned, asks incredibly profound questions of his or her students. Say you decide that you want to become a Wizard Saint, or that you'd like to get into politics, I will ask you pointed questions, guide you in the right direction, and from there, you will facilitate your own learning."

The title of Wizard Saint looked rather attractive to Natsu-but the thought of getting into politics didn't seem all that appealing. That aside, he understood what the old man was saying. He nodded along to show that he was listening closely.

The guildmaster continued. "Moreover, just as I was accountable to Gildarts, I will be called to account concerning my investment in you. Be assured that I will be committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for you during our time together. Therefore, our relationship from this point on must be based on trust, honesty, and profoundly confronting questions. If I say something you don't agree with, simply tell me you don't agree, if you do not. If two people agree all the time then one of them is redundant. Get the picture?"

"Yeah, Gramps."

"Excellent." Makarov refilled the bowl of his pipe, satisfied. He flicked the folded sheet of paper over to Natsu, who caught easily with his left hand. "Take a gander at that and tell me what you think."

Natsu only raised an eyebrow in response but unfolded the sheet in a matter of seconds. When he saw what was written on it, he frowned.

There was a list of questions on the paper. Natsu decided to read them out in his head;

This is the most hyper-competent, ideal version of Natsu…

1) What would he do with his time today? What things would he do?

2) What advantages would he create for himself?

3) What things are you afraid of doing right now? What things have you been putting off, that he would do even though he is just as scared as you are?

4) What baggage would he cut out of his life to make room for new opportunities, relationships, or growth?

5) What habits does he have?

6) How would he track and measure his progress and success?

7) How would he use his Guild, and his teammates more effectively?

8) What beliefs would he focus on this week?

9) What would he not tolerate about your current life? What key objectives is he obsessed with achieving? Why?

10) What sorts of problems does Future Natsu have that you don't? Why are these problems important to him?

11) What did Future Natsu change about himself to become the most powerful, competent, and intelligent version of himself?

12) How does Future Natsu dress? How does he carry himself? What do others think of him when they see him walking through the streets?

13) What sort of skillsets has Future Natsu developed along the way to perfecting himself? Has he learned other branches of magic? Which ones? And why?

14) How does Future Natsu use the resources at his disposal to improve both his life and the lives of those around him?

15) What sort of man IS Future Natsu? How does he act and think? How sharp is his mind?

16) What sort of hardships has Future Natsu gone through to become who he is?

17) What objectives do you have? What do you need to do to improve?

18) What weaknesses do you have? How did Future Natsu overcome them? What did he do?

What the… Natsu gulped as he read over the questions again. What in the hell was he supposed to make with all of this?

"It's a list of questions," he muttered.

"I said to tell me what you think of it, not what it is, kid." Makarov snorted as he relit his pipe for the fourth time that morning. "Go on! Go on!"

Natsu scratched the back of his head. The old man had asked him to be honest, right? Might as well go with that, then. "Well… I'm still not sure how this is going to help me."

Makarov sucked in yet another lungful of smoke. "Questions… are extraordinary. For the simple reason that the human mind has an insatiable curiosity. And if we ask it the right questions, it'll deliberately go search out the answers. Answers that, once applied, could make a drastic impact on our lives." He said as he tapped his temples with the stem of his pipe. "You told me that you'd like to grow stronger. Well, I'm showing you how. The reason you weren't strong enough to take down Councilman Fernandez is that you weren't as prepared as he was didn't put in the same work that he did, you weren't as driven as he was. You weren't the version of yourself that was more powerful than him from the get-go. Plain and simple. These questions I have given you, will help you figure out how you can become that ideal version of yourself, the Natsu Dragneel who is an SS-Class Wizard, a total monster on par with even Gildarts."

"But can't you just show me what you did for Gildarts?"

"Doesn't work that way, kid." Makarov said sternly. "What worked for him won't necessarily work for you. Your answers to these questions will without a doubt be different to Gildarts. I can offer you guidance-but figuring out what sort of man you are at your absolute best? That's on you."

Natsu Dragneel broke his gaze away and continued staring at the grass, the sheet of questions resting gently on his knee.

Makarov felt he should throw the young man a bone. "Think on this next statement, Natsu… 'Outstanding results comes from thinking and acting differently.'"

Outstanding results comes from thinking and acting differently… The Dragon Slayer did a double take.

Alright… thinking and acting differently? Compared to what? How he'd been doing everything in his whole life up until this point? That was what made the most sense, at least. How strange… the statement immediately clicked in his mind, and yet, Natsu had no earthly clue on how to implement it. At least, not yet.

The Dragon Slayer calmly looked down at the sheet once more and scrolled through the questions before him.

What would the most hyper-competent, best possible version of himself do today?

And, just as quickly, he was surprised when it finally came to him.

He'd train early in the morning, for about three hours. First his Magic, then his body. After that, he'd go to the guild, eat breakfast, and hit the library to see what other types of magic he should learn.

Natsu went wide-eyed as he poured over the answer. Across from him, Makarov had grinned knowingly.

"Figured it out, hmmm?" The old man chuckled.

"Yeah," Natsu couldn't help but share the guildmaster's elation. He smiled. "I think I did."

"I'd say it's almost like magic, but that would be quite the cliche," Makarov said. "However, this is just the first step in your education. Within the next few weeks, and months, I'd like you to frequently ask yourself all of these questions. Find out the answers and put them into effect. Application may seem a little scary at times, however, keep in mind that the version of you who is on the same level as Gildarts was also scared-and that version of Natsu did it anyway despite his fear. Understand?"

"I do." The young man nodded.

"Wonderful. Now, would you kindly read out that last question at the bottom of the list, Natsu?"

The Dragon Slayer did so, "What weaknesses do you have? How did Future Natsu overcome them? What did he do?"

It was fairly obvious, at least to him, what this question was aimed at. His motion sickness. Of course!

His motion sickness was absolutely a hazard. He didn't know much about how it worked, except that it simply messed with his draconic senses. It was a critical weakness, frailty if anything, something that even his worst enemies knew about. If he and his team ended up in a situation like that of the Tower ever again, the knowledge that someone could shut him off like a light switch just by placing him on a moving railcar was simply unbearable. No, Natsu wouldn't let that happen again.

He'd spent the majority of his life avoiding moving vehicles, often preferring to walk, or even to use his flames to propel him in the air. At the very least, he wasn't affected when Happy carried him. But still, it wasn't something to rely on.

So how could he apply this statement? How could acting, or even thinking differently, help him get rid of his motion sickness? Or at least mitigate it so that he could still fight at capacity while it affected him?

Future Natsu would've gotten better at enduring his motion sickness and would have adapted to the point that he could barely feel it if he got into a boat, or onto a moving train.

So that would mean he'd have to…

Oh no… Natsu paled at the thought.

It seemed like Makarov could read his thoughts, "Aha!" he snapped his fingers. "You're onto something, aren't you? Well, don't leave an old man hanging! What is it?"

Deciding to follow through with his mentor's request for honesty, Natsu glanced up at him. "I was thinking about how to get rid of my motion sickness… the idea I came up with was to adapt to it. But to do that, I'd have to…"

"...Get used to it the old-fashioned way."

"Yeah."

A wicked grin soon adorned the older man's face. There was something… sinister about it that made Natsu's blood run cold.

"Oh, I believe there's something we can do about that…" Makarov said, clearly amused. "Just one thing…"

Natsu gulped and leaned forward.

"What do you think of boats?"

Chapter Text

October 2nd, The Eastern Forest

Day 2

As it turned out, Natsu Dragneel did not have a good relationship with boats.

It was much the same with practically any other vehicle as well. Erza with her magical carriage; ships; trains; that one time when he'd landed in a railway cart when he was fighting a golem outside of a mine near Crocus. Even the mere thought of stepping into one of those moving contraptions… simply made his stomach turn upside down. And yet…

…He did sign up for this. Completely. Of his own free will.

Are you trying to get yourself killed, Dragneel? Got some sort of death wish?

Natsu could only bitterly ignore the obvious question floating in his head as he kept his walking pace beneath the trees around him, navigating his way effortlessly through the darkened brush and bushes. He could see in the dark, after all.

Walking just a few feet ahead of him was none other than the Old Man himself. Makarov had kept surprisingly quiet as soon as they'd linked up by the east gate near the edge of town. But that could probably be chalked up to the guildmaster being awake earlier in the morning than he'd usually like.

Both of them had backed some bags to bring along with them-in Natsu's case, he'd only packed a few days worth of clothes and food. He didn't rightly know why, but when he asked Makarov what the purpose was, he'd only gotten a knowing smirk as an answer. And nothing else.

Natsu wondered what was going to happen… was Makarov going to put him on the train? If so, then they'd been heading in the wrong direction this whole time.

Were they going to get on a ship? Or some other moving vehicle which could very well result in Natsu's premature demise? How exactly was the old man going to help him get rid of his motion sickness? And moreover… why exactly was Gramps so confident that he could?

It certainly didn't seem like Makarov had any personal experience dealing with motion sickness. From what Natsu knew, the old man definitely was not a Dragon Slayer.

So… what was it then? How was this camping trip supposed to help him?

And when was the sparring going to start? The old man had told him that he'd secured a suitable sparring partner to help Natsu get stronger and 'surpass' his limits when it came to his own training and power.

Whatever that was supposed to mean.

In any case, who was this mysterious training partner, then? An S-Class Wizard? Was it someone Natsu knew? And if so, then who?

There were so many questions that boiled in his mind as he kept following Makarov through the forest-too many to keep track of all at once. As soon as his head started to hurt, Natsu decided to forget about them for the moment, and focus on the present.

He was good at that, at least.

All around him, his senses had picked up so many familiar scents and sounds. The silent whisper of tall grass as it shuffled along with the early morning breeze; twigs falling from tree branches and snapping against the forest floor; somewhere to his left, perhaps… seventy or so feet away from him, an elk was cautious sniffing the air-trying to anticipate whether or not the new scents coming from their direction meant that it would have to outrun a predator.

And then there was… the flowing of water.

No! It wasn't flowing. More like it was lapping against something. A shore, more than anything. Not a stream, but a lake.

So Gramps is actually gonna put me in a boat, then… Natsu felt his stomach grumble uncomfortably.

He shouldn't have been so surprised that the old man's question hadn't been rhetorical.

Sure enough, they'd gotten past the long line of trees. Makarov led the way out onto a small beach that stretched on for almost half a mile ahead of them both. And out beyond the expanse of sand lay the beginning of Natsu's worst nightmare.

A boat-a canoe-lay upturned about halfway down the beach. As Natsu felt the cold sand crunch and shift under his sandaled feet, only then did the urge to run away come back to him.

Man, just looking at that thing makes me nauseous.

Makarov stopped sharply at the canoe. The old man had taken a left turn, going up the hill and then finding a spot in the grass to sit. "Now, before we begin, there is something I'd like to speak with you about." Makarov smiled. "In approximately a month and a half, I will make an official announcement in front of the entire guild. This will be for our annual S-Class Trials, of course. And… if by that time you have already achieved significant growth not only in magical power, but also as an individual, then I will guarantee your position as a candidate for the Exams."

At another time in his life, Natsu might've started dancing maniacally at the news.

But now? Now he managed a sort of half-grin. A part of him was excited, of course. Yet, after what he'd gone through at the Tower of Heaven, the position of S-Class simply didn't quite do it for him anymore. It seemed to him now, that he had bigger priorities to worry about rather than some title that he'd pretty much already qualified for.

At least in his estimation.

Makarov continued. "The title of 'S-Class Wizard' is completely meaningless, Natsu. What truly matters is the character behind the one who holds it, and in how Wizards of that skill level conduct themselves professionally. Others will look up to you, aspire to be like you. This is a great responsibility, Natsu, but one you cannot take up if you remain as you are now. You, my friend, have the next month-and-a-half to become a more competent version of yourself… the version of Natsu who is worthy for such a role. What do you say? Are you up for the challenge?"

Natsu didn't even think of the answer. It came naturally to him. "I'm ready, Gramps."

"Excellent!" The old man said warmly, setting down the bundles of food and now standing up. "Now, onto today's docket… You see, Natsu, there's a little-known technique for dealing with one's motion sickness. It's not necessarily the easiest thing to learn for one in your position, but with a little practice… it can be used to great effect. Go ahead and turn that boat over, would you?"

Natsu simply grunted. As he went, he felt his stomach begin to lurch as he'd approached the canoe and easily turned it onto its hull. "So what exactly are we supposed to do here, Gramps?"

"Well…" The old man snapped his fingers, summoning a small flame on his index finger. He took his time lightning his smoking pipe as he shrugged off his pack. When Makarov was finished, he'd taken a short puff, and then another, before resuming. "I'm going to get started on making a fire. I'm in the mood for some bacon and eggs for breakfast as it so happens. I brought along some cheese, so perhaps I'll make an omelet while I'm at it. Hmmm, sounds good. And from there I'll also get started on making some coffee. I brought some beans with me, and this lake is just fresh water, so that won't be much of a problem. And then-"

Natsu took advantage of the brief lull in conversation, "What about me, Gramps?"

"You?" Makarov seemed almost confused by the question. "Why, you'll be getting in the canoe, of course."

"But how am I supposed to get back to shore? With my hands?"

"There should be a paddle there too," The guildmaster had batted his concern aside effortlessly. "But if you need to use your hands, so be it."

Shit.

Natsu might've protested if he hadn't knowingly walked into this. The Dragon Slayer simply pursed his lips before, reluctantly, looping his pack off his shoulders and throwing it over to the rock that Makarov was sitting next to. He knew that he had to adapt to his motion sickness, but he still didn't quite know how sitting in a boat out on the water was going to help him do it.

As Natsu was coming to terms with his fate, Makarov had already gotten out some of his camping supplies; a small bundle of birch bark; and some food wrapped in thick cloth. The wafting scents of cheddar cheese and fresh bread came to him then.

Meanwhile, the old man had spoken up again, this time with his pipe in his mouth. "Now my boy… this exercise, hopefully, will never need to be repeated again after…"

"Today?"

"No. More like… these next few days." Makarov clarified. "Adapting to this exercise is going to take some time. You, Natsu, are going to want to give up. But if you can get through this, and learn to control your motion sickness, you'll be one step closer to becoming that ideal version of yourself. It won't be a weakness that you'll have to fear… merely a passing annoyance that you won't even need to give the time of day."

"And… I'll be fine regardless of the vehicle I'm on if I do get this right?," Natsu asked, still skeptical.

"Exactly."

Thankfully, there actually was a paddle lodged underneath the thwart on the inside of the canoe hull. At least I'll be able to make some distance back to shore before my stomach jumps out of my-

The old man continued. "From my understanding, your motion sickness is the result of your… draconic senses and your human senses clashing with one another. They effectively disagree with what's happening around you while you're 'in motion'" Makarov suddenly appeared at his side. "I believe this conflict can be put to rest, however… provided you give your senses something to focus on once you're in a moving vehicle."

"Something to… focus on?" Natus frowned, partially shocked at the old man's knowledge of how his motion sickness worked. He'd never once thought of it like that in a more scientific sense. "What do you mean?"

"You've got to use your eyes, boy. Pick something to focus on in the distance. "

What? That was… astoundingly silly.

Natsu almost laughed. "That sounds… a bit dumb honestly."

Makarov smirked, "Well, your crippling inability to deal with moving vehicles sounds rather nonsensical in the first place, son. But-" He spread his hands energetically. "Here we are."

"How do I know this will work, Gramps?"

"Right now, you don't. But you really have nothing to lose by trying, do you?" Makarov nodded to the canoe. "Get in the boat. I'm rather practiced with Wind Magic, so don't you worry about getting out to the middle of the lake. From there you can make your own way back."

That was it then. No more discussion. Just get in and get to work.

Well… Natsu Dragneel certainly didn't have any desire to jump in the canoe. Nor was he completely sure about the vague hint of a technique that Makarov had given him.

Natsu didn't waste any more time. Hesitantly, he approached the canoe and rested his hands on the stern. It took him only a small push to get the thing off the sand and out onto the water.

And not even a second after he'd planted both of his feet within the hull as the boat began to rock gently in the water, had his stomach lurched violently underneath his abdomen. The nerves underneath his skin and all over his body had simultaneously shocked him, almost as if he'd been hit with one of Laxus' lightning bolts. His legs shook, and beads of sweat started to form along the crown of his skull.

It was, somehow, way worse than when he and the others sailed to that stupid Tower to go rescue Erza.

"N-n-no… Not again! Oomph!" He made to cover his mouth as the world started to spin in circles around him. Natsu fell to his hands and knees. "Shit! I'm gonna hurl!"

"Well, good luck son!" Makarov shouted behind him, probably with a smirk, as he'd summoned a sharp gale of wind to push the canoe out into the lake. "Seems like you'll need it."

As the sun began to break out among the clear blue sky above, and dawn was in full swing… Natsu Dragneel lay face first against the hull of the canoe completely petrified, with his right hand splayed up along the starboard, and his left foot planted on the stern seat. A long line of drool had begun slipping out of his mouth, and all of the limbs on his body were totally, seemingly, paralyzed.

"Knew… this… was… a bad idea…"

Erza Scarlet was having an excellent morning.

She'd risen from her bed at dawn feeling extra chipper, though the exact reason as to why had escaped her. Her morning run and breakfast had gone by just as it usually did, before she settled into her sunroom and continued reading her adventure novels. And at nine, she had gone to the guild.

Magnolia was always a peaceful town to walk through, and she couldn't imagine herself living anywhere else, much less a big city like Crocus. She had spent the better part of her childhood here, and as the rest of her friends were here, Erza also knew that she'd grow old and eventually pass away in this town. Perhaps surrounded by both her guildmates and her children, when she eventually decided to have children, that was.

Such a line of thought might usually be considered morbid and wistful, but Erza didn't mind it. She liked Magnolia and had no qualms about wanting to settle down here.

Instead, she thought that today, since her team was no doubt recovered from their escapade to the Tower of Heaven, that she would offer to take everyone out for an S-Class Job. It was the least she could do, and Natsu and Gray were always up for a challenge.

It'll be good for them, and for me, she thought to herself as she was perhaps thirty paces away from the new and improved guildhall.

Erza approached the tall twin green wooden doors to the guildhall and pushed them open. Much to her surprise, the hall was somewhat full of her fellow guildmates. Most usually showed up later in the morning, or around noon.

Well, the S-Class Trials are coming up in December, she reasoned. That must be why guild activity was higher than usual.

After last year's trial, where none of the selected candidates had succeeded in passing all the challenges (and therefore nobody attained S-Class), it was no surprise that everyone was more eager to prove themselves this time around. Those who'd failed previously wanted another go at it, and those who were just powerful enough to be accepted as a candidate were greedy for the position.

That said… Erza knew well enough that simply completing more jobs than everyone else meant little to Master Makarov.

What truly mattered was how practiced one was with their magic, their strength of character, and how capable they would be when it came to protecting others.

To be both strong and kind.

When one became powerful-they often showed their true colors, who they are underneath it all. Many such individuals were cruel; they took pleasure in the fact that they could push others around, make them do things they didn't want to, and take what they wanted.

The overwhelming number of Dark Guilds that existed in Fiore only served to confirm her conclusion. It was a fact. Nothing more, nothing less.

Setting a good example for what a wizard should be, was the end goal.

Erza watched as her guildmates rushed over to the notice board, smiling as she saw Nab and Alzack bickering over one of the slips of paper, that being a job.

"Morning, Erza," Macao greeted from his table, holding up his mug to her as she passed by.

She gave the older man a light smile, "Good morning, Macao," then approaching the bar, taking a seat.

Who would be selected for the S-Class Trials this year? Erza knew that Master Makarov always kept a close eye on the potential of each guild member… somehow. He was almost omniscient like that.

Immediately, more than a few answers had come to mind as she scanned the guild hall.

Cana, for sure, she thought as she spied at the brunette who was currently chugging down yet another beer barrel. Cana had been selected as candidate in the last four S-Class Trials alone and she still hadn't passed. There was no doubt that the card wizard was powerful in her own right, Erza had seen her in action during the raid from Phantom Lord. Maybe she was holding out hope still?

Maybe not… Cana seemed to be drinking more and more as the years got on. Why was that? Was it because of her consistent failures to succeed in the Trials? Erza figured that it wasn't really her business to know, though she would always be there to support Cana given the chance, and moved on.

Another glance out in the guild hall gave her another candidate idea. Elfman.

The takeover mage had just picked up both Jet and Droy and clobbered their heads together, probably over some perceived slight.

He'll be picked, Erza knew. Elfman, while something of a quirk with regard to his manhood, embodied many of the traits and qualities of an ideal S-Class Wizard. Perhaps he would follow in his older sister's footsteps in that sense.

And what of her own team? Of course! How could she not consider them as well?

Lucy would not make it as a candidate, as Erza did not believe she had the temperament to be an S-Class Wizard. But that did not lower the affection and immense respect Erza held for her. Nonetheless, Lucy was a strong mage.

What of Gray? He would certainly be considered by Master Makarov. Gray was, at least most of the time, a very mature and considerate man. He'd be picked, and the fact that he'd been growing in power would not have escaped Makarov's notice. Gray would undoubtably make a good S-Class Wizard. The Ice Wizard would certainly surpass his old master, Ur, within a few years' time.

And Natsu?

Natsu… Erza paused her train of thought. Natsu recently had been something of a puzzle, and on some level, she was both uncomfortable and relieved with his demeanor. Usually, he was simple to understand, to the point that Erza could accurately predict his movements and swings in attitude.

But now?

Now she didn't know what to think of him. Natsu certainly had the power to back up his claim to S-Class, without a doubt. And perhaps before their trip to Akane Resort, she would've shaken her head at his chances at becoming an S-Class Trial candidate-he was simply not mature enough to take on that responsibility. Natsu certainly used to be more of a wildcard if anything.

It was much different nowadays. She remembered the calm, collected Natsu that she'd seen standing in the door frame of his own house. And she certainly could recall his cold fury as he scolded both Lucy and Happy in the middle of town when they returned to Magnolia.

The sudden change in him was… well… it was shocking to her.

Not to mention, Natsu spent far less time around the guild these days too. What was up with that?

Sure, he'd come out every few days to spend time with her and the rest of their team… but the rest of the week? He was gone. Nowhere to be seen.

Almost like he'd disappeared from the face of Earthland.

What was he doing? And how could she-

"Morning, Erza!"

The Knight had glanced up.

Mira, naturally, was standing behind the bar looking expectantly at Erza. Today the barmaid was wearing a conservative mahogany gown that went down to her shins, and covered both her shoulders as opposed to the regular maroon-colored dresses she wore. And with her spotless flowing blonde-white hair now assembled into a loose ponytail, she still managed to glow radiantly-even with the dirty dishtowel that hung just from the light-brown leather belt across her midsection.

It was a look that was somewhat reminiscent of Mira's get-up when they were younger, and when both she and Erza would quarrel much the same way that both Gray and Natsu did now. Except it seemed far more feminine in tone.

"Good morning, Mira," Erza greeted back in kind. Something about this exact situation felt outstandingly familiar to her. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well," The barmaid said cheerfully. "In fact, I just picked up this dress yesterday! I've been waiting for it to get finished for a few weeks now, but I think it looks pretty good! What do you think?"

"It matches well with your hair."

The barmaid grinned. "That's exactly what I thought, too when I picked out the color! I'm glad you think so," It was then, however, that Mira had leaned on the bar facing Erza. "But what about you?"

Erza paused briefly. "Well… the usual, I suppose."

"The usual? Seems like something's eating you. Not anything to do with Natsu again, I hope?"

"No, no!" Erza shook her head immediately. "No, Natsu and I are fine. It's just…" She sighed impatiently, her mind scrambling to find the right words and…

…coming up with nothing to say.

"Hmmm…" Mira hummed, nodding along as she'd occasionally kept and broke eye contact with Erza. "What are you thinking about then?"

"I was considering taking the rest of my team out for an S-Class Assignment."

Mira frowned, "Oh… I don't know about that... Lucy and Gray left on a job with Juvia last night. Pretty sure they'll be getting back after the long weekend. Something to do with a stolen painting, I think?"

Well, there goes that idea.

Alright… so what exactly was she going to do then? With her day? With the weekend ahead of her?

It wasn't like she had any other pressing responsibilities outside of being the guild's disciplinarian. All Erza had on her hands were her books and her training. And that was about it. Nothing else to strive towards.

And what about Natsu?

"What about Natsu?" She asked, putting her thoughts into words. "He's taken to arriving early these days-what about him? Is he around?"

"Don't think he'll be here for the next few days either, I'm afraid," Mira said apologetically. "He came in before we opened up and asked for some supplies. Looked like he was packing for some kind of trip."

Damn!

Had everyone just gone ahead and made plans for the weekend without telling her? It was surely nothing personal-but the fact that she was now on her lonesome did hurt a bit.

"So you'll be on your own for a few days… so what?" The barmaid had suddenly reignited the conversation, making Erza almost jolt in her seat again. "Don't you have any hobbies? Things that you do outside of guild time? It sounds to me like you need to spice up your life a bit. Do something interesting."

Hobbies? Well, of course, she did! "Well, I do read quite a bit at home and-"

"Pfft!" Mira shook her head dismissively. "I'm not talking about reading. I'm talking about a passion, Erza. Something you feel drawn to. Something that's… that's…" The blonde snapped her fingers energetically. "Something that's almost an act of creation! You get what I mean?"

"Not really, no," Erza said with a frown.

"Come on! Surely there's something you like to do? Baking; dancing; singing; writing." Mira said, then leaning closer. "Did you know I play the guitar? Discovered it years ago! Now I can't stop playing it! Every time I play a new song, I go to my happy place. It's one of the best things I ever did, swear on my life."

Mira… playing the guitar? Erza let her imagination wander a bit with that one. The image of the goth-looking blonde from her youth strumming a guitar was almost laughable, if in an enjoyable sort of way.

But if Mira was this energetic about a musical instrument… maybe she had a point after all.

Playing any sort of musical instrument didn't exactly appeal to her, though. "I'm not so sure I'd like to play the guitar." She said evenly.

"I never said you had to," Mira shot back instantly. "But I know for a fact there's something out there you haven't tried yet. And once you do try it, it's all you'll want to do for the rest of your life. Say, how about you and I take a girl's trip into town this weekend? We can get some cake and go shopping in the market, and maybe we'll even find something that catches your eye. Could be an instrument, or something else you can put your time towards. How does that sound, Erza?"

Well… it was a better plan than none. Erza did hold the barmaid in rather high regard. With a reluctant sigh, she nodded. "I… of course, Mira. I accept."

As Mira perked up in her usual, energetic fashion, the Knight had come to terms with her decision. "Oh! It'll be so much fun! And once we go see the farmer's market, they simply have the best strawberries! You'll love it, Erza! And…"

The Knight continued listening with rapt attention, and a smile as Mira went on and on.

Maybe, just maybe… a change like this might do her some good.

Chapter Text

Early October 3rd, The Eastern Forest

Day 3

The world was still spinning.

Time had lost all meaning at the bottom of that little red canoe out on the lake.

After the first hour of hell, Natsu immediately stopped counting the minutes that passed by. He was far more preoccupied with not throwing up his guts.

As he lay face-down against the hull with a small puddle of drool swishing back and forth along his left cheek, he felt the passage of the sun wash over him. The warmth on his back came and went by as the previous day brightened and darkened. And just as the moon came out to play in the blooming night sky above… Natsu finally gathered the strength in his legs and abdomen to shuffle onto his back.

"Grrrrrrrraaagh," The Dragon Slayer had felt his joints crack and pop-the main cause being the awkward position he'd been laying in for a good long while now. Lack of proper hydration was also part of it.

And as soon as Natsu peered up into the sky above, he immediately regretted doing it.

The void above him swirled and spun into a vortex of gray clouds and a blossoming flower of light. Patterns and letters shifted up there-arranging themselves into words and shapes. He could see the wind almost, the light breeze that brushed against his now sweating face. It all simply made him even more nauseous than before…

Natsu weakly clasped a hand over his mouth, almost as a sort of message to his stomach when it drove against his ribcage like a battering ram for the umpteenth time that…

…day? Or had he only been here for half a day?

Honestly, he couldn't rightly tell the difference in his current predicament.

"Why… do… you… hate me?" He asked his stomach.

Naturally, no response came back to him except for a strong gurgle. Brrrrrrrrrrrrn.

The night sky was supposed to be something to be marveled at. Those rings of pure starlight shooting across the black, going to places unknown out in the universe.

It was a frontier. A symbol that they weren't alone. That the universe didn't revolve around them.

And that was perfectly alright.

"Do you ever wonder what the stars think about, Natsu?" Lisanna had asked him once.

How long ago had that been? Had to have been… what… three years back by this point? She'd come over to his house about once a month to help him clean up the place. He didn't care about cleanliness at the time, but Lisanna certainly did, and regarded his poor hygiene habits as unbecoming.

He didn't know why she'd made a monthly pilgrimage to his house out on the edges of town. Especially since he'd always find some new creative way to make yet another mess of his things all over again every time she came over. And, once they'd finished cleaning up his house, Lisanna would cook them a small meal from whatever Natsu had caught earlier in the day. Then she'd put Happy to sleep, and they'd go outside and watch the stars together and talk until it was time for him to walk her back to her house.

At the time, Natsu figured the question was silly. He didn't know better.

"Nah," He'd said to her, somehow recalling a stray piece of information he'd picked up from Macao back then. "They're just balls of light, aren't they? Pretty sure they don't get up to any 'thinking' at all."

"So you could say they're a bit like you, then?"

"Hey! You're lucky, you know! I would've hit you for that one if you weren't a girl."

And then Lisanna would smirk. "Ah, but I'm your wife, aren't I? So I get a free pass. That's the rule."

Why did he feel all warm in the face then?

"Rule? What rule?"

Lisanna had giggled at that. "Well, of being married, silly! You've got to treat your wife like a lady. And that's that."

"Says who?"

"Says… well… nobody really. But it's common courtesy."

"Hmmm," Natsu grumbled at the time. He still had zero clue as to what she was talking about back then. "I guess…"

The blonde laughed again. Then, she stood up and dusted off her long maroon skirt. And… she held out her hand to him. "For instance… Surely a dashing knight such as yourself would be able to walk a lady home?"

Why did she keep calling him a Knight? He was a Dragon, wasn't he?

That black curtain above… the one he'd look up at with Lisanna by his side… now it was only replaced by a void. The beyond.

How hadn't he fallen up into that great gaping hole yet?

Natsu almost snickered. Gravity was slacking on the job, it seemed.

In response to his amusement, his stomach had practically jackknifed beneath his ribcage. His nerves pulsed violently, almost like he'd been shocked to his system. Natsu felt the bile sludging its way up his throat, and he knew he had to move. With strength that he shouldn't have given his present condition, he'd managed to grip a tight hold onto the starboard rail of the canoe and pull himself upwards. Natsu placed his chin up on the wood rail and let it all come right up.

And so it did! As he hadn't eaten, all there was was the usual yellow-green acrid spew that was now mixing with the cool water below him. "Rraallgh!" he groaned as a familiar acidic, and bitter taste filled his mouth again.

When there was nothing left, Natsu fell backward into the hull again, feeling as if someone had blasted him right in the middle of his forehead with a sucker punch.

What had the old man said? My dragon senses and my human senses disagree or something? Seems like a pretty lousy time to pick an argument-I can't even move my arms and legs!

How in the blazes was this so hard for him?

Natsu simmered angrily. As the canoe rocked and wobbled in the calm water, he felt another shockwave to his system-he covered his mouth again, and rested a hand over his abdomen, if only to make sure his stomach didn't actually jump out of his body.

It was confirmed now. Gramps had it out for him. All those years of collateral property damage had finally caught up with him. It's not like I'm trying to destroy everything around me, he rationalized, maybe people should just stop fighting me outside of random buildings and we could all be happy.

This was a certified tax write-off. A method of execution. This was how he, Natsu Dragneel, would go out. Drooling his guts out at the bottom of a canoe. Not at all in a blaze of glory like he imagined.

Unless…

…unless he… what… picked something out in the distance to focus on?

How am I supposed to do that when everything is spinning?

"This is bullshit…" he managed to ground out one last enraged murmur… before he finally lost consciousness.

Hmmmm.

So many choices, and yet so many things to look out for.

Just what was one supposed to do when faced with so many different variants of cake? And especially when one was always perspicacious of their waistline?

The hustle and bustle of Magnolia Town Square, at least during the autumn season, was something to behold. Merchants and tradesmen and craftsmen of all stripes and collars had arrived over the course of the last few weeks alone. It was a time-honored tradition that those living outside the city, or in nearby towns would come to visit and ply their trade for the entire city. This was also, of course, because of the upcoming Fantasia Parade. After a long and hard year, and because of the many battles which shook this town in the past-a good celebration was needed.

And on this one gorgeous Friday afternoon, Erza found herself standing outside the pastry stalls which were lined up and down Central Path, the long horizontal road where most of the city's events and parades would be held. Here was she, Erza Scarlet, standing on the west side of the most crowded street in Magnolia, wearing a conservative pale yellow sundress she'd once bought for herself a few years ago, but previously had never found the time, nor the occasion to wear it.

It was certainly a surprising change of pace. This little shopping trip.

Sure, she'd gone shopping before. But usually these outings involved some sort of purpose behind them; she'd need (or want) a new set of clothes, or armor and weapons from the local Heart Kreuz outlet here in Magnolia. She might treat herself to a few… spicy romance novels, or her preferred and beloved strawberry cake. Then of course, there was her personal blacksmith-a man by the name of Riordan. He lived just a few hours outside the city, but there wasn't a soul in Fiore who could match him in the craft. He was one of the only smiths in the kingdom who could work with enchantments on armor. She visited him about twice a month to get repairs on her gear, and perhaps have something new made for her.

But today's trip wasn't like any of that… no, not in the least.

As per Erza's aimlessness… she was currently inspecting the various baked goods which were out on display in this corner of the Farmer's Market.

There were slices of red velvet cake topped with sliced strawberries and cream cheese icing; strawberry tarts; strawberry-stuffed cupcakes; strawberry shortcake grill skewers (she still wasn't entirely sure on that last one).

And best of all?

Erza narrowed her eyes on the small bowl containing the most delicious-looking chocolate covered strawberries imaginable. It was placed out as an offering to passersby-a free sample to bring in new customers, no doubt.

Her stomach groaned slightly, grrrrrrrrr. Thankfully not loud enough to make her look desperate.

It wouldn't do to gorge herself on everything here. That would not be appropriate for a woman in her position-not to mention it would be highly impolite. Surely there were other people who wanted…

She'd had her usual conservative breakfast of oats and an egg. Plenty of calories to use up before she hit her limit for the day.

Maybe just a few then, she thought to herself as she reached for the bowl containing samples of her number one favorite food coated in her number three favorite food.

Erza took two of the chocolate-engulfed delights and plucked them into her mouth at the same time.

A swirl of clashing flavours came to her then; the combination of the sweetened glazed strawberry mixed with milk chocolate was all that she asked for-Erza considered herself to be a fairly talented chef on her own, but whoever came up with that particular food combination must've been a downright genius.

Directly behind the stall of baked goods was, unsurprisingly, a bakery. The rectangular white sign over the doorway contained stylized ornate light blue lettering reading out, 'Baking At Its Best' with a small chef standing next to the last word, holding up a cake. It was charming. Quaint, even.

The bell above the door jingled open, and a short elderly woman stepped outside. The woman wore a neat and tidy dress with only a slight bit of fray at the hem, and her long gray hair was slightly thin, though still retained some of the curl from her youth. She'd looked up and down the crowded street before laying eyes on Erza. And when she did, she gave Erza a warm, grandmotherly smile.

"Why hello, Erza!" The old woman clapped her hands and approached.. "How are you, dear? And-oh, you simply look lovely today!"

"Hello, Anja. And thank you," She smiled back, but couldn't help but blush at the old woman's praise. She'd straightened her dress again. "I'm out here with a friend today, and I thought I'd pick up something to eat and say hello."

Anja had been born in Magnolia. She'd married young and ran the bakery with her husband, Fredrik. To Erza's knowledge, they'd had around nine children, and about twice that number in grandchildren. It was very clear to Erza that the old woman had had no regrets, and was outstandingly proud of the life she'd lived. A feeling that Erza very much admired and, on occasion, felt partially envious of.

Still, that did not stop her from loving the old woman almost as her own grandmother-this was reciprocated in kind, as Anja very much treated Erza like a surrogate granddaughter.

"Well, I'm happy you stopped by!" Anja gave her that toothy, energetic grin. "In fact, Fredrik and I baked up a few of those classic strawberry cakes you love so much. We'd kept one in reserve just for you, darling! But-" she leaned across the stall slightly, and gently tapped her nose, as if she were revealing a critical trade secret, "-don't tell anyone else."

Erza couldn't help but adopt the old woman's infectious positive energy. "I won't tell a soul, I promise. Could I pick it up later today? My friend and I should be back in a bit."

"Of course you can, dear. We'll always be happy to open our doors for you. Who's your friend, by the way?"

"Well," Erza started, "You know Mirajane Strauss?"

Anja's face lit up again in recognition. "Oh, indeed I do! My other granddaughter, Tiana, can't stop talking about that young lady. Always has her eyes glued on an edition of Sorceror Weekly Magazine whenever I see her. She's a really big fan, I hear. Of both Miss Strauss and that ice-wizard friend of yours-what was his name again…"

"Oh, you must mean Gray."

"Ah, yes, Gray!" The old woman nodded. "But I don't suppose you and your guild have a little something planned for the Fantasia Parade? We absolutely loved last year's show, you know."

The Knight nodded, "We do as a matter of fact. I can't reveal everything, but I can say that…"

The sun was bearing down on him.

Natsu always liked that great shining orb in the sky. He could see it better than most others, could withstand its heat without being drained of energy as the day went by. Didn't need to shy away after a perfect tan had been achieved.

Hadn't Lucy complained about something along those lines once?

Whatever, its not like it mattered now.

What irked Natsu was that the sun had gone ahead and did a complete one-eighty on him. Now as he tried to contain the stormy ocean of bile in his digestive track, the sun's everpresent gaze was just making it worse. He now knew what it meant to be 'seared' from the inside out, as he shivered violently in the hull of the canoe-same spot he'd been in for the last… what? Thirty hours? Thirty days?

Thirty years?

In any case, the most immediate concern that came to mind was the dryness of his throat.

In addition to slaking his thirst normally with water, Natsu could also do so with fire. It was, of course, an ability only he could do as a Fire Dragon Slayer. Eating fire was often a lot like chugging down a barrel of beef broth mixed with about two tons of black pepper. A very satisfying meal, as it not only refueled his magical tank, but also satiated his body with all the nutrients and calories it needed.

Unfortunately, Natsu didn't have access to any fire at the moment besides his own. And summoning up the willpower to create some simply wasn't an option when all he could do was shake and sweat uncontrollably on the floor and wait for his stomach to kill him.

As for water… well, if Natsu could move and jump out of the boat, he would.

If he could that was.

"It all… hurts…" he croaked.

As if in response, the wind had suddenly picked up again. It didn't sound calm like it usually would on a fine autumn day.

No, now it was practically howling in his ears. Almost like that blizzard had up on Mount Hakobe.

Noooooooooooooo!

The boat rocked from side to side again, Natsu couldn't stop himself from having yet another spasm. He jittered and shook and weakly wrapped his own fist against his chest. "No, no, no, no, no!"

Blast that old man! Makarov was trying to kill him now, wasn't he? Him and his stupid Wind Magic!

When the boat settled again, so had he stopped jerking about. Natsu lay flat on his back looking up at the sky.

You know what you need to do, Dragneel.

If you want out of this, you've got to focus on something in the distance.

Pfft. Easier said than done.

The great void of clear blue sky still hadn't stopped whirling all over the place. What if he lost focus of it?

Then you try again until you get it right.

But what about-

"Get. To. Work."

Had that been… Igneel's voice on the wind? Natsu gasped and swallowed down a shaky breath. As if in response to his father's voice, he'd nodded wordlessly and cracked open his eyes some more.

There… were some clouds up there. Except the moment he'd looked at one, he saw it instantly duplicate itself and watched as the twin clouds now folded into eachother, and then finally as it split apart into eight swirling tendrils of mist in the sky connected to a large moving body.

A giant squid in the sky is all kinds of wrong, he thought.

The taste of acid only got worse, Natsu tried to keep his focus on the flying calamari, yet to no avail. His stomach simply burgened against his abdomen even harder than before and he couldn't stop the bile that then came up his throat and nostrils.

"Raaaglff!" He vomited again, but this time inside the boat. And then the darkness took him away again.

Back to square one.

…They are calling,

From across the distant shore.

Why do you weep?

What are these tears upon your face?

Soon you will see,

All of your fears will pass away.

Safe in my arms,

You're only sleeping.

What can you see,

On the horizon?

Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea,

A pale moon rises.

The ships have come to carry you home.

And all will turn,

To silver glass.

A light on the water.

All souls pass.

Hope fades,

Into the world of night.

Through shadows falling,

Out of memory and time.

Don't say,

We've come now to the end.

White shores are calling,

You and I will meet again,

And you'll be here in my arms,

Just sleeping.

And all will turn,

To silver glass.

A light on the water,

Grey Ships will pass,

Into The West.

Not even a moment after Mira finished strumming the final note on her guitar, had the entire restaurant erupted into an elated frenzy of clapping and overeager cheering.

There were even a few loud whistles amongst those seated by their own tables in the hall.

Erza couldn't help but smile and clap her hands as well. She'd been sitting directly across from Mira when the Take-Over Mage had, after being approached and receiving plenty of well-wishers and fans, decided to open up her guitar case and take up the instrument to play a tune for everyone there.

And once she got started? That was precisely when Erza figured out what the barmaid had been talking about the other day regarding passion.

Mira had always been a kind individual-even when she went through her goth phase. She always seemed to make peoples' days brighter just by giving them a lopsided grin. She seemed to have a knack for it. So when she'd taken up the guitar right infront of everyone, it appeared to Erza as if Mira's natural charm and the calming, positive aura around her had been amplified a hundredfold.

Joy and happiness quickly spread to the other guests. Other women were shedding tears as they listened to Mira sing, and the men had sat back calmly and respectfully, obviously taken in by the white-haired beauty who was performing only a few tables away.

It was almost like everyone had been taken in by a charm spell all in one effortless stroke.

Charm Magic was, of course, illegal. Yet the fact that this positive intoxication was clearly not magical in nature… that was what stunned Erza the most.

Mira stood up from her seat and gave two deep bows to everyone else in attendance. "Thank you so much!" She said with a beaming grin. She started putting her guitar away into the case she'd brought along and took her seat again, returning to her plate of grilled, seasoned chicken breasts paired with salad.

The clapping and whistling finally began to die down after a few moments, and order returned to their fellow restaurateurs. Erza remembered her grilled salmon doused with lemon juice, and got back to eating her meal.

"That was a lovely performance, Mira."

"Thank you, Erza! I spent a long time practicing that song. It's one of my favorites. I read about it from this book series actually…"

Erza cut into her fillet easily, almost gripping the knife as if it were another of her swords.

What did she have to show for herself then? Erza Scarlet knew for a fact she had no desire, no skill or even the urge to play an instrument like Mira could. The old compulsion to compete with the Take-Over Mage flared up within her again. Yet, it was an unfair feeling.

She was proud that Mira could command the attention of an entire crowd like that. That she could play so well so as to hypnotize everyone around her-if only for a few minutes.

To bring light and joy into their lives like that…

…how can I do that?

Erza had usually seen herself as the one who stole joy away from others. Wasn't that what she did every time she broke up a guild-wide brawl? And yet the guild needed discipline after all.

What was there for her to do?

"-and then… Erza? Erza, are you alright?"

The Knight realized she'd been staring at her salmon. She looked up and met Mira's soft gaze. "Hmmm? Yes, yes… I'm fine."

"Well, you seemed distracted. It wasn't from the song I hope?"

"No, not at all." That was the last thing she wanted Mira to think. That she had, even in a small way, brought down someone's day. "I was…" Perhaps it would be best to change the subject. So she could collect her thoughts. "Why the guitar? I don't recall you ever playing it when we were little."

The Take-Over Mage seemed to fall silent at that, but not despondent. She carefully set down both her knife and fork and sat back in her chair.

Those full lips had pursed for a moment, before taking on a small wistful smile as she glanced out the window next to them. "It was a few years ago. After Lis-" Mira paused. "After Lisanna passed away. Weeks after that job… I couldn't even bring myself to get out of bed in the morning. Elfman… he managed to pull himself together. I don't even know how he did it, but… he did…" Erza could see it in Mira's eyes. Those dark blue orbs betrayed the awe and respect and admiration she held for her younger brother.

Now that was a feeling that Erza could understand. An emotion that she'd even felt fairly recently even. One that still pulsed whenever she recalled what happened at the Tower.

Natsu standing over Jellal, his knuckles encrusted with dried blood.

Mira continued, "I should've been there for him. I'm the oldest sibling, and it was my responsibility to take care of him. But I… I just couldn't," she admitted, looking rather ashamed. "He took Lisanna's passing far worse than I did, but he knew that we couldn't stay in the house and do nothing. We had payments to make and food needed to be put on the table, so he went and took on some more jobs. He got up every single day and went out to the guild to find work. He took care of the house; repaired the roof; he even learned how to cook for us even though Lisanna and I would usually do it. It got so bad that he also had to bring me meals because I couldn't bring myself to get up and go downstairs to eat."

In the battle that I should've been the most prepared for… that I was too weak to fight…

…he came to save me.

"One day, Elfman came home with that-" Mira looked at her now, and she jutted her chin slightly down to the guitar case by her feet, "He claimed he got it as a bonus from a client. He didn't know what to do with it though, so he gave it to me."

"And you started playing it?" Erza asked, assuming what happened next.

Mira, of course, nodded. "Yes, but not right away. I remember staring at it for days while I lay in bed. But eventually, I woke up one afternoon and… just picked it up and started fiddling with the strings." She said with a wide grin as she wiggled her fingers about. "It was just me and that guitar for hours and hours and hours. I knew I was so terrible back then. But I kept at it until I fell asleep."

"The next day I woke up, and… I don't know why, but everything felt… clear. Like a massive weight had been lifted from me. For the first time in weeks, I left my room. I went outside for a walk, took a bath, did the dishes, cleaned up the house. Elfman came home and-" Mira laughed delightedly. "Oh, he was so happy that I'd gotten out of bed. You should've seen his face. Smiled like he used to do when we were kids. From there… well… I guess you could say we started putting our lives back together."

Outstanding… So the guitar had been some kind of… therapy for Mira?

Lisanna's death had been a difficult blow for everyone in the guild, and especially for the Strauss siblings. But Erza didn't know the depths to which it had impacted both Mira and Elfman personally.

Not until now at least.

"And that's why you still play it?" Erza asked, her respect for the barmaid had risen even more. "The guitar, I mean."

"Yep!" Mira's chipper tone had returned just as soon as it had left. "It's not something I need to do anymore. Now it's something I want to do. And if it could help me recover and make my life better, then I think pursuing some kind of passion can do the same for anyone else. Which brings me to you."

Erza was suddenly caught off guard, "I'm not looking to recover from something, Mira."

The blonde had shaken her head. "That's not the point, though. You don't need to be recovering from anything. It's all about learning a skill that you want to be good at, and the fact that there's a learning curve just makes it better. We're supposed to struggle to learn new things, Erza. It's just a part of being human, after all. When things are easy-to-do, or are handed to us on a silver platter, we simply don't appreciate them as much. Haven't you ever noticed that we're a lot more satisfied with our accomplishments when we have to earn them through hard work?"

Yes, Erza thought to herself, she had felt that way pretty much about her whole career as a Wizard. Hell, she'd been the youngest mage to ever attain S-Class, and at the age of 15, no less.

Still… it wasn't something Erza had ever consciously thought about. And as Mira spoke, it… did make some sense to her.

"We're able to lead more fulfilling lives when we go out of our way to master a skill, or practice a passion, or just to do something we care about. Sure, it'll be difficult, but that's kind of the point at the end of the day. And when we do that, we're able to leave behind all of the doubts and fears that we once had, and embrace each new day with purpose and light," Mira said, now holding up her fork so as to make a point. "You're too uptight, Erza. Too rigid. I see it every time you walk into the guild hall. You're not wearing your armor constantly anymore, and that's great-it's just that you don't seem to be doing anything else either. You're doing the same old things day after day. I mean, look at your team. Lucy's writing a book and she's making good progress on it; Gray doesn't talk about it much, but he likes learning about history and even discussing it at times if you ask him; and Natsu?" Mira shrugged. "Well, he loves to fight-I'd say he's probably one of the best hand-to-hand fighters we have in the guild, right up there with Gildarts."

"See what I mean, Erza?" Mira asked as she'd finished off her chicken and salad. "When you genuinely pursue something you want to do, you really begin to find out what it means to live."

Erza was astounded.

Was she too rigid? Too… uptight? Too used to doing the same things day-in and day-out?
She didn't even know what she wanted to do, outside of being a good example for her guildmates to follow.

But, by that same token, Erza knew that Mira was right.

And it was time to do something about it.

The wind was howling.

Water lapped gently against the fiery red hull of the canoe.

Afternoon came and went, and the clear blue sky had transitioned into gold, and then orange as the sun began to set in the West.

Birds were chirping, acorns were falling from trees, wood crackled and split apart in a distant campfire.

Natsu awoke once again, first feeling the thick sheen of sweat covering his face and neck.

Next came the pungent stench of acid and bile, coming from the small dried pool of vomit beneath him. And oddly enough, the sharp pain he felt in his abdomen had come third. It was almost like someone had plunged a dagger into his chest, and then proceeded to stab him over and over and over and over again…

…why was he out here?

Why did his stomach hate him so much?

Why was he going through all this punishment?

Why was he doing this?

Why couldn't he just loop his body over the rails and into the lake so he could sink to the bottom?

Why couldn't he just swim his way back?

Why?

Why?

Why?

"You're really incredible… Natsu."

Natsu shot open his eyes for the first time in days. He swallowed down the venom in his gut and took in his surroundings.

His stomach and whole body still wracked with nearly nerve-damaging pain, but just barely, he was able to see… a… tree?

The foggy darkened shape sat above the railing of the canoe's hull. The spine of the long trunk had reached up and up and up. Even though his vision was blurry at best, Natsu could imagine branches and red leaves protruding from the tree. Almost… almost like…

…And then suddenly he did see it.

Natsu felt his belly protest and gurgle and stab him again, but he fought through every inch of throbbing agony, every excruciating signal that was sent to his brain. He was emboldened as his sight began to clear, he'd kept his focus on that tree, the one that sat there on the shoreline, waiting for him to return.

Small bursts of energy came back to him. The unending pressure on his ribcage and abdomen started to lessen and shrink down… and Natsu found the strength to sit up.

He let out a shaky breath as he now saw the entire oak tree in all its glory. Standing upright and proud. An old beast planted close to a hundred years ago. And the world around it had stopped spinning! Had ceased to fold in on itself dozens of times just as it always did when he got into a boat or stepped onto a train. Natsu's peripheral vision steadied itself then… and he knew he'd done it!

The Dragon Slayer glanced down and patted his bare chest. He looked down and was… surprised.

Now instead of feeling like someone had shoved a hot lump of lead down his throat… now his stomach merely pinched at him. Squeezing the same way someone would squeeze a dishtowel. But it was manageable.

No! It was more than manageable, now.

Natsu didn't waste any more time. He looked again at the great oak tree by the beach and reached for the paddle next to him in the canoe. And he got right to work.

Almost as if to fight back-the wind had picked up again. Stronger this time. Stronger than any natural wind ought to be! Gramps was trying to push him back out into the lake again!

Not today! Natsu thought, now putting more force into each stroke with the wooden paddle, he scythed through the crystal waters below him, his strength more than a match for whatever gust that Makarov could throw at him. The narrowed bow of the canoe was almost like the tip of a spear, breaking through the blasted wall of wind like cutting through paper!

Natsu plunged the blade of the paddle in the water again and kept going.

Again.

Again.

AGAIN.

AGAIN!

AGAIN!

Mmmph! The canoe landed against the wet sandy shore.

Natsu threw aside the paddle and jumped out onto the beach. Nothing else mattered to him, now, not even the oak. He'd landed onto the wet sand and grasped at it, even taking up clumps of it in his hands.

Gratitude overwhelmed his entire being. For the first time in over a month, Natsu Dragneel laughed uproariously, almost like a madman. "HAHAHAHAHAHA! WOOOO!" He grinned ear-to-ear as he kissed the sand in his palms over and over, and began to jerk his arms and legs about, making sand angels on the beach. "Yes! I'm back! Thank you! Oh, thank you! I'll never take you for granted ever again!"

Moments later, when the last of his energy had left him, and he turned over on the beach so he could look up into the blooming night sky above, he smiled thankfully, and genuinely.

It was set in stone now.

His final conclusion was obvious.

If I can beat my motion sickness…

…then what else could I do?

Chapter Text

October 8th, Fairy Tail Guild

Day 8

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

The old grandfather clock had certainly grown on Natsu by now. Something about it made him feel… what was the word?

Present, a very very old stray memory had answered the internal question. In the moment.

Who had taught him that word, as well as its meaning? Had it been Igneel or Erza? Natsu decided it wasn't important, and promptly scratched the back of his head before sipping on his coffee.

Opposite of him behind the large brown maple desk was Makarov. The old man was scribbling away at some papers with his pen. He seemed to be doing that a lot more these days, though for what reason exactly, Natsu didn't know. Gramps certainly didn't too look happy dealing with paperwork again, though it seemed their little trip out into the Eastern Forest had done wonders for his health. Compared to the old man's shape from a few weeks ago, his pale face was flush with color and vitality. Makarov was spry and in ship-shape, probably from having gotten more sleep in the last six days than the entire month before.

Natsu could sympathize. He'd skipped sleep as much as he could once he and his team returned from Akane Resort after all. It wasn't a fun time.

Hums and voices started to pick up again. Commotion coming from the other side of the tall door to the Guildmaster's Office. Natsu glanced at it as if he could see through it, remembering the long catwalk on the second floor of the Guild Hall which then led down into the main floor. The place would get busy within the hour, probably.

"Ahem,"

Natsu looked back at Makarov now. The old man was staring at him now, and had aside the black pen.

"You brought along that list of questions I gave you?"

"Of course."

"Well go ahead and take it out. As encouraging as it is to know we've gotten past your motion sickness, there's still more work to do. As a matter of fact," Makarov quickled donned a rather sinister-looking smirk. "You're to begin sparring tomorrow morning."

Natsu carefully set down his mug and unfolded the sheet of paper, laying it flat on the coffee table. "With who, exactly? You've been pretty… err…"

"Reticent?"

"Eh… What?"

The old man ignored Natsu's noticeable confusion. "I suppose you're referring to the fact that I haven't told you who your sparring partner is, nor why they have been chosen to work with you?"

Natsu nodded firmly, also deciding to ignore his own slip up with regard to not understanding certain words. I oughta brush up on that dictionary back at the house one of these days. "Yeah-yeah, that's what I meant."

"Natsu…" Makarov started, folding his hands on his desk. "Rest assured that I've selected someone who is more than qualified to work with you. And I mean qualified. This particular individual has considerable knowledge and… experience… dealing with Dragon Slayer Magic."

Natsu frowned. What the blazes is was that supposed to mean? Someone who knows about Dragon Slayer Magic? Or an actual Dragon Slayer like me?

Dragon Slayer Magic was a Lost Magic, and an exceedingly rare one at that. Natsu didn't know of anyone else in the guild-much less Fiore-who practised some form of Dragon Slayer Arts except for that punk, Gajeel. And when it came to that degenerate… well… the less Natsu thought of him, the better. He sincerely hoped his sparring partner wasn't that iron-faced scumbag.

Add to that, Natsu had already beaten him-even if the fight was a little dirty what with Lucy's intervention. Surely Gramps wouldn't have paired him up with someone who'd been a former enemy of the guild, too.

"Is it Gildarts?"

"No. If Gildarts were back from his Century Quest, he'd be here."

"Is-"

Makarov sharply raised his hand in a stopping motion. "Natsu, rest assured that you will be left in capable hands. Now," It was time to change the subject. "We have addressed one of your weaknesses in the last few weeks. We've made some notable progress, if I do say so myself. Now it's time that we set our sights on other targets."

The Fire Dragon Slayer kept a straight face and nodded. His motion sickness was permanent. Yet the fact that he could now control it and even mitigate its effects… that was more than worth all the harrowing hours he spent laying in his own spit and vomit at the bottom of that bloody canoe. He'd gotten back into that boat approximately nineteen more times in the days following his initial victory, until eventually he was able to row himself back to shore in under a minute without getting sick. Now it was like… like he could flip a switch in his brain and all he would feel was a minor stomach ache.

It worked. The fact that Natsu Dragneel had actually begun to make progress by conquering what would have been considered a critical weakness of his… that was more inspiring than anything.

But progress towards what exactly?

What was the end goal here? The ultimate vision?

"This is all in service of the man you want to be, Natsu. In order to have the things this ideal version of yourself has, you must first become that man in more ways than one. Clear?"

"Crystal."

"Good." Makarov gave him a crooked grin. "Now for today, we'll be taking a look at questions thirteen and fifteen. Go ahead and read them out loud, will you."

Natsu glanced down at the sheet once more. Scrolling down the numbered list, he quickly found what he was looking for. "What skillsets has Future Natsu developed along the way to perfecting himself? Has he learned other branches of magic? Which ones? And why?" Then came the next. "What sort of man IS Future Natsu? How does he act and think? How sharp is his mind?"

Skillsets? Other branches of magic?

It was something he'd considered before, back when he'd gotten this list initially. But should he actually go ahead and learn more types of magic? Natsu didn't know, and neither was he really motivated to do so. It wasn't a task that greatly appealed to him.

Wasn't it enough being a Dragon Slayer? To supplement the magic taught to him by Igneel with… what? Wind Magic?

Ridiculous. He almost scoffed at the thought.

But the old man sitting across the room from him had naturally read his expression. Somehow, not for the first time in the last few weeks, Makarov knew exactly what he was thinking. "These are valid questions, Natsu. Reliance on a single form of magic would result in you becoming what we in the trade call a 'one trick pony'. This applies to learning new skills as well. Strategy, tactics, critical thinking. All of these are necessary skills for SS-Class Wizards. These are things you will have to learn as well."

"What's the point of this going over this today though?" Natsu asked, dumbfounded. "It's not like I can learn a new form of magic within the next twenty-four hours."

"Why not?"

"Why not what?"

"Why can't you learn a different form of magic today?" Came the reiterated question.

Natsu opened his mouth to respond, but quickly found that he didn't actually have a worthy reply. He kept his teeth together and pondered the question again. Why not?

Why not, indeed.

Gramps didn't wait for him to reply, either, "Something to keep in mind, Natsu; life is a marathon, not a sprint." He paused for a moment before locking eyes with the Dragon Slayer. "Imagine for a moment that you are building a house. Every day, you place a brick. Progress may be slow in the beginning, and it might take a while before you reach your goal, but as each day passes, you start to see the fruits of your labor."

"Why not just build the house in one or two days? It's clearly faster than building it brick by brick."

"That's… not the point, Natsu. The house is just a metaphor. The point is that most things in life which are desirable, are often difficult to achieve. Great magical power and capability is one of those things. And in order to reach true mastery, you must work towards it every single day. Some days you make more progress than others, but the main idea is that you must show up every day all the same. With regards to learning about new magics, while it may take you anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to reach effective practice, you can still lay the groundwork for yourself today." The old man continued on. "It must come as no surprise to you, that the best mages we have to offer in this guild are in fact the ones who showed up every day to practice and master their respective forms of magic. Natural talent alone will get you far, but getting yourself the rest of the way? Now that will require dedication and consistency."

That… actually made sense the more Natsu began to think about it.

Everyone else in the guild just kinda… don't do anything. Never seen any of them train or practice unless it was for work.

But for the actual S-Class Mages in the guild? Natsu rarely saw any of them in the guild hall, doing what every other member usually does. Gildarts hadn't been seen for the last three years alone. Laxus was occasionally having a drink up on the second floor, but was otherwise not around. Mystogan came in probably about once a month. Erza, if anything, proved Makarov's point. Though she was in the guild more often than the other S-Class Mages, she would maintain her civility - eating her cake while the rest of the guild descended into chaos all around her.

Natsu frowned as he recalled something Gildarts had told him once,

'Watch what everyone else is doing. Now do the opposite.'

He'd only been a kid when he heard that, so Natsu hadn't actually taken Gildarts all that seriously. But now? Now it made more and more sense. What a curveball!

Makarov wasn't even finished. "The fact that you claimed you could not learn a new form of magic today… that is more concerning to me than anything else we've covered so far," he said, "All the things you want to do, Natsu… you can do them, you just need to start today. And you need to carry that momentum forward if you want to see any real progress or results. This also plays into how you'll change from who you are now, into the sort of man you want to be. Remember what I said about thinking differently?"

Natsu did remember. The saying had been ingrained in his head by now. "Outstanding results come from thinking and acting differently."

"Precisely. You have a lot of natural talent, Natsu. Now you need to apply yourself consistently, and you'll be able to take your talent to new heights. You need to think differently. Think the same way that ideal version of yourself would, for example."

Think the way my ideal self thinks? How do I do that? The task wasn't exactly as easy as it sounded-how was he supposed to start thinking differently on the flip of a jewel? It was a puzzle that Natsu simply couldn't seem to wrap his head around. At least, it was for the moment.

Natsu wanted to figure this out though. He opted to speak his mind. "How do I do that?"

"It's not easy to accomplish in one go… in fact it'll be fairly uncomfortable for you. All the same, it's relatively simple," Makarov sat back in his chair, placing his hands behind his head. "Look at the results you want in life and then consider what sort of man you'd need to be in order to get those results."

Okay… "So think about the outcomes I want and who I'll need to be to achieve them… and then consistently work towards those outcomes every day?"

"Exactly. Now you're beginning to see how it all comes together, yes?"

"Yeah," Natsu sat back, still a bit unsure about his understanding of the concept. "I think,"

It was all simple, really. But the fact that it was a new concept to him was what made it feel confusing.

You'll get it, Dragneel.

That's right. He was good at adapting. He just… needed to put this into practice then.

Natsu felt he should ask more questions concerning the topic at hand, but before he opened his mouth to speak, Makarov had already glanced over at the grandfather clock.

"Looks like our time's up. I've got a meeting with a representative from the Magic Council in a few minutes." The old man sat forward and clapped his hands together, now refocusing his gaze back on Natsu. "I want you to continue thinking about these concepts throughout the rest of your day, Natsu. And for the rest of your week for the matter. These are very important principles that will serve you well in life."

Natsu stood up, folding the sheet of paper and tucking it into his pocket, and picking up his half-full mug of still warm black coffee. "I'll keep it in mind, Gramps."

"Good. And before you go, I also have something that will help you with regards to mastering your Dragon Slayer magic - and even learning other types of magic."

Makarov had hopped off his chair and gone over to a nearby bookshelf, withdrawing an old dusty tome from the bottom shelf. Right then and there, Natsu felt dread begin to form in his gut.

"This aided me greatly when I was your age," the old man turned to face him now, and threw the book to him. "Very simple and practical, I should add."

Natsu caught the book effortlessly with his left hand, and flipped it over onto its front. The title read, 'Understanding Magic & Spellcraft' written by one Commander Jon Fleming.

He glanced back at the old man. "You want me to read this?"

"No, I want you to use it to start a fire-of course you're supposed to read it!" Makarov shook his head impatiently. "I'm aware that your reading skills are not what they should be given your naturally high level of intelligence. Consider this to be another challenge for you in that area of your life."

"Err… alright I'll give it a go."

"No, Natsu. You will have to have read and finished this book by next week. We'll be going over some of the concepts in the book itself."

Natsu went wide-eyed. "What? You want me to make a book report?!"

"Yes." Came the simple answer.

The last time he had to do one of those was with Erza when she was schooling him… and back then it wasn't as he could've smacked her over the head for it. Shit…

But then again… Natsu reminded himself that, much like the process in handling his motion sickness, he did sign up for this. I'll figure it out, he thought to himself. Complaining wouldn't help him now. All that was left was to get to work.

"I'll get it done by next week then." He said, this time with conviction.

Makarov seemed pleased at that. "Excellent. Now off you go."

Without saying another word, Natsu Dragneel nodded to the Guildmaster once more and turned on his feet, pocketing the book and opening the door to the office, and gently closed it shut behind him.

'Stop to consider that every last one of us are born with more or less similar settings in our own brains. Meaning that we are all born with the same potential for mastery.

How is it that, despite us all being born with the same advantage, that only a limited number of people across the annals of time have ever been able to actually truly shine and realize their full potential? Is it not outlandish that more and more Wizards refuse to acknowledge the both literal and metaphorical fortune that is at their disposal? After all, those born with magic make up a mere ten percent of the total human population. And only a startling one percent of all Wizards ever achieve their truest potential.

How is it that each of us are born with no true limit for sheer excellence, and yet, so few of us ever reach such heights of personal ability and mastery?

Exceptional skill and natural talent are far more common than you might be led to believe, my dear reader. Countless people all over the world display talents in their own respective fields, yet so few of them ever amount to anything. It only goes to show that while talent and skill can get you far, it cannot take you all the way.

Some of the most masterful and impactful mages I have had the pleasure of knowing were not even the most talented, nor the most skillful.

As a matter of stern fact, they were rather ordinary.

None of them were the smartest, the most intelligent, the most wise. Not even the most powerful, nor strongest. Quite a few of them were even socially inept, completely incapable of handling a single conversation. Some of them were even left behind in the dust of their more popular peers.

And yet, somehow, they were able to rise far to the top and  excel . Not simply as Wizards… but as Humans. Men and Women both driven by youthful predilections and passions to practice and practice and practice, all because of their intense desire to learn and a burning want to fully understand their branch of Magic. Fighting through the pain of the process of mastery; the long, neverending hours of practice; the self-doubts; jealousy and ridicule from the resentful onlookers; the unavoidable setbacks. In this… they have learned true resilience and have earned their own confidence.

To become an individual of sheer exceptional quality-'

"Hey, Natsu!"

Nonchalantly, the Fire Dragon Slayer had torn his gaze away from the rather worn book which was cradled in his right palm. Almost as if the entire world had flooded back into his senses, he'd suddenly remembered where he'd been sitting in the guild hall; at a table near the bar on the western side of the hall. The booming noise comprising of so many jeering and cajoling voices depicting yet another busy day in the guild playing out around him.

Lucy was standing there across from him, with Happy floating in the air beside her. More than a few emotions passed over her expression all within a handful of seconds. Her usual cheerfulness was there, naturally. Next came curiosity, and then, her head turned almost in perplexion as she set her large brown eyes on the object in Natsu's hands.

"Is that… are you actually reading a book?"

"Yeah," Natsu said, seeing that Lucy was very obviously bewildered. "What else does it look like?"

"I thought you hated reading. Since… you know, Erza kind of forced you to learn how to read and write when you were kids."

Well… that was a fair enough point. While Natsu often preferred to take a simpler approach to life (he found he enjoyed himself a lot more that way), he also was fully willing to do things he didn't like in order to get work done.

"Never said I hated reading. And Igneel taught me to read and write. Erza just 'finished' my education… in her own way." He folded the page he'd left off on before closing the book. "Reading's inconvenient most of the time."

Lucy sweatdropped. "That's just a nicer way to say that you don't like to read." Now she took a seat on the bench across from him. "I think you're kind of missing the whole point of literature."

"Whatever," Natsu pushed the book off to the side. "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing really, I'm just surprised to see you in here at this time of day. Usually you'd be off doing something else. So I thought we could catch up. Oh!" The blonde slid onto the bench across from him. She raised her hands up. "See anything different?" She asked as she, rather excitedly, wiggled her fingers.

"No."

Lucy let out a sharp sigh. "Come on, Natsu! I got my nails done this morning! How couldn't you tell?"

Natsu wasn't ever one to pay attention to those sorts of details. When it came to girls and their grisly female habits, he generally kept to himself. It was a methodology that hadn't let him down yet.

Besides. Lucy's nails didn't appear any different than when he'd seen her last.

He decided to take the honest approach. "I don't really pay attention to your nails, Lucy."

"Told you, Lucee." Happy said in a muffled tone, having spoken with a trout in his mouth. "Natsu doesn't care about those sorts of things."

"Spot on, buddy."

Lucy let out another dejected huff and finally placed her hands back down on the table. She pursed her lips and gave him a small glare. "Just wait until you get a girlfriend, Natsu. That's exactly when you'll need to care."

Natsu chuckled. "Why?"

The blonde had raised a finger, as if she were now a sophisticated professor giving some sort of educated response. "Because, Natsu, a woman is always right."

"How so?" He asked again, actually curious now. "You've wrong about loads of things since we teamed up."

"Because… err..."

Natsu looked to his best friend. "Does that make sense to you, buddy?"

Happy shook his head. "Nope."

Natsu had once heard such a common saying before. But it really didn't make sense at the time. Neither did it really matter. Natsu was just wondering whether or not he should keep messing with Lucy, or just change the subject.

Lucy folded her arms and glanced away. "I'm starting to regret coming over here."

"Maybe you should have thought before we sat down at the table," Happy quipped.

"Shut up, cat!"

Well, it was about time. Natsu smirked and opened up his book again, easily tuning out all the voices around him, and continuing from where he left off.

'To become an individual of sheer exceptional quality, one must also go through a similar process. Especially if you yourself do possess raw natural talent with your innate form of magic.

It is the prodigies who are often the laziest of the bunch. They feel that they have nothing to prove as most of their capability has come naturally, almost without effort to them. And yet at the end of the day, they are constantly outclassed by those who are far more practiced and seasoned than them. If you, my dear reader, fall into the former category, then it is of the utmost importance that you apply yourself to the fullest extent imaginable. Mastering your magical abilities will take time and an extraordinary amount of effort - but it is very possible. Discovering the learning process is what will clarify this for you.

The simplest way to gain access to this insight is to learn other forms of magic. Doing so will enable you to understand what it is like to take on a new challenge, and to approach it from the perspective of an ordinary Wizard. You may not see it now, but taking this path will make you open to new ideas and help form new connections in your mind and ultimately instilling in you a hungering drive to master what has already come to you innately.

From there, you should-'

"What's it about?"

Natsu glanced up again and met Lucy's eyes. "Hm?"

"Your book. What's it about?"

He paused. What should he tell her? He couldn't very well say that Master Makarov had given it to him. Neither could he say why the old man had given him the book either. The mentorship was strictly between himself and Makarov, so telling anyone else about it was out of the question.

Natsu wasn't even halfway through the introduction. Though the book was only an inch thick, it seemed almost deceptively longer. Might as well tell her about what he'd gotten through so far, then.

Can't believe I still gotta write a book report about this…

"It's more of a practical guide on how to master magic in general."

Unfortunately, Lucy had perked up at his reply. She seemed almost unusually energetic now. "Really? What's the name of the book? Who wrote it?"

Natsu simply folded the page again, closed the book, and then showed Lucy the cover. That's probably all it would take for her to lose the scent, and then he could get right back to reading. Even he was willing to admit that he was interested in the concepts the old tome was going over, and Natsu was pretty keen to get back to it.

What he wasn't expecting, was for the blonde to go completely wide-eyed upon seeing both the title and the name of the man who wrote the book itself.

"Oh. My. God!" The blonde had flushed, almost fusing her hands to her face out of shock at what she was seeing. "Is that what I think it is?!"

Oh no… not again.

Natsu knew what that look meant. He'd seen it before, when both he and Lucy had taken on that Daybreak Job. The fascination. The eager greed in those twinkling brown eyes. He slowly pulled the tome back towards him. He didn't want to lose a finger. She's totally gonna nerd out over this thing, isn't she?

His instincts were proven right. Lucy looked at him then, and Natsu knew that what was coming.

"Where did you get that, Natsu?!"

"I-"

"Don't you know what that is?"

"Err, I just-"

Lucy planted both her hands down sharply onto the table. "Oh my! I've only ever heard stories about Understanding Magic & Spellcraft! It's so rare that collectors pay over forty million jewel just for a few pages alone! It was the only book that Commander Jon Fleming ever wrote in his whole military career and he was such a great wizard that he was personally knighted by King Hora - he was King Toma's father in case you didn't know - for all of his successful campaigns defending against invading forces from Bosco and Minstrel and he only published just over a thousand copies of it and-"

"I get it Lucy," Natsu cut in. "Sounds like he was a great guy."

But the blonde just kept rambling on. "And he-"

Natsu decided to tune her out. He shared a knowing look with Happy. No words needed to be said between the two.

I go ahead and show her the book for only a moment and then this happens.

Happy shrugged. Total geek, right? Can't be helped.

He brought his attention back to Lucy, who was still going on a full-blown monologue. Natsu figured she knew what she was talking about, but he still wasn't entirely sure. After all, this was just some dusty old book that Gramps had taken off the small bookshelf in his office. Chances are, Lucy was just blowing a fuse.

Unexpectedly, his savior from this hell came in the form of his worst enemy.

Gray had appeared amidst the hurricane of loud voices and cheering in the guild hall. The Ice Wizard seemed to have spotted them from the twin main doors to the building and slowly weaved his way through the crowd and over to their table.

Great, thought Natsu. Now Mr. Droopy Eyes was gonna lord this one over him next time they go out on a job together.

Still, he was willing to take that loss instead of listening to Lucy's bookworm speech.

Too soon had Gray made over, he stopped just by the short side of the table, and his arrival was just curt enough to make Lucy close her mouth. "Hey guys, how's it hangin'?"

Natsu capitalized on the opening. "I was just showing Lucy this book I've got until she started nerding out about it." he said sharply, now showing the cover to Gray.

Before the blonde could even let out a reply, Gray had beaten her to it. "You? Reading a book? Yeah right." He shook his head. Still he glanced down at the tome and raised his eyebrows a little in recognition. "Commander Jon Fleming, huh?"

"Yeah," Natsu paused. How had Gray known the name? Was he going to geek out over this book too?

Ah shit… now there's gonna be two of them.

"Don't know much about the book, but the guy who wrote it was a certified badass," Gray said casually. "About ninety or so years back, Fiore and Minstrel quarreled over some trade routes by sea and a small war broke out between us and them. Since Minstrel is like five times larger than Fiore, they didn't really take us seriously. But this guy Fleming takes a fleet over to their mainland and busts up their biggest coastal city. Place called Enkara. He takes over it over and holds it hostage, meanwhile the Minstrel Royal Corps tries to take it back with their forces of roughly around three hundred thousand, while he's only got around twenty thousand men. Not only does Fleming hold the city for almost a year, but he actually pushes back Minstrel's army into the countryside since they hadn't planned for a prolonged siege on their own city and didn't have the food and supplies to sustain all their troops for that long. Fleming also goes ahead and has his fleet raid all of the smaller towns and settlements along the coast. Since Enkara was their capital for maritime trade, all of this resulted in their economy taking a big hit. Plus, Minstrel had pretty bad relations with both Caelum and Stella at the time, and it looked like both of those kingdoms would also jump onto Minstrel after seeing how quickly we took over one of their cities. Situation got so bad that Minstrel's Queen went ahead and opened negotiations for a peace treaty with old King Hora. That's why they don't mess with our maritime trade routes anymore, and the reason why we've got such strong tariffs on them. They underestimated Fiore, didn't expect that we'd hit them right in the jugular."

…

The whole table had been stunned into absolute silence.

Natsu was actually… mildly interested in the unexpected history lesson, and somewhat relieved that that was what Gray spoke about rather than yet another rant about the book in his possession. Might do me some good to learn more about the world. He'd save that for later, though.

As for Lucy and Happy, they both appeared to be completely dumbfounded at the sheer dump of information they'd just received. The latter of whom simply sat on his side of the table with his mouth gaping open.

The Ice-Make Wizard raised an eyebrow at the lack of reactions. "What? None of you ever read a history book?"

Natsu looked down at the tome once again. The plain leather covering with the simple black title seemed to be cast in a whole new light. So the guy who wrote this was some sort of military genius?

Did Gramps give this to him on a whim? Or was this all part of the old man's master plan… or something? After all, the old man said this was some sort of practical guide. Very hands-on, or at least that was Natsu's understanding of the statement.

And based on the title alone, it was fairly easy to figure out how this would work. If he, Natsu, could feasibly learn other forms of magic with this thing…

…then what should he learn?

Chapter Text

October 9th, Fairy Tail

Day 9

At approximately ten o'clock in the morning, Erza Scarlet had walked right into Fairy Tail.

The morning had taken on a slight autumn chill, and Erza had felt it when she'd left her apartment to go out on her usual morning run. Because of this, after she'd showered off all the sweat she'd accumulated from the intensive cardio session, she'd elected to put on black jeans, grey knee-high leather boots, and a cream-colored blouse with a matching thick woolen cardigan, topped off with a maroon red wool scarf. Perhaps the cold would taper off before the upcoming Harvest Festival.

She'd spent most of the previous day pondering what to do with her time outside of her morning routine. With the lack of work this last week alone, she could hardly believe that there was so much time in the day to begin with, and since her conversation with Mira, the Knight was itching to find something to do.

There wasn't necessarily anything that Erza felt drawn to. Painting? Writing? Dancing? None of it appealed to her upfront. Erza knew that she was stumped.

Still, she was determined to get this part of her life figured out. If only so she could make it a little more interesting.

"Hey Erza!"

She'd been swiftly brought back to the present. Mira waved her over from behind the bar.

"Good morning, Mira," Erza approached and stopped at the bar, placing her hands on the warm wooden counter. She took a quick glance around the unusually sparse atmosphere in the guild hall. "Less busy than usual?"

"Kinda," The barmaid leaned closer, almost as if she were divulging some kind of dirty secret. "I think it might have something to do with the representative from the Magic Council who came in yesterday."

"They've reformed already?" Master Makarov hadn't been kidding.

"Yep! It's been left unsaid, but I think a lot of the members are laying low for a bit. Not much of a reason for it but it would be nice if we didn't end up in the papers again causing another scandal."

Erza nodded. "Ideally we'd all be contributing to generating some goodwill with the Council for a change."

"There'll be less paperwork for Master Makarov, for sure." Mira commented. "Oh! How's the search going, by the way?"

"Err… nothing's come up just yet," Erza said plainly. "I was thinking of trying out gardening, but it's autumn and winter won't be far behind."

Mira shrugged. "You'll find it, Erza. You just gotta keep looking. Hey we can always go check out the local music store later if you're up for it. Maybe we can even form a band?"

The Knight knew that Mira was only teasing with that last line. Still, "I don't see why not. By the way, are Gray and Lucy around?"

"I haven't seen those two come in yet…" Mira hummed. It was then however that her blue eyes had twinkled. "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. I think Natsu is somewhere upstairs on the second floor?"

"Really?" Erza widened her eyes in response. She hadn't seen Natsu in quite some time. It was strange to hear that he'd gotten in earlier than the others. It would be good to catch up with him.

"Mmhmm! He should still be up there if you want to go talk to him or something."

Or something.

Erza's relief upon hearing about Natsu gave way to another, more curious line of thought. She narrowed her eyes at the barmaid, but only slightly. What was that almost playful lilt in Mira's voice. I've heard that tone from her before… but when? And for what?

What was she up to?

"Thank you for letting me know, Mira." Erza gave her a smile anyway and made for the stairs.

"No problem Erza. And hey-" The barmaid subtly, almost devilishly, raised her white eyebrows in a question. "Will you two be needing anything? Coffee? Tea? The breakfast menu?"

Will you two be needing anything?

Erza couldn't help but feel like something was… off. Yet there clearly wasn't any instagative intentions like there were when they were children. Still. That mischievous glint in those deep blue eyes. Now that was unsettling. But only slightly.

No. She must be imagining things. Mira was just being… polite. That was all. It was her job to offer items on the menu to guild members and visitors alike.

"No, I think we'll be fine. Thank you though." With that, Erza turned her back and made her way to the stairs leading up to the second floor.

As it turned out, Erza Scarlet was correct in her initial calculations. Mira was up to something.

And if Erza had taken the time to simply glance back at the barmaid as she made her way to the stairs up to the second floor, she would've seen that Mirajane Strauss was grinning ear-to-ear.

Once Erza had reached the top of the stairs and laid eyes on Natsu, she'd stopped in her tracks.

Natsu hadn't appeared to have noticed her. At least not immediately. Perhaps he'd heard, or sniffed her out like he had done so weeks ago, but right now he was fully engrossed in a rather thin book with a plain light brown leather cover. It looked aged and worn, but serviceable.

When was the last time she'd ever seen Natsu willingly read a book? It had been close to a decade, if Erza recalled correctly. Until now, she'd only ever seen him read off job flyers from the Request Board. Even still… what was Natsu doing with a dusty old tome? Erza took stock of the other items on the table infront of Natsu. A clear, crisp sheet of white paper lay directly before him, along with a pencil just off to his right. Finally there was a porcelain mug containing fresh coffee, black.

What was she supposed to make of this? She'd been half-expecting him to be chewing on an overcooked steak doused with too much black pepper and salt. Instead he was patiently combing through a book like he was at the library.

The Knight had quickly regained her wits. She'd continued her approach, and calmly slid into the seat directly across from Natsu.

"Hey Erza," He greeted, still with his onyx eyes fixed on the page before him.

"Good morning Natsu."

The Dragon Slayer nodded and carefully folded the top right corner of the page he was on. He then closed the book, but took up the pencil and scribbled a few sentences onto the sheet of paper. Finally, Natsu met her eyes. Erza couldn't help but watch his full expression. There was a firm, but polite smile on those thin lips. He was still… different.

"How you've been?"

At least there's that. She couldn't help but smile warmly at the familiar slang, the misuse of proper grammar. Now that was more like the Natsu she knew.

She still struggled to find something to say in reply, however. Despite being the unofficial leader of their team, Erza didn't consider herself even nearly on the same level of extroversion as Natsu or Lucy. The latter was far more at home in any social setting, while Natsu seemed to just not care most of the time.

Erza, for her part, was content to be on her own, and to spend her days in solitude. Yet she couldn't deny that she also occasionally yearned for a more social connection every now and then. It was a human need, after all.

Come on, Scarlet… back to the matter at hand.

Right.

Erza shrugged, and suddenly found the tabletop more interesting to look at. "Nothing much lately. I've been less focused on work actually."

"Really?"

The immediate one-word response was discouraging. Natsu's almost bored tone of voice also added to her doubt. And it told Erza that she'd need to be the one to continue carrying the conversation.

It all just felt… out of place. Where was the man who'd prioritize food over everything? The boy who'd brashly challenge her to a midday duel, claiming he'd gotten stronger all of the sudden? What of the silly, rambunctious Natsu who'd fearlessly barged into her show trial attempting to pose as her?

Or… or had he gone away? Had he changed? Grown up?

That seemed to be the case. The slight stubble on his jawline; the longer spiky salmon hair that was growing out into something akin to a lion's mane; the straight posture of the shoulders; the long brown shearling coat paired with his white trousers and black sandals, along with the trademark white scarf made of scales. All of it was different. "Of course. Mira and I had a bit of a girl's trip the other day. We went out to lunch and visited Cedar Spa over on Central Path."

"Hmmm…" Natsu almost frowned as he sat back in his seat. "Hope you're not going to show me your nails or something."

Erza felt the tension within herself (and between them) lessen significantly at his comment. Though it was certainly odd hearing such a thing from him. "What? Why would I show you my nails?"

"Lucy showed me hers yesterday. Said they looked a different color or… whatever."

Well… that was just Lucy being Lucy then. Social etiquette had demanded that Natsu pay her a compliment, yet he seemed to outright ignore it. Erza found herself smiling.

"Don't know why," Natsu continued with a shake of his head. "It's not like anyone else noticed."

"Well that's the point, Natsu. Lucy spent some time getting her nails done and wants someone to notice how they look."

He laughed. "Why? Does she need me to tell her she's pretty?"

That… was not what Erza was expecting hear from Natsu. She didn't think that Natsu paid attention to those sorts of things. Still, she kept her composure. "No, but a woman does like to be complimented."

"And do you?"

Erza paused. "Excuse me?"

Natsu took up his mug and raised it to his mouth. "Do you like to be complimented?"

"Sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

She crossed her arms. "Well of course. I'm not an unfeeling automaton, Natsu." She said, breaking away her gaze briefly. "Compliments are always nice. So long as they're genuine."

Natsu set down his mug on the table. He didn't say anything immediately, and seemed to be… reflecting on something. Was it what she said?

Those onyx orbs met her again. Natsu seemed to altogether ignore the silence that sat between them.

"You're not wearing your armor today."

She shook her head. "No, I'm not." She decided to take a gamble, and gave him a mirthful smile. "A very astute observation coming from you."

"Oho! Now you're calling me dumb? Not very nice of you, Erza."

"I'm simply marveling at your impressive powers of deduction, Natsu."

Natsu smirked, clearly unfazed by her probing. "Dunno Erza… if you keep this up, I think you might get another visit from the Tickle Monster."

The redhead felt herself laugh delightedly as she spontaneously recalled the brief joy she'd found in the Tower when Natsu had ignored the complete and total danger facing them just so he could tickle her mercilessly. Something about it simply… brought a smile to her face.

This brief back-and-forth with Natsu had been unexpectedly… what was the word? Refreshing. It had been so long since she'd felt able to… cut loose, so to speak. Everyone expected her to be the indomitable Erza Scarlet. The Knight who'd single-handedly taken a full blast from Phantom Lord's Jupiter Cannon; the S-Class Wizard who'd taken on not just one, but two different Wizard Saints. Even her close friends had seen her this way when they first set out for Eisenwald, not that she'd done much to change their minds. Not to mention that everyone else in the guild held her up on the same pedestal, save Mira and Master Makarov.

But that wasn't the case with Natsu anymore. With his newly earned, more mature confidence, he seemed to make her feel as if she wasn't that perfect idol anymore… Now she'd been brought back down to Earth. And she loved it.

She managed to stop herself from laughing again. Two could play at that game. "Well, if you-"

"You know…" Natsu interrupted her. "I've been off doing my own thing these last few weeks… But I'm really happy to see you again."

And that was when Erza's brain had shut down.

A sudden heat had begun to fill into her cheeks and face. She swore that she had once seen a line almost exactly like the one Natsu had just said, in one of her… romance novels.

It was one thing to read it off a page, but it was another to actually hear somebody else saying it to her… and meaning it.

"And…" Her brain rebooted sharply, and she managed to just squeeze out something to say. "What about the others?"

"Them too. Already told you that I saw them yesterday." Natsu said easily. He picked up his mug and downed the rest of his coffee in one gulp. "Between you and me, I think Lucy's a total nerd."

"She certainly has her moments," Erza agreed. The blonde was easily the most bookish out of everyone on their team. "But I think that's a very handy skill of hers. She's helped us fill in several knowledge gaps while out on jobs before. She's cleverer than she knows."

Despite his earlier comment, Natsu nodded in agreement. "Yeah," he said, now glancing at the clock on the wall to Erza's right. "Oh shit."

"What is it?"

Natsu met her eyes again. "I gotta go," he stood up and moved his chair back under the table. He quickly pocketed the book along with the sheet of paper and the pencil.

Erza couldn't help herself. They had just started catching up after all. "Is it urgent?"

"Big time," Natsu said. He withdrew a few jewel notes from his pocket and placed them in front of her. "Left you a few thousand jewel, get whatever you want with it. I've got to bounce."

She watched as Natsu gave her one last flickering smile before making his way towards the stairs to the first floor. His shearling coat flapping behind him.

"Talk to you later, Natsu."

"You too, Erza." The man said, waving without even turning back to face her.

The autumn chill had begun to subside as morning passed into midday.

Grey clouds rolled away into the West with a gentle breeze, leaving only the bright blue curtain of the sky above, and the warming sun.

Shade gave way to sunlight, and the shadows pouring over an abandoned quarry that was approximately five miles southwest of Magnolia Town, just off the railway leading to Hargeon. It wasn't exactly a difficult place to find, but it was seldom visited by others.

Laxus Dreyar sat on a large flat stone sitting curiously next to the wall of an old mining shack, leaning back against the old wall of wooden planks while he puffed away at a half finished cigar (his second one of the day).

He let out another puff of smoke and took a glance at the watch over his left wrist. The short hand of the clock was placed just before eleven.

Where is that kid?

His grandfather had told him to get here about an hour early, and so Laxus had, arriving just before ten. Apparently he was supposed to be expecting Natsu to arrive around eleven in the morning. But the one hour wait alone felt like an eternity, and Laxus wondered whether or not he should've brought a book. So all he was left to do was to smoke to his hearts' content and scan the perimeter of the quarry, particularly the encircling line of trees that were about seven hundred feet away up the long hill in front of him.

Well. It wasn't like he'd be here for much longer anyway. After this, he'd have the rest of the day to himself. And from there, he'd be home free.

Laxus hadn't yet had anything to eat. Unless he was traveling, he almost never ate anything until the late afternoon or the evening. Most of the morning or early afternoon he'd simply drink water, coffee, or if he was in a particular mood, alcohol. Cigars were always prevalent in his daily consumption as well.

Ah well… once he was done here, perhaps he'd go back home. He'd done his training in the morning, but he had no qualms about going back for another round. He had to keep himself busy here in Magnolia one way or another. Especially since he'd been grounded in town as of late.

But what else was there for him to do?

There was always the local private card club, an exclusive little joint called Rooks. It was located on Carburry Street just off Central Path towards the northern side of town, and it featured games such as Chess, Whist, Bridge, Poker, Pontoon, Cribbage, and Picket. Laxus didn't mind getting dressed up for the evening in that case. He enjoyed cards more than most things, and he had so much money that he was perfectly willing to lose it all playing poker against the regulars at the club. He didn't really know what else to do with his money anyway.

His stomach grumbled on its own. Food had now come to mind. A large grilled ribeye, doused in salt and pepper. Add some lamb cutlets and maybe even a marrow bone. Top it all off with some vodka. Go home, figure out what he'd do tomorrow, and go to bed early.

Besides, if his assumptions regarding Natsu would prove correct… it wouldn't hurt to also check out the newest S-Class Requests up on the second floor.

Laxus knew full well that Natsu wasn't going to stick it out. Plain and simple. Kid would perhaps get all pissed off for a few days, and then he'd slip up, make a few mistakes, and then taper off. That's pretty much how it was for most Wizards, or for most people as a matter of fact. They didn't have the guts to run the marathon. They'd only ever do sprints when it was necessary.

Sprints were easy though. Summoning up the willpower to put in a great burst of effort was a vice of the herd. Just enough to survive.

But marathons? Those were tough. Even lesser efforts, practiced consistently over the long-term, were the key to power. That was how his grandfather got to Wizard Saint. That was how Gildarts became the Ace of Fairy Tail. And that was how he, Laxus, had made it to S-Class.

Still, a favor was a favor. He'd do this one for his grandfather. It would probably take a few more days out of his week, but he didn't really see it going any further than that.

And-

Ah… Natsu was nearby.

Draconic Senses had come with the lacrima. And even though he'd been young when his father had implanted it in him, Laxus still remembered the handful of years he'd had without it. Human senses; touch; smell; sight; taste; hearing… all of them were amplified a hundredfold once he'd gotten the lacrima. It was so… distressing when he was a kid, hearing all of those voices of the townsfolk of the Magnolia all at once. All day, every day. He'd since learned to tune all of them out. But still, he couldn't imagine anyone else having to go through the same process without going mad.

Not to mention that he didn't even need to sniff anything just to know what it smelt like. It was annoying at times. All he'd really do was breathe in the air, and suddenly a whole slew of fresh scents and smells and stenches would waft into his nose. Learning to shut that sense off was also a pain, but doable.

And just as he could scent out anything within a mile, so too had he scented out Natsu. The kid was making his way through the forest and down to the quarry.

If Natsu's sense of smell was anything like his own, which it probably was, then he also probably knew that Laxus was here too.

Even now Laxus could hear the soft crunching of grass underneath a pair of sandaled feet. He almost smiled when he heard the pace stop, albeit briefly, before it resumed again. Then came the sharp exhale, as Natsu realized who exactly was waiting for him.

Moments later, the head of long spiky salmon hair appeared up on the top of the long hill above and across from him, right at the edge of the treeline.

Natsu obviously wasn't in much of a hurry. There were several distinct differences in his attire from when he'd last seen the kid. The hair was longer, and he even appeared more brawny than he had before. That shearling leather coat was new, much different than his usual sleeveless jacket. Much less childish too. Still the same trousers and sandals. Some stubble on the kid's jaw, too. Hmmm, likely from a more frequent training regiment. And from living out in the woods for weeks at a time.

Admittedly, Laxus thought that Natsu looked more like a mountain-man than the bratty teen who'd he'd always regarded as an amateur. There were clear changes in Natsu's demeanor, and that, at the very least, meant something was going on in that empty head of his.

That said… looks could be deceiving.

Laxus still didn't move from his spot. The Lightning Wizard simply kept on puffing at his cigar. He hadn't been impressed, not that he was expecting Natsu to impress him in the first place. Today's 'training session' would end the same way that all of the kid's past challenges had gone. That was that.

Natsu had finally crossed the quarry and stopped just twenty meters short of the mining shack. Laxus could see the conflict in those onyx eyes.

"So… Gramps set me up with you?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Why you? That was clearly what Natsu meant.

"'Cause he asked nicely," Laxus said with an amused smirk. He was genuinely surprised that the kid actually took the time to speak with him, rather than just come out swinging. "Got me curious, so here I am."

"But you don't even like me."

Laxus shook his head minutely. "That would imply that I care about you at all."

Silence hung in the air between them. Natsu had frowned at that, and Laxus continued to be indifferent. The thought of food had come to mind again. Steak and eggs would be good tonight. Maybe even a tomahawk or two.

It was Natsu who broke the tension, "So… how's this gonna work then, Laxus? Aren't we supposed to spar?"

"Well… just show me what you've got. Then we'll go from there."

"What?"

Laxus almost chuckled. "You heard me," he said, dropping the cigar and mashing it out with his foot, then standing up to his full height. "I'll let you throw the first one for free."

The kid was positively stunned now, "But-"

"Shut up, Natsu. Let's wrap up the foreplay, I've got other things to do."

If Laxus had been any more callous, he might've relished seeing the burning disdain that now appeared in those onyx orbs. He didn't care as it stood, and simply kept himself stone-cold.

As if by clockwork, fiery orange and gold flames exploded to life around Natsu's hands.

Laxus let out a bored sigh and rolled his eyes. Here we go again. He'd already picked out exactly where he'd land after Natsu made his attack.

Sure enough, Natsu's feet had left the ground, flames also encasing his legs in a brilliant flashing blaze, scorching the ground black as he blitzed forth damn near as fast as a meteor sailing over the earth. Were Laxus any other wizard, he would've been hit. Ten times out of ten.

Three…

Fourteen meters away.

Two…

Three meters away.

One…

Laxus felt a supercharging sensation pass through him as he clicked his internal switch. The indescribable feeling that came with being hyped up on endless electrical power… was simply intoxicating at times. He allowed the current to flow through him and became one with it, disappearing completely into a golden flash. Just as quickly, he directed himself right over Natsu's head and just about ten feet away from where he'd been sitting prior.

By the time Laxus had felt his feet touch the stone floor of the quarry again, had Natsu stopped himself just before he crashed into the mining shack. He'd already turned around to face Laxus, and was preparing to lunge again.

Kid's outclassed, he just doesn't see it yet, Laxus thought. Or maybe… maybe he just doesn't want to see it.

Either way, Laxus had kept to his word. He'd let Natsu swing first.

Laxus decided to be flashy this time around. He snapped his fingers even before Natsu had begun to jet towards him again. Summoning up his basic Lightning Magic was instinctual by this point. An unconscious habit that occurred whenever he wanted it to.

His 'student' was quickly shrouded in a bright haze of gold-white bolts.

Those fiery orange flames had instantly gone out, and all Laxus could hear were rounds of uncontrolled gasping and gurgling as Natsu screamed violently. "GAAAAHHHHHAAAAGGHH!"

Laxus kept watching as Natsu then fell to the ground and kept convulsing and twitching, even after the lightning dissipated completely. Sparks danced around the shaking body, almost like a ballet.

And then… Natsu finally stopped spasming and fell unconscious.

It wasn't even funny now. This was just sad. Genuinely sad.

Even though Laxus knew how this little session of theirs would turn out… even though he knew exactly what Natsu would do… he was still… disappointed.

In what, though?

Grandpa had high hopes for Natsu, didn't he? And Natsu somehow had the brains to pass the old man's test… The fact that his grandfather had chosen Natsu as his next pet project alone was a great endorsement. One that spoke volumes about the kid.

But Laxus knew…

He knew that the old man hadn't seen all the times Natsu was simply lazing about in the guild hall doing nothing with his life. He hadn't seen what Laxus had.

Wasted potential. Those were the two words he was looking for.

Those were the exact two words he'd have used to describe the smoking heap of 'Dragon Slayer' laying at his feet. How could this kid have been trained by a dragon, and still not be able to take a hit from such a low-tier elemental spell?

Well… time to go.

Effortlessly, Laxus had hauled Natsu up onto his left shoulder and carried him out towards the foot of the long hill leading up to the treeline.

We're supposed to do this again every day for the rest of the week? Laxus shook his head with an amused smirk. Natsu wouldn't show up again. Not a chance.

Looks like you backed the wrong horse, Grandpa.

Chapter Text

FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST!

As soon as his knuckles made contact with the tall stone, had Natsu felt all of the raw nerves and muscle under his arm light up in a sharp, spasming pain. His closed fist thumped off the stone, and he fell forward onto the forest floor.

"Owwwwwwww!"

"Get up, boy!"

Natsu clutched at his arm and held it close against his chest. It really did feel like he broke something this time. Somehow, he found the strength to obey the commanding voice and stand up again.

The stone, that stupid dumb rock, still stood there. Imposing. Goading him. Natsu glared up at the thing, knowing damn well that it was mocking him just by existing.

He'd been punching the damn thing for the last six hours and he still hadn't managed to break it. At this point, he wondered if he could even break it at all.

Why was dad making him do this? Didn't he know that the stone was too big for him?

Natsu kicked the grass beneath his feet out of sheer frustration. He turned back, "Can't we do this tomorrow, dad? I'm tired! I haven't eaten anything all day!"

What a curious sight it was… a small human child looking up unafraid at the gargantuan thing made of red scales. Two gigantic red wings sprouted from the back of the creature, then came the four muscle-bound legs and arms, as well as the impressively long red tail. The whole mass of the dragon, might've been enough to make up a small mountain in size alone.

Igneel, The Fire Dragon King, had slowly crossed his arms and leaned forward only slightly. Two enormous golden eyes had stared down at the miniscule salmon-haired boy standing before him, clearly unimpressed.

The dragon hadn't even needed to say a word to get his point across.

Natsu pouted and looked away. He continued to take out his anger on the grass and kicked away some of the loose blades with his toes. "Then how many times am I supposed to do this, dad? We've been at this for hours!"

There was an almost metallic drumming sound that emitted from the neck of the great red dragon.  "You stop when I tell you to stop, boy. Now! Hit the stone again!"

"But I can't do anymore today! I've given it all I've got and it still won't break!"

"Stop whining!"  Igneel thundered,  "You haven't nearly given it your all. If you had, then you would've shattered that stone into pieces by now."

"But-"

"Silence!"  The dragon had let out a sharp sigh.  "Raise your hand as high as you can."

Reluctantly, Natsu did so. He raised his hand way up above his head.

What was the point of this, though?

"Higher."

"But I've-"

"Higher, boy!"

Natsu didn't understand what his father was trying to make him do, but nonetheless, he complied with the demand. Somehow, he found it in him to raise his right hand just a few inches higher than before.

"Good. Now raise your hand further. Just a few inches more."

The boy frowned, but did as he was told. Already he'd begun to feel the strain on the muscles in his shoulder. In combination with the drumming leeching lightning bolts that were spreading through his right arm, it was pretty excruciating.

Yet still… Natsu just managed to raise his right hand even higher. With the breaking point of his middle finger acting almost as the spear that would rip through the sky if he were to go any further.

"Excellent. Put your hand down."

Natsu let out a sigh of relief as his muscles stopped screaming. He rubbed his arm again, so as to soothe it. "What was that about, dad?"

The Fire Dragon King had smirked now.  "Did it escape you? That each time you thought you'd went as high as you could go, you still manage to reach higher and higher than before?"

Realization hit him like… well… like a rock. "Woah…"

"Woah, indeed."

"But…" Natsu scratched the back of his head as he continued to think it over. "What's that supposed to mean? How does that help me break the stone?"

"Don't you get it, boy? Every time you thought you'd reached your limit, you managed to surpass it. Each time you thought you were done, you kept going."

Natsu still didn't understand the cause-and-effect application, though. How did this help him break the stone?

Or…

Or did it mean that even though he felt he was done… he really could still keep going?

"So like… when I feel tired and stuff… I shouldn't trust my feelings?"

His father smiled.  "That is a very simplified understanding of it, but not the whole."  Igneel said,  "There is always a time to rest, Natsu. And your feelings are important. Yet listening to and obeying them blindly will only end with you becoming a slave to those who can manipulate your emotions. What you perceive your limits to be, and what they really are, are two completely different things."

That was it? "So I don't have limits?"

"You do have limits, Natsu, just not the ones you might think. So do I. We're all meant to be bound by limitations, in one form or another,"  Igneel leaned in even closer than before, so as to drive the point home.  "You do not have wings like mine, you cannot fly like a dragon can, and so you are bound to the earth. Likewise myself and other dragons will never be able to experience your endless capacity for adaptation and self-growth. When it comes to the things you can do, the only limitations you will have are the ones you impose on yourself. You humans will ALWAYS be able to surpass what you believe yourselves to be capable of. THAT belongs solely to you, son. THAT is your gift. Do you understand?"

Woah.

Natsu looked down. The sheer blistering pain he'd felt lance through his arm earlier seemed to subside, fade away almost.

Maybe he could keep going. Maybe if he hit that stupid rock a few more times… it might actually break!

He looked up at his father now. "I… I think so, dad." He said sheepishly, now scratching the back of his head. "Sorry for whining so much."

It was almost imperceptable how his father's tone had softened,  "You are forgiven, Natsu,"  and then the moment was gone. The Fire Dragon King's voice had hardened again.  "Now… If you wish to eat tonight, then that stone must be split in half before dusk."

Now THAT had gotten Natsu's attention. "What?!" he cried. It was already late in the afternoon. "But dad, that's not fair!"

"Hah! Cry me a river, boy! You can stomach a day without a meal. If you fail, so be it. Failure is only a minor setback. Nothing more. Nothing less. The best and only choice you should make when confronted with it, is to get back up and try again. Now…"  Igneel then flashed an almost psychotic-looking grin as he pointed sharply at the stone again.

"Get. To. Work."

Late October 9th, Fairy Tail

Day 9

Everything was dark.

In the constricting grip of the black void, Natsu felt like he was floating.

Not in the same way that he could propel himself through the air using his magic, but how one might float along in a body of water facing upwards as they drifted along with the current. Allowing a stream to carry them away as they glanced up at the pale blue morning sky.

It might've been lovely, were it not for the slight stinging sensation that shortly began to course throughout his body.

As if a curse suddenly fell upon him, Natsu felt that same prickling feeling that had leeched its way throughout the nerves in his body instantaneously sear his arms and legs.

"Gah!" He gasped sharply, and it was then that light flooded back into his blurry line of vision. Yet-

Yet for some reason as he opened his eyes, he could only see through his right eye…

Why was that? How had he gotten here?

The darkness surrounded him, yet when he looked to his right, he could only feel the cool gaze of a piercing white light. Very quickly the blurriness had faded away, and so had the fog in his mind.

The surrounding room was empty. There were no lights save a small burning candle placed on a bedside table to his right, and the moon that showered through the window next to his bed. He was back in the guild hall. The infirmary. Cream-colored plastered walls and rows of tidy white single beds made that plain enough. And-

"Grrrrrrrgghhh!" Natsu ground his teeth together as he felt yet another jolting pain shock his entire body. For a good few moments he felt every muscle and limb contort and contract violently. A sharp, almost dagger-like throb had pounded over and over and over and over against his forehead. His ears were ringing to an almost unbearable degree, and Natsu could not stop himself from gurgling what little saliva there was in his dry mouth.

…And then, as his body had ceased spasming uncontrollably, Natsu felt himself sink deeper into the soft mattress below. Yellow spots flew in and out of his half-vision. A wave of exhaustion quickly fell over him then. Now he was tired. So very tired…

With the last of his energy, Natsu managed to lift his right arm. Somehow he felt the deadened nerves react to the signals sent from his brain. And with the light afforded to him by the moon, as he raised his arm he could see very plainly the rows upon rows of white linen coiled around it like a long pale snake.

As he moved his arm, he felt the muscles contract again. "Hrgh!" Yet he fought through the pain, bringing it up to where his left eye should have been. His fingernails had raked across fabric as opposed to flesh. Relief, however brief and small it was, had washed over him then.

How was it that everything felt so numb, yet tensed up? Almost like his muscles and limbs and organs were still vibrating and squeezing repeatedly as the seconds passed by. Breathing in wasn't so bad. But breathing out? Each exhale was an unhinged, animalistic wheeze, a sharp knife plunged into his lungs, a stabbing sensation causing him to shake uncontrollably again. And it was then, as he found himself having to mentally prepare each time he breathed out, that his memories had flooded back to him.

Somehow, the hit to his ego was worse than the physical torture he was enduring right now.

Some sparring partner… what a load of crap.

Laxus hadn't even been trying. To him, it was just another day out in the woods. All it had taken was a mere… snap of his fingers.

Natsu glared angrily up at the ceiling and balled his fists as his recollection of his first sparring session played out in his mind. Even though he was still numb, he could feel his fingernails digging into his palms.

Back to square one.

"Hey there Natsu…"

He craned his neck in the direction the sweet, familiar voice. Each inch he turned his head felt as if his muscles were being ground beneath a stone mill like flour.

Recognition. A pale figure stood next to his bed. There was a bright orange light beyond them, by the angular open doorway at the far end of the room. White-blonde hair… and deep blue eyes…

Mira.

"You've had a real number done on you this time, Natsu."

Natsu almost hacked up the dry flem in his throat as he tried to speak. "How did I get here?"

"Oh… Laxus brought you in earlier. Carried you in through the back entrance of the guild actually."

Really now? How kind of him.

"He said that you tried to fight him again… is that right?"

Natsu mentally reminded himself of who he was talking to and looked away, narrowing his eyes again at the innocent ceiling above. "Yeah."

It was more or less the truth. Talking about the mentorship wouldn't do. That was supposed to be private. Moreover, it was believable, since practically everyone else in the guild had seen him try to take on Laxus or Gildarts at one point or another. Natsu swallowed down his pride, and knew it would be best to stick to the story Laxus had foisted upon him.

"Well," Mira continued, "He made me promise not to tell your team about it. Or anyone else for that matter."

Natsu hid his relief. Another pressing need was on his mind. "Water."

"Oh right!" The barmaid quickly circled around his bed and to his bedside table. She poured him a tall glass of water before placing the jug down on the table as well. Mira then took the glass and gingerly placed it against his lips.

It was as if he'd come back to life at that exact moment. The first glass had gone down the hatch, then the second, and the third. As soon as Mira made to pour out the fourth glass, Natsu decided otherwise. Ignoring the jolts and convulsing shocks that leeched throughout his arm, he reached over and snatched the half-full pitcher out Mira's hands. And in just a few large, almost inhuman gulps had he guzzled down nearly two liters of water in one sitting.

When he'd set the pitcher back on his bedside table, he felt his blood flow more vibrantly than before. The sharp electrocuting pains all over his body had dulled, and his sight had cleared. Feeling returned to his limbs.

"Better now?"

"Yeah," Natsu nodded. "A lot better."

She gave him yet another of her motherly smiles. "Well, I'll go ahead and get you some more before I lock up. You can stay here the night, too."

"Thanks Mira."

The barmaid had beamed. "Not a problem!" Mira said as she took the pitcher and walked around the edges of his bed again. She stopped just a few feet towards the entrance to the infirmary. "There's a few things to clean up in the kitchen so I'll be a few minutes, alright?

Natsu nodded again and watched her go. The door closed softly behind her, and then Natsu was all on his own again.

Well enough that he was.

Regardless… he had more important demons to conquer.

It was the next day, and Natsu Dragneel found himself sitting inside of a tree.

Literally.

Wrinkly cold fingers had brushed against the charred skin on his backside, rubbing down his right shoulder blade with a foul-smelling sticky greenish paste that seemed to sting his skin even more than being electrocuted. The whole time, Natsu had forced back a growl. He instead ground his teeth together so that-

Crack!

A firm white palm had lanced outwards and snapped him over the crown of his skull, almost as fast as an actual lightning bolt.

Natsu didn't even bother holding back his glare. He looked over his shoulder and set eyes on the frail, pink-haired lady standing behind him. A flowing crimson cloak hung from her narrow shoulders, and adorning her heart-shaped face was an everpresent scowl.

"What was that for?!"

The old woman didn't even bother meeting his eyes. "Stop moving so much, or you'll be leaving here earlier than anticipated."

The Dragon Slayer growled and looked forward, opting to make himself busy by doing yet another survey of his immediate surroundings.

It was a rather atypical practice to instead turn a tree into a house, as opposed to cutting down a tree in order to build a house with the wood from it. Yet, Natsu could not deny the strange setting he'd found himself in. The tree itself was only housing a single room. There was only a single bed, along with a few shelves with fresh clothes, a table, a rocking chair, and a kitchen set. Additionally, there was a tall cabinet containing various other… medical-based supplies. The place itself wasn't all that large, though it was certainly tall.

It was a whole load of weirdness. More weird than Lucy's obsession with books.

Gramps was sitting in front of him on the arm chair. Very gently, the seat swayed back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. The old man was completely and totally relaxed. Natsu wouldn't have been surprised if the old man was sleeping.

Figures.

The skin on his exposed back had pulsed again with yet another round of scalding pain. Natsu winced, though not without a sneer. What was the bloody point of doing it all at a snail's pace? It was practically the same as tearing off a band-aid slowly.

And it was almost as if Porlyusica was deliberately trying to cause him as much pain as possible.

The gooey-greenish sludge had almost completely covered both his arms, as well as the scars and burns all over his chest and neck, and now half of his back. The other half was coming up next, as Porlyusica had moved carefully onto his left side.

"Hmmmm… ah…" Makarov had finally groused awake. "Still at it, eh?" He asked as he rubbed at his eyes, and glanced up at the clock hanging above the large ornately carved wooden door. "Was hoping you'd be able to wrap this up before lunch! Haven't had anything to eat all day, you know."

"You should take your leave then. I'd be happy to see the back of you."

If the old man had been bothered by the biting retort, he didn't show it. Gramps simply looked at Natsu and shrugged, almost as if to wordlessly say, 'Women, am I right?'

Natsu couldn't help himself. "Is she always this cranky? Or-"

Crrck!

The sharp pounding in his skull had begun all over again. Was this how people got brain damaged?

But, of course, Gramps hadn't appeared to have notice. He continued the conversation as if nothing had happened. "Hah! She's been like this ever since we were kids! Can't say I remember a time where she wasn't grumpy and…"

The hand rubbing the healing balm along Natsu's back had stopped suddenly. Even though he couldn't see her, it was fairly obvious that the old woman standing close behind him was now glaring openly at Makarov.

Makarov had grinned. "Short-tempered, I mean. After all, it is often the most beautiful of women who are the most… err… tempestuous."

There was another pause. More tension filled the entire space in the mishaped cabin. Natsu wished, not for the first time since he entered the place, that he wasn't there.

And then-

"Hmph!" An… oddly satisfied-sounding huff came from behind him. Then, as if by magic, the hand had continued its course down Natsu's backside.

At the very least, this treatment had given him time.

It's just a setback, nothing more.

How should he go about this? What should he do the next time he faced down Laxus? Yeah, he was hurting all over as if he'd been hit by a train, but Natsu knew that if he could still walk and move around, then he was just fine.

Winning fights were always about getting into your opponents' head. Making them think. Getting them to slip up and make a mistake. Controlling the space between you and them. Natsu always prided himself on his ability to get up close and personal. It was how Igneel had taught him after all. His father loved to fight.

Yet against someone who was clearly faster than him, as Laxus was?

It was difficult enough dealing with the pain of his current setback. Natsu realized now in retrospect that this was a bad matchup. Laxus had every advantage on him and Natsu had nothing. Speed, durability, skill, raw power. Laxus probably had loads of it and more.

Hand-to-hand, at least initially, wouldn't do the trick.

Laxus had seen what he was going to do last time, right? Knew that Natsu was going to get up close. And then he'd turned into a lightning bolt and gotten out of the way. So-

Find out where he's going to land… before he lands?

Natsu frowned on his throne of reflection. How do you track where a lightning bolt will land?

Maybe… maybe it would be simpler if he forced Laxus to move.

Yeah… yeah! The pieces of a plan begun to snap together in his mind. The Lightning Mage clearly wasn't ready to throw down right away. Not at all like Gildarts, who for all intents and purposes, probably would've just stood there waiting to blow off an attack like the one Natsu had tried on Laxus.

If he made Laxus give ground naturally with one of his spells beforehand… and THEN closed the distance just before the blond bastard had landed…

That might actually work. At the very least, it would help him get a hit in.

Still… since Laxus was faster, it would be really hard to know where exactly he would go. Moreover, there was also a good chance that Laxus would just dodge his follow-up attack as well. A lot of variables outside of his control here.

Natsu bit his tongue. He'd just have to go with it. Uncertainty be damned.

It was at that moment that Porlyusica had pulled away from his back. She quickly wiped her hands with a towel on the table next to her, and retrieved something else from behind him. Not a moment later, Natsu had looked over his shoulder to see her unrolling a thick bundle of white linen.

She peeled off a long strip of cloth from the roll and glared down at him. "Hold up your arms."

Natsu did as he was told, even though he could feel the damaged nerves underneath his forearms and shoulders scream as he did so.

It took the old woman only a few minutes to deftly and expertly bandage him up. First his arms and shoulders, and then finally his upper torso and his neck.

Finally, Porlyusica had stepped away to the washbasin next to her bed, almost as if she were waiting to do so the whole time. "Rest for the next four days and the burns should heal quickly. Stay away from any overly-strenuous activity involving lifting or running or swimming. Especially do not look for work."

Natsu nodded, and stood up. He stretched and was satisfied upon feeling the compression of the tightly wound linen all over his arms and chest. "Any other recommendations?"

"Yes! Get out of my home!" The old woman sneered back at him. She then directed her glare at Makarov. "And you!"

"Me? What did I do this time?"

"You interrupted my knitting! The next time you consider bringing yet another of your brats here, it would be in the best interest of your personal health to notify me in advance!"

"If I let you know sooner, I'm sure you would've found some strategic reason to not be here," Gramps had held up his hands in an almost placating fashion, probably to prevent the bomb from going off. Thankfully, the old man had already made his way over to Natsu, and gently prodded him towards the door. "Regardless, I believe you did a wonderful job patching up Natsu here. I should think that he'll heal much faster now. I know I did when I was his age."

Porlyusica growled, but she didn't even bother denying the old man's compliment, nor his prior comment. "Not if he comes back in here day after day covered in lightning burns."

Natsu, however, was already part-way out the door, with Makarov close behind him. Gramps had waved back to Porlyusica, "Whatever you say, dearest."

Only an angry huff could be heard before the door clicked shut behind them. BAM!

The thunderclap of door snapping against frame had immediately ceased. And soon he was met with a slightly cool autumn breeze, and the chirping of birds in nearby trees. Not to mention the various scuttling and shuffling of the squirrels, deer, and other critters that called the forest their home. Natsu heard everything.

The sight overlooking the mass of the southern orchard beyond Magnolia Town was mesmerizing, and it was exactly what he'd seen as soon as he left the overgrown tree the crankly lady had made her nest. Natsu walked up to the edge of the steep hill and looked out over the tops of trees and meadows, out at the fertile land full of green and orange and red and brown. In a way, it had provided a smaller good moment in an otherwise shitty day.

Gramps had walked up beside him and let out a sharp yawn. "Ah… she seemed to be in a particularly good mood today."

Natsu glanced sharply at the old man. "That was her good mood?"

"Well… yes. In her own spirited sort of way."

"She smacked me over the head. Twice."

"Bah! You turned out fine. Almost as good as new."

"You enjoy watching us all suffer, don't you?"

"Natsu… Nothing brings me greater pleasure."

Yeah. Figures. Natsu reminded himself to cause as much destruction and mayhem as possible when out on his next job. That way the property damage bill sent back to the guild would reach an all time high.

Makarov coughed loudly then, as if to change the subject. He turned towards the path leading down into the meadows and back towards Magnolia. Natsu caught up with him and walked beside him.

"So. How was your first sparring session with Laxus?" The old man asked in earnest.

"Peachy. We're practically best friends."

"Really now? I bet you two have one of those 'secret handshakes' don't you? I hear it's popular with the cool kids these days."

The blow to his ego dished out by Laxus somehow stung even more as Makarov had handily deflected his scathing remark. "How do you think it went? He knocked me out cold just by wiggling his fingers."

"Well, I heard it was more like a snap-"

Natsu glared at the old man.

Makarov threw up his hands in mock surrender and smiled. "No matter. Regardless, I think you're making good progress so far."

Making good progress… yeah right.

Natsu sincerely began to doubt whether or not all of the old man's faculties were in order. After a turnout like yesterday, Natsu knew that he was severely outmatched. Plain and simple.

Laxus was too fast. Only a single spell had been needed to make sure Natsu was extra deep-fried. And to rub salt in the wound, Laxus hadn't even been trying. The distinct lack of care had only added to that. And the chances that he'd actually gone ahead and told Gramps that Natsu had done well?

The kiddy-glove treatment was too much for him now. It burned more than anything. He wanted to break free from it, to totally let loose and destroy this forest with his bare hands, to bring everything down in flames!

And yet… and yet…

Would that even fix the problem? The hot lead that now sat in his stomach, the desire put that blond bastard out on his ass?

No.

Complaining about it or taking out his anger on the forest, on the animals, on the people… simply wouldn't do it.

Natsu refused to feel sorry for himself. Ever. So this… this was something he'd just have to take.

"Just a setback." The Son of Igneel managed to force calm into his voice as he said it. "That's all it is. Nothing I can't overcome."

Makarov had glanced up at him again. When Natsu met the old man's eyes, he saw… respect within those small black marbles. And then there was a nod, paired with an amused chuckle.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, Natsu."

Chapter Text

October 10th, Magnolia Town

Day 10

Erza Scarlet felt like she was a kid who'd been locked in a tool shed.

"Ooooh! Look at this one, Erza!" Mira had practically glided past her towards the long oaken shelf containing rows upon rows of various types of acoustic guitars. "See this?"

The Knight tugged gently at her woolen sweater and set eyes on the sleek, yet slightly smaller instrument which Mira nicked off the section of wall containing similarly shaped instruments. It was guitar-shaped, yet was clearly too small to actually be a guitar. Unlike Mira's guitar which had six strings, this one seemed to have four rows of strings, with two adorning each course.

Erza had seen it before. She recalled a distant, yet distinct memory of a musical band hailing from Caellum. The band itself had been playing in the streets of Crocus around the same time she'd visited the city to speak with a client for an S-Class Request.

"It's a gittern!" Mira said with sparkling eyes, clearly overexcited as she held it up to Erza. "Well? What do you think? Does it call to you?"

"Not really, no."

"Hmm…" The barmaid had given a brief frown before placing the instrument back on the rack. "We'll keep looking then. I'm sure there's something in here that'll catch your eye."

Erza was not as optimistic. She'd been skeptical of their second girl's trip into town, mostly because she still wasn't entirely sure she'd immediately click with a musical instrument of all things. Yet she'd accepted Mira's invitation, and was determined at the very least to make sure the blonde was satisfied.

And so, the red-head had the decency to awkwardly follow Mira around the admittedly quaint music store.

It was by all means a professional establishment. The cozy soft-shaded lighting, along with the cream-colored walls and wooden mahogany flooring had all come together to make a comfortable atmosphere that was pleasing both to the eye and to the mind. Paired up with the seemingly endless rows and sections of various instruments, accessories, booklets, and so on… Erza was sure that the owner of this place knew exactly what they were doing. Competence was key.

Despite Mira's assurances, Erza had simply nodded along and moved on down the aisle, going by the section allotted for guitars and any other variants. It was more aimless wandering, but Erza really didn't have a clue what to do in here. She was, for all intents and purposes, out of her depth.

She came upon the woodwinds section and continued to make an attempt at being interested. The wall to her immediate right showcased a large collection of clarinets, bassoons, and saxophones. Then there were flutes and oboes, even a few bagpipes were out on display.

Mira seemed to have followed her. The blonde was idly looking at the vast selection as well, though she was clearly far more animated. She even started inspecting one of the yellow brass saxophones.

What am I even doing here? The lone question seemed to be rooted in Erza's head. Shouldn't she be out somewhere with her team? On a job maybe?

Then again, they hadn't spoken about taking up any jobs lately. Gray seemed to be spending more and more time with Juvia, while Lucy had been more focused on writing and decorating her apartment. Happy also was somewhere in the mix. And Natsu had gone AWOL more or less.

She didn't mind it. Erza was fine being on her own. But she liked being with her team more.

"So…" Mira suddenly piped up, bringing Erza back to the present. "What's up with you and Natsu?"

What? Erza had felt a slight chill enter her veins then. "W-what do you mean?"

"Well… I did see you two yesterday. Laughing and flirting and having a good time together. Y'know… couple stuff."

"We-" The Knight then suddenly felt blood rush to her face. "F-flirting?"

"Mmhmm!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Mira. Natsu and I were just… catching up. Not to mention we're both part of a team. It's expected that we're able to get along."

Mira had finally looked at her with that trademarked sinister grin of hers. And Erza suddenly felt like she'd fallen right into an ambush.

Oh no…

It was then that the barmaid had crossed her arms, mimicking Erza's current pose. With a hand, she flicked her hair back and smiled. "Hahaha! Oh my gosh Natsu, you are so funny!" She said in a sing-song sort of voice.

Erza caught on. She frowned, "That's not what I said."

"Well that's what I heard. Are you really that ticklish? Or are you only like that for Natsu when you two are alone?"

This is ridiculous. Erza huffed and sharply turned away from the blonde. The drums in the percussion section across the store were beginning to look far more interesting. And not because she actually wanted to play them.

Much to her growing frustration however, Mira had followed her. "Come on, Erza!" She said as she wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It's natural. Haven't you ever had a crush before?"

"I-I… don't like Natsu in that way, Mira."

"Please. I heard everything… when he left early, you totally wanted him to stick around and keep talking to you."

She did want Natsu to stay. "No I didn't!"

Erza immediately realized her mistake, and cursed herself for it. To Mira, an outburst was as good as an admission. Get it together, Scarlet! Now!

Those deep blue eyes, which usually were filled with a motherly sort of kindness, were now filled with an ominous light. "Oh really now…"

"Stop it, Mira."

"Hey, I'm just as surprised as you are! I thought Natsu and Lucy might be a thing later down the line, but-"

"Just. Stop."

"-now he's got this whole suave mountain man thing going on and you're just laughing and blushing and eating it all up-"

"One more word and I swear…"

"-and what's the whole Tickle Monster thing about? Ohhhh, were you two sharing a room at the resort and-"

"Shut up Mira!"

Her blow-up had had the intended effect. Mira took a sharp step back. held up her hands in reluctant surrender. However, the other customers whom had been quietly roaming the store naturally glanced over in Erza's direction. She could feel about ten pairs of eyes all focused on her as if she were a freak.

"Fine, fine…" Mira said evenly. The barmaid couldn't help but wear a compressed, but rather eager smile. She came closer. "If a cute guy did all that for me, I'd like him too ."

The Knight huffed again before moving away again. She continued along the extended racks and shelves containing clarinets and saxophones. There were various booklets containing printed music beneath them, as well as polishing cloths and mouthpiece brushes. Without even thinking, Erza picked up one of the clarinet books and began to flip through it.

Still… she couldn't keep her mind from wandering back to the demon's words… and to her conversation with Natsu yesterday.

Were it anything else, Erza would've simply ignored Mira's poking and prodding. She'd gotten used to it when they were kids, back when Mira was absolutely intolerable. But Erza couldn't contain her annoyance at the blonde today.

Of what she'd read about in her… romance novels… the language those books used were always so vibrant and colorful when it came to depicting love. The two protagonists destined to fall in love were almost immediately infatuated with one another after only a single meeting. From what Erza had seen of legitimate romance, like that of Anja and Frederik, it didn't seem to be all that… cheesy.

Had she ever had a crush before? Perhaps. When she was little, she might've felt something similar with Jellal.

Yet what would a child know of the love and intimacy between a man and a woman? Even then, whatever admiration she felt for Jellal had quickly given way to fear and guilt after he'd been possessed. And everything had gone downhill from there.

Yet this… this was different. Natsu was different.

No matter how much she tried to think of him as the mischievous boy from her childhood… she still could not erase the image of him eating the Etherion for her, choking down every last chunk of magical sludge as he roared and commanded the raw and seemingly limitless power of the Dragon… and then later to him standing victorious over the broken husk that had been Jellal…

…and then… she'd woken up in his arms on the beach. His, admittedly, muscular, dense biceps and thick forearms wrapped around her legs and her waist…

"I'm really happy to see you again."

In spite of her prior denial, she really did feel a sudden heat flow into her cheeks and her neck, all because of the clash of memories that were now melding together in her head. She couldn't help but wear a beaming smile.

She stood there for a few moments, just stewing in her daydream. And then, she suddenly remembered where she was and what she was doing.

Erza shook her head. That damned demon was working her evil magic again, her capability for instilling fiendishly portentous words into one's brain. Erza almost wondered if the punk-goth girl from her youth was still there deep down, carefully hiding behind some sort of fabricated gentle persona…

Yes, that must've been it. Mirajane Strauss was still at large, and still a great threat to society. Still the everwaking nightmare that she had been when they were kids. She was simply using another method of attack these days, one meant to confuse and squeeze her victims from the inside out. And it was up to Erza to stop her once and for all. Mira's allegations were simply that. Allegations. Baseless claims. Groundless. Unsubstantiated. Speculation at most. Mira was probably also getting stir-crazy. After all, she'd been cooped up in the guild for so long. She was starting to hear things, see things that weren't there. Was it possible for young people to be prematurely senile?

All that there was left to do was to prove her wrong. That was easy. The next time she saw Natsu, she would be cordial, but nothing more. Simply polite as they usually were together. Friendly. And Erza would make sure that Mira was in the same room as well, all so that stupid demon could see just how friendly they were.

"That would show her," Erza said quietly to herself. The reasoning was iron-clad, and it was now a shield against the suggestions leftover from the barmaid-demon hybrid that accompanied her now.

She'd now moved onto the section containing the brass instruments. A long line of vertically hanging trumpets were at the top, while below them there was a row of trombones. She didn't bother reading the price tags, since she knew she could more than cover the cost with her savings.

Erza briefly rested her hand on one. Something about the polished, yellowish copper gleam had… put something off in her. Even if the bell tube had felt smooth to the touch.

She inched away from it and turned away, looking over the entirety of the shop itself.

If she, in another life, had played an instrument… then what would it be? And why?

Erza's mind then set to work.

She deeply appreciated the more sophisticated aspects of society and life. She greatly enjoyed her morning tea, her sunroom, and preferred to eat in a far more dignified manner compared with her teammates, much less the rest of the guild. It was proper after all, and Erza would never dream of lowering her own standards for herself.

So… perhaps her choice would reflect that?

She stopped. And for a few moments, she flipped the fresh idea up and down and over in her head. And as if by chance, the sounds of classical music suddenly poured in through the store.

That was it. That was what she was here for.

The clarinets, and the flutes, and the saxophones didn't appeal to her. None of them 'spoke' to her in the way that Mira described. Neither did any of the trumpets or the brass tubas stood out to her. They just weren't… interesting.

Erza pursed her lips. The pianos were fine enough, and she had seen them be played before. But again, she didn't really take to it.

And then she'd found herself looking back towards the string section once more. She'd only really paused to look at the guitars and such, but only really because of Mira's preference towards them. Yet even now-

What was that?

She was surprised that she hadn't seen it before, but then again, it seemed it had been hidden behind the rows of tamburas and harps. It was in the string section after all. But now… now it stood out to her like a rampaging bull at a dinner party. But… in a good way.

The maple brown body of the violin was so elegantly shaped. It was similar to Mira's guitar in that sense, but obviously not in the exact same way. Even now she could see the coursing tiger strips along the backside of the instrument.

She grinned. So that was what she was here for.

It was simply perfect.

"-and as fundamental as the sciences are to one's education, it is the fool who takes them at face value.

In a world of infinite limitations, the purpose of any scientific theory first and foremost is to provide us with explanations of our own observations, along with reliable predictions.

Keep in mind that we still do not rightly understand the ultimate cause of phenomena such as magic, nor who or what created it in the first place. As you begin to delve further and further down the rabbit hole of hypotheses and theories, you will eventually find a vast number of questions posed by the scientific community which have yet to be answered. In this sense, science is not an end point. It is a process.

And this is precisely why you should take a similar approach with your magic.

Consider this:

Far too many wizards rely on books or a simple catalogue of spells taught to them by their mentors. This alone defies Man's true nature, and is an insult to the magical community.

Man has been put on this earth to prove himself. He is born with nothing to his name, and is limited in an infinite number of ways. His only possession is raw potential.

In order to achieve that potential, however, he must be willing to fail. And so should you.

This is the process of spellcraft and mastery. Experimentation. Constantly testing new ideas. Constructing alternative ways or solutions that your magic can be used, and then immediately putting them into practice.

I will not lie to you, the process of creating your own spells and attaining mastery over your magic will be far more difficult. You will fail. You will fail far too many times to count. However, so long as you keep going, you will gradually begin to see progress. The power and payoff alone will be overwhelming. Not only will you become more flexible with your magic, but also far more connected to it, yielding you greater and greater power.

Your connection with your magic is what fuels it, what makes it so potent. Magic is more than a tool. It is a part of you. Something to be nurtured.

Keep this in mind as we move forward, my dear reader.

In the next chapter, we will go over the process of creating your own spells. While it is not impossible, it will be quite taxing on both yourself and your abilities.

Do not give in to the pressure. The majority do. But the bold few push forward."

Once more, Natsu flipped over to the next page, folded the top left corner, and then closed the book, carelessly tossing it onto his coffee table.

"Honestly…" Happy had flown over to him then. The cat had landed on the left arm of the sofa, with a fresh trout in his hands. "I think this place looks waaaaaaaaaaay better when it's all cleaned up. Nice and tidy!"

Happy had had a fit upon seeing just how neat and sorted everything had been once he'd gotten home from Lucy's place. At first he'd thought that Natsu had thrown away all of his toys, and even after finding out they'd just been stored in the chest underneath the hammock, he'd still groaned that they weren't as easily accessible as before.

Yet, just as always, Happy had slowly gotten used to it. Even if Natsu had to remind him a few times to not leave dirty plates on the coffee table after dinner anymore.

"Yeah," Natsu said, still half-thinking on what the text in the book was implying. "So do I, buddy."

His best friend nodded and happily started munching on the trout.

Admittedly, Natsu was partially exhausted at having to learn all these new concepts and ideas presented by the book. Natsu wasn't unfamiliar with the idea of testing, nor with the knowledge that he'd likely fail a lot on his way up. That was fine. Setbacks were necessary.

It's just… why couldn't everything be so simple? Why did he now need to get all sciency and nerdy just so he could protect his friends and family? It just didn't add up.

And what did that last bit supposed to mean? Nurture his magic? How was he meant to do that?

He ran a hand down his face and pinched the bridge of his nose. All this musing was making him hungry.

"...what's wrong, Natsu? Didn't you see the medicine lady or something?"

"A grumpy old bat, more like."

"Okay, so she was a grumpy old medicine lady. So what?"

Natsu shook his head and glanced at his friend. "Nothing's wrong, buddy. Just… figuring a few things out." He said as he let himself sink deeper into the sofa. Probably best to change the subject, otherwise Happy wouldn't stop asking him about it. "What did you get up to with Lucy?"

Sure enough. "I can't stay there anymore, Natsu. She keeps throwing things at me and yelling at me. She gets mad at me for no reason. I mean… sure I might've eaten some of her scones the other day… and I might've also torn a hole in her armchair… and maybe kinda clogged the drain in her sink which then led to it overflowing… but none of that means she should be throwing chairs at me!"

"I'm sure she's not that bad."

"She keeps her toilet paper facing the wall, Natsu! Even when I'm not there!"

Natsu shook his head, this time with a smile. Leave it to Happy to exaggerate. Natsu liked breaking into Lucy's house just as much as the next guy (because it was ridiculously easy to get her riled up), never once had he'd been bothered by her the same way Happy was. Then again he only really stayed around for one or two hours at most, and never stayed there for days at a time like Happy would. Still, it probably wasn't as bad as Happy was making it out to be.

Probably.

Not that this was something he was wholly concerned about right now.

Natsu quickly circled back to that last page. Gramps had given him the book for a reason, right? So he might as well find a way to make use of it.

And with that next chapter supposedly going over spellcraft… it might just come sooner rather than later.

He was shortly brought back to the present by a now angry Happy, who had outright thrown his half-eaten trout against the cushion. Meanwhile, the cat started pacing around it. "And don't get me started on that thing with the waffle maker. It wasn't my fault that it melted!"

"Woah, buddy. It's alright, I believe you." The Dragon Slayer was starting to regret the direction he'd taken the conversation in. He glanced at the clock hanging above the cabinet. It was almost time to get going.

Natsu stood up. "You're gonna have to bury the hatchet with her, Happy. She's on our team you know."

"Yeah… but why does she have to be so annoying?"

"Lucy's weird, but she's also nice. You just have a unique talent for pissing her off."

"But-"

Natsu raised his hand sharply. Happy shut himself up quickly.

"Whatever it is," The Dragon Slayer said sternly, "I want you to go and apologize to her. Can you do that?"

Happy looked down and kicked at the trout, giving it a small thump. Very much like a scolded child. "Yeah, I guess…"

"Good. Now, I've got to head out. I'll probably be gone for the evening."

His best friend looked up at him now with a frown. "Where you going?"

Natsu didn't skip a beat. He made his way over to the front of the house. "Errand. Don't forget to lock the door this time. Later, buddy."

"Alright. Bye Natsu."

Natsu easily pushed open the door and shut it firmly behind him.

An hour later, he found himself wandering down the same beaten path that led him to the quarry yesterday.

He'd made his way through the southern orchard, passing by the railway tracks which lead further South to Hargeon.

From there, it hadn't taken him long to find the trail leading down to the old mining quarry. And as soon as he'd sniffed out the trademark scent of cigar smoke, Natsu knew the blond bastard was down there waiting for him.

Natsu couldn't help but flex his fingers so as to get ready for what would come next. He was still covered head-to-toe in bandages, but that didn't change anything. Even as banged up as he was now, Natsu was determined to actually stick it out a lot longer than he had last time.

As much as he disliked Porlyusica, she was damn good at what she did, and Natsu could respect that. Where he'd felt like he'd been punctured by dozens of knives all over his body last night, now he only felt a slight tingling sensation matched with the occasional flaring pain. But nothing more.

Likely won't be the last time I'll be seeing her though.

It was more of a prediction than an assumption. Even if Laxus was a jerk, he was still leagues ahead of him. Natsu knew he was probably going to lose this next match. No, he definitely was.

All the more reason to, at the very least, clock Laxus right in the face before he hit the dirt.

"Let's do this." He said to himself, almost like it was a prayer.

The canvas of trees had quickly opened up into the familiar cavernous ravine. Natsu stopped on the steep slope leading down to the floor of the quarry, taking his time in looking around.

The old wooden mining shacks still lay dilapidated, worn, and aged from lack of maintenance. There were likely loads of cobwebs and old mining equipment within them. And dust, too. Then there was the actual mine itself, the entrance laying beyond the mouth of the ravine and into the side of the deep cliff. Even from half a mile away, Natsu could see that it was boarded off with nine wooden panels and a sign that read, 'Keep Out!'

Whatever. It wasn't the mine that was his mine priority right now.

His main target was sitting at the same mining shack nearest to the entrance of the mine itself.

Natsu almost growled as he set eyes on Laxus.

He was wearing a tan-brown fur-lined jacket today. Still wore the headphones, but Natsu couldn't hear any music playing out of them. What's the point of those things?

The pompous bastard was also reading a book.

The Dragon Slayer swallowed down his pride and began marching down the long hill. Even as he approached, Laxus still hadn't even so much as glanced up at him. Could've set me up with someone who at least cares a little bit, Gramps.

Too true. If Laxus actually didn't want to be there, he was definitely selling it. Was it really that hard to somehow contact Gildarts? Get him to head back to Magnolia for a few months so Natsu could ditch Laxus and spar with the old man?

Why was Natsu stuck with this jackass? What was so special about him that Gramps decided to pair them up together?

Natsu felt his sandaled feet scrape against the dry stone floor of the ravine. He remembered what he was supposed to do. Stick to the plan. Make him move first, then close the distance.

He was about fifty or so meters away from Laxus when he stopped.

The blond still hadn't glanced up from his book, seemingly fully enraptured in whatever he was reading.

"Came back for more, then." It wasn't even a question.

Natsu didn't bother to say anything back. Just mental preparation to take yet another lightning bolt.

Those small gray eyes looked up from the rows of text they'd been reading, and landed curiously on him. Laxus seemed to be studying him now.

"Shouldn't you be recovering?"

"Probably."

"And you still chose to come back?"

Had there been a brief twinkle of respect in the older man's eyes? Natsu swore he saw something there. Whatever. The moment was gone. "Yeah."

Thwap! The older man's right hand had snapped the book shut. Laxus pocketed it and rose slowly to his feet.

"Alright then," The blond said evenly. "Ready whenever you are."

And that was that.

On any other day, Natsu might've rushed him head on. It was a valid strategy, and one that has worked for him before. But Laxus was faster than him. A slight tweak in his approach should work.

Stick to the plan. Make him move. Track where he's going. Close the distance.

Easier said that done, but doable. Laxus was probably expecting him to dive in with his fists ablazing. Natsu would have to fake him out.

Natsu didn't hesitate in unleashing his magical aura, coating his arms and legs with fire. He dug his feet into the stone floor of the quarry before sharply kicking his feet off the ground, and making a b-line for the lone blond standing casually just fifty feet ahead of him.

He went ahead and raised his arms as if to strike, so as to further sell the deception.

Not even a second later had he reached the halfway point between him and Laxus, and the blond hadn't even bothered to move, had Natsu put his plan into action.

Quickly, Natsu had puffed out his chest and inhaled his magical aura, and then-

FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!

Within a split second he'd let loose the great vortex of yellow and red flames from his mouth. The colossal firestorm had lanced forth, consuming anything and everything in its path and were he anyone else, it would've engulfed his entire vision.

Not even a second later, Natsu watched vigilantly as one jagged golden bolt had shot upwards and out of the way of the roar, traveling to his immediate right and arcing downwards just a few yards away.

Got you!

Natsu kicked his feet towards the right, focusing his flames into both his feet and into his right fist. At the same time, the ensuing explosion of stone and rubble from his roar came as well. BOOM! He kept going though, and jetted over to the careening lightning bolt like a meteor, and as Laxus began to materialize-

FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST!

And that was when it all went tits up.

His closed fist pass through solid air as Laxus deftly sidestepped to the left. And too soon, had the Lightning Wizard quickly countered with a scarring left hook.

Natsu's head was blown back from the force of the blow alone, and somehow he managed to keep himself rooted to the ground. The delayed pain had reverberated in his skull, more than enough to make him nauseated. He'd ignored the hundreds of yellow-black spots swimming around him, and swung his fist at Laxus again.

Again, his knuckles had only kissed the air. Laxus dodged it and stepped back, his legs been coated in crackling golden-white sparks.

It was too late. Natsu felt his feet leave the ground as an intense pressure exploded in the center of his chest, his whole body jolting in agony, "ARRRRRRRRGGHH!"

He roared out in pain as he was launched backwards by Laxus' kick. He managed to land on his feet, and felt his sandals grind and shred against the rough stone floor below. When he finally came to a stop, he nearly fell to the ground, managing to keep himself posted up with his arms and knees.

The force of the kick hadn't even been the worst of it though. Once again, his body lurched and squeezed, sparks dancing all over his arms and chest. Natsu forced himself to exhale as his lungs seemed to have stopped working. As he hyperventilated, he sharply glanced up to see Laxus standing across from him, now waiting patiently with his arms crossed.

"What do you know? Solid maneuver, Natsu. Maybe there's something going on in that head of yours after all."

Natsu felt the nerves in his arms and legs tremble and wobble. It took everything to stand back up, but he managed it. "Shut up."

"Hey, at least we can say that you're doing better than last time. Right?"

He chewed down his anger and spat out a clot of blood and saliva.

So heavier strikes wouldn't do after getting close. If Laxus' first instinct was to dodge and then counter…

Then hit him before he counters.

Hit fast. Roll with the blows. Keep him moving. If Natsu could track where Laxus was going, then he knew he could hit him. If Laxus had to slow down even minutely just to counter, that was all Natsu needed to get an opening.

Go time.

Natsu leapt forward and lanced across the quarry in the blink of an eye.

This time however, Laxus hadn't bothered morphing into a lightning bolt to move out of the way. Natsu didn't care, he just went for it.

FIRE DRAG-

Natsu felt a large fist firmly plant itself in his gut.

Instead of bolting away like before, Laxus had actually lunged at him.

The world had begun to spin like a whirlwind. Whatever air he'd had left in his lungs had been snapped away. He'd been launched backwards again, skittering along the rocky floor of the ravine until he finally came to a halt scarcely ten feet away from his foe.

It took gargantuan effort to simply rise to his hands knees. His muscles and nerves twitched and shuddered. Desperately he tried to breathe in and out, in and out, in and out. Those black and yellow spots seemed to dance and bloom into flowers. Slowly, irritatingly, Natsu shook and struggled, managing to push himself off the ground.

Laxus was still standing there across the quarry from him. There wasn't a smirk this time. Just an analytical, almost curious expression. As if the older man waiting to see what he'd do next. Cold.

Cold. That's all he felt right about now.

Natsu shook his left leg free, posting himself up onto his foot and reached a hand down to control his ascent.

His hand went to meet the cold stone, missed it, with the rest of his body diving after it, down towards the ground.

Down, down, down…

Chapter Text

October 11th, Fairy Tail

Day 11

Only a handful of hours had passed since the guild opened for the day…

…and already Laxus was annoyed.

BOOM!

A storm of flying splinters and wooden shards had exploded out from somewhere on the first floor below him. Someone had thrown one of the benches, missed their target, and watched on as it shattered against one of the structural pillars in the main hall.

He rolled his eyes and sipped at his coffee. Yet another of the 'world-famous' Fairy Tail guild brawls was playing itself out downstairs.

"Have those fools no care for their surroundings?"

The riled comment had come from the opposite side of the table. Despite being mildly vexed at having to be in the guild as well, Freed hadn't so much as glanced up from his work. A gleaming blade of white-steel lay before him, along with a glass bottle of oil off to the side. In Freed's right hand was a sheet of sandpaper.

Laxus didn't bother answering the off-handed remark. He didn't need to either.

He had already begun to regret his promise to his grandfather nearly two weeks ago. Knowing that the guild was on a decline was bad enough, but coming into the guild and seeing what it was becoming in real time...

Now that was just painful.

Laxus had a job to do. Had a purpose in being here at this time. It wasn't his idea to report in after every sparring session he'd done with Natsu so far, but it was part of his obligation to do so. Grandpa would want to know how things were going. And as Laxus didn't give his report yesterday, he needed to meet with the old man today.

Unfortunately, he'd arrived at the guild just after a representative from the reformed Magic Council arrived. And so he ended up here, waiting for that particular meeting to be over and done with.

It hadn't turned out to be all that bad. He'd notified his team that he'd be in Magnolia for a week or two, particularly around the guild, and they'd shown up shortly after just to keep him company and make his time here tolerable.

Next to him, Bickslow had snickered. "Why would they? It's not like they've got anything better to do."

"At the very least, they could not cause a racket," Freed muttered as he wiped down his rapier with a sheet of sandpaper. "Many people here could stand to be more professional. And more dignified in their manner."

Too true.

"Yes, yes," Evergreen chimed in from his side. She had been holding up a silver handheld mirror and fixing her hair in her reflection. She'd probably only been half-listening to Freed. "I do look rather dignified, don't I? A sort of majestic glow, I should think."

Freed and Bickslow both shared a knowing look. The latter had shrugged, going back to painting a face on one of his dolls.

The former, however, had slowly glanced over at his friend. "You are aware that I was not talking about you… right?"

"Hmmm? Oh no, I've had enough tea, thank you. I'll pass."

Freed sighed and got back to his work.

It was usually like this while they'd been out on jobs. Despite their differing personalities and opinions, the three of them really did work well together. Laxus never joined in on their bickering, but it was occasionally fun to tease each of them.

Laxus had been idly listening along… all the while regularly looking at the door to his grandfather's office. Waiting for it to open. Even with all the noise coming from the first floor, he could still hear the dull pace of the conversation Grandpa and the representative were having.

He rolled his eyes and found himself looking out towards the floor below.

The unidentifiable mass of closed fists, stools, benches, and flailing legs was the most immediate sight. Curiously enough, the chaos had stayed away from the bar, which was being run by some brunette who Laxus had never seen before. Cana was there drinking, too. As usual.

In truth, he didn't really mind the brawling. He himself enjoyed that type of back-and-forth with Gildarts whenever the old bastard rolled into town. Insulting Gildarts and being insulted back by him in kind was entertaining all on its own.

Yet the fact that these fools did nothing every day, non-stop… that it was all unearned…

Had any of them gone out on any jobs this week? Doubtful. If anything, those who did work only did enough to stay comfortable. Just enough to pay the bills and their taxes.

And then there were idiots like-

Nab. He narrowed his eyes on that witless buffoon. Nab seemed to ignore all of the thrown hands and chairs behind him as he continued to stare dumbly at the massive request board. Taking his time. Pondering.

For fucks sakes' pick something already! Laxus felt almost compelled to strike down the moron with a lightning bolt.

At the very least, with Macao and Wakaba, as useless as those two were these days, they had earned their tenure and place in the guild. They'd done plenty of work when Laxus had been growing up. Now, both of them were well into their fifties, had made pretty solid financial investments at that. They even still took on the occasional job now and then. That alone was a lot more than he could say for Nab…

Laxus realized he'd been frowning, and quickly schooled his face. It was better to ignore the indecisive loser; otherwise, he'd further sour his mood over someone who wasn't even worth the brain calories.

Yet his temper had not improved. Especially not as he kept scanning the unbridled chaos that was the first floor.

Those who were sitting out the guild-wide brawl had been slouching in their seats, with dozens of empty mugs all around them. Some were playing cards, others were reading books or menus given to them by the kitchen staff. It was more surprising than anything to see that those very same people were also young and in their prime.

How was it that the seemingly countless number of younger people, most of whom were probably a lot more gifted when it came to magic than those two, who were just… sitting around the guild all day? Or even taking part in the regular guild-wide brawls?

Arrogance. Laziness. Cowardice. Those were the likely reasons.

Why would they ever need to work when they'd simply walked into the guild and gotten the guild mark after a simple conversation?

No litmus test. No recruitment trials. Not even a fucking math quiz to see if they were smart enough to count out payment money.

What was the point of them? Why were they still here?

Was there something his grandfather knew that he did not? If so, then what was it?

BOOM!

There was yet another explosion coming from downstairs; this time, a table had been flipped and broken in half. Laxus forced down his annoyance, took another swig from his coffee, and returned his attention to his team.

"Ugh! Haven't I told you to keep that thing away from me?" Evergreen let out a disgusted huff as she pushed away Freed's rapier. "Didn't you poke at some man's… ergh… bits with it?"

Freed rolled his eyes. "Perhaps it would do you some good to educate yourself on human anatomy as opposed to spending all of your time in a mirror," he said. "If you must know, I had cut his femoral artery. Not any of his more vital organs."

"And how exactly does that make it better?"

"The femoral artery is located within the thigh, not around it. Once severed, it is not a mortal wound, and it can be repaired."

Evergreen frowned disparagingly. "That's not what I meant. That sword had been used to cut open another man."

Freed allowed himself a grim smile. "Admittedly, I suppose that's part of the fun in our line of work," he said as he picked up the blade and inspected it. "As gruesome and tiring as our last job was… poking holes into our enemies is, at times, quite satisfying."

"So that's why you're always smiling after a job, eh?" Bickslow laughed. He mimicked his friend as he seemed to pick up an imaginary blade, thrusting it multiple times into thin air before descending into a fit of giggling.

"It is not nearly as sadistic as you describe, my friend…" The green-haired man drawled. "We are crusaders whom roam across the land, rooting out evil wherever we go."

Now it was Evergreen's turn to share a knowing look with Bickslow.

"-never knowing which day will be our last, never once wavering in our duty-nay, our responsibility to dispel injustice!" Freed rose from his seat with a clenched fist. "It does not matter which form these evils choose to take. For we are the purging light that casts away the darkness, that which banishes those who would take advantage of good folk for their misguided purposes. We are the rock in a stormy sea upon which our enemies will crash. We are the spear that lances forth to uproot these monsters and dark wizards from their holes of contempt. We are the sword that puts an end to their tyranny over those too powerless to stop it. For we-"

It was then that Freed paused and glanced at the various faces around the table. Evergreen was entirely unimpressed. Bickslow had been grinning knowingly. And Laxus had only been half-listening and half-focused on the shimmering dark brown pool that was his coffee.

"Ahem," Freed slightly reddened before coughing into his hand and sat back down. "Apologies."

"What is it with you and your monologues?" Evergreen asked pointedly, somehow managing to sound both motherly and condescending. "It's not like our foes ever stop to listen while you go on and on about justice and whatnot."

"It's just… something I felt needed to be said. In the moment, of course."

"Don't listen to her, buddy…" Bickslow said. "I think it's pretty cool. And besides…" He slowly glanced over at the brunette sitting directly across from him. "It's not like you're squeaky clean either."

Evergreen scoffed, totally unconcerned with the veiled threat of revealed information. She simply went back to looking into her mirror and fixing up her hair.

"Freed…" The puppet wizard began with much amusement. "Did you know that whenever we happen to be in the guild hall at the same time as Strauss, Ever here stares at him."

Laxus pulled his gaze away from the shimmering black pool that was his coffee and looked up.

Evergreen had frozen. She'd stopped fixing her hair and instead sharply narrowed her eyes on the armored man sitting across from her. A rather dark aura started to surround her.

Freed had seemed surprised and… rather amused now. "Really?"

Clink!

The sound of the silver mirror slamming against wood was audible enough for everyone, even for those at nearby tables on the second floor. But Bickslow pretended not to hear it.

"Yeah. Can't keep her eyes off him. Just gazes at him whenever he flexes his-"

BAM!

"That's enough!" Evergreen was practically snarling now, having completely thrown out her prior prim and proper demeanor. Even a blind man could tell that she was blushing furiously just from the tone of her voice. "Mind your own business! You will shut your mouth this instant, or I'll… I'll…"

Rrrrrrrrret! The creaking of wood and steel hinges brought Laxus back to attention. He'd glanced up to see the door to his grandfather's office open - albeit slightly ajar.

Go time.

Laxus downed his coffee in two swift gulps and rose to his feet. He set the empty mug down and looked back at his team, all of whom had now switched their attention to him.

He smiled. "How about you three head out on another job? I've got some more business to take care of around here."

The three of them looked to one another uncertainly before looking back up at him. It was Freed who broke the silence.

"Is it this… assignment from Master Makarov that's keeping you in town?" Freed asked.

"Yeah." Laxus didn't elaborate further.

Bickslow had frowned then, more of a novelty than anything. "But I thought you said this thing was only gonna take a week or something."

Laxus nodded. "So did I," he said, glancing back at the door to his grandfather's office. The frog lady was exchanging a few final words with Grandpa, who'd been standing at the door as well. He didn't bother listening in. "But it turns out there might be more to it than I thought."

It was Evergreen who spoke up now. "When… when will you be back?"

"Don't know. Not yet, at least. That said, I don't want to keep you guys in the guild if you don't want to be here," he looked to Freed then. "Freed, you're in charge. Look after these two."

The others didn't protest. Freed had always been in charge in situations like this, and neither Bickslow nor Evergreen had the desire to lead the team in Laxus' absence. Still, it didn't help that the three of them weren't happy with Laxus leaving them again for the time being.

The Thunder God Tribe all stood to attention, albeit reluctantly. Evergreen kissed him on the cheek. Both Freed and Bickslow gave him a salute. The former nodded. "I'll do my best, Laxus."

"I know you will," Laxus said as he gave them all one last encouraging smile before taking his leave and making his way to his grandfather's office.

He strode down the catwalk just in time to see the frog creature waddling down the stairs to the first floor. She'd seemed to be nimble, though, as a chair sailed by her head and she narrowly dodged it by a few inches.

Not so incompetent as you look, then…

That realization seemed to have been a rising trend this week.

Just as he'd brushed by the infirmary and made a right turn towards the Guildmaster's Office, he'd heard a distinct… clicking sound.

A woman judging by the lightweight behind the sound. Wearing heels.

Mira.

Sure enough, the door to the infirmary opened, and out stepped the white-blond herself. An empty jug in her right hand and a glass lodged between her elbow and her waist. As she closed the door behind her and turned around, she stopped when she saw that Laxus was standing in front of her.

"Well, well, well…" The barmaid said. Something dark swirled around in those deep blue eyes. Laxus knew it. Had seen it before. He wasn't scared, but he was certainly annoyed knowing what would come next.

Almost to make a point, Mira opened the infirmary door again, and Laxus got a full sweeping view of the interior. Most of the beds were empty, with those closest to the entrance being filled up with guild members who'd just recently come back from bad jobs, or had their heads cracked over with a chair downstairs. And then, far at the back of the recovery ward, there was a corner bed on the right that had been walled off from the others with thick, woolen privacy screens.

Didn't take a genius to know who Mira was pointing out.

She was glaring at him now. In that stern motherly fashion, she usually donned. It was the same death stare that she'd given him when he'd once teased Lisanna when they were kids.

"What is it, Mira?"

"Oh, I don't know, Laxus… " His name was said with quite a bit of disdain. "Why is it that whenever you bring Natsu back here, he always seems to be covered in scars and blisters?"

Laxus snorted. "He'll be fine. Knowing him, he'll be up tonight or tomorrow morning anyway."

"That's not the point! I don't know what's going on between you two, but if it doesn't stop, so help me-"

"Or what?"

The barmaid hadn't been ready for someone to call her bluff. "Uh… errrm…"

Laxus folded his arms. "Well?"

Not knowing what to do… Mira him one last scathing glance before angrily stomping over to the first-floor staircase.

Situation diffused.

Laxus rolled his eyes again, "Yeah, thought so."

"How'd it go?"

"He did alright compared to his performance last time."

Laxus was met with another of his grandfather's stern glances. That curiously raised bushy eyebrow brought back memories from his youth.

Elaborate. That's what the old man seemed to be saying.

He shrugged and looked away. "What can I say? The kid pulled off a decent maneuver. He figured out I'd use my Lightning Body to move, kept track of me, and went for it."

The old man twirled his mustache. "And that's surprising to you?"

"Doubt anyone else could've pulled it off," Laxus admitted reluctantly. "Natsu's got the reflexes to do it. I just didn't think he had the brains."

His grandfather didn't reply to that particular comment. The old man simply lounged back in his chair, kicking his feet up onto the abnormally large desk before him and staring up at the ceiling.

Laxus shrugged and allowed himself to sink back into his own chair. He ignored the impulse to blow up that stupid clock off to his left.

In truth, he'd been a lot more surprised than he let on during his second duel with Natsu. Granted, he'd been able to hide his incredulity rather effectively, yet by that same token he hadn't really expected much to begin with.

Being shocked that Natsu was using his brain… was like being amazed that a lazy employee was actually doing their job for once.

A certain feeling of dissatisfaction would follow quickly after.

"Well," His grandfather spoke up suddenly, snatching back Laxus' attention. "He's still in the infirmary. Mira has been looking after him between her shifts at the bar. I should think a longer spell of recovery will do the trick after taking two consecutive lashings like the ones you've given him so far."

"How long?"

"Tomorrow. Perhaps Thursday."

"He's stubborn. Doubt he'll stay down for 'til Thursday."

The old man seemed pleased with that assessment. "Good," he said firmly. Grandpa then took on a mischievous smile. "Say… perhaps there's more to him than you once thought, eh?"

"Doing the bare minimum isn't as compelling as you make it out to be, old man."

The kid turning out a half-decent tactic wasn't exactly a good indicator of his potential, nor his intelligence for that matter. A world-class fighter could get beaten by an amateur on any given Sunday. It still didn't mean the amateur was better overall. Natsu wasn't suddenly a paragon of intelligence. The kid was just clever.

And unexpectedly clever at that… albeit in a creative sort of way.

Admittedly… that was far more than Laxus could say for anyone else in the guild who wasn't S-Class. Natsu at the very least had switched on his brain for the first time in his life. But the rest of them?

Everyone else kept plodding along and drinking and fighting and needlessly damaging property. No training. No discipline within the ranks. No innovation.

How was it that Fairy Tail still managed to retain its number one spot as the top Wizard Guild in all of Fiore?

It was a dilemma he pondered over when he was younger. Even before he reached S-Class.

Now, Laxus was fairly confident that he knew the answer. The only logical conclusion.

All of it had just boiled down to the rest of the guild being dragged up to the top by his grandfather's reputation. And by Laxus himself and the other S-Class wizards in the guild. Mystogan, Mira at one point in time, even Erza to a degree.

Then there was Gildarts.

Occasionally, Laxus would hear whispers and rumors here and there about 'Gildarts of the West' and how strong he was. Almost like the older man was a crusader who would go out into the world to make things right. Various S-Class requests had come to the guild over the years specifically asking for Gildarts and Gildarts alone - there were even a few on the S-Class request board just outside the door behind him. The fact that there were people explicitly asking for him to this day highlighted just how capable he really was.

Gildarts was a myth, a legend to a lot of people all over Ishgar. And Laxus knew from first-hand experience that Gildarts could actually deliver on it too.

So why couldn't the rest of Fairy Tail follow their example?

It wasn't a matter of having ambitions, at least not in Laxus' mind. He knew that not everyone could be S-Class, nor had the potential to be S-Class. Moreover, he was fully aware that there were genuinely capable wizards downstairs who had families and loved ones to protect and provide for. And that was something he was more than willing to accept.

But for those who just lounged around all day doing nothing? Just taking up space? Only acting as a member of Fairy Tail so they could leech off the prestige and social cred?

That was just unbearable.

"Perhaps we'll table the matter for now," His grandfather said suddenly, bringing Laxus back to reality. "Seems like you have something else on your mind."

Laxus considered airing out his frustrations… he and his grandfather never really talked about the state of the guild much. Their arguments over it when he was younger had never been productive.

Grandpa knew more or less where he stood. And that was enough.

Would the old man understand? Maybe. Probably. But would he do anything about it? Implement any of the changes Laxus suggested?

Not likely.

Nothing to be gained from that conversation. That was that.

"No," Laxus shook his head. "Just thinking about what my team might get up to."

Going by the sharp twinkle in the old man's eyes, Grandpa knew he hadn't spoken his mind. But he didn't press the matter.

"Well then…" his grandfather clapped his hands together. "I don't think I'll need you today. Likely tomorrow morning. But stay nearby just in case."

Laxus nodded and stood up. "Fine with me."

Voices.

Ten thousand voices. Ten thousand sounds. All of them speaking and yelling and cajoling and whispering all at once.

A man tapping a spoon against a glass before he gives a toast.

A woman whispers sweetly to her lover as she rests her head against a pillow.

A child giggled as she played with her food.

A chair being broken over someone's head. Wood splinters crackling onto the floor.

A pot is being set onto a stovetop. Steel rattling against iron.

A showerhead is turned on. Water hissing and spewing out onto porcelain.

And then… it all of it had stopped. Muted.

The great black void opened. Everything was blurry. Everything was stinging again. Why was it all stinging again? Why couldn't it all just stop?

The small pinpoint of light in the void had gotten closer and closer and closer still. Natsu could see the golden orange haze just a bit further beyond. If only he could get closer to it! It just… felt so warm. So warm, indeed.

He'd gotten more than enough shells this time, hadn't he? Lisanna would want them, no doubt. She was always eager to decorate their home as much as she could, though he wasn't entirely sure how she'd hang them up in a house made of straw. At the very least they would be adequate toys for Happy to play with.

Natsu raised his hands slowly so as to give them to her. "Lisanna…" he mumbled, "Lisanna, I found the shells! I found them, Lisanna! We can be happy now!"

The pinpoint expanded further, yet the stinging pain that electrified his whole body never stopped. He fought through it, and made to place the shells in Lisanna's outstretched hands and…

Consciousness flooded back… the mass of reddish golden light exploded before him as he opened his eyes.

Cream-coloured walls. White curtains. Bandages. The window to his right. The smell of stale beer and rubbing alcohol paired with something foul, something that reeked of pure sulfur.

He'd seen these before? Smelt them too, hadn't he? When he-

And then it all came back to him.

Trees. A dirt path leads to stone. Rocks. Cobwebs. The quarry! Laxus!

Moving his arm had gone well enough. It felt raw and numb. Even as he lifted his elbow off the bed, his muscles jolted slightly. Natsu shook his head again. It was less excruciating to move than the last time he wound up here.

A wall of white curtains had formed around him on each side like a box. Except the screen on his right, where it had been drawn back just enough to show the window and the picture behind it.

It might've been a pretty picture. The blue sky had begun to tinge purple, and while the clouds closest to him were darkening as well. The buildings further out towards the East were illuminated by the sun, and so they shimmered in the last light of day.

Natsu supposed it was a nice enough thing to wake up to, even making him forget why he was even there for a moment.

"Awake at last, I see…"

He recognized the intruding voice. It was familiar. Grandfatherly even. Natsu turned to face its owner.

"How-" he tried to speak, but only managed a dry cough. "Ack!"

Gramps nodded to his immediate left. Natsu reached for the bedside table next to him, fumbling around until he found the blessing that was the jug of clear, fresh water waiting for him. It didn't take him long. He'd quickly chugged down what had been nearly two liters of water in a handful of deep gulps.

"Ahh…" Natsu sighed as he sat back against the wall, letting the jug rest between his legs. "How long?"

"Nearly two days now," Gramps had smiled his infuriating smile. "Had Porlyusica come in to treat you. There weren't as many lesions this time around, however. You did well, all things considered."

No, I didn't. "Thanks."

Makarov continued. "It's not often anyone can get the drop on someone like Laxus. He was impressed."

Natsu didn't believe him. "Doesn't change anything. I didn't hit him."

Makarov also sat back in the armchair that was far too large for him. Then again, so was the old man's office chair. "You're going to fail more often than you think, Natsu. Of that, I have no doubt. What does matter is that you adapted. You showed up with a plan, and you executed on it."

"A plan that still failed."

"And no plan survives first contact with the enemy."

The Dragon Slayer didn't quite know how to reply to that. Instead, he simply rested his head against the wall and looked up at the cream-colored ceiling. As much as Natsu was frustrated, he couldn't help but admit that Gramps had a point. And a very good one at that.

The plan had worked. Partially. He knew that Laxus had been fast, but he hadn't accounted for Laxus being that fast in general - no doubt half of that came as a result of his Lightning Magic.

What about the other half? Not even Jellal had been that fast. The former Wizard Saint might've been able to dart around with his Heavenly Body Magic, but it wasn't like he was able to anticipate Natsu's strikes within a split second.

Jellal had human senses and reflexes, though. The same that Erza or Lucy, or Gray were gifted with. Natsu wasn't like them. He was far more potent in general. He could see greater distances than the others, could hear or scent people out from a mile away. When the rest of his team felt the train rumbling before it went down the tracks, he felt the rails and the earth shake beneath it, too.

Something… just wasn't right here.

"Well!" Makarov had slapped his knees, bringing Natsu back to reality. The old man slipped off the armchair and gave him a grin. "You seem to be in good shape. Shall I organize your next sparring match tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I'm ready."

"Of course you are," The old man chuckled. He turned to leave, with his hand on one of the curtains walling them off from the rest of the infirmary, but he stopped briefly. "Oh, and I assume you'll be wanting an extension on that book report?"

Natsu scratched the back of his head. "Uh… yeah." It definitely wouldn't hurt. This wouldn't be his last time in the infirmary. "Sounds good."

"You'll have an extra two weeks then."

Makarov turned to leave. But once again, Natsu couldn't help himself.

"Gramps?"

"Hmmm?"

The Dragon Slayer paused briefly before deciding what to say. "Does it get easier?"

The old man gave him that trademark grandfatherly smile. "No," He admitted. "However, the real question you must ask yourself is: if it was easy, then would it be worth doing?"

Not for the first time that week, Natsu had been stunned into silence.

Makarov hadn't waited for him to answer. He tapped his nose knowingly, drew back the curtain, and walked out of Natsu's fortress of recovery. The old man's boots clicked sharply against the wood flooring as he left.

Natsu drew his gaze over to the window and watched on as the moon began to rise above the glistening white line of the horizon.

He grinned. Feeling… relieved. For the first time in weeks.

No. No, it wouldn't.

October 12th, Magnolia

Day 12

Jumping out the window hadn't been his first choice.

With the front doors to the guild locked, along with the more compact back entrance… Natsu opted to go for the next best thing. Two liters of water and a thousand push-ups later… he'd opened up the window next to his bed in the infirmary and leapt out.

Landing on the stone walkway outside the hall was easy enough. A twenty-five foot drop was peanuts to him. The only drawback was that the movement of his arms and legs stung terribly for the next few minutes.

Whatever, he thought.

The sun was bearing down on him now. It was rising steadily in the East. Was probably around six or seven in the morning going by its position in the sky. Wouldn't be long before Mira arrived and opened the guild for the day. She'd probably freak out after deducing that he'd jumped out a window and left the guild early.

But none of that mattered right now. He'd make it up to her later.

Natsu had a problem. A big one. Something that he couldn't just brute force his way out of like he had with Gajeel or Jellal.

His previous plan against Laxus had partially worked, but how would he proceed from here? His initial assessment had been wrong in so many ways. Laxus clearly was comfortable with throwing hands.

Even if he could get up close again… then how could he actually land a hit on Laxus?

Natsu continued to ponder the matter as he opened the thin metal gates out in the front of the guild and made his way down the stone steps leading out onto Central Path. Even now, Natsu could hear the early risers in the homes and shops closest to him. Could even see some of them come outside and organize their wares at their stalls for the upcoming day. His ears twitched and he glanced at one of the tall buildings to his immediate right.

As he inspected it, almost by instinct he began to pick up the faint scent of roses and tulips. Above the pale glass window out front there was a huge bright pink sign which read, "Wild South Flowers."

Even more curious was that Natsu also picked up what sounded like a handful of people pulling chairs out from under a table to sit down. Another sniff at something… rancid… and he knew that it was probably breakfast.

"Alright everyone!" A girl's voice came from the second floor of the building. "I know it's my first time making breakfast, so that's why I played it safe with today's meal!"

Next came the sound of a lid being lifted from an iron pot. And that was precisely when Natsu smelled it.

It was a nauseating mix of burnt onions, spoiled eggs, fish broth, and an unsettling overdose of cinnamon, syrup, vinegar, and salt. It was exactly the kind of smell that would make you instinctively step back.

And Natsu did just that. "What the fuck is that!" He took a step backward as he swore, pinching his nose out of reflex.

"Well then, eat up everyone! Tuck in!"

"Wow… ack!" Someone else, an older brother perhaps, seemed to be gagging at that same moment. Poor bastard. "Evelyn… how much salt did you put into this?"

There was a slight pause, "Well, I just used the whole jar actually. And the cinnamon too. That's what you're supposed to do, right?"

"Err… No, it's not. Didn't you follow the recipe?"

"Right, about that… I might've… accidentally… set it on fire over the stove last night."

A scoff immediately followed, "Hell and damnation, girl!" It was the voice of an older man. "Your mother goes off to visit your grandfather for two days and you've gone and placed this atrocity at my table?"

"Oh come on, Dad! It can't be that terrible."

"There's eggshells swimming at the top. Why are there eggshells in my stew?"

"Yeah," Evelyn's brother piped up now after another fit of coughing. "And why in the blazes does it stink of fish? What happened to the beef broth I got for you?"

The girl laughed nervously. "Right… well you see…"

Her father gave a final, disappointed sigh. "Let's have another child, she said… It'll be fun, she said…"

That was more than enough for Natsu to pull the plug. Someone had just committed a crime against the culinary arts, and he wasn't going to wait around for his nose to fall off because of it.

Very quickly, he turned and briskly walked in the opposite direction of the florist shop. Blessedly, the overwhelming acidic stench that just felt… wrong… started to fade away. He'd quickly tuned out the ensuing bickering and whining that came from the second floor as well and moved along.

At the very least, he was more thankful than ever for Mira's cooking.

It was well into the morning now. An hour and a half had gone by during Natsu's trek through Magnolia's southern forest.

The oh so familiar dirt pathway leading down into the nearby ravine… the open autumn air had almost yawned at him as he'd walked down the wide beaten road free from overgrowth.

It might've been chilly… if he'd been able to feel the cold in the first place.

The scent of soil and grass gave way to the smoky and spicy aroma of burnt tobacco, though not as overpowering as it had been days ago. Stone appeared beneath his sandaled feet, and he carefully made his way down the steep, winding slope.

Even before he'd reached the ravine, Natsu knew that Laxus wasn't here. Not yet, at least. The older man would be arriving soon. Maybe even within the hour.

Natsu took a seat on the stone Laxus had taken before. He wasn't even angry anymore. Wasn't even scared of the potential outcomes. All that mattered was that he prove Laxus wrong. Once and for all.

In their last match, Laxus had been fast enough to counter his strikes even after Natsu had closed the distance. Natsu knew he hadn't been punching as fast as he could. He'd been focusing more on raw power rather than speed.

There was just… something about the problem that irked him, though. Even if Laxus was as fast as lightning, that still didn't explain his inhumanly swift reflexes.

It almost reminded him of his fight with Gajeel. The Iron Dragon Slayer had the same reflexes that he did. Had been able to perceive his strikes quicker than anyone else could. Just like Laxus had…

…could he be…

No… Natsu shook his head. It's gotta be his Lightning Magic. Probably amplifies his reflexes or something.

That was the only plausible explanation… yet Natsu didn't feel entirely convinced by it.

Whatever it was, it was an obstacle. But not an insurmountable one. So instead of going for power… what if he focused on speed?

He'd miss a lot. But there was the chance that he'd land a hit.

It just might work. Closing the distance again would be the hard part, unless Laxus chose to do so himself. Regardless… Natsu knew that whatever came his way, whether it was magical or physical blows… he'd just have to take it.

No easy way out.

The scent of burning tobacco seemed to be getting more… potent now. A pair of heavy footsteps made themselves known to him.

"You're here early," Natsu said off the cuff.

Unexpectedly however… Those same footsteps had stopped for a moment. Just a moment. And then they continued towards the quarry. Towards Natsu.

It was enough to make him frown. Why had Laxus stopped walking? It was impossible to have heard him speaking…

Right?

Natsu scoffed. It was nothing. Laxus probably… stopped to look at the sun or something.

Minutes passed by as Natsu continued to stare at the ground. Listening. Waiting. When the pair of feet finally came down the winding path from the forest to the bottom of the ravine and stopped before him, he glanced up.

Laxus was standing there across the quarry. Arms crossed. Headphones on. Cigar in his mouth. "I'm still waiting to see whatever it is about you that's got the old man so excited. Guess that punk at the Tower wasn't so tough after all - what was his name? Jelnan? Jellar? No - Jellal! That's the one."

Natsu stood up.

"Yeah," Laxus didn't seem to care, though. "The old man told me all about that. It's pretty hilarious how bad you managed to fuck things up at the Tower." The older man laughed now, "Let his goonies almost kill your team. Let them kidnap Erza. Let him mop the floor with you."

"You think this is funny?" Natsu growled.

"No." Laxus locked eyes with him now. "But you do."

What?

The older man went on. "If you valued the lives of your friends, then none of that would've happened. You wouldn't have needed to chug down some lacrima to power up. You would've trained harder, would've used that brain of yours to plan and strategize. You already would've been powerful enough to squash your enemies before they even touched your friends. Hell, you'd be S-Class by now if you took things seriously."

"You don't know shit!"

"Don't I?" Laxus chuckled, "Face it, Natsu… You're a fuck-up. A loser. Just another bitch-made wannabe who thinks he's got balls of steel, but can't back it up. You've never won a battle on your own. You always need to get bailed out by something or someone else. Need someone to give you a pep talk, almost like you need permission to win. And you know I'm right."

He was.

Natsu balled his fists. The fury, the sheer rage at knowing that Laxus was right… that never went away. He wasn't going to keep listening to this. It was time to throw down.

He let loose his magical aura and quickly inhaled it. At the same time, he summoned his flames into his legs and blitzed forward like a meteor.

FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!

The massive vortex of purging flames had completely engulfed the cliff-face in front of him, as well as several of the other old mining shacks behind Laxus. BOOM! Loose stones and wooden splinters exploded past him as he lanced towards his opponent.

A distinct golden-yellow jagged bolt shot out of the way, however, this time towards him. Laxus was going for him!

The bolt landed not two meters away from him, and the Lightning Wizard materialized instantly.

FIRE DRAGON'S-

A familiar jolt of searing pain shot up his arm, and then quickly spread throughout the rest of his body. Natsu snarled, grunting through the pain even as small bolts of electricity danced over his arms and hands.

Then he'd nearly been thrown off his feet as a large fist planted itself in his gut.

This time, Natsu could not contain his exertion. "Grrragh!" He roared. He'd stumbled back and rooted himself firmly in place.

Another fist came for him then. It would've hit anyone else, but Natsu raised his arms just in time to deflect the blow. The hard knuckles pounded against his forearms and glanced off them as he narrowly shifted to the left.

Natsu took his chance and closed the distance. He swung a mean right hook at the unimpressed face…

…and missed.

Not even a second sooner, he followed up with a quick left jab and-

His fist met air again, and he'd almost fallen over as another, larger fist crashed right into his temples. BOOM!

Natsu ground his teeth through it all. That's good. The pain means that you're still alive! Stick to the plan! Keep going! He dug his heels into the stone beneath him, even as his ears started ringing. He swiveled back and threw a countercross. Faster!

This one Laxus didn't dodge. Natsu felt his knuckles glance off the older man's wrist. He made to follow up with another-

Crack! Another lightning-coated hand struck at his chest. More of those terrible agonizing jolts that lanced through his bones and muscles made him lose all sense of feeling.

This wasn't it. This wasn't how he'd go out again. Not this time!

FASTER!

Natsu growled and returned the favor, redirecting his right arm into an uppercut that would've caught Laxus' jaw, and when the blond managed to deftly sidestep, Natsu threw another left jab. His opponent had moved out of the way again, but this time Natsu felt the contact, the slight brush of skin against skin as his knuckles barely grazed the older man's nose and-

A crashing backhanded fist had caught him in the cheek, and this time, Natsu fell back in a daze, tumbling and rolling onto the ground.

Everything was spinning round and round. The distinct humming drumbeat blasted into his ears and throughout the rest of his head. It pounded and stabbed at his brain and jaw. The sun might've gone out completely for all he knew.

Home. This was home now.

But not now. Not today. Not today!

Natsu growled, planting both his fists into the ground, shooting up. His rage from only moments before had died away. All intrusive thoughts and feelings of inadequacy had vanished.

All that mattered here and now… was the moment.

Everything was still blurry, still spinning as he got back on his feet. But he could at least see the hazy outline of his opponent. That was more than enough. He lanced forth.

Another right cross from Laxus - BOOM! The lights nearly went out again, but Natsu stayed rooted to the ground.

He threw a jab. Meeting the air again.

FASTER!

Natsu blitzed out a combination. Hook. Jab. Cross. Uppercut. All in quick, immediate succession. Too fast for anyone else.

All of them met the air. But no counter came. The world started to clear, to focus.

He kept going, throwing out another combination. Cross. Jab. Cross. Left Hook. This time, he felt the latter two blows hit the other man's shoulder. He made to strike again and-

A lightning-coated fist met his jaw. Sparks crackled and swam in front of Natsu as he reeled backwards from the impact. Keep going!

Another combination. Double Jab, Cross! He grazed Laxus' right cheek while the older man stepped to the side.

Natsu scanned his opponent's face. Laxus wasn't amused now. But that didn't matter.

FASTER!

Jab, Cross, miss.

Jab, Laxus raised his right arm to block it. Natsu caught his wrist and grappled it! He didn't bother reading the look of surprise on his opponent's face, Natsu quickly drew back his right arm into a hook and-

CRRRRRCK! Natsu's right fist connected easily with skin and hard cheekbone.

Laxus immediately stumbled backward from the sheer impact alone. When he settled, the older man brought his hand up to his left cheek and massaged it briefly. When he drew his hand away, Natsu saw the dark red smear across the left side of his face.

Blood.

He caught his breath, just now realizing that he'd been sweating and shaking slightly. But despite it all, he was ready to go again.

"Well… how about that?" Laxus wasn't even angry. He seemed to be entranced as he gazed down at the blood on his hand, quickly followed by him spitting out a brownish red clot from his mouth.

It was then that he looked at Natsu. And for the first time that they'd ever known each other, Laxus had given him a genuine smile.

"Maybe you're not so hopeless after all, Natsu."

An Unknown Location

Hades admired nature.

Simply could not get enough of it.

Sailing the sea and watching the dark blue waves crash against one's vessel. The brush of the cool air on a winter's morning. The crunching of soft snow under one's feet. Even the fond childhood memories of him running out into the woods when he was a boy, were enough to put a smile on his face.

All of nature was beautiful to him, even the parts that most would consider ugly.

The rotting carcass of a dead elk left in the woods to fester, might've been a detestable sight for most to look at. Yet Hades knew that the remains would ultimately enrich the ecosystem of the forest with high concentrations of nutrients and energy. Everything was recycled back into the environment, allowing it to continue as it had before.

And then there was the view before him! What an inspiring sight! The black curtain of night sky above him, with the stars raining down and into the void. The moon was blazing coolly opposite of him, illuminating the observation deck with its white light. All of it was simply magnificent.

Nature had confidence in its simplicity. And that was simply fascinating to him.

Hades sipped at his coffee. It was then that he realized it had become lukewarm.

With a wave of his right index finger, the full pool of black liquid was suddenly steaming hot again. And with his mind, he willed the spoon next to it to dip into the small jar of golden honey placed on the tea table to his immediate right. A quick swirl later, and he could smell the clashing aromas.

Eating or drinking was not something he needed to do anymore, of course. With the creation of the Devil's Heart, he'd set himself free of base human limitations. Even the need for sleep.

Yet Hades still enjoyed his earthly pleasures. He liked his coffee with a spoonful of honey in it. And on occasion, he did like to smoke tobacco with his pipe. A good, well-cooked meal was also welcome on certain occasions.

Hades placed the mug against his lips, feeling the steam emanating from his preferred beverage. He looked out into the night again and enjoyed the bitter taste of strong coffee and the sweet lick of honey that followed afterwards.

He was only human after all.

Click, click, click, click…

A woman's heels. Determined stride. Footsteps inching closer and closer.

Ultear.

The wide twin steel doors of the observation deck opened behind him, and the click of the young woman's heels followed. Hades made no move to outwardly acknowledge her presence. He didn't need to.

The doors ground on their hinges and closed shut soon after. It was then that Ultear had shuffled forward. She knelt before him.

Well. Hades liked his privacy. But he knew that if Ultear were coming to him at this hour, then she surely had something for him.

"Speak."

"Several reports have come in over the last thirty-six hours," She said hastily. "Our operatives in Minstrel, Midi, and Isenberg have made progress."

Ah, of course. It was about time.

Gently, he placed down his mug of coffee on the tea table once more and stood from his throne. Already, he felt Ultear's brown eyes watching him. "And the others?"

"Those in Stella, Bosco, and Pergrande have not yet reported in. I shall inquire immediately."

"There is no need," Hades held up a calming hand. "Rise."

Ultear obeyed. She got to her feet and smiled at him.

He smiled back, albeit briefly. Yet another small reward for her devotion to him.

Though Hades would never openly admit it, he was rather proud of his second-in-command. Ultear was practically the closest thing he had to a daughter. She was keen, intelligent, and had a strategic mind. And knowing her history, he was not at all ashamed to take advantage of the fatherly bond he'd gradually forged with her over the last decade to make her work in his favor.

Ultear had turned out to be more than a worthy investment. One day, when he would retire to his studies full-time, he would have her take his place as Guildmaster of Grimoire Heart.

"Midi first," he said decisively. "The excavation. How fares it?"

His second-in-command nodded. "Our undercover agents claim that the mining crew has found an entry point into the Stygian Tower. Accessing it has proven difficult, however. There are magical wards in place keeping them out. The team of archaeologists leading the excavation have not suspected our agents of anything, and now they are too busy to notice us."

Hades allowed himself a half-grin. The Stygian Tower had once been a place of old magic, and quite possibly still was to this day if his suspicions proved correct.

"Excellent," he said. "What of Minstrel?"

In response, Ultear shifted her gaze to the ground as her expression morphed into something of a disgusted sneer. It was not directed at him, but towards the subject at hand.

Southern Minstrel had once been the site of an ancient city known only as Darzamar. Supposedly, according to the language of its time… Darzamar had meant "Gate of the Gods."

It was not surprising to Hades why Ultear seemed rather put out. Darzamar had been their objective in Minstrel and its discovery was one that Hades considered to be of the greatest importance. Far more important than their other leads in Isenberg and in Enca to be sure.

Ultear had, at one point, expressed great interest in personally leading the Darzamar Project, likely borne out of a desire to please him personally and of personal ambition. However, at the time of her request, she had been assigned to her undercover position within the Magic Council and had been, to a limited degree, overseeing the Tower of Heaven Project. And due to the imminence and importance of seeing the R-System back then, she had not been reassigned.

What a loss… Hades was a man who rigidly controlled his weaknesses, yet he did allow himself but a moment to lament the failure of the R-System.

The outcome of the whole affair, while not a true setback in the grand scheme of things, had still been quite regrettable.

Jellal, while ultimately expendable, had been a worthwhile asset. Ultear had kept in occasional contact with the former Councilman, receiving updates while also posing as Jellal's servant. It was an efficient, hands-off machine that Hades had, at the time, been confident in. Had Zeref been resurrected, then perhaps the Dark Wizard himself would have rewarded Hades with the answers that he sought. Yet now…

…Now he had understood that he'd been too lax in his judgement of Jellal. Instead of simply snatching away a wizard of capable power needed to activate the R-System, Jellal had given in to theatrics and elected to play some sort of game with a group of wizards, allowing them to lay siege to the Tower and damage it beyond repair. Years of work wasted in the blink of an eye, all because of one man's vanity. Even if the Tower was reconstructed again, its intended purpose would never be achieved. Whatever remnants there had been of Zeref's spirit had been destroyed along with the Tower itself.

It was most unfortunate that Ultear had not been able to uncover the identities of the wizards behind the Tower's premature destruction. Jellal had not deigned to tell her who exactly he'd lured to the Tower, only revealing that it was a woman who was similar in power to that of a Wizard Saint. And based on how quickly the reformed Magic Council covered up the aftermath, it was unlikely they'd ever find out.

Not that they mattered, however… Whoever those wizards may be, Hades was not concerned with finding them. He had far more enlightening pursuits on his mind than mere retribution.

The result of the R-System Incident had certainly bothered Ultear. So much so that Hades decided to make her feeling of dejection into an opportunity. He decided to pawn off the Darzamar Project to Azuma instead, and grounded her for the foreseeable future.

It wasn't exactly a punishment. But if she perceived it as one… then all the better. She'd work leaps and bounds to prove herself to him again.

Hades did not worry himself with Ultear's feelings however. "Well?"

The young woman met his gaze again. "Apologies, Master. I was… distracted," she said firmly, "Azuma has discovered the gateway into the city. From what he says, it appears to lead into a necropolis deeper underground."

Interesting… Hades had anticipated such an outcome. Darzamar had been a great southern beacon of a city over two thousand years ago. Historical references were close to none, save a few texts which Ultear had located within the Magic Council archives. It was either sinking under the surface over time, or being located underground was a distinct possibility.

At the very least, it would all pay off in the end.

Hades reached a decision. "Inform him that he shall have any resources he requires at his disposal. I trust him to keep himself and his men in good condition and safe conduct. Have him establish an encampment within the city gates before he continues his excavation."

"Yes, Master."

Again, he did not miss the bitter tone within the young woman standing before him. She wanted to be in Minstrel personally, no doubt.

Yet there were more important subjects on his mind. "And what of Isenberg? The civil war still rages on, I presume?"

Ultear nodded. "It does, Master. Our followers have successfully established their cover as the mercenary guild Totem Legion. In the last six months, they have provided several services for the nobles within the royal court. Contact has been made with the Crown Prince Nathaniel, and the topic of a potential contract has been broached."

"But not confirmed," Hades said.

"N-no, Master Hades." Ultear bowed her head again. She was quick to renew her courage. "However, Prince Nathaniel appears to be most willing to do business, so long as he sees results firsthand. He does not seem to care whether he has legal or illegal guilds working for him. He simply wishes to see what we can do."

That was obvious enough. In war, all bets were off. So long as the war was won… the legitimacy of the parties involved did not matter. Such details could be done away with in the aftermath.

History was written by the victor after all.

That said, it would be best for them to remain under the alias of 'Totem Legion' for the time being. Hades did not wish to attract the trigger-happy attention of the newly reformed Magic Council. Not out of concern, but that it would be simpler to conduct their business.

The civil war needed to keep going.

Isenberg had been home to a great and powerful wizard named Theodan. The man himself had perished over two hundred years ago, but the impact he'd had on the magical community in the East had been exceptional. Not as influential as Zeref had been in Western Ishgar, but close nonetheless.

The fabled Archwizard Theodan had kept a sanctum where he stored all of his magical artifacts and arcane knowledge. While again not as important as Darzamar, the discovery of Theodan's vault would be incredibly useful in furthering Hades' research.

But how best to keep the civil war going?

There were three contenders to the throne of Isenberg. To prolong the civil war, all of them would need to secure victories and suffer losses. That much was obvious.

Push and pull.

Ah… an outside party. One separate from their cell in 'Totem Legion', but one that would remain in contact with them.

This new cell would ravage the land. Burning crops, villages, and holdfasts. Meanwhile, they would dress in the armor of the forces belonging to each prince to sell the deception. At the same time, those within 'Totem Legion' would curry favor with Crown Prince Nathaniel and search for leads on the whereabouts of Archwizard Theodan's private sanctum.

Yes… Yes, that could work quite well.

But who to send? Who should he trust with this? Who would excel best with it?

Hades smiled. Zancrow.

"If I may, Master Hades…"

Hades smirked. He'd already devised a solution to the Isenberg problem, but he was curious to hear his second's suggestion. "Yes, Ultear?"

"I have noticed Zancrow is rather… restless as of late." The boy's personal tastes and mental faculties did not need to be mentioned. "Knowing his talents and abilities, I think sending him to Isenberg would be in our best interest."

"How so?"

Ultear dipped her head. "If our goal is to prolong the civil war so we can freely search for the Archwizard's sanctum, then we will need someone who can distract the forces of the princes and the nobility. Someone who can cause mayhem."

Pride. Something he felt often when it came to only his Seven Kin of Purgatory. Even then, he felt a distinct fondness for Ultear, having raised her himself. If she'd seen such details as he, then she would certainly make for an excellent replacement when he retired to his studies full-time.

Hades could feel the young woman's eyes on him. Waiting eagerly for his decision. He did not disappoint her. "I agree. An excellent assessment from you, my dear."

"T-thank you, Master," her voice was shaky. She was basking in the validation given to her..

"Order Zancrow to assemble a crew of his choice. He will set out for Isenberg on the morrow."

Ultear smiled. "Of course, Master," she said, giving him one final bow. She knew better than to outstay her welcome. She turned and made for the doors, her heels clicking against the floor as she went.

As the doors to the observation deck closed behind her, Hades turned to face the observation glass.

Another few moves had been made on the chessboard. And yet there was so much to be done. So many other operations. So many tasks to complete. So many problems to solve.

Regardless, he would play the game eagerly.

Hades grinned. He returned to his throne, took his seat, and gazed out at the night sky beyond.

A star was falling in the north. How pretty.

Author's Note:

Another chapter will be posted here sometime next week. No date has been decided yet.

This one clocked in at EXACTLY 10,000 words when I checked. Not bad.

Stay hydrated, people. It'll save your life :)

Chapter Text

Author's Note:

This story is still being updated. Just letting y'all know :)

October 19th, Fairy Tail

Day 19

It was a week later, and Laxus Dreyar found himself standing in front of the S-Class request board.

THE UNWANTED ENCORE

To whoever dares to take this on,

My name is Divina Belrose, and I'm the singer of the Crocus Royal Opera, or at least I was—until my ex-husband, the charming Wilfred Wyrmstone, decided to curse me upon our... separation.

Now, whenever I open my mouth to sing, the curse forces me to perform a ridiculous stunt—an involuntary jig, a flap of my arms like I've sprouted wings, or—worst of all—my voice occasionally sounds like a duck quacking on a loop. I cannot, for the life of me, sing a single note without some absurdity occurring.

I've had to cancel three performances in a row, and the last time I accidentally quacked through a heartfelt aria, the crowd thought it was avant-garde. AVANT-GARDE, I say! The shame...

I need this curse broken. The last thing I want is to have Wilfred's voice mocking me with every breath I take, forcing me to waddle on stage or making my beloved audience think I'm part bird.

I'm offering a reward of 6,000,000 Jewel and front row tickets for life—without the duck sounds, of course.

Yours in exasperation,

Divina Belrose.

Laxus wasn't exactly a stranger to odd requests. He'd seen them often enough. Had even handled a few in his time so far.

But an Opera singer with a curse? Hard pass, he thought. Some dramatic bird with an indignant ex-husband, no less.

Blue Pegasus could handle that one. They were a poncy sort of cast, after all.

He quietly looked over the other sheets that had been pinned to the request board. While S-Class jobs weren't handed out as often as intermediate work, they were more than viable. A good, talented wizard could earn a fortune just by taking a few S-Class jobs here and there. Retire early. Be set up for life.

Though most S-Class Wizards wouldn't go that route unless they had families.

There were only around seven S-Class requests on the board at the moment-more requests than Fairy Tail's total number of S-Class Wizards on hand.

To his knowledge, Erza hadn't taken up any recently. Not since she came back before that whole Eisenwald affair. Mystogan came in every once in a while, maybe once every two months at the most. And Gildarts, naturally, only came back to the guild after spending three or four years abroad, and even then, the mad bastard only took on SS-Class jobs.

It was largely down to Laxus to clean out the S-Class request board. Something he was completely fine with. That said, he often wondered just how satisfying it would be to see it be entirely spotless.

He stopped as he glanced at another.

THE HAUNTED HELMSMAN

Greetings,

I am Captain Eldric Ironwave, master of the Vanguard's Pride, and I require your assistance with an urgent matter.

There is a ghost-—a very persistent ghost—who haunts my ship's helm. Every time we set sail, this apparition, once the ship's helmsman, appears on the wheel. And it doesn't stop there: it controls the ship's course.

It's an eerie sight, watching the helm wheel turn on its own. The ghost doesn't speak, but its presence is enough to unsettle even my most seasoned sailors. And it's not just the crew. The very presence of the ghost has been wreaking havoc on our business. Merchants refuse to charter our ship, traders are missing shipments, and I'm bleeding contracts. Nobody wants to sail with a ship that's haunted by a phantom.

The ghost has also begun to curse our journey, leading us to dead currents, fogbanks, and storms that have no business existing. If this continues, the Vanguard's Pride will be grounded indefinitely.

I need this ghost gone, or else the ship—and all my business—will be lost.

For your help, I offer 7,200,000 Jewel and unlimited access to the ship's legendary treasure hold.

– Captain Eldric Ironwave.

Nah. It was an immediate decline.

Though Laxus could handle his motion sickness, thanks to his grandpa's technique, he still wasn't exactly keen on boats or vehicles in general. Staying on a ship for a few weeks on account of some ghost? Another pass.

Not to mention, he knew Natsu certainly wouldn't like it, either.

He shifted away from that one and moved onto another request towards the bottom of the small board.

Now… how about that?

HOLLOW LABYRINTH BENEATH MINING TOWN

My name is Gerwan Trast, CEO of  Blacksteel Excavation —yes, that Blacksteel.

There's a matter that I want handled quietly and professionally. Two weeks ago, one of my crews broke into something buried beneath the lowest shaft of a mine that we're operating out of Darshel, a small border town just along Fiore's eastern frontier next to Bosco. Beneath the shaft, there's some kind of ancient structure, older than any records I can get my hands on at the moment.

Since then? Whispers. Hallucinations. Strange dreams. More than that, one of my men cut his own eyes out.

Locals are on edge. The mayor's playing dumb. Bosco's started sending "cultural liaisons" to snoop around. If this spirals into an international mess, it'll cost me more than coin—it'll cost lives.

I need someone neutral, powerful, and not afraid to handle something weird. You'll be paid well. I heard that Fairy Tail's got a reputation for getting the job done, even if there's some destruction along the way. The mine can collapse for all I care, I just want my people out of there and this whole matter put to rest.

Meet me in Crocus— Silvergate District, 12th Ward, Office 4-A . I'll give you everything: maps, witness accounts, what little we've managed to decipher, and I'll answer any questions you have.

Reward : 10,000,000 Jewel first claim on all relics and magical materials retrieved from the site (excluding those of historical or religious value).

Slowly, his grandfather pulled his feet off his desk and leaned forward. Putting on his reading glasses in the same careful manner that all elderly folk did before they were about to read something.

Laxus watched on as Makarov carefully read over the block of text beneath the main headline of the request.

After a few moments, Grandpa looked up at him. "You want to take this on?"

The Lightning Wizard gave a small grunt. "With Natsu."

His grandfather raised a curious eyebrow and slid the request back to Laxus' side of the long table. The old man pursed his lips in what seemed like contemplation. "And… you believe he's ready for this sort of work?"

"More than he was before he took on that Galuna Island job," Laxus said with a shrug. "Kid knocked out a Wizard Saint, too. If you're right about him, then he should be fine."

"Forgive me if I seem a little apprehensive on approving this, Laxus. I was under the impression that you thought mentoring him-much less training him-was a complete waste of time?"

"I never said that."

"Your expression at the time did."

Leave it to Grandpa to read people like a book. "Well… maybe I changed my mind."

I'm not as stubborn as you think I am, Grandpa.

"Hmmm…" His grandfather hummed. "I don't suppose you've told Natsu about this?"

"No."

"Is there a purpose for this particular… exercise?"

Laxus nodded. "Yeah. I want to see what he can do in the field. Training is one thing, and he's doing alright on that front. But experience is what counts the most."

His grandfather seemed to nod in agreement with him. Then the old man broke away from the conversation, leaned back in his seat with his hands placed behind his head, and looked up at the ceiling.

Laxus wasn't lying. Natsu had improved. Drastically. It only took a week's worth of sparring for the kid to get into shape. Granted, he'd taken some punishment within the first couple of days, but over time, Natsu had gotten more agile, and he'd certainly landed a lot more punches and kicks on Laxus in the last few days alone.

The Lightning Wizard briefly soothed the light bruise on his ribs.

The kid was a boxer. Good fighter. Just like Gildarts. And he was fast, too. Even for a Fire Mage. Great at adapting in a fight. He'd go far… but only if he kept taking this thing seriously.

If there was anything Laxus appreciated and respected… it was consistency.

"Alright," His grandfather spoke up again, gesturing to the request with a simple hand wave. "Hand that in to Mira. Tell her I approve. Show Natsu the ropes, too, while you're at it. Proper presentation and all that."

Laxus stood up. He took the request and folded it neatly before stuffing it into his pocket. "Already on the list," He said with a smirk, then downed the rest of his coffee in one gulp and made to leave. Just as he was about to reach the door to his grandfather's office-

"Oh, and good luck."

There was that warm feeling again in his chest. Laxus turned back and nodded with a small smile. "Sure thing, Grandpa."

The old man shared his smile.

"What do you mean we can't come along?!"

Laxus stopped himself from sighing. The reaction wasn't entirely unexpected.

The Thunder God Tribe sat before him at their now usual table up on the second floor. The three of them looked visibly shocked upon hearing his decree. Bearing some sort of… what was it?

Righteous indignation, he thought to himself. A term he'd heard his grandfather use at one point.

He shrugged. "You heard what I said."

"But with… Dragneel of all people?" Bickslow slowly shook his head, like he was still trying to fathom it. "What for, boss?"

"Call it another assignment." Had anyone else asked, he would've brushed them off without an explanation. But the three wizards sitting in front of him happened to fit into the small category of people he liked. "You three will be on your own for the next few weeks. Understood?"

The three of them exchanged apprehensive glances. They all wanted to speak up about it. Evergreen herself was unusually pensive. And Freed looked ready to sink into the floor.

And still, "Understood." They all said in unison.

"Good," Laxus said. He pointed to Freed. "Hold down the fort while I'm out."

"Of course, Laxus."

He made to turn away, then stopped as he'd remembered another detail. "And make sure the guild doesn't blow itself up."

The three of them shared another round of looks with each other. Then they all nodded once again.

With that, Laxus took his leave.

Time to get this show on the road.

"-that we can take the images and visions in our minds and make them a reality.

Moreover, we can do so in a near-infinite number of ways.

An artist will create a masterpiece in his mind before putting it onto canvas. A writer will think of the scene she wishes to depict before typing it out onto a page. An architect will draw up an outline of a building before working with a contractor to construct it.

What makes this superpower compelling is that we can use it to make a direct (or indirect) impact on the world around us. We can further technology, knowledge, and physicality, all through our mind's eye. Progress. Innovation. Everything we enjoy today initially came from someone somewhere asking themselves a question…

What if?

Likewise, we can mold it according to our imagination when it comes to an all-encompassing tool such as Magic.

A good, if on-the-nose, example of this are wizards who utilize Molding Magic.

If you are not currently educated on Molding Magic, I shall provide a brief rundown.

Molding Magic is a type of Caster-based magic that allows any user to manifest and shape objects, constructs, and even landscapes or animals out of a specific element. Its main strength is its versatility in combat, excelling in both offense and defense. It can also be used in everyday life to an extent. One's effectiveness with this type of magic depends on the caster's creativity and imagination, as well as their ability to maintain concentration when casting. They can create objects in real-time, but those objects adopt the limitations of the specific element used to cast them. Those who've attained a certain degree of mastery with Molding Magic can even create more intricate or even multifunctional objects.

All exceptional wizards who use Molding Magic will take the time to refine their thought process. A clear, precise vision is required to create complex constructs quickly.

But this is not the only type of magic we have.

The vast majority of Caster Magic falls under the category of abstract, elemental, or fundamental manipulation. These magics, unlike Molding Magic, do not manifest as tangible creations or constructs but instead focus on the control, manipulation, or enhancement of magical forces in a more direct, yet flexible, way.

While Molding Magic deals with the creation of physical objects and shapes, Caster Magic, in general, deals with invoking magical forces. Though there's a wide array of different types of Caster Magic, the spell creation process tends to follow similar principles. Below are the steps you should follow when constructing a spell from scratch in this category of magic:

Clarify Your Intent.

Before anything, define exactly what you want your spell to achieve. Whether it's a basic elemental attack, a supportive healing spell, or an effect that alters the physical world, you need a clear vision of the result. For instance, if you want a fireball, you must think about what effect it will have when it reaches its target. Will it burn upon contact, explode, or simply singe the area? Being specific at this stage is critical.

Understand the Elements Involved.

While some spells may seem to simply evoke a magical force, many of them—particularly elemental ones—are deeply rooted in physical laws and natural elements. You should ask yourself how the element will interact with the world.
For example, with a fire spell, you need to understand how fire behaves. Fire consumes, spreads, and can change form depending on the environment. The caster must think about air currents, the fuel source, and the intensity of the fire. Fire, being a volatile element, also demands more focus to maintain its consistency and avoid uncontrollable escalation.
If you're casting a water-based spell, you'll need to think about fluid dynamics. Water can be a gentle stream, but it can also be destructive when funneled into a forceful torrent. How will the spell behave when it meets resistance? Will it spread like a flood, or will it turn to ice if it encounters cold air?
For earth spells, consider the type of earth or material you're manipulating. Soil, stone, and metals all have different qualities and are resistant to various degrees of magical manipulation. A stone shield will behave much differently from a sand barrier; one is rigid, while the other is more malleable.

Formulate the Mechanics.

Here's where the abstract nature of most Caster Magic comes in. You're not shaping physical material in the same way that a Molding Magic caster would. Instead, you are directing energy to manipulate an element or force.
Take a Lightning spell, for instance: You need to visualize not only the direction in which it will travel but the force behind it. How will the magic arc, or how will it cascade, in a straight line? This requires a clear image, not just the end result. The mechanics of how the energy will interact with the target (whether it shocks, stuns, or destroys) must be clear in your mind.
Unlike Molding Magic, where physical constraints matter, Caster Magic deals with understanding how the magic flows, channels, and disperses across the environment.

Refine Your Visualization.

The clearer the mental image, the more stable the spell. As you visualize your spell, think about the following:

Size and intensity: How large or small will the effect be? A Fireball and a Fire Jet may look similar, but the intensity and scope of the spell vary based on how much magical energy you put into it.

Duration: Will your spell last for a few moments, or is it a sustained effect, such as an invisibility spell or slow-moving frost? Will it fizzle out quickly, or will it persist until you cancel it?

Control: Consider whether you want to direct the spell (such as shooting a bolt of lightning) or whether it will happen passively (e.g., a healing aura that continuously restores health to those within range).

Test and Revise.

Casting is trial and error. Your first attempts will often fail or have unexpected results. Magic, like any art, involves repeated experimentation. The key is to remain flexible and adjust based on the outcomes of each attempt.

For instance, if you're trying to create an earthquake spell, and your first attempt only causes minor shaking, think about whether you focused enough energy into the right areas of the earth to cause more significant disruption. Did you channel the energy beneath the Earth's crust, or was your magic dissipating too quickly in the atmosphere?

Sustain and Maintain.

Some spells are instantaneous, while others require sustained energy. You must decide whether your spell needs to be maintained through concentration. If your spell has a lingering effect, such as illusion magic, you'll need to continually fuel it with your energy and willpower.

More powerful spells, like elemental summons, may even require careful management of magical energy over a longer period to prevent burnout.

It is important to recognize that Caster Magic isn't just about raw power. While it's tempting to think of magic as simply a form of destructive energy, it's much more nuanced. Mastering Caster Magic involves understanding the underlying principles of the forces you're manipulating.

Each type of Caster Magic (whether fire, light, ice, or sound) has its own set of principles that govern how it interacts with the world. The key to success lies in knowing how to apply these principles to achieve the desired effects.

With practice, creativity, and a strong foundation in the theory of Caster Magic, you'll be able to create unique and powerful spells of your own. But always remember: the more precise your imagination, the more powerful your magic."

Natsu paused as he drank down his morning coffee.

Seemed like an awful lot of steps…

"Why's it all gotta be so damned complicated?" He muttered as he set down the hot mug on the table. Why can't this book just go fuck itself with all it's convoluted nonsense?

Was it necessary to do all that crap in the first place? It's not like Igneel had taught him any of this stuff. Magic wasn't exactly hard for him to do. He just… did it.

Natsu shook his head and turned to the next page. He made to fold the top left corner, but paused as he saw the sub-headline below his fingers. Instead of seeing the beginning of the next chapter…

"A Brief Aside On Slayer Magic

I hadn't originally intended to cover this topic, largely due to the sparse knowledge I was able to dig up on it. However, my editor (bless you, Marlynne), persuaded me to include it in this book.

Unfortunately, at the time of my writing this, precious little has been uncovered on the branch of Lost Magic pertaining to those who wield what is called 'God Slayer Magic', 'Dragon Slayer Magic', or 'Devil Slayer Magic'.

God Slayers are the rarest of the bunch, supposedly. Any information on them made available to me seems to indicate that they originated in the Far East. Likely Pergrande or further inland, but this would be speculative at best.

As for Dragon Slayers, ever since the end of the Dragon Civil War over four thousand years ago, most of the Dragons and legitimate Dragon Slayers had been killed off by the self-proclaimed 'Dragon King' Acnologia. Those who managed to remain after Acnologia's inexplicable death likely perished from extreme old age or by injury. There may still be a few roaming Ishgar to this day, but they would undoubtedly obtain their powers through the use of lacrima and not through actual tutelage from a live Dragon.

Finally, we arrive at the youngest sub-sect in this branch, the Devil Slayers. Through many connections, I've made contact with an operative of the Magic Council. A Wind Devil Slayer, in particular, and a man whose personal information I won't reveal in this passage. All of the speculative information I have managed to glean on Slayer Magic has come as a result of his, albeit reluctant, involvement.

According to my contact, a Devil Slayer uses their elemental magic the same way you or I would flex a muscle or breathe in oxygen. As opposed to consciously casting a spell from memory and drawing their energy from Ethernano, like most other wizards do. I'm willing to bet that both Dragon Slayers and God Slayers also share this trait, though likely with minute biological differences in how each of them converts their magical energy into power. For a practitioner, it's not a matter of them 'borrowing' their element (as is the case for most other wizards), but more like they have a degree of ownership over their element.

Based on this, it's quite possible that the Conceptualization Phase for Slayer Wizards would be far simpler, and would instead need some sort of physical repetition, a repeated action that will help them visualize the spell they wish to craft. Similar to the physical act of throwing a spear, for instance.

None of this is to say that creating new spells for a Devil Slayer would be any easier than the process for normal wizards-just that the process may be far more streamlined. Likely born out of the instinctual grasp that a Slayer Wizard would have over their particular element.

Further testing is required, of course. Nonetheless, should this book fall into the hands of another Devil Slayer, or on the off-chance that a Dragon Slayer or a God Slayer pick up this tome, I encourage you to put these observations to the test."

Wait… what?

Natsu frowned as he stared down at the passage regarding Dragons and Dragon Slayers. Reading it over and over and over again. Just to make sure he wasn't reading it wrong.

"As for Dragon Slayers, ever since the end of the Dragon Civil War over four thousand years ago, most of the Dragons and legitimate Dragon Slayers had been killed off by the self-proclaimed 'Dragon King' Acnologia. Those who managed to remain after Acnologia's inexplicable death likely perished from extreme old age or by injury."

So the Dragons had been dead. Wiped out for close to four thousand years…

…but Natsu had seen Igneel only nine years ago. How did that make sense? The math didn't add up.

And just who in the blazes was Acnologia?

Why didn't Igneel tell him any of this? The knowledge that he was, potentially, one of the last of his kind only made him feel unnaturally cold in the moment. It was only amplified by the fact that Natsu was just finding out about this now.

It… couldn't be true. It wasn't like he was the only Dragon Slayer roaming the continent. Gajeel had been raised by a Dragon, too. Probably there were a whole bunch of Dragon Slayers roaming all over Ishgar as well…

…right?

The pit in his stomach only grew. Natsu was almost tempted to set the damn book on fire right then and there, but his desire to do so was tempered by the fact that he needed it.

"Damn book report," he grumbled to himself. All this history around the Dragons was something he'd need to look into. Maybe Levy could help him? She always had her nose in a book.

Natsu folded the top left corner of the page and closed the book, casually tossing it onto the table.

The mental switch he often used to tune out the rest of the world around him was flipped as soon as he did so. He was now back in the guild, listening to the mass of voices that blared from downstairs. Hearing as wood clattered against the floor, ale sloshing in mugs, water splashing in the pool outside.

Familiar scents all around flushed in once more. A look at the guildmaster's office told him that both Laxus and Gramps were inside talking about something. He couldn't hear exactly what it was- Gramps must've had some sort of enchantment or whatever placed on his office walls. Natsu didn't care. He knew he'd probably find out what it was later today or some other time this week.

"Mmph-done reading?" Happy asked from his spot on the other side of the table. A koi lodged in his mouth.

"For now, yeah…"

His friend gulped down a chunk of fish. "What's wrong?"

Natsu shook his head. "Nothing."

"What was it?"

"Just… nothing."

"Doesn't sound like nothing if it got to you, Natsu."

The Dragon Slayer shrugged. "I'll sort it out," he looked to the stairs again and saw Lucy and Gray making their way up. Once they were at the top, they made their way towards him.

A flash of recognition came as he set eyes on the Ice Wizard. Gray uses Molding Magic, he thought.

If the book suggested that the process of spellcraft was similar enough to how Maker Wizards did their thing… Natsu supposed it wouldn't hurt to know their process, as loath as he was to take notes from Gray of all people.

Only thing that bastard is cruising for is a knuckle sandwich.

The two of them finally arrived at his table. Gray slid easily onto the bench directly across from Natsu, while Lucy stayed standing.

"Heya, Natsu!" She greeted him with an easy smile. "How have you been?"

"Well enough."

Gray nodded to his covered forearms, to the strips of white linen that were wrapped around lean muscle and bone. "What's with the bandages?"

"Training," It wasn't far off. But it wouldn't do to reveal that he'd gotten injured courtesy of Laxus. "You two… doing alright?"

"Yep!" The blonde nodded. "I haven't had anything to eat this morning, and I'm starving. I'm gonna go and order something downstairs. Do you guys want anything?"

Natsu shook his head. So did Gray.

Lucy turned and made her way back to the stairs. Happy went with her, leaving Gray with Natsu.

The salmon-haired man glanced at his once-childhood rival. Dull black eyes met him.

Now was a better time than any.

"Gray…" Natsu began. "I got a question. About your magic."

"What about it?"

"How do you do it?"

The Ice Wizard raised a curious eyebrow and dipped his head, gesturing for Natsu to go on.

He did so. "Like, what's your thought process when you create something out of ice? Do you think about the object you want to make? Do you pull spells from your memory or something?"

Gray seemed to be genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected to hear such… in-depth questions from him. "Well, uh..." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "I guess there's some memory involved, sure. Ur actually taught me a technique for that. It's called a Memory Palace."

"Memory Palace?"

The Ice Wizard nodded. "Yeah, it's sort of like a… a huge place in your mind that you can explore. It's supposed to be easy to navigate in your head. Ur taught me how to make one so I could remember all of the Ice-Make spells she taught me."

Natsu frowned. "How does that work?"

It seemed the last thing Gray was expecting today was for Natsu to question him on… well… anything. He might as well have been ambushed. "Well, your palace is supposed to be a place you know well, like the guild, for instance- once you're inside, you visualize a path through it and you store memories in specific locations." Gray looked around haphazardly and pointed his thumb down to the first floor. "Say you used the guild as your Memory Palace, you could store a memory at the bar."

So it was, what? A sort of mental map? "When you go down this path, it'll be easier to remember things?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Along the path, you would pair a memory with a strong image. Could be anything. Like… if you went to the bar downstairs, maybe you'd have Mira tap-dancing on the counter while she's juggling some beer mugs."

Natsu smirked. That would be quite funny to see.

"The clearer the image, the easier it is to remember stuff." Gray went on. "Even better if it's a weird image, too."

As… interesting… as it was, Natsu didn't know whether or not a Memory Palace would help him when it came to making spells.

What about the actual thinking part?

"When you're coming up with a new spell…" Natsu paused briefly. How best to say it? "What's the thought process behind it?"

Gray glanced up at the ceiling for a few moments in contemplation. His initial confusion seemed to have passed. "If I'm making something new? I guess it depends on what I want the spell to do." He said with a shrug. "Kind of depends on what I need in the moment, though. Most of the time, I just pull from the spells Ur taught me."

It was Natsu's turn to pause.

That did tally with what the book said. 'Clarify Your Intent' was step one, after all.

But how was it supposed to work with his magic?

Turns out that Gray had the answer. "I guess if I was making something new, I'd think about what I'd want it to do. If I'm making a shield, I'm probably thinking about using it to protect myself or someone else. Whenever I use my lance spell, I'm usually using it to break through or pierce a barrier of some kind, if that makes sense."

That's it.

Everything finally began to click into place. Natsu took on a calm smile.

"Makes perfect sense to me."

Chapter Text

October 23rd, Crocus Outskirts

Day 23

Natsu leaned slightly to the right as a lightning-coated fist shot directly at his forehead. Though the fist grazed his left cheek, he still went stiff from the crackling yellow sparks that jolted his muscles and skin.

He didn't waste any time. He launched his counterattack.

Jab. Cross. Hook. Jab.

Uppercut. Jab. Hook. Jab. Jab.

Only four out of nine strikes landed. Laxus was a whirlwind, but one that he could, at the very least, perceive. And-

A fist landed in his gut. Natsu forced himself to stay rooted to the ground and not keel over. Bile shot up from his gut, threatening to come spewing out, but he managed to keep it down for now, barely.

Another round. Jab. Jab. Cross. He hit Laxus in the shoulder. The older man grunted from the pain.

Natsu readied himself to press forward, but his opponent jumped backward. The sparks dancing along Laxus' arms disappeared completely. "Time!"

It was then, at that moment, that Natsu let out the deep breath that had been holding everything back up until that exact moment. Almost immediately, a dizzying chill swept over him, and he let himself fall back onto the grass, now sitting upright.

"Shit," he said with a low chuckle. "You got me good with that last one."

"Same to you," Laxus grunted as he massaged the knuckle-imprinted scorch mark on his left shoulder. "You're doing better. Especially with that last slip."

Natsu just nodded. He didn't initially appreciate the feedback Laxus had been giving him daily over the last few days of them sparring, but he'd come to accept it.

It had only been four days. Four days of traveling on foot to Crocus. Four days since Laxus interrupted an ongoing conversation with Gray and Lucy, told him to pack his bags, and said that they were heading out for several weeks on an S-Class job. That alone had shocked all of them.

No Happy coming along. No taking the train. Laxus had been firm on both of those details. Natsu was a little let down with the former (and so was Happy), but he was more than fine with disregarding transportation, even if he could competently manage his motion sickness by now.

So he went home and packed his things. In addition, Laxus had made a rather strange request, that being for Natsu to bring some jewel along for when they arrived in Crocus.

Natsu had no idea why, but he didn't bother questioning it. Laxus probably wouldn't have given him a straight answer, anyway. He just went ahead and dug up the emergency stash he kept buried beneath the oak tree outside his house and took out a stack of one million jewel. Just in case he needed more, of course.

But that was by the way. Right now, his only focus was keeping up with Laxus.

The clearing they'd been sparring in had since been ruined. The surrounding treeline was untouched, but the grass on the forest floor had been burned badly, showing patches of blackened dirt. By the trees ahead of him lay their packs. Laxus went ahead and took out two water bottles he'd kept aside. From across the clearing, he threw one to Natsu, who caught it effortlessly.

They would hit Crocus in a few hours. Go see the client. Then, probably head out of town as soon as possible. Easy as pie.

Pie. His stomach gurgled quietly.

A nice round apple pie would do nicely now. Filled with nearly a hundred Honeycrisp apple slices doused in cinnamon, with a buttery, flaky crust wrapped carefully around it. Just waiting to be split apart into perfect triangular slices…

Brrrm. His stomach gurgled quietly. If only he weren't so damned exhausted.

"Take fifteen," Laxus said from the other side of camp, putting his water bottle down by his feet. "Round four coming up."

Natsu chugged down the rest of his water and nodded. His joints and muscles were numb and aching. "Yeah…"

Day was still young.

Palm facing the wall.

Thumb on the stick.

First finger down.

Pinky finger down.

Middle fingers curved down.

Rotate.

Erza did so, slowly and carefully turning her right hand over. Left to right. Back and forth. The window wiper exercise was fairly straightforward in her estimation.

She repeated the motion several times. More so out of habit than need. Consistently practicing the fundamentals was a lesson that had long since been ingrained into her-a remnant practice left over from her days of learning swordplay.

Yet holding the violin bow felt… off. It was a little too easy to lift, especially compared to her usual weaponry. Something to get used to if she was going to learn this particular instrument.

Another ten minutes passed by with her patiently performing the same wiping motion with the bow. All the while, morning light peeked through the windows of her sunroom. Then, once she was satisfied, Erza gently took up the violin perched on the coffee table at her side and placed it on her left shoulder.

What did the book say? Don't bend the neck. Look straight ahead.

She did so. When she was satisfied with her hold on the instrument (as she seemed to match the imagery from the booklet), she went ahead and lifted the bow parallel to the bridge of the violin itself.

Alright. Three. Two. One.

She'd regretted it as soon as she'd brought the bow down.

Skraaaawk! What followed was an eerily loud shrieking hiss, almost exactly like the harsh wail of a developmentally challenged crow.

Erza tried again, this time performing an upbow and-

Crreeeetch!

Once more. She hoped against hope that- Skrrreeatch!

Erza cringed as the sound continued to echo in her ears. Immediately, she'd set down the bow and the violin and stood up, opening the windows next to her.

She let out a heavy sigh. Not necessarily in the instrument, but in her lack of being able to pick it up. It hadn't exactly been the first time that week in which she'd botched playing it. The last few days alone had been filled with loud screeches and wild hissing sounds. By now, Erza wouldn't have been surprised if her ears started to bleed.

Should I just hire a teacher?

Maybe. Probably. She'd asked the owner of the music store she'd visited with Mira. Supposedly, the nearest professional violin instructor was based out of Hargeon. Meaning that she'd need to go back and forth on the train just to make her lessons.

It was an idea, and not something she was adverse to. The trip to Hargeon would take maybe two hours at most, and it wasn't like she had much going on at the moment…

Erza huffed at the idea, walked back over to her loveseat by the wall, and allowed herself to fall onto it, sinking into the cushions. She was more than comfortable lounging in her apartment as of late.

And besides, this violin thing was more of a light hobby. Not something she was seriously invested in at the moment. She didn't feel for it the same way Mira felt for her guitar.

Perhaps in a few days, she'd reconsider-

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Hmm?" Frustration gone, she lifted her head, having recognized the sound of a closed fist knocking on wood. Someone was at her door. Though for what reason and at this hour in the morning, she couldn't tell.

She stood up, brushed off any wrinkles she had on her blouse and skirt, and made her way through her apartment, passing through the kitchen and entry hall. The tall mahogany panel greeted her plainly, and Erza easily unlatched the accompanying lock before opening the door.

On the other side of the threshold stood none other than a rather stiff Levy McGarden, who occupied the apartment on the opposite side of the hall. Blue hair in a messy wet bun from having just showered, and wearing an orange skirt. No shoes, as the shorter girl was often seen to do in Fairy Hills.

"Hi Erza," She said merrily, though there was a small, awkward light in her eyes. "How's your morning?"

"Well enough," The redhead said with renewed energy. "And you?"

"Well… it's just been… errr… loud mostly."

Ah.

Erza felt a sudden heat in her cheeks and also the urge to look up at the ceiling. Anywhere else, really. But she managed to keep herself grounded.

Levy continued, "I… uhh… know you've probably got a lot going on. Just… I've been hearing some weird sounds coming from your side of the hall these last few days. Is everything alright?"

"Uh… yes. Yes! Everything is fine, Levy."

"Really? Because it sounds a lot like someone's strangling a cat over here."

Erza felt her blush deepen at that. I must be pressing the bow too hard into the strings, she thought. "I'm just testing… something out. I didn't know it was loud enough for you to hear, however."

"Oh no, it's fine! Just…" Levy paused briefly. "I've got some studying to do for one of my research jobs, and I usually get my best work done in the morning. Could you possibly keep it down?"

"I'll... see what I can do."

That seemed to satisfy Levy. She beamed now. "Thank you, Erza! Appreciate it!"

With that, they both turned away from one another, and Erza gently shut the door.

When she'd latched the lock again, Erza sank back against the mahogany door and let out a deep sigh.

I really am going to need that instructor…

"Man… this place is weird."

Laxus resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

To pretty much anyone else, both he and Natsu would look incredibly out of place in what appeared to be a crisp, high-end reception hall.

Dark wood paneling on white painted walls with an eggshell finish. Marble flooring. Across the room from them, there was a seating area containing six upholstered leather armchairs laid neatly out in two rows. Between the chairs was a wooden coffee table featuring a flower pot holding recently-picked chrysanthemums, as well as a nickel platter with an array of fresh scones.

Natsu had already been hungrily eying the scones. Admittedly, the wafting buttery scent coming from the nickel plate was quite prevalent, so it was something that Laxus didn't blame him for. The drastic increase in appetite had come with the lacrima, after all. When he was a kid, it had been difficult to manage at times.

Must be a Dragon Slayer thing, he thought idly.

Only a few people had come in and out of the reception hall in the last ten minutes alone. The men in tailored suits with perfect haircuts. The women wearing fitting dresses and blouses, looking immaculate. Some of them holding thick folders in their arms or leather suitcases. The odd glance was spared to both him and Natsu-looks that Laxus knew meant that they were probably out of place.

Well… one of them was, at least. Natsu wasn't exactly doing them any favors.

Laxus always maintained good hygiene and style. After training, he'd washed up in the nearby creek. Then he'd donned a crisp white button-down shirt, navy blue trousers, and dress shoes, while keeping on his fur-lined jacket. Not as formal, but still quite professional.

But Natsu? He'd still been wearing those puffy white pants of his and those black sandals. That new leather jacket he'd taken to was fine since it fit him, and so too was that same old scaly scarf, but he was still shirtless underneath. The whole get-up just made him look like he walked out of the bush.

Which he had. Not even an hour ago.

"There a reason we can't wait over there?" Natsu asked, nodding to the scones.

"Nope. We're leaving after we schedule a meeting with the client."

Natsu shot him a glance, now with a raised eyebrow. "We're not meeting him now?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"We're not meeting the client while you're dressed like that."

If Natsu was insulted, he didn't show it. He simply looked himself up and down, analyzing his appearance for a moment. Then he looked back at Laxus. "What do you mean? I look fine."

Laxus didn't even bother replying. He simply kept his gaze focused on the couple ahead of him. A man and a woman, the former in a black suit and the latter in a white dress. They were chatting to the secretary sitting behind the front desk about a dinner party happening later that evening. And they'd been doing so for the last ten minutes.

Shouldn't take long to talk about smoked salmon and champagne.

Thankfully, "Well, let us know in advance when Mr. Trast will be returning. We'd be delighted to have him at the ball."

Returning? What did that mean?

With that, both the man and the woman turned and made their way towards the front doors. Though not without sparing a pair of peculiar glances at Natsu as they went.

He approached the front desk, then leaned against the marble wall between himself and the short brunette secretary. She seemingly hadn't taken notice of the impatient Fire Mage standing behind him. "Hello!"

"Hi," Laxus greeted back. "My associate and I are wizards from Fairy Tail. We're here to speak to Mr. Gerwan Trast about the request he sent to our guild just over a week ago. Is he fine with meeting us tomorrow?"

She positively beamed once he'd mentioned Fairy Tail. A good sign. "Of course! Mr. Trast asked me to keep an eye out for any messages from your guild. He'll be glad to meet you as soon as he gets back."

Laxus raised an eyebrow. "Once he gets back?"

"Unfortunately, Mr. Trast left for Arborgrove just a few days ago. There was an unrelated family emergency he needed to handle."

"That's fine. Do you know when he'll be back in town?"

"Let me see…" She hummed as she dug through a small stack of papers on her side of the wall. After a moment, she fished a small card out and read it over. "He should be back here Monday morning."

Today and tomorrow. A small delay, but it might just prove to be a blessing in disguise. "Alright… in that case, my associate and I will be staying at the Grand Wyvern. Any chance you can let us know once Mr. Trast returns?"

"Of course!" The woman beamed. "I'll have a notice sent over on the day of. Who should I address it to?"

"Laxus Dreyar and Natsu Dragneel of Fairy Tail."

"So… err… You two come here often?"

Not even an hour later, Natsu Dragneel found himself sitting stark naked in a bath-house on the other side of the Silvergate District.

The slow-paced walk from the Grand Wyvern had been uneventful (save for more than a few judgmental stares), but his being led into this place had been disarming. Even more so after he'd been quickly separated from Laxus, shown to a wide, rectangular-shaped room featuring a large bathtub made of stone, and then stripped of all his clothes by two half-naked women. One a brunette, and the other a natural blonde. Both of them were petite, slim women. Both of them were quite well-endowed.

And both of them were wearing nothing except their underwear and a bra.

Each.

Now, Natsu was sitting half-submerged in the tub. The brunette, Illia, had taken a wooden pail full of hot water and poured it onto his backside. Meanwhile, the blonde, Izumi, had already begun scrubbing down his chest with a soap-filled sponge.

It was quite strange just how toned and firm their fingers felt pressing down on his skin and muscles.

Natsu's question was only met with a pair of polite, yet sensual smiles.

"We work here, Natsu-sama," Izumi said, a brief twinkle in her blue eyes. She flicked back a lock of blonde hair and kept scrubbing away at his abs. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Yeah, yeah… right." He'd slapped himself mentally for the comment.

It was rather hard to focus at the moment.

Now it was Illia's turn to giggle. "You look flushed, Natsu-sama," she hummed. "I hope the bath is not too hot for you?"

It's not the bath that's the issue.

Natsu had been surrounded by beautiful women for most of his life. This wasn't exactly new to him. It was more the notion that each time a wayward breast had grazed his biceps or backside, either by Izumi or Illia, he'd felt a hot burning instinctual urge to pick up the instigator in question, pin her to the wall, and…

…well…

A simple downwards glance and they'd see just how excited he was.

Naturally, he had enough self-control to keep himself reined in. Still, Natsu knew he was blushing by now, and did nothing to hide it.

Both women had giggled girlishly at his continued silence and kept on with their work. No doubt they'd seen this type of reaction from other customers before, and Natsu was simply next in line.

They continued to wash his back and chest for five more minutes. Then they did his arms and legs, then finally, his head. A wave of soapy water flushed over him as Illia rinsed his hair. Long loose strands of spiky salmon hair blocked his eyes.

Izumi immediately pushed away the locks of hair covering his eyes, however. "You're so strong, Natsu-sama," she commented. With her kneeling to his right and with her scrubbing away at his scalp, Natsu felt his shoulder slip briefly between the valley of her breasts. "Is it true you defeated the demon Lullaby single-handed?"

Is she fucking teasing me on purpose now?

He barely managed to contain his growl. "No. I had some help from my friends, Erza Scarlet and Gray Fullbuster. I'm sure you've heard of them."

"Oh!" Illia hummed excitedly. "You mean Titania? Oh, I've heard so many stories about her from Sorcerer Weekly! Does she really have over fifty different sets of armor? Where does she store them all?"

"Probably a lot more than that, to be honest," he said. Thankfully, her questions were beginning to take his mind off his more frisky thoughts. "Think she's got a whole room to keep them in."

It wasn't long before they'd finished washing him. From there, he'd risen from the tub, and the two girls dried him off thoroughly. Once done, they'd given him a long white towel, which Natsu wrapped around his waist. Then he was led past a tall wooden door into the next adjoining room by Izumi.

Waiting for him was none other than Laxus, who was also half-naked, along with two other girls who'd probably also washed him as well. Already, the blond Lightning Wizard had been sitting on a stool in front of a great circular fire pit. A mug of coffee in one hand, while the two girls behind him had been massaging his shoulders and backside.

A massage? What would come next? A-

Shit! Really hope they don't paint my nails.

Izumi took his hand and led him over to another stool just a few feet next to Laxus, who hadn't appeared to have noticed him. The Lightning Wizard was simply enjoying his coffee while looking at the crackling orange flames in the fire pit dug into the floor below them. Reluctantly, Natsu took his seat and waited for the inevitable.

"Coffee, Natsu-sama?" Illia asked as she suddenly reappeared at his side.

"Yeah, sure."

In a matter of moments, a mug of coffee was poured for him and then placed in his hand. It was steaming hot, though it wasn't like he'd notice the heat.

Admittedly, he was starting to feel far more relaxed now that he was sitting in front of a fire. The crackling of recently cut wood was lending to the rustic ambience of this place. So did the fresh coffee.

It was an odd turn of events. Just this morning, he'd been collecting scars and bruises courtesy of the man sitting to his right. Now he was living it up like a prince.

The fuck was going on?

What was the point of them even being here?

Didn't they have a job to do? Why didn't they just go to find the client up at Arborgrove? Or just head off to Darshel and deal with this mystery labyrinth?

As both Izumi and Illia began pressing their firm palms and fingers into his neck and shoulders, he decided that now was a good time to break the silence.

"So… this is how S-Class jobs usually turn out?" Natsu asked. "You wait around for the client to show up?"

Laxus gave him a knowing glance. "Happens more often than you think. Most of the time, people who send us S-Class requests are either in politics, nobility, or business. Usually, those sorts of people have connections in the Magic Council, maybe even a few guild masters here and there. Meaning that they've got their own shit to do outside of meeting us."

"The Galuna Island job wasn't like this. We just showed up and got to work."

"Not every S-Class job will be like the Galuna one. Most of the time, it's a lot more complicated than rowing to an island and breaking a curse," Laxus said, then draining the rest of his coffee and setting down the mug on a nearby tray. Then he looked Natsu right in the eyes. "Take a moment to think about Trast's request. What did he say the situation was like up in Darshel?"

Natsu raided his memory. He'd read over the job request several times. Had to.

"Two weeks ago, one of my crews broke into something buried beneath the lowest shaft of a mine that we're operating out of Darshel, a small border town just along Fiore's eastern frontier next to Bosco. Beneath the shaft, there's some kind of ancient structure, older than any records I can get my hands on at the moment.

Since then? Whispers. Hallucinations. Strange dreams. More than that, one of my men cut his own eyes out.

Locals are on edge. The mayor's playing dumb. Bosco's started sending "cultural liaisons" to snoop around. If this spirals into an international mess, it'll cost me more than coin—it'll cost lives."

What exactly was Laxus getting at?

The Lightning Wizard pressed on. "His secretary told us that he's gone out for a family emergency. So not only is he dealing with a family issue," Laxus held up his hand to provide emphasis, counting up with his fingers. "But he's running a huge mining company, has other job sites to look after, dealing with competitors, while probably also trying to maintain his position in the company. No doubt the other higher-ups want this thing handled quickly and quietly; if he can't deliver on that, then he'll be out on his ass. And on top of that, he's playing politics with Bosco and trying to keep his workers safe while they suffer the brunt of it all."

Damn… well, that certainly put things into perspective. "Oh."

"Yeah," Laxus nodded. "Might not seem like it upfront, but this thing is a big deal. And as unfortunate as our timing is, waiting a few days for Trast to handle his family business and then get back to us is more than fair. Shit happens, Natsu."

Shit happens.

He supposed that made sense. He usually just cared about the day-to-day stuff. Getting food, training, and hanging out with his team. But Laxus had forced him to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Was it like this all the time? In Magnolia? In other parts of the world?

Natsu didn't know what to think.

Alright, so the situation in Darshel was bad. Still didn't explain why they were sitting in a bath-house. Nor why they'd needed to check into some overly extravagant hotel just up the street from here. Couldn't they just head up to Darshel now and handle the problem?

It was by far the simplest and most direct solution.

"Why don't we just go to Darshel then? Get this thing solved now."

"'Cause we don't know the specifics," Laxus said while one of the women who'd been massaging him had refilled his mug with fresh coffee, which the older man graciously accepted. "You think a doctor would just walk into a surgery without knowing what his patient is going through first?"

"No."

"Exactly. If we just went straight to Darshel, we'd be two random wizards who'd know absolutely nothing about the problem. We'd probably end up making a mess, too. Maybe even causing some blowback on the guild. The best thing we can do now is handle this like professionals."

Maybe even causing some blowback on the guild. Natsu glared at the fire pit as he heard that.

He didn't know what 'blowback' would entail exactly, but the absolute last thing he wanted to do was to bring trouble down on the guild. And definitely not on Lucy, Gray, Happy, or Erza.

That wasn't an option.

What's a few days, Dragneel? You got time to finish that book report.

He was almost finished writing it, too. Natsu didn't consider himself the best when it came to literary skills, but he was fairly proud of what he'd gotten down so far. Still didn't know what the point of it was, though. Maybe Gramps could tell him once they got back.

"So what are we gonna do, then?" He asked with resigned curiosity.

"We keep ourselves busy. Besides, there's a lot you gotta learn while we're here anyway."

"About what?"

Laxus set down his now-empty mug on a nearby tray. "To start, how to carry yourself more professionally."

Natsu scoffed. Somehow, Izumi's nimble fingers digging into the muscles below his neck had helped deal away with his annoyance. "I'm professional."

The older man shook his head with a snicker. "Sure," he said, not even bothering to hide the sarcasm in his voice. "You brought that list of questions that Gramps gave you?"

The list? How did Laxus know about that? Nevermind.

"Uh, yeah. Left it in my bag back at the hotel."

The satirical look Laxus had given him soon vanished completely. In its place, grew a genuine smile.

"Good. That's where we'll start."

Chapter Text

Author's Note:

Stand by.

Another drop coming tomorrow.

Feedback always appreciated :)

October 24th, Crocus

Day 24

"Magic is everywhere now.

Fleming says that the amount of Ethernano all over the world has been steadily increasing over the last four thousand years. Now we have lamps powered by lacrima, enchanted wagons that don't need horses, and even laundry lines powered by heated runes to make clothes dry faster.

Back in the old days, Magic used to be much rarer. Fleming even points out that the old empires in the East treated Magic like it was something holy. Only rulers, priests, archons, or their champions could wield it, and everyone else thought they were blessed by their gods.

Something that Fleming put emphasis on was the existence of a 'Magic Container'. Everyone has one, and anyone can both expand this container and learn Magic, but only roughly ten percent of the human population is born with a larger-than-average Magic Container. Meaning that they'll be more immediately able to cast Magic, and will be far more proficient with it. Fleming said that the Container is sort of like a stomach, but for Ethernano. We just eat and breathe it in every day without even realizing.

Common methods for expanding one's Magic Container include meditation, but Fleming also recommends seeking mastery over a specific form of Magic, while also taking time to learn new branches of Magic, or even creating spells. He says that doing these will exercise one's Container so that it naturally expands. Much like how a muscle would when put under enough stress.

Thing is, Fleming claimed that Dragon Slayers (as well as Devil Slayers and God Slayers-don't even know what the hell those two are) are different.

He didn't have much information to share on that, only that, instead of needing to rest regularly or rely on ambient Ethernano like most wizards, we can just eat our element and refill our Containers. Then we can convert our element into Ethernano and use it for any other type of Magic, too. Kind of cool now that I think about it. Something to test later when I decide what type of Magic I want to learn.

Fleming also said that creating spells would be easier for Dragon Slayers, like how-"

Natsu, pencil in hand, paused.

He didn't have any trouble writing the report until now; it all just poured out onto the page. But now something was nagging at him. A thought stuck in the back of his head…

The Dragon Slayer let out a harsh sigh and gently tossed his pencil on the small bundle of papers sitting in front of him. And then he sat back in his seat, reaching for his coffee. Upon the balcony of his suite at the Grand Wyvern, he glanced at the already blooming sunrise far off to his right.

He smirked at his frustration. Worrying 'bout my problems from the balcony of my luxury hotel suite. Sounds like a first-world problem, alright…

It wasn't an urgent problem. It wasn't even something he was required to do. But it still felt like a problem nonetheless.

Natsu didn't like the feeling of leaving something unfinished.

If he hadn't made a spell yet, then…

…I should do it. Test the theory and all that, Natsu thought to himself.

Gramps would probably be over the moon if he did it, too. Top marks, or whatever mental brownie-points the old man would be grading him with.

Yeah. Yeah. That would be his next step in the process. Make a spell of his own. A Fire Dragon Slayer spell.

It was kind of odd to think about. Would Dad approve if he were here? Natsu figured he would. Dad was always encouraging him to push past his limits.

But what kind of spell?

What would it look like?

What shape would it take?

How would it work?

What should he make?

"Hmmm," he hummed thoughtfully.

Excellent questions. Nothing came to him now… but maybe he'd pick up a few ideas later today. He'd been wrapping up this book report in the last two hours or so. 'Bout time he stretched his legs.

Natsu drained his coffee in one gulp, stood up, collected his things, and went back inside his room. Shutting the door behind him.

Some exercise first. Then a nice, long, hot shower.

Then… find something to eat.

One thousand push-ups and a shower later, Natsu made his way down to the main lobby of the Grand Wyvern.

Wearing only his trousers and his jacket, with his hair still drying, he'd tied his scarf around his head in a crude bandana and crossed the final few lavish gilded steps leading down to the ground floor.

What he saw was marvelous.

Clashing white and black granite flooring adorned with red and blue carpets. A vaulted ceiling around five stories high, supported by white marble pillars veined in gold. A wide stained-glass skylight above him depicted a crystalline dark red wyvern coated around a mountain. Walls clad in walnut paneling, also completed with immaculate carvings of not just dragons or wyverns, but also other monsters and creatures. Wolves, lions, bears, chimeras, vulcans, serpents, and so on.

He'd crafted most of the furniture in his house with his own two hands. And up until now, he'd thought he'd done a fairly good job of it, too. After seeing those carvings of monsters and animals, however… not so much.

He stopped for a moment, looking up at the floating quartz chandelier shaped like a wyvern in flight, with the mouth breathing either fire or ice.

Natsu scowled as he looked up at the still beast above him. Odd that they only kinda looked like Dragons. Weird that they don't have arms, just the wings.

Igneel had arms. Big arms, too. Natsu didn't quite know what his father's workout regimen was for that. Was Dad bench-pressing mountains whenever he wasn't around?

Wouldn't exactly be a surprising notion now that he considered it.

Natsu shrugged and moved on. He was ready for breakfast, and he'd already picked up the various aromas of honey and coffee mixed with icing sugar, butter, cinnamon, firewood, and lavender. Whatever it was, he wanted in on the action.

The smells were leading him towards a tall entryway to his immediate right. He strode by the front desk, smiled at the older lady behind the counter, and pressed on.

Standing by the tall archway leading into the 'Hearth Room', or so the staff had called it, was a rather tall man wearing a fitting dark blue tuxedo. Sandy blond hair. Gray eyes. Pretty sharp jawline, too.

"Excuse me, sir," the man held up his hand as Natsu made to pass by. "Have… Have I seen you here before?"

"Nope. Don't remember you. Anyway, you guys got cinnamon rolls in there?"

The tall man cleared his throat. "I mean, sir… are you a guest here?"

"Yeah," Natsu said, like it was obvious. "I just came downstairs for some food. Don't you guys serve breakfast here?"

He watched as the blond looked him up and down briefly, wearing the same judgmental look that he'd seen all yesterday afternoon. Both from the people in suits and the employees of this place.

Natsu knew that people who frequented places like the Grand Wyvern wouldn't like what he was wearing… but for the life of him, nobody had ever told him why his attire was considered 'inappropriate'.

Even then, he didn't give a shit.

After a few moments, the man nodded. "Erm… we do, just… would you kindly wait here a moment?" he said, then politely walking by Natsu back towards the main desk. Natsu frowned as he listened to his conversation with the lady at the desk.

"Is this man a guest?"

"Who? The guy with the scaly bandana?"

"Yes, him."

"Oh, yeah. I believe he checked in with Mr. Dreyar yesterday afternoon."

That had apparently surprised the staff guy quite a bit. His blond eyebrows shot up into his hairline. "Mr. Dreyar? Laxus Dreyar, you mean?"

"That's right," the lady nodded firmly. "His name is Natsu Dragneel. He and Mr. Dreyar booked separate suites on the third floor. I think they're in town for a few days on business."

"I see…" The staff guy said. "Well, afford Mr. Dragneel every courtesy. I didn't know he was associated with… anyway, as you were."

With that, the staff guy turned right back around. Natsu was already making sure to inspect one of the pillars beneath the archway above him.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. Dragneel," the blond said with renewed conviction. Though he still didn't seem best pleased with Natsu's appearance. "My name is Albrecht Yashi. To answer your question, yes, we are serving breakfast shortly. Would you like to have food sent up to your room?"

"Nah," Natsu shook his head. "I'll eat down here."

"Ah…" Yashi nodded. A small glimmer sparkled in his eyes. Natsu figured he was reluctant to say something. "Well… allow me to find a table for you. Perhaps one towards the corner would be preferable? The view is excellent."

Natsu went ahead and glanced over Yashi's shoulder. There were roughly thirty tables in the spacious square-shaped room. About five of them were filled at the moment.

Corner? Nah. He preferred to sit by the bar.

"I'm good," Natsu said. Then, the mixing scent of butter and cinnamon got even more powerful than before. Go time. "Thanks."

"Of course," Yashi said, voice stilted as Natsu strode right around him.

The Hearth Room wasn't overly loud with opulence, not like what he'd already seen of the main lobby. No chandeliers, no gold leaves adorning the walls, no velvet ropes. Even from the first step he took in this place, he just felt… good.

It was an ambient feeling he'd had before. Certainly one he'd felt back in the guild, and at home for that matter. It was like… he could feel that someone cared about this place. Genuine effort had been put into how it looked.

Passion.

The furniture was what stood out to him first.

Various circular wooden tables were dotted throughout the long hall. Each of them was heavy-set, but graceful, with the legs of each one carved into twisted roots dug up from the ground, and all of them with subtle ridges along the tabletop edges. All of them gleamed in the sunlight peaking through the windows like old bronze.

The chairs were all slightly different in shape. High-backed, and others with subtle curves and decorative inlays that most people would just miss. The few seats that were already occupied didn't even creak once. None of them wobbled.

The beams overhead, below the high ceiling, more wyverns with wings outstretched, peering down between timber ribs, their mouths caught in silent roars.

True to its name, there was a great stone hearth at the back of the hall. An odd rustic touch, especially in a fancy place like the Wyvern. Still, Natsu appreciated it. It reminded him of home. So did the long mahogany bar, with a row of silk-layered wooden stools lined up right next to it.

Natsu took a seat on one of the stools in the middle and ran his hand along the stretch of wooden tabletop. Felt the fine sanding work beneath his fingers. Smooth and sealed. The kind of polish one would only get after hours of hand-rubbing oil into the grain.

Damn… Makes my coffee table look like a bunch of twigs stuck together.

Across the bar was a row of shelves stocked neatly with bottles of various wines or spirits. He glanced to his right and saw a glass display case which was showing off pastries, cakes, or… salads?

Who orders salad for breakfast? Natsu scowled at the idea.

Morons.

Very shortly, a woman behind the bar approached him with an easy smile, seemingly disregarding his choice of wear. "Hi! My name is Ilya. How can I help you this morning, Mr…"

"Just Natsu. And would you get me some coffee and some cinnamon rolls? I'm starving."

She smiled at his bluntness, however. "How would you like your coffee? And how many cinnamon buns would you like?"

"Black. And… I'll start with five."

"Coming right up!"

Not even three minutes later, Ilya swept back over to him. In one hand, she held a plate containing not one, but five neatly-stacked cinnamon rolls, and in the other, a large white porcelain mug of steaming-hot coffee.

"Here you go," She said as she placed both down in front of him.

"Been waiting all morning," Natsu huffed, effortlessly plucking up one of the rolls and tearing it apart with his hands. Then he threw one of the halves into his mouth.

Immediately, he'd been rewarded with a smear of brown sugar and cinnamon, and the scent—rich with clove and nutmeg—seemed to ease something in his chest. It was hot as it went down into his stomach. He sipped at the coffee, pleased to find it refreshing and bitter enough to wash down the sweetness. It was strong, and oddly enough, it also smelled like firewood.

She laughed and curtsied. "If you need anything else, Mr. Dragneel, just wave me over."

He gulped the other half of the roll down. "Natsu. Just call me Natsu."

Ilya paused for a moment. Some sort of glimmer in those brown eyes. Then she grinned. "Natsu… okay!"

The girl went away again, leaving him to his next victims.

He ordered seven more cinnamon buns and three more cups of coffee. Each of them was somehow even more delicious and bitter than the last. Meanwhile, the surrounding Hearth Room began to fill up with more and more guests who'd come down from the upper floors. More and more disapproving looks were sent his way, from folks wearing fitting suits and jackets or dresses or gowns.

Then there was him wearing nothing but his shearling jacket and a pair of puffy white trousers, and his scaly white scarf wrapped roughly around his head. It wasn't long until he started hearing their voices…

"Hell and damnation! Who let the thug in here?"

"Man looks like he just wandered in from off the street…"

"I didn't know the Wyvern offered a shelter for the poor."

"Their standards must be going down, clearly."

"Does anyone know what that scarf is made of? It looks astounding. I'd like to get my hands on one of those."

Ah, well, Natsu still didn't care. Not like he'd see any one of them after today. He waved over Ilya and then reached for his coffee mug.

"That'll be eight thousand jewel, Natsu," the girl said as she swept over to him. She planted her elbows into the bar and leaned toward him. "By the way… are you that fire wizard from Fairy Tail? Salamander, I think?"

The 'Salamander' moniker hadn't been his idea in the first place. Something a bit more… draconic would've been cooler, but he didn't care enough to change it either.

"Yeah, that's me," he said, "The hair and the scarf got you thinking, right?"

"Yes, actually! I thought I recognized your hair from before, but I couldn't quite place it. And," The waitress blushed, tucking a loose strand of brown hair behind her ear. "I was curious about where you got that scarf."

"Err…" he said as he downed the last of his coffee. "Family heirloom."

"Oh, well, I think it looks good on you! Even if you look like a bit of a pirate right now."

Natsu didn't reply right away; he simply took out the thick wad of jewel notes he'd taken from his pack.

Eight thousand? Figures that a place like this would charge extra. Lucy would've had an ulcer if she'd had to pay for it.

Two, four, six, eight. He counted out the notes in thousands and shrugged mentally, deciding to throw in an extra four thousand just because he could.

When he placed the notes down on the table in front of him, sliding them between the various empty plates and mugs towards the girl, he saw her blanch. Her cheeks taking on a unique shade of white.

"Sir! That's… that's too much!"

"Keep the rest then."

Regardless, Ilya nodded hastily and began stacking the empty plates, placing the mugs on top. She was still surprised by how carelessly he'd waved away his own money, but she smiled at him nonetheless.

He actually wanted to check out those wood carvings of animal heads. There were more of them here in the Hearth Room, most of them about the size of dodgeballs, and each of them hanging above the tables lined along the sides of the hall itself. Maybe also order another mug of coffee while he was at it. One of those carvings would look cool mounted over his fireplace back at home.

It was then that he heard footsteps approach him from behind. Heavy, but measured. Same firewood and lavender scent. A man. Tall. Heavy-set.

He casually turned his head and saw Yashi approaching him with yet another of those uncomfortable smiles.

"How was your meal, Mr. Dragneel?" Yashi asked as he took a seat on the stool next to Natsu.

"Delicious. Just like the food we have at the guild."

"Excellent! Perhaps you'd be more comfortable up in your suite? We can-"

Natsu's curiosity won out. "Did your carpenter shape those animal heads green or seasoned?" he asked. Genuinely wanting to know.

Something happened then. Natsu wasn't given another scowl at being interrupted nor a disinterested half-smile upon hearing the question itself. Not even a hint of dismissal.

Instead, there seemed to be some sort of warm flash in the man's gray eyes.

"Erm…" Yashi blinked. "Why do you ask?"

"They look awesome," Natsu straightened. He figured he should elaborate. "I made all my own furniture back home by hand, right. Few chairs and a couch. My coffee table, too. But between these tables you got here and those animal carvings… puts my stuff to shame."

Yashi stared at him for a moment longer than he should have, lips parting slightly out of confusion. Then the man exhaled, his gray eyes crinkling and lips curling up into a simple grin.

Not any of the fake ones he'd given Natsu minutes before. A genuine, warm smile that showed good nature and humor.

"Seasoned chestnut. My son did the curing himself," Yashi said. No small amount of pride in his voice. "Three winters in a dry barn. Then he kilned it slowly after that. He contributed practically everything in here, actually."

Natsu gave a low whistle. "He's gotta be pretty good, then."

"He is. And I'm damn proud of him for it," his host nodded. The older man looked past him and called, "Ilya!"

It took only a few seconds for the girl to arrive. She blushed when Natsu beamed at her arrival. Then she looked to Yashi. "Yes, Mr. Yashi?"

"Two coffees. On the house," the older man said. "Black."

He looked back at Natsu then, and now the man was positively beaming. "Sir-Mr. Dragneel, would you like a tour around? There's an excellent mural piece over by the hearth that my son made with nothing but his carving chisels."

Really? Natsu figured he'd pick up a thing or two. "I got time. Lead the way."

When the coffee came moments later, both men walked off towards the hearth.

Numerous guests looked on, continuing to cast judgmental glances at the Dragon Slayer, while simultaneously perplexed at the premium treatment he was suddenly being given.

How remarkable…

The Silvergate District itself was relegated to the northeastern section of Crocus.

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Oriole Road, which led directly to Mercurius Palace. Within Silvergate, however, was perhaps one of the most opulent streets in all of Crocus…

Silvarose Court.

Widely cobbled avenues and pathways that always looked as if they were wet-brushed every morning. Multi-story storefronts with bright and clean-looking brick exteriors, no sign of age or wear from weather. Even the gateway leading into the court itself was made out of silver and engraved with ivory and gold in running vine-like patterns.

In the center of the court was a large circular fountain made of marble. Pouring water into the fountain itself was a tall flower made of white steel. Each petal, however, had been made of various gemstones or precious metals. One was obsidian, another amber, and the next three were emerald, ruby, and lapis respectively.

Natsu, for his part, had thought it looked cool enough. But he didn't have enough time to comment on it. Not when he'd been dragged off to-

"Coat off. Arms up, Master Dragneel."

Natsu, reluctantly, obeyed the commanding and brusque voice originating from the tall brunette woman standing behind him. He nonchalantly slipped off the shearling coat and tossed it onto one of the nearby leather high-backed chairs to his right. Then he stood as straight as he could with his arms held in a sort of t-pose, now only in his trousers, sandals, and scarf.

He flickered his gaze across the trio of abnormally tall mirrors that stood imposingly opposite him. Then he settled on the center-most mirror and locked eyes with the two onyx orbs that stared back at him.

My second day in this city, and all I get to do is… stand completely still.

He shook his head. Figures.

"No sudden movements, Master Dragneel."

Eloise Darrier was quite possibly the most skilled artisan in her field of expertise in all of Western Ishgar. From what Laxus had told him earlier, she was married to one Sir William Darrier; the man himself just so happened to be Fiore's Royal Ambassador.

She was tall, for a woman. And nearing the age of sixty, she was still the picture of health, wearing a simple blouse and pencil skirt and conducting herself and her work with the same fluidity and grace that Erza herself would utilize while in battle.

Darrier & Co. were the best of the best. Certainly at the top of their field in Fiore. And the company, and the woman running the whole ship itself, happened to be Laxus' personal go-to tailor.

Natsu grunted non-committally in response and stared straight ahead at the central mirror. Trying to find literally anything else to keep himself occupied while the older lady did her thing.

Master Dragneel… he rather did like the sound of that, though. Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

The tailoress carefully wrapped a tape measure around his waist, and after a few moments, measured the circumference of his chest. Eloise was absolutely silent as she did so.

Screw it, "So how long am I supposed to stand here?" he asked impatiently.

"However long it takes, Master Dragneel," The older woman gave a small, amused grin. Her tone of voice was like the cracking of a whip, though. "I don't suppose you have any other pressing engagements to attend to?"

"He doesn't."

Natsu glared through the reflection in the mirror at the source of the disrupting voice; the lone blond sitting at the far back of the large circular hall of the workshop.

Sitting comfortably on the right end of a long leather couch was Laxus. Gray eyes focused completely on a book pooled in his left palm.

The Fire Mage huffed and rolled his eyes.

"That's what I thought," Eloise hummed gently. "This is an important part of the process, Master-"

"Natsu."

"Excuse me?"

"Just call me Natsu. Simpler that way."

Eloise smiled and nodded. "Very well, Natsu," she said. "The purpose of this is to find out your exact measurements. From there, we can help you find a suitable style that will have you turning heads in no time at all."

"Fine, fine… do your thing."

"Thank you."

And that was that. Even as annoyed as he was now, Natsu still knew she was just doing her job.

He managed to stuff his irritation down and stand perfectly still for the next ten minutes as Darrier took her sweet time wrapping the tape measurer around each of his major limbs. One by one, she'd coil it until it was flush against his skin, and then write down whatever the measurement was on a sheet of paper.

Once that was done, she had him step down from the tall stool before the mirrors and made him walk around the middle of the room.

Over and over and over and over…

On one of the laps, Natsu swore he even saw Laxus give a passing smirk.

Dickhead.

Thankfully, however, it came to a stop soon after. And Natsu found himself standing in front of the mirrors again. But now Mrs. Darrier had fully elongated the tape measurer so it went from Natsu's feet all the way up to the crown of his skull.

"It always helps to appear presentable wherever you go," Eloise elaborated as she now pressed the tape to his spine, seemingly also detecting his apprehension. "People like it when you put effort into your appearance. To them, you're demonstrating that you not only respect them, but that you also respect yourself," she said. "It's all about the image you want to show, my dear; about who you want to be perceived as by others. The clothes we wear and how we wear them… these are how we show the world that we are more than just men and women dressing to impress."

That first part made sense, but Natsu still wasn't exactly impressed by all of the flowery language. He decided to bite, "Showing an image? So… lying to them?"

"Not in the least," the tailoress tutted. "Is it deception if you only wish to show off the best parts of yourself?"

"No… I guess not."

"Then…" Eloise continued. "It only stands to reason that you look the part of a man who is genuinely striving for more in his life. No?" She asked, briefly locking eyes with him in the mirror. "Look, Natsu! Look!"

He did so, his reflection now looking right back at him.

"Do you believe others would see in you an accomplished, noble, uncompromisingly strong S-Class Wizard of exceptional quality? A man worthy of the reputation that precedes him? Or would they look at you and see nothing more than a rough-hewn thug with some, admittedly, rather flamboyant hair?"

Natsu frowned. Flamboyant hair? Odd remark.

The man standing in front of him… Untamed shoulder-length lion's mane of spiky salmon hair. Healthy skin, sharp jawline filled with stubble. Standing tall. Back straight. Broad shoulders. Arms, chest, back, and legs practically made of lean and hard muscle. A vast collection of scars all over the canvas that was his upper body. The most prominent, coincidentally, being one of the latest; a long jagged slash running diagonally from his right clavicle down to his left side. That one had come from Gajeel.

Prick.

Standing next to Eloise, or even Laxus for that matter… he figured that he probably did look like the odd man out.

In fact… Natsu frowned as he realized that he kind of did resemble Gajeel the more he thought about it…

Definitely not a good sign.

"They'd probably think I'm homeless or something," Natsu said, rather decisively, calling back to a comment he'd overheard back at the Wyvern. "Or that I'm about to mug them."

"Now you're catching on, peaches," Laxus remarked dryly from the back of the room.

Peaches?

"That is one thought that might cross someone's mind, yes," Eloise cut in, voice firm enough to quietly break up the background chatter. "I don't imagine that's the version of yourself that you'd like to show the rest of the world."

"No," he said decisively. It wasn't.

It was never a good idea to go cosplaying as Gajeel.

"Just as well," the tailoress nodded in approval. "I should think that a man in your position would want to appear more respectable, no?"

Good question… One that certainly linked him back to the tucked and folded sheet of paper in his right pocket.

How does Future Natsu dress? How does he carry himself? What do others think of him when they see him walking through the streets?

"Hmmm…" The Fire Mage flipped the query over and over again in his head.

What would he wear? What should he wear instead?

Dad is the Fire Dragon King… so I guess that would make me a… prince?

And princes wore dignified stuff all the time, right? Looking grand, magnificent, and… what was the word?

Regal, Natsu grinned. That was it. Princes looked regal. Natsu decided that he wanted to look regal, too.

Whatever that meant for him, at least.

"I wanna wear something regal and… respectable," he said, now certain. "But it can't be anything constricting. Something light that I can get in and out of easily. I gotta be able to move and fight effectively if the situation ever calls for it."

Natsu figured that his requirements probably would've frustrated Eloise. From what he'd seen of her shop so far, and of what she had on display, it only made sense to assume that she simply tailor-made suits and other similar coats or vests for the nobility or rich businessmen like Lucy's father. Those he was fine with wearing to events and stuff, but if it came down to a full-scale fight, they wouldn't be ideal.

Unexpectedly, however, Eloise seemed to get more and more excited, in a womanly sort of fashion, as he'd assuredly listed out his specifications. She seemed to relish the prospect of a challenge.

She hummed, turning away and tapping her finger against her chin.

There was a long pause. Long enough to make him wonder what she was thinking about.

Natsu got the distinct impression that the older woman had done this many times over.

Then, suddenly, she swiveled back around and faced him, "How about you two come back in, let us say, hmm… twenty minutes? I'll have a few designs ready that I think you'll be interested in."

Natsu glanced at Laxus. The Lightning Mage simply shrugged.

Up to you, the older man seemed to be saying.

Well… that was definitely a change in pace.

Natsu decided that waiting an extra twenty minutes for Eloise to prepare some designs was fair enough. She was certainly a professional, going by what he'd seen so far, and from what Laxus had told him about her. "Sure," he said. "Guess there's other stuff we can check out while we wait."

"Naturally," Eloise hummed, seemingly appreciative that Natsu hadn't made a fuss and gotten impatient again. "If I may be so bold… just a few stores down in the Court, there's a wonderful armorer by the name of Brom Buckhald. I believe he's worked with his fair share of S-Class Wizards in the past."
"We were going to go visit him next anyway," Laxus said as he stood up from the couch at the back. "Thanks. We'll be back soon."

And with that, Laxus gave Natsu a nod, and both of them walked out the way they came in.

Twenty minutes later, both Natsu and Laxus walked out of a shop with twin dark green wooden doors, heading down the stone steps beneath an archway sign. The words labeled on the sign itself in neat, but unpretentious white lettering were, 'Stitch 'n Witch', with the simple phrase beneath it being, 'Fine Leathers Since Before Your Gran Was Born.'

Brom Buckhald was an aging man well into his seventies. Much shorter than Natsu, too. Yet despite his age, he was in remarkable health and was rather burly. Almost like a slightly dwarfish lumberjack.

Within twenty minutes, the old man had taken Natsu's measurements and produced the thickly rolled bundle that Natsu had placed within the light leather satchel that was currently slung over his right shoulder. He'd purchased both of them from Stitch 'n Witch.

All in all, both had cost him roughly 200,000 jewel. Pretty steep considering he'd only picked up a satchel and some travel gear, but Laxus assured him that it was worth the premium price tag.

Whatever, Natsu thought to himself. Wasn't like he was going to go broke anytime soon, anyway. Neither did he have anything better to spend the money on.

"Starting to get it?"

"I guess…" Natsu scratched his cheek absentmindedly as they walked along the finely paved road leading further back up the Court towards Darrier & Co. "Never cared for getting dressed up and all that until now, though. It's not like we're doing fancy dinner parties back at the guild or anything. And I don't even think I've seen Gildarts wear anything like those fancy suits before."

Laxus shook his head. "Gildarts dresses up when he needs to, believe me," he said. "You just never see him wearing a suit 'cause he practically lives on the road."

Really? That was news to the Dragon Slayer. He'd always seen Gildarts show up to the guild wearing a cloak along with some ragged trousers, a basic shirt, and leather boots. Maybe bandages occasionally. Natsu figured that was more or less what Gildarts wore all the time while he was out on his adventures.

The Lightning Wizard continued, "It's not a big deal. People just appreciate it when you dress the part. If you do, then it's much easier to deal with clients, make connections, and open up opportunities for yourself. That sort of thing. But it's not the clothes themselves that make people admire you."

"So… why are we even here then if the clothes and shit aren't important?"

"I never said they weren't, Natsu. What I mean is that the jackets and the shirts… they do half the job in making people respect you. The other half is being in excellent physical shape. But that's something you've already got figured out."

That… actually makes sense.

Reedus definitely wore cleaner and more fitting clothes compared to Gildarts, who more or less wore whatever ragged clothing he'd picked up in his travels. But Gildarts was big and strong and looked like he could blow up a mountain, and Reedus was just… big.

Not a mark against Reedus. It was simply clear which wizard would've been taken more seriously at first glance.

"So I basically got my work cut out for me, then?" Natsu asked, smirking as he flexed his arm.

Laxus gave a low chuckle. "Yeah, pretty much," he said. "Training's important. Who would've thought, right?"

"Hm, yeah…" Natsu nodded.

"Can't argue with that."

At approximately 8AM the next day, Laxus Dreyar found himself back in the very same waiting room he and Natsu had visited only two days prior.

"Damn…"

Laxus glanced across the wooden coffee table. Sitting in the upholstered leather armchair directly across from him was Natsu, now eating one of the scones from the nickel-plated platter between them.

Compared to his grizzled and unkempt appearance from two days before, Natsu was, by and large, looking the complete opposite.

Natsu wore a long crimson robe that reached just below his knees, embroidered in dark green and gold brocade. Sleeves rolled back, the collar cut wide and open in a loose "V" that showed his bare chest, with the robe held together in the front by decorative toggles that ran diagonally down the side.

Wrapped across his waistline was a wide silken sash, again embroidered with dark green and gold brocade to match the collars. The sash was joined with two leather belts, which held two leather pouches respectively. Beneath the sash, the robe parted at the front and sides, allowing for the quick and easy freedom of movement that Natsu requested, and also revealing the dark grey wool trousers and high brown leather boots.

It was a Bellumvian Dress Robe. A style belonging to the upper-class warriors and merchants who'd come to trade all the way from Bellum. Apparently, it was somewhat renowned in higher circles because of how simple it was to wear and move in while they fought in duels or even battles.

And it was also, according to how Eloise put it, "elegant without being ostentatious."

It was one of the four designs that Eloise had shown to Natsu once they'd gotten back to Darrier & Co. It was also the only design that Natsu seemed to like, having picked it out after looking it over for a few seconds.

The kid certainly pulled off the look, too. When they'd gone and gotten breakfast in the lounge of the Grand Wyvern earlier that morning, he'd seen the kid catching more than a few interested looks from many of the women staying at the hotel. Not that Natsu had noticed any of them, though.

The whole outing had cost around 550,000 jewel in total, with Natsu taking away around five other sets of dress robes with him, in addition to the travel gear and satchel he'd procured at Stitch 'n Witch.

"Hmph," Natsu grunted as he swallowed down a chunk of the flakey, buttery pastry in his hand. "Sure you don't want one? These're pretty good. Just like Mira's."

That comment alone had elicited a low snicker from Laxus, who shrugged. He went ahead and reached for one of the scones sitting on the nickel platter.

Laxus also liked scones.

"So, let me get this right…" he began as he took a bite out of the pastry, "Are you secretly loaded or something?"

"Loaded? Like with cash?"

"Yeah."

Natsu shrugged, "Never needed to spend any of my rewards before, except maybe for food at the guild or for when I get a bit carried away on one of my jobs," he said offhandedly.

Carried away. Meaning a shitload of property damage that Grandpa would have to sort out with the authorities.

The Fire Mage continued, "Outside of that, I get most of my food from the forest. And it's not like I can pay the forest rent, anyway," he chuckled, probably imagining himself handing over a stack of cash to a tree. "That'd be weird."

"What about taxes?"

"Yeah… Gildarts told me about taxes a few years back. Said they were bullshit, and that I might as well just live out in the woods. So that's what I did."

Yeah, that's Gildarts, alright, Laxus snorted. That sounded exactly like something the old man would say.

Though Laxus wouldn't have been entirely surprised if Grandpa took out a larger-than-normal portion of Natsu's reward to pay off the kid's taxes and any property damage that he'd caused.

Grandpa also liked to complain about taxes in his own time.

"You know you gotta pay your taxes, right?" Laxus said, "Dodging them ain't exactly in line with the law."

"Oh gee," Natsu said dryly, and perhaps with one of the most deadpan expressions Laxus had ever seen. "I've never been in trouble with the law before."

That had actually made Laxus laugh.

"Excuse me?"

Laxus looked to his right. The very same secretary he'd spoken with two days before was currently waving him over.

Time to go. Laxus nodded to Natsu and stood up. The latter made to reach for another scone, but seemed to think better of it, and then drew back his hand.

Another good sign.

They went over to the front desk. The brunette flashed them both a smile. "Mr. Trast will see you now," she said, standing up from her seat.

"Please follow me."

The secretary, Rosia, had led them down a long hallway and to a tall wooden-framed glass door.

She knocked on it twice and said, "Mr. Trast? The wizards from Fairy Tail are here to see you."

Laxus very clearly heard the following: "Send them in." Though to anyone else, it might've been muffled.

With a military-like nod of her head, Rosia had opened the door for Laxus and Natsu. Once the two men went inside, she closed the door behind them.

Click!

They were first greeted with the sight of the long wooden desk placed on the opposite side of the large, but quaint, square-shaped room. The left side of the room was almost entirely composed of tall steel-framed tinted glass windows in which the sun shone through. Unlike most offices Laxus had seen in his experience, the floors here weren't carpeted, but were made of simple hardwood.

On the right wall, hung a series of framed maps and charts. Mining charts, geographical surveys, and border territories. One of the larger frames even contained a map showing the entirety of Ishgar.

Behind the desk were several cabinets and a tall grandfather clock. Wonderful. And on the other side of the desk, where the man himself sat, there was a high-backed leather chair. Two more were sitting nearest to both him and Natsu as well.

Gerwan Trast was a man well into his early fifties. Fitted black suit, but without the tie. Slightly tanned skin. A crew cut of dirty-blonde hair speckled with flecks of silver, high cheekbones, and a square jawline paired with steely brown eyes. The man was powerfully built, and Laxus even saw old calluses on the CEO's palms as Trast stood to greet both himself and Natsu.

Trast made to move around his desk, his right hand held forward, but he stopped briefly as he looked back and forth between the two of them for a moment.

"Problem?" he asked.

Their host immediately donned a warm smile and shook his head. "Sorry… It's just that for a moment, you two reminded me of a pair of cops I saw in one of my youngest son's comic strips."

Laxus shared a glance with Natsu. The kid shrugged.

"Gerwan Trast," their host said, holding out his hand to Laxus first. "But I'm sure you know that already," he remarked with a small chuckle.

"Laxus Dreyar," the Lightning Wizard said as he shook the offered hand.

"Natsu Dragneel," the Dragon Slayer said, clearly opting to follow Laxus' lead.

Trast grinned and drew away. "Salamander, right?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"My daughter--youngest that is--raves about you all the time. But, but," Trast caught himself. "I'm sure you two aren't here to discuss Sorcerer Weekly. Tell me, would you like any refreshments? Coffee? Tea? I've got some whiskey here, as well, if you prefer," he asked. "It's usually too early for booze, but lately…"

"We're fine, thank you."

With that, the three men withdrew to the long wooden desk. Trast took his seat on the other side, while Laxus and Natsu grabbed the nearest chairs.

"Quite the family you got," Laxus commented, nodding to the steel-framed picture of a younger-looking Trast standing next to a tall blonde woman with, presumably, their seven children sitting below them.

He didn't fail to notice the flash of bewilderment that crossed Natsu's face as soon as he'd commented on the photo.

"Thank you!" Trast said, "My wife keeps grumbling that we didn't have another one, though. She wanted to make it to eight." He seemed to gather himself then and clapped his hands together audibly. "However! I'm sure you both have plenty of questions. Please, ask away and I'll tell you everything I know."

Client meetings were usually a delicate affair. Oftentimes, at least in Laxus' experience, the clients tended to ramble on about the inconvenience of whatever was on their mind at the moment. Maybe half an hour would pass before they got right to the meat and bones of the matter.

To see that Trast just wanted to get down to brass tacks, in addition to the half-full bottle of whiskey on his desk--spoke volumes about how important this meeting was to him.

Trast was clearly stressed out of his mind, and he seemed pretty good at hiding it. Laxus knew that the CEO would probably be relieved as soon as he started asking questions.

But Laxus wasn't only here to help solve Trast's problem.

For a few moments, there was an empty pause between the three men. And it wasn't long before Trast began looking back and forth at both Natsu and himself, obviously confused, judging by the look on his face. These two wizards had come into his office, and all he got was an awkward silence.

Immediately, Laxus felt Natsu's eyes shoot toward him. Laxus met his gaze and gave a slight nod to the client sitting opposite them.

You're up.

Going by the flash of subtle panic in those onyx eyes, Natsu was clearly caught off guard at having to now take the initiative.

He wasn't used to it, but he hid his shock well nonetheless

Not even a second later, the kid turned to face Trast with a straight face. The sudden emergence of an ice-cold professional.

Good.

"Yeah, er… that's right," Natsu began, "Uh… haven't you gone to the Magic Council about this?"

Don't say 'uh'. Makes you sound like an amateur.

He'd have to clarify that bit to Natsu later.

Trast nodded, relieved that the silence had been broken, "I tried getting someone from the Magic Council to head out there, but…" he sighed, frustrated. "You heard about that whole Etherion business that happened back in September? The Magic Council went ahead and fired it at something out in the Calm Sea, about sixty miles or so off the coast."

"Only too well," Natsu replied, voice having taken on a much harder edge.

Trast didn't seem to notice, "Well, apparently the silly bastards went ahead and fired it without first getting authorization from King Toma," Trast said, "After that happened, the Aurellion Assembly went ahead and practically disbanded the Magic Council right on the spot. It only just got reformed, but they lost all their assets, including the Rune Knights and whatever specialists or operatives they had on hand here in Fiore. The monarchy controls whatever they used to have. And trying to get one of them will take too much time. Longer than I can afford, at least."

No wonder.

King Fiore, much less the Aurellion Assembly--a high cabinet consisting of each ruler of the respective kingdoms in Ishgar--probably weren't too happy that the Magic Council had gone rogue and fired something as powerful as the Etherion Cannon at the Tower of Heaven. Especially when they were supposed to first obtain a sanction to use it.

If they could bypass the proper channels and fire a weapon of mass destruction like the Etherion…

And with it having been infiltrated by not just one, but two dark wizards…

Well, it definitely didn't come as a surprise that the newly reformed Magic Council had been put on a short leash.

All they could really do now was to oversee guild regulations and handle magical oversight. Maybe hold a few trials here and there, specifically for dark wizards and the like. But any heavy action that needed to be taken would be done by the monarchy. In Fiore at least, Laxus knew that the Rune Knights had only recently ended up becoming just another division of the monarchy's own military. It was likely the same with the other kingdoms in Ishgar.

"How big is the mine?" Natsu asked, a bit more confident now.

"Our Darshel site runs four primary shafts right into the mountainside. All in all, about three kilometers deep on the main line, with three branching tunnels feeding into it. We've got around five hundred men rotating shifts down there. It's not as large as one of our Ammark crown pits up North, but it's still pulling excellent returns. Iron, copper, lead, nickel. But the real prize is on the lower levels," Trast explained. "Raw lacrima."

Laxus whistled.

Lacrima mines weren't exactly rare in Ishgar. There were dozens all over Fiore alone. But even having one lacrima mine would be considered a great asset and source of revenue.

Their host nodded his agreement. "Exactly," Trast said, now smoothing back his hair. "I had to fight off some competitors from Bosco just to get my hands on the land. Even now, those 'cultural liaisons' I mentioned are pretty eager to get their hands on it. They don't even care if it's haunted or not."

"What about the structure?" Natsu shifted. "Do you know what it is?"

"Not exactly, no. Almost three weeks back, the crew in shaft three broke through the wall and into a cave. Except when the dust cleared… they saw it was actually a hall."

Laxus sat forward. "A hallway?"

"That's right," Trast nodded. "The walls, ceiling, floor. All of it carved out of this greyish-black stone. Chisled immaculately, according to the witnesses. They said it was cold, as well. Not freezing, but… cold enough that you'd see your breath. In a shaft that deep, you think you'd be sweating your ass off."

Seems like magic at work. Or something like it.

But what sort of magic? A structure like the one found in the Darshel mine would've been ancient.

Natsu had sat back in his seat. He too seemed to be thinking about it. Another good sign.

"And the workers?" Laxus continued. "The ones who broke into the cave. What did they find?"

"Well… nothing. At least, nothing at first. A crew of six, from what I was told. They went down into the hall and came upon several more passages leading off in other directions. Said it wasn't like any cave or ruin they'd ever seen. No tool marks on the walls, no cracks in the stone. Every wall, floor, and ceiling cut clean and smooth — too smooth," the older man said, himself clearly unsettled from the reports he was recounting. "The men said there were murals, too. Carvings, etched shallow into the walls. Supposedly, they shifted in the light."

Trast bent his head forward slightly. "As… odd… as this might sound," he paused. "One of the crewmen said that it felt like the ruins were… breathing."

Breathing.

"I assume the same men who entered the ruins are the same men afflicted by these dreams or whispers?"

"The very same."

"And the man who gouged his eyes out?"

Trast seemed to age several years within the next few seconds alone. With a heavy sigh, he sank back in his high chair and ran both his hands down his face.

"It…" The CEO shook his head. "He was the first crewman to set foot into the ruin."

Thought so.

Didn't seem like the other five would be far behind, then.

But would they follow suit and also carve out their eyes? Or would they take their newfound madness out on the townsfolk in Darshel?

Hard to say.

What was this thing? A curse of some kind? A monster? A demon?

Laxus pursed his lips, "Is there anything else you can tell us about his injuries? Did he say or hear anything before he did the deed? He was also having visions, right?"

Trast nodded. "Supposedly, before he… well… he was mostly bedridden. Shuffling and muttering. He'd wake up screaming in the night, raving about something that was singing to him. According to the foreman, after he'd cut and carved out his eyes, he'd… died the next day."

Shit.

"Singing?"

"Yes, that's right."

"And what about the mayor? You said he was playing dumb? About what exactly?"

The executive almost snarled, shaking his head. "I've only spoken with him a few times personally, but I'll tell you this: that bastard knows far more than he's letting on."

Laxus shifted. "You think he knows what's down there?"

"No," Trast admitted, "But I think that whatever is below the mine, he knows something about it. Now, don't get me wrong," he went on, holding up a placating hand. "Before all this, he was happy as a pig rolling in shit about this mine. All too ready to get in on the revenue-sharing agreements we put in place. But after one of my men gets put in the hospital and plucks out his own eyes? Silence. That fat bastard knows something, and I'm willing to stake my own life on it."

It was almost too vague. But then again, Laxus knew that he was only receiving second-hand accounts of what was happening.

Still… that whole bit about the singing… it didn't sound like anything he'd ever encountered before.

Most monsters, even those of the S-Class variety, weren't terribly subtle. They were, by and large, like animals. They wouldn't usually attempt to lure prey to them, much less 'sing' to their prey. Even then, it wasn't like the thing down in the mines had actually gotten any of the miners.

Demons were a bit different. Oftentimes, they were thinking and feeling. They made use of Curses, had their own abilities that would often prove tricky to fight against, much less counter. Some demons could theoretically be reasoned with, though Laxus himself never saw the benefit in dealing with them. Ever.

Whatever this thing was… There definitely seemed to be a sentience behind it. Not quite a monster, but not quite a demon, either. It's possible that had the miners not stumbled upon its lair, then they themselves wouldn't have been afflicted with nightmares and visions. The thing might've simply wanted to be left alone.

But what about the mayor? If Trast was even half-right, then the mayor of Darshel knew about the thing in the mine.

Laxus decided that he would need more specific information. And it wasn't likely that he'd get any more here.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Trast," he said as he rose to his feet. Natsu doing the same. "We'll head out for Darshel immediately."

Their host stood up as well. Gone was his prior frustration toward Darshel's mayor and the situation as a whole. Now he was simply grateful. "No, thank you, Mr. Dreyar. And you, Mr. Dragneel," he said as he shook their hands respectively. "Talk with my man out there, Bastiel Wrightwood. He's the foreman watching over the mine. And do whatever you have to do. If the mine collapses, that's fine with me. Just make sure my people are safe."

"Don't worry, Mr. Trast," Laxus said with a firm, determined smile.

"We'll put the matter to rest."

Chapter Text

Precision.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Calmly step over and around the wet shoals. Don't fight against the current, but don't move with it, either.

Aaaaannd…

Haha! Got you!

The exact moment his prey had stilled, Natsu thrust the spear downward. Right as he felt the wood tip grind against the sea of smooth stones along the riverbed, a sharp, satisfying tug informed him that he'd successfully caught his lunch for the day.

His prey struggled against the shoals below. Natsu's firm grip was more than enough to keep the spear from rattling out of control.

"Did you get it?" Lisanna called from behind him.

"Yeah!" Natsu shouted back. He'd been standing in the far end of the shallows, waist-deep in water, wearing nothing but his puffy white trousers and his scarf wrapped around his head.

Not a moment sooner, he raised the spear up and out of the water. Dangling helplessly from the pointy end was one fat bastard of a bass, its wet scales glittering olive-green in the midday sunlight.

Natsu grinned at the bass. He turned and shuffled his way back toward the narrow, sandy shoreline awaiting him. "Today's your lucky day, pal…"

The bass tried and tried to shake itself off the wooden spearhead to no avail. Something in those marble eyes said otherwise.

It didn't seem entirely convinced by him.

Not that it mattered. Right now, everything was going well. Warm summer's day. Cloudless, clear blue sky. Gentle breeze on the wind.

He looked ahead to the stretch of pale-yellow sand before him. Sitting on a towel was Lisanna. Wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts. Her hair was wet, but she'd since wrung it.

She was observing him as he waded his way back to shore, with those deep-blue eyes of hers. About ten feet behind her, lying on his back just by the fire, was Happy. Totally passed out after their morning swim.

A 'full family outing' through and through, apparently.

Lisanna was patiently waiting for him, leaning on her left arm. Her toes wiggled slightly. She hadn't been smiling when he'd caught their next meal, but her eyes seemed to be saying something else.

There was… what was the word he'd heard Erza say a few days ago?

Admiration?

Pretty sure that was it.

Natsu didn't know why. There wasn't anything special about the bass, except that it was one of the fattest he'd ever caught. Not like it mattered, though. He was hungry.

Once back on land, he'd killed the bass quickly, bashing it over the head several times with a sharp rock he'd picked up from the lake. From there-just as Gildarts had shown him when he was a kid-he cleaned it, cut it open, and then tore out the guts meticulously, deciding to toss them into the flames later. After that, he skewered a long stick right in the mouth of the bass and out through its tail.

All without waking Happy, thankfully.

The fire didn't take long to get going. Some birch bark he'd secured earlier had done the trick. Combined with some dead twigs taken from the forest floor, everything was set and ready.

Natsu knew that he could've done this with his magic… but something about having food cooked the old-fashioned way simply felt far more satisfying to him.

He smirked as he mounted the bass over the fire pit, looking at it for a moment.

Natsu Dragneel. Fire Bass Slayer.

He chuckled and stepped away to let it cook. It would take some time to get nice and crispy. The Dragon Slayer walked back over to Lisanna, who was looking out across the shimmering lake. He took his seat next to her on the towel.

They said nothing. Together, they simply enjoyed the silence. The distant chirping of birds. Gentle splashing of water on the shore. The wind brushed against them.

He liked this place. A lot.

It was a good source of food. And only a rough twenty-minute hike from his house. It might as well have been an extension of his backyard.

"We're leaving," Lisanna said, decidedly breaking the stillness between them. "Elfman, Mira, and I. About a week from now."

Natsu looked at her. She wasn't looking at him, though. Only down at her hands.

What was she sad about? Sure, Mira was a menace to society, but she was all nice and ruffles in private with Lisanna. All that went away when she spoke to him, though.

"What for?" he asked plainly.

"A job," she answered quickly. "The Beast has resurfaced, and it's been terrorizing villages up North. Apparently, it's pretty dangerous, but Mira and Elfman seem sure about it," she finally met his eyes then and smiled conspiratorially. "Elfman thinks that if we stop it, then Master Makarov will qualify him for the S-Class Trials this year."

"If it's so dangerous, then why are you going?"

"Mira wants to show me the ropes. She thinks it'll be good for me to get more experience out in the field."

"Agh… that ain't fair. Always wanted to try my hand at an S-Class Monster."

Lisanna smirked, "Aren't you forgetting all the times you tried fighting Gildarts? Or Laxus?"

The Dragon Slayer scoffed, "Hey! I'll have you know that I almost got the drop on Gildarts last time he came around."

"You mean when you tried to jump him in the middle of the guild and he accidentally knocked you out cold with his beer mug?"

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. He wasn't gonna hear any of this. Nonsense. The old man just got lucky. That was all there was to it.

Despite his visible frustration, Lisanna simply giggled and bumped her shoulder against his. For some reason, the action alone completely unwound his annoyance at both Gildarts and Laxus.

Natsu laughed. Admittedly, the beer mug incident wasn't his best performance to date.

"Might not be now, but I'll get 'em both. One day," he said firmly. Meaning it. "And I'll get S-Class, too."

"Mmhmm…" She nodded, beaming up at him with a warm smile. "I'll be there to see it. You can count on that, my 'husband dearest.'"

He smiled back and then looked back out at the lake once more. She did the same.

Even with Happy snoring away not ten feet behind him, Natsu figured that today might've been as close to perfect as it could get.

It was all… pleasant. Maybe things should stay like this. Not forever, of course… but…

"Between you and Happy…" Lisanna started again, interrupting his thoughts. Her cheeks were all red now, like she was nervous about something. Her deep blue eyes flickered up at him, meeting his own onyx ones. "How long do you think that fish will last?"

"Hmm… we didn't have much for breakfast. So… maybe twenty seconds?" Natsu quipped, giving the same boyish smirk as always.

She giggled again, seemingly easing up as well. Lisanna said nothing else for the next few moments, only staring up at him.

Then she kissed him. Full on the lips.

For some reason, he hadn't even been shocked when she did it. He knew her. Was familiar with her. She was warm, tender. And without even trying, she seemed to surrender to him immediately.

Natsu decided that he liked this feeling. And so he kissed her back.

They stayed like that for a few moments. Then they parted.

When Lisanna drew away, she seemed to be redder than ever. Still, she was grinning as if she'd been handed a million jewel on a silver platter.

It was also then that Natsu realized what had just happened. And he, too, felt his face grow hotter.

Mira was gonna string him up and bleed him dry, wasn't she?

"W-what was that for?" he asked.

Lisanna pursed her lips, still beaming, however. "I… I don't know," she said, bashfully. "I just… I wanted to do it."

"You could… You know… always do it again if you want."

Then, however, she melted into his side, laying her head in the crook of his neck and looking up at the cloudless, clear blue sky.

"Maybe later," Lisanna said, her smirk clearly implying that she would, in fact, kiss him again. "Do you think we could stay here? Like this? Just for a bit longer."

Natsu looked out at the sun hanging directly above them, and then out at the vastness of the forest beyond. "Yeah," he said, grinning like a fool.

No harm in that.

Maybe they could go for another swim. Catch something else to eat.

The rest of the world could wait for now.

"Just a bit longer."

November 1st, The Ammark Mountains

Day 32

Thrap!

The huge chunk of venison roasting over the fire was looking more ravishing by the second.

Natsu let out a sharp breath, squatting next to the firepit, watching as the red meat slowly charred into a fine-looking russet.

After he and Laxus had sparred again just two hours earlier, Natsu had set out into the surrounding woods. Carving a sharp spear out of a sturdy wooden branch was easy enough; he'd done it plenty of times before. From there, it wasn't long until he caught the trail of a particularly large elk.

Natsu found it grazing in a small clearing, happily munching away on some blackberries. Quietly, he stood up, took aim, and made his mark.

The elk had toppled over onto the forest floor out of shock as soon as the spear landed right in its chest. It barely had enough time to scramble, but not enough time to get to its feet as Natsu closed the gap and set upon it. With all the strength in his arms and legs, he pinned it down, withdrew the spear lodged in the elk's chest, and once again, thrust the sharpened tip right into the animal's torso. Right where he knew the heart would be located.

It died within twenty seconds or so. Natsu was satisfied with how clean the kill had been. The strong mixture of adrenaline and elation he felt quickly gave way to sorrow, and then, finally, to gratitude.

And so he thanked it.

Then he picked it up and hauled it back to the campsite.

Laxus hadn't said anything as Natsu casually strolled into their camping grounds with the elk slung over his shoulders, holding it as if it were a sack of potatoes. He only raised an eyebrow as Natsu went over to the firepit and got busy dressing the elk with a hunting knife they'd just so happened to procure in Crocus from the equipment shop.

After removing the meat, Natsu buried the carcass in a hole roughly six feet deep and then covered it up.

And that would be that.

The journey had been relatively spartan, something that Natsu actually appreciated. He and Laxus trained, sparred, even had the occasional civilized chat outside of the whole mentorship thing.

It was more abnormal than anything that the version of Laxus he was currently dealing with seemed to be more down-to-earth, practical, as opposed to the pompous dickhead he'd had to put up with when he was a kid.

"Remember the plan?"

Well, except for the irregular, yet annoying, reminder.

The plan. The plan. The plan. At this point, Natsu wondered whether or not he'd get a seminar.

The pair would approach Darshel as simple travelers who were heading East into Bosco. Maintaining a low profile, at least initially, would be the way to go for the time being. Not indefinitely, however, as Natsu knew that people might end up simply recognizing him as Salamander if he stayed around long enough.

They already looked the part since they each had a single pack to carry their belongings. At Laxus' request, he'd bought a cloak. One that looked eerily similar to one of the cloaks Gildarts often sported. The Lightning Wizard had also gotten one for himself. And that seemed to finish off the ensemble.

Making contact with Bastiel Wrightwood, the mine foreman, would come first. According to Laxus, it was Wrightwood who would know the most about what was going on. From there, they would interview one of the miners who stumbled into the ruin, and then investigate the mine itself.

Natsu didn't get the hype behind all the cloak-and-dagger stuff. Not that he didn't understand it, but that he simply didn't see the point.

The threat was clearly in the mine, in the hollow within. Would it not be simpler to just head in and put down whatever was behind this whole mess? Made sense to him.

Get in. Get out. Save the day. Get paid.

And yet…

Outstanding results come from thinking and acting differently.

Almost like a bad prayer, Gramps' voice echoed out again in his mind. An etched-in reminder that also happened to bring up the fact that he knew next to nothing about the threat in the mine.

Natsu knew it, too. And, reluctantly, he decided that perhaps playing detective for a while might… MIGHT… just pay off.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," The Dragon Slayer scoffed, shooting the older man a quizzical glance. "You gonna keep nagging me like Gramps?"

"Probably. Seems to be a family habit."

"Well, next time let me find a tall cliff before you do."

"In that case," Laxus smirked, not even meeting his eyes. "I might just let you jump."

Thraap! The fire crackled once again. Natsu ignored the blond sitting across from him and brought his attention back to the elk. It would be good to eat soon. And that was enough for him.

Brrrrrrgh… his stomach grumbled in anticipation and out of restlessness.

He looked down at the spear sitting next to him and picked it up, inspecting it. The shaft of the thing was clean, having been stripped of bark. The long pike-end of the weapon had been doused in now-dried blood.

Again, he thought back to the elk and how he'd tracked it and killed it. Clean. Swift. Solid throw, too. The spear had cut through the air easily. Definitely better than his first few attempts at hunting when he was a kid.

He smiled fondly. Igneel had been demanding. A lot. Expected only the best from him. Still, those were good times nonetheless.

Just wish I knew where he was.

Natsu set down the spear by his feet and huffed.

It was then that he reached for his pack on his left. Just before he'd grasped the strings to the sack, he paused.

Wait…

Natsu down at the wooden spear once again.

Connections formed in his mind. The memory of him throwing the spear and something else, a prior frustration that'd been on his mind quite a bit as of late. One he'd had back in the hotel. And the same one that plagued him over the last few days.

Everything, every hint of gratitude, wistfulness… all of it had cleared away almost instantaneously as an idea began to form.

The spell… and… the spear…

Yes…

It might just work.

The same day they met Trast, they'd packed their things and got back on the train, heading straight for Hargeon.

From Hargeon, they'd gone on foot. It took both him and Laxus almost a week to make it past Clover Town and then, finally, out to the Ammark Mountains. They were right along the southern border with Bosco now. Barely over an hour's trek from their ultimate destination.

Something just felt off about it whenever Natsu looked up Darshel's position on the map Laxus had given him. And it bothered him that he didn't know why. Even though the village was located along the border, it still managed to feel isolated. Out of reach, somehow.

He shook the unwelcome feeling this place seemed to impart and focused on the matter at hand.

The sun was well up into the sky by now. Trees became fewer in number as he and Laxus continued up the paved stone road. Up close, the mountains seemed almost impossibly high. Jagged peaks of rock pierce the clouds above tens of thousands of feet high. A cold, but not freezing, wind had swept down from the cliffs above. And through the lessened fog around them, from the higher ridges of the surrounding horns, Natsu had picked out more than a few patches of snow.

Roughly one hundred yards ahead of them was a wide riverbed, a fast-moving stream that branched off from the southern alp to his right. An overpass made of cobbled stone had bridged both sides of the gap. On the other side of the bridge were three circular watchtowers made of wood. Each of them connected by stone battlements.

A gate was waiting for them. And so too were several guardsmen atop the walls, each clad in furs and brigandine and armed with crossbows. Two more were standing by the gate as well, both holding spears.

Everything had been going relatively fine so far. But now they were about to walk into the proverbial lion's den.

The walk across the bridge was pleasant enough, but as soon as they'd crossed the threshold and set foot on the other side of the riverbed… Natsu frowned as something… seemed to shift.

A… distant, thumping sound that he couldn't quite place, one that was nearly imperceptible. It seemed to tap gently up against the soles of his feet, too.

Beating. Like a heart.

The guardsmen on duty didn't seem to notice it, either. Both the men at the gate and those in the watchtowers.

Strange.

They stopped at the gate, and one of the guardsmen came out to meet them.

"Hold," the man's voice was irritable. "State your business."

Laxus took the lead, "My cousin and I are heading into Bosco. Family business. We'll only be staying a few days before moving on."

The guard snorted. At the sight of two military-aged men, he was naturally more suspicious than anything. The man looked back at his fellow guardsman, who merely shrugged. Then, for a few more moments, the guard split a scrutinizing gaze between both Natsu and Laxus.

"A few days?" he asked. He didn't seem convinced, but it wasn't like he had the authority to search or question them unlawfully. And Natsu knew that the guard wouldn't find anything implicating them, either.

"That's right," Laxus said stonily.

"Hm," the guard shook his head, letting out a sigh. "You can go through, then. Just don't cause any trouble. Conduct your business, then be on your way."

Laxus nodded. So did Natsu.

The man was clearly satisfied by their silent confirmation. "Good," he said. With that, he turned around. "Open the gate!"

Not a minute sooner, the tall twin wooden doors shuddered, splitting open just down the middle. The guardsmen nodded to them.

Before they went through, it seemed that Laxus wanted to have one last stab.

"Is there a tavern in town you'd recommend?" The Lightning Wizard asked.

The guard almost seemed to snarl at that.

"No," he said. His tone was final.

Clearly not fond of outsiders.

Well. Sucked to be them, in that case. If they didn't like outsiders, they definitely picked a bad spot to live in.

Past the guard post, the surrounding treeline grew more scattered. The vale in which the border between Fiore and Bosco was set in had narrowed. Not far in the distance (perhaps half a kilometer away), Natsu got a view of a long belt of tall stone walls, extending from one side of the valley to another. More guard towers dotted the walls.

And through the trees to Natsu's left, he also managed to pick out a series of glowing lights that blazed the upper ridges to the mountain clefts in the North.

The mine.

It wasn't until they were well away from the guard post that Natsu looked to Laxus. "They didn't seem happy to see us."

"No shit," Laxus huffed. "They're a small border town in the mountains that relies on trade to stay afloat. With everything that's happened with the mine, I doubt they're pleased if 'travelers' like us share rumors about what's going on. Wouldn't exactly be good for their image."

That seemed more like an incomplete story than anything.

That's how it looked in Natsu's estimation.

They split off from the main road once they came upon a separate trail that had clearly seen plenty of action. Indents of wheels from carts and wagons. Faded bootprints. Even a few animal tracks here and there.

The trail was a more than manageable incline. It led up to a cleft that was well above Darshel itself. And by the time they'd reached the outer edges of the main compound itself, they were greeted with a low whistling sound, as per the mountain air. They'd also been given an unexpectedly pleasant overlook of the whole town itself. Even from roughly a kilometer above it.

A long, wide road split Darshel into two halves, with the centre of town expanding into an almost perfect square, right where the marketplace was. Each of the houses had been primarily constructed with granite and then lumber. Rooftops of slate tiles. And almost every building had a chimney. Columns of smoke rose from the town steadily into the morning sky to join the clouds.

On the southern side of town, Natsu got a glance at a rather large and imposing keep, one adorned with a belltower. It was more like a titanic block of granite than anything. And it seemed out of place compared to the rest of Darshel.

The mayor's home? Seemed like it.

They'd probably have to go there at some point.

Natsu followed closely behind Laxus as they approached the main gate of the Blacksteel mining compound, the place itself being walled off entirely with large wooden stakes. One watchtower had been erected behind it, with two men standing atop it. Both of them smoking from their pipes. Almost immediately, they took notice of the two wizards.

"Ho there," one of the men called out. "You two lost? Town's down there."

His coworker chuckled.

From Natsu's side, Laxus had stepped forward. "We need to see your foreman, Bastiel Wrightwood. We're wizards from Fairy Tail. Your bosses' boss sent us."

"Fairy Tail?" The bearded man seemed taken aback. He looked to his friend. "Boss mention anything about wizards?"

"Go ahead and ask him yourself. We'll wait here."

The coffee was surprisingly excellent.

The foreman's bunk, much like the rest of the bunkhouses in the compound, was made of lumber. Wood paneling made up the walls. At the opposite end of the room was a hearth made from limestone. Wood crackled, and smoke went up the accompanying chimney.

Across the table from Natsu and Laxus sat a well-built man who was well into his fifties. His hands were rough, with dark circles around wary and tired brown eyes.

Alright. Alright. The Dragon Slayer mentally prepared himself.

Know what you're going to ask before you say anything.

Don't say 'uh' or 'um'. If you do, then he'll think you're an amateur who doesn't know what he's doing.

Speak calmly and assuredly. Take the lead. Clients will be happy if you can make them feel like they're dealing with a professional.

"Well, erm…" The foreman, Bastiel Wrightwood, was looking over an already-opened letter. Looking back and forth between it and both Natsu and Laxus. After a few moments, he sighed and set the letter down. "Trast sent word a few days back 'bout you two. Your descriptions match what he says here. Forgive me, but I had to be sure."

"You had your reasons, I assume," Laxus said. "In any case, Trast seemed pretty eager to get this whole thing resolved. Made it clear that he wanted you and your men safe first and foremost."

"That's the old boy, alright. I've known him since we were lads. I'm even godfather to one of his kids. We go way back. He makes it a point to look after all of us as best he can. But you can imagine that he's got quite a lot on his plate at the moment."

Natsu sat back in his seat. "He said you knew more about what's happening in the mine."

Wrightwood looked to him then. Seemed unsure about something. Reluctantly, he continued, "Yes… that's right," he said, now looking steadily between the two of them. "What did Trast tell you, though?"

"That your men broke into a ruin within the mine," Laxus said. "The place was carved immaculately from stone. Then your men started getting nightmares, hearing whispers, and singing. And that one of those men gouged his own eyes out, and died shortly after."

"Yeah… still hard to swallow, that," Wrightwood shook his head. "Deak was his name. Deak Ulson. Good man, too. Our field doctor here in camp couldn't do much to help him at the time."

"How did he die?"

The foreman threw his hands up in the air. "Couldn't tell you. It wasn't like he bled out or anything. His wounds were cleaned thoroughly. He was just weak. It was like he… expired," he said, running a hand down his face. "I closed up the whole mine after that. Not that that did any good."

Laxus leaned forward. "What do you mean?"

"The rest of the lads who found the cavern with Deak… they're gone, too. Disappeared in the middle of the night."

"How recently?"

"Two nights ago."

"Do you know where they went?"

Wrightwood nodded, "They went back into the mine. We found their tracks outside their bunkhouse the next morning, and the entrance to the mine was broken open."

Probably went back to the same shaft, Natsu figured.

Laxus seemed to come to the same conclusion. "They haven't come up at all since then?"

"Not once, no."

"Did you send a search party?"

The foreman shook his head. "No, I haven't. I want to, believe me, but I'm not risking more of my men over this."

"When they first found the place," Laxus continued. "What did they see?"

"Hallways and corridors. Like you said, they were all perfectly cut from stone," Wrightwood said. "The walls were covered in murals, too, from what they told me. All of the carvings were moving or something along those lines. They came upon a door. When they came back up, Deak said there were antlers carved into it, I think."

"Antlers?" Natsu blurted, cursing himself as he realized he'd spoken off-handedly. "Like the same antlers a stag would have?"

"That's how he described it."

Laxus hummed, "Does anyone else know? Besides the rest of the men?"

The foreman downed the rest of his coffee and nodded. "Whole bloody town knows by now, I bet. Not that they talk about it openly. Fools want to pretend like everything's fine and dandy. A crock of shitheads, I'll say."

"How so?"

"The mayor won't even see me. He keeps saying that it's 'miner's hysteria' or something of the like. Some of the older townsfolk go pale whenever one of my boys mentions the mountain in passing at the tavern. Some of them just refuse to talk outright," Wrightwood huffed irritably. "Besides that, I got some trade minister from Bosco trying to muscle us out of here, and the captain of the town guard keeps waddling her ass up here trying to press me for details."

Wrightwood must've realized he'd almost gone off on a tangent, as he muttered an apology and sank back into his chair, sighing as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

So…

The Mayor's ignoring it? A man carved out his own eyes and died soon after… and the Mayor was just pretending it never happened? If anything did sound dubious to Natsu, it was certainly that little detail.

It wasn't right. Natsu already knew that there were suspicions around the Mayor, but this only added fuel to the fire. Trast said the man was happy to help open up the mine so he could get in on the profits, too…

…but now he's just gone silent all of a sudden?

But if the Mayor was keeping silent, then why was the Captain of the Guard coming up to the mine trying to interview Wrightwood about the incident? Weren't they supposed to be on the same team? Wasn't she also supposed to 'pretend' that nothing was going on as well?

And what happened to the other missing miners? What was that thing about the antlers? A doorway? What was behind it?

Natsu felt somewhat relieved as he processed more and more questions. He was beginning to feel more certain in playing detective now.

What else do we need to know? The Dragon Slayer wondered to himself. One man was dead, the other five had disappeared. Those in town knew something, but were tight-lipped about the whole thing. What questions should I be asking him?

It wasn't long before an avalanche of ideas came flooding to the forefront of his mind. Natsu sorted through them in his head quickly and quietly and picked out what he thought was the best one.

"Have you looked into what might be behind this?" Natsu asked.

The surprised, yet approving look that Laxus gave told him that he was on the right track. Might've been something the blond himself was going to ask.

Wrightwood nodded, seemingly with some renewed energy. "I did, as a matter of fact. Didn't find much, only that the old tribes that used to live up here in the Ammarks 'bout a century or so back, had a religion of sorts. Some of them left sacrifices here in the mountains. Don't know what for, though. Whatever we found in the mines… might just have something to do with that."

"Hmm," Laxus nodded, giving Natsu an appreciative nod before looking back to Wrightwood. "Some of the folks in town would be descended from those tribes…" he said. "There's a good chance they'd know more. Especially given how frosty they've been toward your workers. If we went into town, do you know anyone who will talk? Or where we might be able to find more information?"

The foreman seemed to ponder the question for a minute. "No," he admitted. "Not without pressing them first. There might be something in the town library. I reckon they've got all their records and such there, history of the town and all that… but hell, I wouldn't even know where to start."

The town library. Old Ammark tribes. The Mayor.

So now they had leads. Excellent.

It was then that Laxus rose to his feet, placing his mug of coffee on the desk in front of them. "Well, I do."

Natsu stood up with him. Across the desk, so did Wrightwood.

"Show us to the mine. We'll find your men and check the place out."

Unsurprisingly, mountain tunnels were rather constricting.

Natsu found himself in a long, narrow throat of stone roughly eleven feet wide and ten feet tall. The walls were closed in, just broad enough so that a few workers could walk next to one another. Heavy wooden beams stained with dirt and sweat were braced against the ceiling. The sloped floor was scattered with rubble and old boot prints. The only actual lighting had come from the row of lacrima lanterns that had been strung along the walls.

And the deeper they seemed to go, the more it seemed that the light was swallowed by the stone.

"I had the breach boarded up," Wrightwood commented as he led the way, also holding a lantern, "I hope that's not a problem for the both of you?"

"Not at all," Laxus said from up front. "Was it before or after your men vanished?"

"Before. I didn't want to take any chances, not that it changed much. I reckon they probably broke back into the ruin again."

"Ah," Wrightwood hummed, leading them along the chalk-marked walls. Old carts and pickaxes were casually, yet neatly, placed towards either side of the shaft. Some veins in the walls seemed to take on different shades or colours in the lantern light. "Here's why everyone's making a fuss over this place."

They came upon a large, oval-shaped opening in the wall to the left. Natsu felt a strange pulsing sensation in his gut, but one that was familiar. As they came closer to the man-wide gap in the stone, he initially saw a faint, and then potent blue glow.

The group of three stopped in front of the opening, and Natsu could only look on in fascination at the view before him.

The manhole extended out into a colossal, seemingly untouched cavern that must've been four times the size of Kardia Cathedral. Rows upon rows of gigantic raw crystalline spikes and stalactites lined the walls, floor, and ceiling, all jutting inward like the tips of spears.

And not just in blue, but green, red, orange, and gold. Everything shimmered brightly, illuminating the entirety of the cavern. It was simply… mesmerizing.

Almost, he was looking at… captured starlight.

Lacrima…

Wrightwood elaborated, "We found some smaller veins in the other shafts," he said. "But this… really exceeded our expectations."

Laxus let out a low whistle, "How come you and your men haven't gone in yet? Leaving a fortune on the table in there."

"Wasn't long after we cracked this vault that we found the labyrinth. Just down here, I'll show you."

Ah. Natsu wouldn't pretend to know about the whole lacrima industry, but apparently, it was quite profitable, going from what he'd learned over the last few days alone. Even Laxus seemed to think it was a big deal.

He chided himself. I really oughta read up on this stuff. The more Natsu thought about it, the more he hated being left out of the loop on… well… anything.

It didn't take long. The throat of stone and timber ribs went through a series of small twists and turns further downward until they arrived at their final destination.

They found the remains of what used to be a series of snapped-apart wooden planks lying on the floor of the tunnel. Where the stone walls of the shaft had glowed a vibrant orange-gold in the lantern light, it now seemed to shift into an unhealthy, sickly yellow.

No sign. No lantern. Nothing. It might as well have been just another dead end…

…Were it not for the open cavity leading into a pit of darkness.

Natsu looked at the wide breach in the rock and immediately narrowed his eyes. The air coming from inside it just… felt thicker. The shadows from the lanternlight seemed to grow longer, too. And the smell…

Something was rotting. There was also a sort of pungent, earthy scent paired with it. Wrightwood hadn't seemed to have been put off by the smells, however. Meaning he couldn't detect them.

Thrum… Thrum… Thrum… Thrum… Thrum… Thrum… Thrum…

The beating was louder. This place was the source. Had to be.

"It's… cold," Laxus said as he carefully approached the gap between the mine and the sanctum within. "Really cold."

Cold? Natsu frowned. He hadn't noticed.

Now that he thought about it, though, he never really did notice whenever it was cold. Came with his Magic.

"That's what I gathered, too," Wrightwood agreed. "I've been in this business for twenty years. Believe me when I say that I've never seen anything like this before."

The Lightning Wizard turned back to the foreman. "We'll go inside, look around for your workers. You should go topside and wait for us in the meantime."

"But I-"

"No, Mr. Wrightwood. I strongly suggest you make yourself scarce."

Natsu saw the conflict in the foreman's eyes. The man wanted to stay. He obviously didn't think himself a coward, and wanted to make sure his workers were alright. But he was also clearly unnerved by even the sight of the shadowy hall within.

After a few moments, though, Wrightwood relented. "Very well… I'll, uh… see you two up top."

And with that, he was on his way, climbing back up the shaft.

The foreman's exit had only given way to silence. Natsu looked back to the open rupture of inky darkness and readied himself. The amalgamated stench of earth and rot only grew stronger.

"Ready?" Laxus asked.

He nodded. "Ready."

The former led the way. He saw Laxus leap down from a ledge into a flattened corridor. He followed suit.

As soon as he landed, he'd felt it beneath his feet.

Thrum, thrum, thrum… Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum…

That damnable pulsing. It was like hearing drums now.

Worse still, it seemed to acknowledge him. With each step he took further into the seemingly endless hallway, Natsu felt the floor pulse gently against the soles of his feet. Like it was… greeting him somehow.

The place was everything Trast had described it to be. Compared to the mineshaft, everything in here was perfectly leveled; the ceiling, the pillars. The walls from the top extended outward until they met the floor. No blemishes or signs of age on the grey stone. Everything was… orderly. Too orderly.

On both sides, the perfectly carved tunnel seemed to go on and on. Not a single light to show the way.

Natsu felt his nose twitch slightly as he glanced down the hall to his right.

The rotting smell was coming from that direction.

He decided to follow his nose, but prepared himself for the potential of a fight. He didn't hear anything that would give away opponents. Not yet, at least.

Carefully, he stalked down the darkened corridor. Along the walls on either side of him, he caught glimpses of murals etched into the lifeless grey stone. The same ones that Wrightwood mentioned. He didn't pay them much mind, however.

Approximately thirty feet away from him, there was an intersection. Three separate passages split off from the main hall in a fork.

The left hall ended on a sort of octagonally-shaped spiral staircase, one that led further downward. The right passage seemed to keep going, and when Natsu squinted his eyes, he saw that perhaps sixty feet ahead, it split off into yet another series of branching hallways. Natsu didn't hear a single thing from either one. Not a damn thing

It was the middle passage, however, where the drumming seemed to originate.

Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum…

Natsu looked over at Laxus, who seemed to be inspecting the murals on the right wall rather closely. "You feel that?"

"What?"

"Like something's knocking against your foot."

The Lightning Wizard met his gaze briefly. There was no witty remark. "Yeah. Felt it since we crossed the river," he said, then turning back to the mural on the wall in front of him. "Wrightwood mentioned antlers… said that they were carved into this doorway that the miners found. All over these carvings, I've been seeing some sort of antlered figure. Can't be a coincidence."

"You think that's the monster causing all this?"

"No monster would've done all this," the older man gestured to the structure around them. To the pillars. To the murals. "This place had to have been built by humans. With magic, too."

A heavy pause hung between the two of them.

Where was this thing? And how long would Natsu have to wait before he could punch it in the face?

"Let's find those miners," Laxus said, snapping Natsu away from his inner frustration. The blond walked by him. "Stench is coming from down there," he said, pointing to the middle corridor ahead of them.

The centermost passage just led straight on. Pure darkness right ahead. Except… except for a faint greenish glow of some kind.

What is that?

He followed close behind as Laxus strode down the middle hall.

The walk was brisk and quick. They arrived at the 'doorway' that the miners had spoken about.

It was tall, perhaps fifteen feet high, having clearly exceeded the height of the corridor itself. Made from white granite and shaped like a perfect triangle. Carved into it were various symbols and runes that had no meaning to Natsu. The only thing he could make out was a distinct pair of large, jagged antlers that sprang out to either side. Both of them were glowing in a sickly pale green light.

But that wasn't all…

"Shit," he heard Laxus curse next to him. But Natsu saw it before the blond had. Saw them.

All five of them. Assembled in a half-circle facing the door. Clearly dead. Not breathing in the slightest. Kneeling before the triangular doorway as if it were their god. Pools of now dried blood welled beneath their stilled knees and feet.

They'd prostrated themselves motionlessly before the pair of glowing green antlers in the door. Backs straight, heads high, arms held out forward. Almost as if they were trying to accept alms…

But out of all the similarities each of the 'missing' miners had right now, all of them paled in comparison to the blackened, void-like pits that were each of the men's eye sockets. It wasn't hard to figure out where their eyes had gone. Not really.

As in each cupped pair of bloodied, outstretched hands… Each man was offering up his own eyes. Up to the antler-like sigil before them all.

All as if they were each making one final sacrifice.

"Yeah," Natsu echoed, his voice hard.

"Shit."

Chapter Text

November 1st, The Ammark Mountains

Day 32

Natsu had tried with all his might to break down the triangular door.

With each blow Natsu dealt out to the seemingly enchanted gate of dull grey stone… it had repaired itself just as quickly. He'd made holes in it, even saw through tiny cracks and crevices of what lay on the other side. But then the stone would conjure back into shape, almost like water, and remake itself.

The barrier was seemingly indestructible. And so Laxus had told him to stop. They would find another way around it.

It wasn't easy to ignore the potent rage he felt in his being about what happened to the miners, but Natsu decided to listen to the older man.

And so, they'd quietly retrieved the bodies of the missing miners and brought them back up the shaft.

Bastiel Wrightwood had been angered upon learning what had happened to his workers, with the foreman more or less cursing the mine and whatever lay within it. He'd sternly requested that Natsu and Laxus solve the matter quickly and said in no uncertain words, 'Put down whatever bastard caused this!'

After that, they'd left the Blacksteel Compound behind. The walk down from the upper clefts where it was located had been just as easy as the walk up. Shortly, he and Laxus were back on the main road heading right to Darshel.

What the fuck was that?

The scene with the miners kneeling before the antler sigil, offering up their own eyeballs in their palms, played out over and over again at the forefront of Natsu's thoughts

What had compelled them to cut out their own eyes?

Just… why?

These nightmares, and whispers… and this supposed 'song' that the miners had heard. He knew full well about all of it, but before, he hadn't exactly taken it seriously.

It was only just a bunch of dreams, right? Couldn't be much worse than that.

Not exactly the first time you've done that… a stray thought nagged incessantly at him. It was annoying because he knew it was right. Almost every other large threat he'd encountered up until now, he'd initially not taken seriously.

A pattern. One he hadn't recognized until now…

Eisenwald. Lullaby. Deliora. Phantom Lord. Gajeel. The Tower of Heaven.

Jellal.

The Dragon Slayer ground his teeth together into a controlled snarl.

He'd already scolded himself about his performance against Jellal. But it was the realization of that he'd always carried himself with a certain confident ignorance, and that because of it, he'd inadvertently brought plenty of suffering not only to himself, but also to those close to him.

Finally realized because he'd come across a group of miners he'd not even known.

Because of a hidden and highly dangerous threat that lay behind the triangular door. Because of a thing that he didn't know, and couldn't see with his own two eyes.

Letting himself get carried away like that…

Natsu refused to let that happen ever again.

Especially not if there was more shit out there like the thing behind the triangle door. Whatever it was.

Both he and Laxus went into the labyrinth just as those miners had. Were they the next to go nuts? To go mad and carve out their own eyes?

Thrum… Thrum… Thrum… Thrum…

The pulsing beneath his feet had kept going. Getting louder.

His anger began to melt away. Natsu let out a tired sigh. He shouldn't be tired. He knew that he shouldn't be tired, but he was.

So this is an S-Class job, huh…

So far, it didn't seem nearly as exciting as he once thought. Just a bunch of unfriendly mountain people, a murky mineshaft, a creepy hallway leading to… somewhere, and a bunch of dead miners.

Not exactly the glorious and heroic work he'd once imagined Gildarts getting up to.

"Keep your hood up," Laxus said as the approaching town grew larger in the distance ahead of them. "Some people might recognize you in there."

The Dragon Slayer reluctantly drew his hood over his head.

He didn't care about that, though. Not until they actually spoke about what happened.

"This is what S-Class is like? Seeing things like that?"

As they continued walking, the older man regarded him slowly. Took the time to think about his response.

"Not all the time, no," Laxus said finally. "Sometimes it can get a bit comical. But it's not often that these jobs are tame like the stuff you'd see on the notice board down on the first floor. In all my time in S-Class, I've seen shit that would make you want to burn it all down… and things that would make you doubt your own faith in humanity. At a certain point, you just get numb to it all."

The Lightning Wizard met Natsu's gaze then. "But that's the sacrifice we make in our line of work. We experience unpleasant things. Sometimes, we'll have to kill to get the job done. Yeah, those men didn't deserve to die like that. Yet there's nothing we can do for them now other than put an end to whatever curse has gripped this town. All that matters is that we keep going, despite the things we've seen. It's the burden we take on so others don't have to," he said pointedly. "Especially those close to us."

And he left it at that.

Natsu didn't know how to respond. Didn't know what to say.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he'd suddenly stepped into someone else's life. Everything he'd experienced over the course of the last few days and weeks was a completely different mode of life than what he was used to. The new digs, playing detective, asking questions, and taking a step back to analyze.

And just now it all came crashing down on him.

He could finish this job and go back to whatever he was doing before. Brooding in his house. Burying his head in the sand. The thought had occurred to him.

Or he could keep going, and see what else there was to this gig… and where it could take him.

Immediately, Natsu decided on the latter.

"Makes sense?" Laxus asked from his side.

It did. "Yeah."

So where do we go from here?

They had their objective. Had clear leads. Natsu knew that they just needed to follow up on them.

Keep a cool head. He could do that. Yeah. He could do that.

Laxus seemed to approve. "Good. Let's get into town and scope out the place. We've got work to do."

They passed under the main gate without issue.

Two guards stationed on the battlements atop the long granite wall had been chatting idly to themselves. And as Natsu and Laxus were heading up toward the entrance to town, the former had heard them pipe up.

"Travelers, huh?" The first whispered.

"Likely mercs," the second said. "See how tall they are. And their builds. Seems like they can handle themselves well in a fight. Probably carrying steel under those cloaks."

Natsu frowned. He didn't know why people would just carry around chunks of steel for no reason, but he didn't exactly care to ask.

The guards' gazes seemed to linger on them a little too long as he and Laxus passed by.

As they rolled into town, Natsu was greeted with the sight of the long, winding road he'd taken in from up on the cliffs near the Blacksteel Compound. The wide split that separated the two halves of Darshel from each other. It led up to the market square, which wasn't far ahead.

A large wagon, without horses, was driving itself toward both him and Laxus. Two men were sitting in the front, while crates and chests were being shuffled in the back. Occasionally, the wagon rattled from a bump in the road. Probably merchants from Bosco, judging by the odd-looking knee-length leather coats they were wearing, along with silver brooches depicting two crossed sickles.

There were more people out and about along the side of the road. Most of them were heading to the market square. Others were walking by Natsu and Laxus and heading off into smaller streets and side alleys, minding their own business.

A few of them, however, had looked at both him and Laxus. And when Natsu met their gazes, they hurriedly looked away, looking at the ground and moving along.

An old woman, who'd just shut the door to her home, was holding the hand of a boy no taller than her hips. She'd turned around and almost jumped upon looking at him and Laxus.

The child tugged at his grandmother's sleeve, pointing at Natsu.

"Gran, look-"

The woman yanked his hand down and hissed, "Don't stare. Back in the house. Now!" She'd immediately diverted her gaze to the ground, opened the door, and pulled her grandson back inside.

What the hell…

How were these mountain people so distrustful? What was their problem? Being antisocial kind of defeated the point of living next to a well-traveled border point between two neighboring kingdoms.

The market square was only a stone's throw away now. The voices had grown louder and more distinct. In this strange place, that might be a good thing.

It was then that a new smell had made itself known to him. One that managed to cut through various other scents: smoke, iron, raw meat and fish, old pottery, and wood.

Natsu took another sniff. Incense?

Yeah, it was incense. Burning herbs, too. Ones that he couldn't place.

Where was it coming from?

To his left. The north side of town. Somewhere past the market square. Odd, but something to keep in mind.

The market square itself was a seemingly grand location, one that was out of place for a seemingly humble mountain town that housed a population of just over two thousand people.

Rows upon rows of stalls were situated outside of shops, some of them even had wagons placed next to them. Many more had been set up near the large circular fountain pool located in the center of the marketplace. In the fountain, there was a tall rock, perhaps about fifteen feet in height alone. Carved into it were symbols and runes. Heads of wolves, owls, and bears.

Dozens of people were going about their business, roaming the grounds. A cart rattled past him and Laxus, laden with coal sacks, the driver's face gray with soot. A patrol of guardsmen eyed them up briefly before moving along. Women bartered for dried fish. A man for horseshoes from the blacksmith. One little girl tried tugging on her father's cuff, only to point at a doll on display.

Most of them paid him and Laxus no mind. Kept to themselves. Those who hadn't merely looked at them with the same cold suspicion as the guardsmen up at the gate. And-

"Hashabellar, no-factum illbedar…"

Natsu frowned upon hearing the strange series of… words?

Where had they come from? He looked all over the market square, and quickly settled his gaze on a lone figure standing right next to the fountain pool. They were looking at the large stone, with their head bowed low.

Upon closer inspection, Natsu saw that it was an old man. Long grey wisps for hair. Wrinkles. Sagging skin, particularly around the eyes. Maybe in his sixties or seventies? He seemed to be mumbling something. Some more words? Talking to himself?

A prayer?

"Lodum oroda piikaris. Seemoona illa orum…"

Or at least… that's what the codger seemed to be saying. Moreover, the old man was holding something in his right hand. As Natsu walked by, he saw that it was something white and hard.

Bone? Some sort of charm?

Whatever it was, the old man was rubbing it with his thumb. Like a worry bead or something.

The stench of incense had gotten much more potent. Natsu decided that the old man was harmless and drew his attention away to find the source of the burning herbs. He looked to the left side of the market square, down the much narrower northern road that went in the direction of the mountain. He squinted his eyes past the moving traffic of heads, horses, and carts, trying to see where the north street led to.

It went on for about four hundred feet. At the far end was a tall building, but unlike the rest of the town, this one was constructed primarily from pinewood. Almost the same materials as a longhouse would be made of, but shaped like a circle. Two stories tall, with a slanted roof of worn black shingles. No windows. Just a tall, heavy wood door standing atop a three-foot-tall stone foundation. On either side of the door were two tall pillars of wood. They seemed to be carved into… animal heads?

A temple of some kind? Natsu had only ever smelled incense coming from temples and stuff like that.

Whatever it was, something was off about it.

"There's the tavern," Laxus said from his side, breaking him out of his thoughts.

The older man had nodded to a much taller building situated on the south-eastern corner of the market square. It was three stories tall, with multiple chimneys sprouting from the roof, and multiple smaller balconies branching off from where the rooms would be on both the second and third floors. A massive oaken door at the front, and just above it, a silver-gilt sign.

Silverview, it said in neat cursive lettering.

Natsu nodded in turn and followed close behind Laxus.

He could do with a drink.

The door to the tavern groaned on its hinges as they walked inside.

There were various aromas in the air: smoke, firewood burning in the wide hearth off to the right end of the rectangular-shaped hall, spiced mead, freshly baked sourdough bread laden with swaths of butter, and pan-seared ribeye steak doused in salt and pepper.

Rows of tables, with benches and chairs between them. Many of the tables were occupied, but as it was fairly early in the morning, some of them were empty. The place would grow busier later in the evening.

And louder, too.

Yet, as soon as Natsu and Laxus walked inside… with the wooden floor creaking under their feet and the door flashing open, some of the noise and chatter had dropped only slightly. A longer than normal lull where many heads had turned, looking squarely in their direction.

Tankards lifted slowly. Dice had been left mid-roll. Ongoing conversations came to a halt. Off to the left end of the tavern, where the main bar was located, there was even a table occupied by a squad of guards. They watched him and Laxus with their hands resting a little too casually near the pommels of their swords.

Natsu scanned over the entirety of the hall. Just as quickly, many of their eyes darted away from his. And after a moment, their chatter resumed. A thread of whispers began to weave throughout the hall.

"Mercenaries. Got to be."

"See those scars on the blond one?"

"First those miners… now these two. What do they want?"

"Drink probably. Unless they're here about the-"

"Shut your trap. Now."

Natsu watched as Laxus paid no mind to any of them, and so he did the same.

They made for the bar. Waiting for them with a professional smile was a short, yet stout-looking man with rough hands. Grey hair. And a big bushy moustache.

"Morning, lads," he greeted them cordially. "How can I help you?"

"Food and ale for a start. What are you offering?"

"Steak and eggs. Cook is whipping up some stew just now. Got some fresh boar and salted trout as well. Bread, too."

Laxus nodded. "We'll have two plates of steak and eggs then. Some ale as well. Do you have any rooms available?"

"That I do," the innkeeper said. "How long will you two be staying?"

"Few days. Just passing through."

The tension in the tavern seemed to lift somewhat, as if everyone nearby could've heard Laxus. Like they were relieved.

Both he and Laxus paid for their respective rooms up front. Second floor, end of the hall, across from one another. Then, they made their way to the opposite end of the tavern, away from most of the patrons, right to the lone table closest to the hearth. Laxus took the seat with his back to the wall, and Natsu with his back to the hearth.

He tugged at his scarf.

The guards. They were still looking at him.

"Think the food will be good?" Laxus asked. Just loud enough for anyone near them to hear. He also darted his eyes in the direction of the town guards currently sipping on their ale, but then pretended to ignore them.

"Maybe. It smells pretty good from where I'm sitting.

That much was true. As delicious as the elk from that morning had been, Natsu was still hungry.

In response, Laxus had only given a low grunt.

A few minutes of silence between the two men. Neither of them said a thing, just fading away into the background of the tavern.

Wasn't long before one of the three roaming barmaids had weaved her way over to them. Two full plates skillfully held in one hand, with two tankards of ale in the other.

She was a short and buxom woman. Probably around the same height as Lucy. With a diamond-shaped freckled face, neck-length curly brown hair, and a thin waist. She seemed unusually cheerful compared to the rest of the townsfolk in the tavern.

"Two plates?" She asked, sporting a hearty grin that she set specifically on Laxus.

The Lightning Wizard flashed a smile of his own. "Yeah."

She set both the plates and the mugs down in front of them. "Will you two be needing anything else?"

"Not for now, no," Laxus said.

The barmaid beamed at the older man. "Well, if you do, you can always wave me over."

"Might take you up on that offer," Laxus said, sitting forward and smirking. "I'll warn you… I've been told that I'm awfully demanding."

"I'd be a poor waitress if I couldn't meet your every need," she grinned at Laxus, and winked. "See you later, handsome."

And with that, she swept away back to the bar to retrieve yet another order for another table.

What in the…

The Lightning Wizard simply turned to his meal. He smirked again when he saw Natsu looking at him with an eyebrow raised.

"What?"

"Handsome? Really?"

Laxus snorted. "You never flirted with a woman before?"

"What are you on about?"

"Women. You know… the opposite sex?"

Natsu extended his middle finger.

The gesture had only been met with a resounding laugh. Laxus got busy cutting up his ribeye, knife and fork in either hand. "Don't you have a thing going on with that blonde? What's her name…"

The blonde? Lucy?

Well… Natsu did like Lucy, but not in that way. Not his cup of tea. She was smart, and fun to hang out with…

…she just also tended to make a fuss about everything.

"Her name's Lucy. And no, I don't."

"Really?" It was the older man's turn to be mildly confused. "Figured you might've been, seeing as she's on your team. Doesn't seem like she does much. Women like hanging around guys who happen to have big arms," Laxus went on, his lips now curling into a smirk. "Even if they're dumbasses like you."

Natsu frowned. He was more annoyed with the mark against Lucy than the other man calling him a dumbass.

Sure, she wasn't a powerhouse like Erza, but she definitely contributed to the team. Natsu knew for sure that he wouldn't have been able to beat Gajeel without her help back when Phantom Lord attacked the guild.

"I oughta break your nose."

Laxus snorted as he chewed down his steak. Clearly amused by the threat to realign his facial features, "I'm sure you'll give it your best shot."

He crossed his arms and sat back in his seat. "You can be sure of that."

"Hmm… maybe." The older man looked him over then. Studying him for a moment that seemed to last forever. He continued, "So not the blonde. Then…"

After a few seconds, Laxus' eyes lit up. He snapped his fingers, pointing right at him now. "Erza! You and Erza have been getting on, eh? You got mad when I mentioned her at the quarry."

Natsu narrowed his eyes at the older man.

Again, it wasn't like he hadn't thought about it before.

Erza had always been a beautiful woman. For the longest time since they were kids, he'd never really seen her in that way, though.

Not the same way he'd seen Lisanna, at least.

They'd grown up together, sure, but Erza was always off doing her own thing. She always seemed a bit closer to Gray more than anything, and Natsu felt like there'd been a sort of distance between them during that time. A wall.

But… that wall had come crumbling down the same night he'd found himself in jail with her, thanks to the Magic Council arresting her in the first place. Then she'd opened up to him, or at least that's what it felt like at the time.

Then again, when he'd rescued her from Jellal. And after she'd caught him, when he collapsed from the sheer exhaustion that came with eating raw Etherion.

And when he carried her back to Akane Beach…

And when she'd brought him cake…

…and when they finally caught up together in the guild hall…

Whatever fear he'd felt for Erza back when he was a kid had long since evaporated. In its place was… what was it?

He was fond of her, that much he knew. He didn't know exactly what that feeling was, or what it meant. But he did know that it didn't seem to be the same affection he felt for Lucy, Happy, (and begrudingly enough, even for Gray).

...just that the thought of Erza, for some reason, seemed to make him feel all warm in the chest.

"No," he said. "We're not."

Laxus chuckled as he took a swig of his ale. "Hmm… dunno, Natsu. I'm starting to think that you just can't get it up. Or that you like taking it up the ass."

The Dragon Slayer couldn't resist smiling at the smack talk. "Fuck off."

"Doesn't sound like denial to me."

"I don't take it up the ass. But since you brought it up… it kinda sounds like you're projecting."

The older man smirked. "Would you look at that… you used a big boy word!"

Natsu shook his head, but smirked back.

Admittedly, he was grateful for the lift in conversation. For the shit talking.

After what he'd seen earlier that morning… well… the levity he'd found himself sharing with Laxus, of all people, certainly helped improve his mood.

He grunted and, remembering that he was hungry, also dove into his food.

The steak was excellent. Cooked and presented without pretense. The proportions of salt and pepper were good. These mountain people probably put a lot more of the latter on their food to deal with the lower temperatures in these parts. And the eggs had been scrambled, practically drowned in salted butter, and then piled high onto his plate. Delicious and plentiful. As all things should be.

Washing them both down with a mug of ale was the crowning touch. The bitterness of the drink did wonders for him. It was a decent reprieve from how cold their reception in town had been.

Speaking of which…

As Natsu finished up his meal and wiped his mouth clean, he heard bits and pieces of conversations coming from the other end of the room. One of them had made his ears twitch.

"...you hear it, too?"

"Hear what?"

"The humming? Sounds like… wind chimes, I think. Like the old ones that mum used to put up on the front porch. Always hear it just before I go to bed."

"Sounds like you've been hitting the hooch a bit too hard."

Natsu stiffened.

Wind chimes? Humming?

A sort of distant singing had been one of the symptoms that the miners had suffered. Was this humming what they'd meant by it?

He processed the information. He was just about to open his mouth to tell Laxus. But when he looked at the other man sitting across the table from him, he saw that Laxus' grey eyes were fixed on something to Natsu's right. Something-no, someone who was heading toward them.

A pair of footsteps grew closer, approaching him and Laxus. Natsu listened in. Light, but armored. Orderly paced, almost like how Erza would walk. A woman.

The Dragon Slayer looked over his shoulder and saw her.

She was tall, probably an inch or two shorter than he was. Mousy brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Late thirties. Narrow blue eyes that were firm. Shoulders back, head held high. She wore one of the maroon-coloured brigandine uniforms of the town guard, except she also wore a fitting iron gorget below her neck.

The guardswoman stopped next to their table. Her welcoming smile was unconvincing. "Why hello there," she said. "You two staying in town for a few days?"

"That's right," Laxus said evenly. "We'll just be minding our own business, miss…"

"Captain. Captain Sorn of the town guard."

Ah… shit.

Why in the blazes was she bothering him and Laxus of all people? They didn't look that shady, did they?

Natsu internally remarked that it would be super anticlimactic if he got arrested now for sitting still, considering all the property damage he'd caused up until this point.

Captain Sorn, however, didn't wait for Laxus to respond. She donned a tight smirk and leaned forward, looking directly at the Lightning Wizard.

"Oh, I'm sure you boys will keep to yourselves, alright…" The guardswoman hummed. She clearly didn't believe him. "Just keep in mind that I don't tolerate troublemakers in my town. Got it?"

Now the steely woman's gaze swept steadily back and forth between the two of them, waiting for confirmation that they heard her.

"Yeah," Natsu said calmly.

"Of course," Laxus replied after him.

A long pause followed as she continued to watch them both. She seemed to enjoy the uncomfortable silence she'd created.

"Alright then. You two be good. I'll be watching."

And with that, she walked away. Heading back to the table where her fellow guardsmen were currently sitting. A few of them even snickered the moment Sorn had turned away from Natsu's table.

Be good? Natsu felt that she'd earn a good smack upside the head for that comment, were she not the head of the town guard.

"What was that about?" He quietly asked Laxus.

The older man shook his head, still watching the back of the guard captain. "She's looking for something. Wouldn't have made sense to bother two new patrons otherwise."

Looking for something? For what? Did it have something to do with the mine?

"Wrightwood did say that she was trying to talk to him about the miners, right?"

Laxus took up his mug again and nodded. "Yeah, that's what's concerning. Based on the timing and us appearing in town… she might think we're involved with him somehow," he said as he met Natsu's eyes. "We ought to keep quiet. Operate at night, if needed."

The Dragon Slayer nodded in agreement. He could do that. "So where do we start?"

"We'll want to keep up appearing as travelers in the meantime. Tomorrow night, we'll go and follow up with the town library. There's a good chance we'll find more material on this old tribal religion that Wrightwood mentioned. Might even find the town records, too."

"What about the temple?"

Laxus looked up at him from his ale. "Temple?"

"Yeah," Natsu nodded. "At least I think it's a temple. Up the north street from the market. Smelled like incense and burning herbs, and it looks like it was built ages ago."

The older man seemed to ponder the revelation for a few moments. Carefully, Laxus sat back in his seat and looked up at the ceiling.

After a moment, the Lightning Wizard shuffled forward. "If you're sure about it, you go ahead and check out the temple tomorrow night. I'll go ahead to the library. When you're finished, you can meet me there. Sound good?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Very early the next morning, in the den that was his room at the Silverview, Natsu cracked open his eyes.

His instincts screamed at him.

Something was wrong.

The electric shock of danger had jolted any grogginess out of him. Almost instantly, he'd been fully awake and alert.

Calmly, with sharpened nerves, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and planted his feet firmly on the wooden floor.

The air was heavy. Heavier than it had been downstairs yesterday.

Natsu looked to his left. Out of the stained glass windows, he saw the blackened sky and the moon still sailing its way into the west. It must've been an hour or two after midnight.

Then he heard it.

Tiiing…

A delicate note. A distant chiming. Like glass being tapped with a nail. Or like…

…wind chimes.

The sound lingered in the air. And in his head. Natsu stood up and robotically looked around the room.

Nothing. There was no one else in the room with him.

Ting… tiiiiing…

The chiming seemed to be joined with a sort of humming now. Like a breeze or an exhale of air. A low, drawn-out sigh that carried rhythmically through the air. One that should've been calming, but one that made his muscles tense in anticipation.

Why did he get the feeling that something was watching him specifically?

It was then that his ears twitched. A scraping of movement came from somewhere nearby. Not in his room, but outside.

Natsu went to the windows and looked outside them, out at the grand market square. It was empty now. Spotless. The movement… was coming from the other side of the square, coming from down the northern street.

Someone was running. Fast. Panting heavily. Wheezing. Someone old or elderly. A man. Trying to get away from something. Whoever it was, he was getting closer to the town square.

It must've been-

"AAAAAGHHH!"

Natsu didn't waste any time. Wearing only his trousers, he bolted toward the door to his room. He unlatched the lock and was immediately out the door.

Across the hall, the door to Laxus's room had also opened. The older man stepped out of his room just a few moments after Natsu had. They didn't speak as Natsu rushed down the stairs to the first floor. Once in the main hall of the Silverview, he flew to the main door and opened it.

Even through the thicket of pitch blackness outside, Natsu saw a familiar-looking old man dashing madly toward the fountain in the center of the town square. He immediately recognized the man as the same one who'd been speaking in that strange language, who'd been praying to the large stone with the runes and symbols carved into it. The man who'd held the bone charm in his hand.

Suddenly, the old man fell onto his side before the fountain. Seizing and spasming. His arms and legs were bending at unnatural angles.

"No! No! I don't want to see!"

Natsu started running. He heard Laxus follow quickly behind him.

They hadn't been the only ones to hear the elder screaming. Two guardsmen who'd been nearby were already sprinting into the square, heading to the old man's side.

They weren't fast enough, however.

As soon as Natsu crossed into the market square, the old man had already raised something to his face. A sharp flash of metal told him what it was.

The elder took the knife in his hand and thrust it into his left eye socket. "ARRRGLH!" he howled into the night, screams echoing into the nearby side streets and alleys. Almost immediately, he'd plucked out the white orb he'd been digging for. And within seconds, he'd got to work on his right eye.

Much to the Dragon Slayer's dismay, the deed had already been done by the time he made it to the old man's side. The guards and Laxus arrived just seconds after him.

The old man fell over, and Natsu caught him and held him. "Come on! Stay with me!"

No response came.

Oddly enough, the same man who'd just carved out his own eyes in the middle of town… had let out a shaky, albeit relieved, wheezing sigh.

Like he'd just gotten back home after a long day at work, and was letting himself sink into his couch with a cold drink in hand.

The pulsing founts of blood that leaked from the empty wet sockets where his eyes used to be hadn't even bothered him in the slightest. Not even as the rivers of red poured down along his cheeks, and into his mouth.

The old man gagged, and after letting out one final, brutal gasp, uttered only two words…

"He comes."

Chapter Text

November 2nd, Darshel

Day 33

"I'm sure all of you may be… concerned regarding the incident that took place last night."

A soft round of murmurs reverberated from the gathered crowd of two-hundred people in the market square. There was a distinct sense of unease that permeated within the horde of townsfolk, and many of them had given each other similarly anxious glances.

Standing atop a wide, but hastily built stage was a tall, portly man wearing a fine suit with a leather coat over it. The area around his waistline and particularly his belly seemed to push out slightly. The man had a basic crew cut, along with long brown sideburns and a large, finely trimmed moustache. There was a small bit of stubble along his chin and jawline that barely concealed the man's jowls.

The mayor.

The man in question seemed to control himself rather well. "Unfortunately, we were hit with a tragedy earlier yesterday. Tavin, regrettably, suffered a stroke while taking one of his usual night walks. His body had been discovered by a patrol from our diligent town watch, as well as a few patrons staying at the Silverview," he went on, seemingly genuinely saddened. "Many of us knew Tavin quite well, myself included. I shouldn't need to tell you that he will be sorely missed."

His speech had been met with a resounding chorus of low cries and sobs. Evidently, the old man who'd died in Natsu's arms not even twelve hours prior had been an important member of the community.

But a stroke? Natsu couldn't help but snarl.

Not. A. Fucking. Chance.

The ensemble of shocked voices and anxious murmurs continued, however. Much longer than it should have.

The mayor himself shifted uneasily on his feet. He wrung his hands together. To his immediate left stood one disgruntled Captain Sorn. Natsu could tell, judging by the peeved look on her face, that she was angry. But at what, or who, specifically… he didn't know.

Mayor Dunhallow stepped forward. "A service will be held later this afternoon at the temple just up the road. Should any of you wish to pay your respects to Tavin and his family, you can do so there. Thank you."

Yet just as he was about to give one final bow and step off stage… more voices within the crowd had suddenly boiled to the surface.

"That's not what I heard!" One younger man shouted.

"Aye, that's right!" Another hummed in agreement. "My cousin works in the guard! He claimed that Tavin cut out his own bloody eyes!"

"Oh gods! That's what happened to the poor bloke who worked in the mines, right?"

"Exactly!"

"It's the mountain!" An old woman cried. "It's angry with us, like it was with those lads in the mines! And now Tavin's gone because of it!"

That had been the tipping point. A crashing wave of voices erupted from within the gathered crowd as people began to panic and argue back-and-forth about what was going on. The cacophony of discord had filled his ears, and Natsu briefly flinched for a moment before instinctively tuning out the white noise.

The mayor seemed lost on the stage. Like he'd walked right into a pack of wolves. It was clear that he didn't know what to do.

Serves you right, you fucking coward.

Even if it would've made people frightful, the townsfolk still deserved to know the truth about what happened to Tavin. If only so that one could then take the next step and reassure everyone that everything would be fine.

Why wouldn't the mayor just tell them the truth? They were gonna find out anyway, right?

Maybe the mayor really did know something… critical about what was going on? It only made sense.

Dunhallow looked impotently to Captain Sorn. And it was she who stepped forward right then.

"ENOUGH!" The Guard Captain cut right through the clamor as if she were addressing a group of toddlers. "THAT'S ENOUGH!"

As if by magic… the racket had come to an abrupt halt. Everyone in the crowd was now watching the tall woman intently.

Captain Sorn hadn't wasted any time. She leveled her tone now, "All of you can rest assured that my guardsman and I will be investigating this matter," she said. Completely ignoring the now blanch-white face of the mayor. "In the meantime, I urge you all to return to your homes for the day. If you wish to pay your respects to Tavin and his family, you can do so later this afternoon. Is that understood?"

For a few moments, there was… nothing. Not a sound. It was plain as day to Natsu now, who actually held the true and final authority in Darshel.

Then… came a round of murmurs. Those who'd been yelling only moments earlier had answered the woman with slow nods and hushed whispers. Confirmation that they'd heard her loud and clear.

Finally, they all began to slowly disperse. Chunks of the crowd split off into smaller groups.

And that was that.

Sorn herself gave Dunhallow one last baleful glare before taking her leave of the stand. Natsu watched as she descended the lone wooden steps and retreated toward a huddled squadron of guardsmen.

Mayor Dunhallow hadn't wasted any time. He got out of dodge, stepping off the platform, and made a beeline for something in the crowd.

Unexpectedly, however, the portly man hadn't left the marketplace right away. He'd weaved his way around disgruntled clumps of nervous townsfolk, right over to an old man standing at the northern edge of the market square who seemed to be waiting patiently for him.

The elder was a large, but lanky figure. About as tall as Laxus. A full white wiry beard that reached down to his collarbone, too. The man wore a brown wool robe that hid even his feet, with a large fur collar wrapped around his neck. The old man held a staff in his right hand, and he smelled of…

Incense.

Instinctively, Natsu let the well-worked inner muscle within his ears contract.

All background noise faded away. Every click of a heel against stone. Every hushed whisper. Even the shuffling of paper jewel notes or coins ceased as he focused on the two men; their voices carried smoothly across the market square.

They might as well have been standing next to him.

"Lorum no-sudom?" It was the mayor who'd initiated, and in that same blasted language that the old guy, Tavin, had spoken in. "Ankhinara, ell faduma. Rotunda al ellum?"

Had that been a question? It definitely sounded like one.

"Booram quenya naa podum. Veladan ell ada."

"Nenyria aen aqyra. Sedorselaae."

Mayor Dunhallow. Tense. Stiff hand movements. Jaw clenched. He's scared of something.

Scared of what, though?

The old man didn't share Dunhollow's concerns, though. Calm, not nearly as erratic in his movements. Stayed almost completely still, though he occasionally, lazily, glanced around.

So… what? Was the mayor asking something of the old priest-looking guy?

Natsu gave a gruff grunt and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Why was everything turning out to be a pain in the ass?

Morning passed into afternoon, and then into evening.

Shops closed early. People retreated hastily back to their homes and kept quiet while doing so. Most folk seemed to avoid the market square for obvious reasons, and those who hadn't definitely made sure to steer clear of the center fountain.

Moreover, the Silverview was less occupied than it had been the previous nights before. Only a few guests were spread out across the main floor of the tavern, minding their own business.

Natsu managed not draw their attention as he left the fine establishment in the late evening.

The Dragon Slayer took a glance around. He heard low beats of foot traffic coming from elsewhere in town. But not a soul could be spotted here in the marketplace. It was well and truly deserted.

The sound of wind chimes had tapered down somewhat. That was still there. Tapping away at the edges of his mind. And the constant, thrum… thrum… thrum… thrum…

It hadn't gone away, either.

He pressed it down, putting it out of mind and focusing back on the present. Natsu decided that he was satisfied with the lack of foot traffic. Crossing the market square and making his way up the north street to his ultimate destination. Wasn't long before he could make it out in the dusklight.

It really did look old compared to the rest of town. Out of date. Must've been built a long time ago. The stonework of the foundation on which the temple sat was immaculate, having been shaped perfectly round, but the rest of the stubby-like wooden tower was clearly aged.

Creaky.

A distant shuffling of feet within the sanctuary had drawn away his attention. Natsu looked to the tall wooden door as he approached. Reminded of the smell of incense and burnt herbs.

As he reached the stone steps leading up to the main door of the building, the chiming seemed to lessen. And the smells… ergh…

Reeked sourly… almost like rotting garlic.

Reluctantly, he grasped the large iron latch and pulled the heavy door open. It groaned on old hinges as it did so, then showed him a decent view of the great circular main hall within.

Natsu stepped inside and let the door shut behind him. Thoomp!

The interior was nothing special. Not overly decorated like the guild hall back in Magnolia or anything. The ceiling extended up about forty feet high, all the way up to the top of the temple itself. About halfway up, there was a simple catwalk that was reachable only through a set of narrow staircases located on either side of the hall.

A wide rectangular-shaped firepit lay in the center of the hall. Blessedly, the scents of burning firewood and smoke had overpowered that of the herbs and incense. Gentle fumes rose ever so slightly up to the ceiling.

The floor was entirely made up of dull grey stone panels. With each panel being too clean. Too smooth. Just like the foundation of the temple itself…

Just like…

Natsu narrowed his eyes at the floor.

Definitely not a good sign. Whatever magic that had been used to construct this temple had also been used to create the shrine beneath the mountain.

Laid out in a sort of semi-circle on the opposite side of the chamber were five life-sized statues. Each of them towered over wide stone slabs. Runes and symbols were etched into each of them.

He shouldn't have been surprised to see that the same markings on the slabs were quite similar to the ones he saw in the mines…

…and on the triangular door within the labyrinth.

Normally, he'd have been excited knowing that a hunch of his had actually worked out. But the fresh memory of seeing a grown man claw his own eyes out while screaming had sobered him up. Not likely he'd be able to bury that one down for a while.

Instead, Natus chose to inspect the statues. One-by-one. At least it would give him something else to focus on for the moment.

The first one on the right-a tall woman wearing a gown and a veil. Except this woman was standing in what looked to be a fire pit, also carved out of the same smooth stone that both the slab and the woman were shaped with. Rows upon rows of runes were coated into her dress. Natsu watched as the unfamiliar letters glowed red and orange. It felt warm… but distant at the same time.

Carved into the slab itself was a symbol. A gout of flames shooting upward. It also glowed fiercely like live fire.

Natsu's ears twitched then.

Heavy footsteps approached him from behind. Barefooted. A man.

And much to his annoyance, the miasma of incense had only gotten more potent than it had been earlier.

He turned and immediately caught sight of a great, wiry white beard. One that he'd seen before, back in the market square only earlier that day.

The old man whom the mayor was speaking with! Same brown robe. Same fur collar. Same tall wooden staff. Same patient, almost bored expression, but oddly adorned with a broad and warm smile.

He's gotta be fun at parties, huh.

"Greetings, young one," the old man's voice was deep and rich. Though the stilted accent didn't sound anything even remotely resembling Fioran. Almost like the Common Speech was his second language. He stopped in front of Natsu and held out his hand to him. "How might I help you?"

Instinctively, Natsu took the offered dry paw. "Ah…" he started, and kept trailing off from there…

Well… shit.

It wasn't like he'd planned on speaking to anyone. Laxus had done most of that. Well… up until now at least.

What the fuck should he even say? Did he get lost or something? Got bored? That he tripped and fell up the stairs outside and into the temple?

Damn it, Dragneel! You're supposed to be S-Class! He mentally scolded himself. Yeah, yeah, it's not official or anything, but you get the point! Talk your way out of this mess! That's what Laxus would do, and that's what Gildarts would do, too.

Alright… so what would this guy find believable? The old priest-looking-guy didn't look like he got out much… so maybe…

"Well…" Natsu smiled politely back at the old man, easily keeping his cool. He gave the priest's hand a firm squeeze before calmly releasing it. "My cousin and I are town for a few days, but I kind of got bored sitting in the tavern. Thought I should roam around for a bit, and eventually I came across this place."

The old guy nodded along. "I see," he said. "Forgive my uncivil manners. I thought that with yesterday's incident, very few would be walking outside at this time of night. My name is Osian," the elder said, placing his hand against his chest. "And you are…"

"Natsu."

Osian bowed. "A pleasure to meet you, Natsu. Tell… how can I help you?"

The Dragon Slayer let out a sharp sigh of relief, making sure to hide it as he made a show of looking around the temple hall itself. Now came the next part. "Just lookin' around, you know. I…" Don't say 'uh', "I was actually checkin' out these statues here when you came up."

The elder grinned now, a bit more proudly than before. "Ah, yes… our culture must seem alien to you lowlanders…" There was no malice in his tone. "These," he said as he gestured to the statues, "Are what remains of our old ways."

"Old ways?"

"I suppose the proper word for it would be a religion. Before our people left Bosco and gravitated to the Ammarks, the majority of us paid tribute to the Five Spirits of Creation."

Religion? A light went off in Natsu's head. Wrightwood had mentioned that the people of the Ammarks had a religion of their own. One that seemed to be connected to the labyrinth. This must be it.

He kept it cool. "Five Spirits, huh? What's so special about them, though?"

The question elicited a frown from the elder. But not one that indicated that he was offended.

Osian squinted large brown eyes at Natsu, seemingly inspecting him. Might be that an outsider, much less a visitor, would have even the smallest interest in his religion.

Natsu realized right then that he might just need a more convincing reason. Alright…

What to go with, though? He'd stuck with the cover story that he and Laxus were running with… so he couldn't just go and admit everything about the job or what they saw in the mountain.

What would get this guy to spill the beans?

Wait a minute… something flickered on in his head. An idea!

A stray memory came to mind. A familiar place… Lucy's apartment! She was super embarrassed about her novel, right? Said she hadn't finished it or something and complained about looking for material.

Yeah… that's what happened! Writers needed material to write with… so maybe, he could use that as a cover…

…right?

Time to find out if it would work.

Natsu, confidently, met the older man's gaze once again. "To be honest, I'm also writing an… adventure novel. Just can't figure out what to write, though… You know? Thought this temple might have something I could use."

It worked. The elder's face suddenly lit up in delight. "Really, now? Well, I'm flattered that you would find your way here, then. A creative mind is often a curious one, no?"

"Yeah, of course," Natsu nodded. "I mean, you guys got this whole religion I never even heard about until now. Kind of curious to know what it's all about."

"Well, in that case, would you be against a short tour?"

"Not at all."

Osian didn't waste any time. He dove right into his presentation, directing Natsu towards the wooden murals carved into the outer walls of the main hall.

"Our ancestors came to these mountains from Bosco many generations ago," the elder said. "Outlanders and natives alike were expanding out into the wilds, settling the lowlands where our people hailed from initially. Our ways of life began to differ from those of our more modernistic countrymen. So, our people went into the mountains."

"How many of your people are left?"

"Not as many as I would like, admittedly. Other tribes went East. Some went North into the Green Mountains bordering between Isenberg and Bosco. Those that remained integrated with the settlers."

Natsu hummed. "And your tribe came here and founded Darshel?"

The old man beamed. "That's right," he said. "At the time, the mountain pass our town is situated in was not as developed as it is now. And as we had no maps, we unwittingly found ourselves occupying a critical juncture between two, at the time, developing nations. You might have noticed the frequency of traveling merchants and the like."

"I have," the Dragon Slayer said. "So you guys ran away and ended up having to get along with foreigners anyway?"

"I suppose you could say that, yes. We quickly became wealthy, but gradually many of our people began to turn from the Old Way in favor of more modern luxuries."

"So… getting rich was a bad thing?"

"Hmm…" Osian mused. "No. I won't pretend I have not benefited from the prosperity afforded to our community over the years. During this period, however, it seems that we lost our identity. Many of our people began to adopt the cultures and customs of native Fiorans. Only a select few among us still remember the Old Way, much less pay it any respect."

The Old Way?

It certainly hadn't been the first time the old man referred to his religion with a title like that.

The history lesson was, unexpectedly, kind of interesting… but Natsu wanted to circle back to the matter at hand. There was a problem that needed solving at the moment.

"And what's this 'Old Way' all about?" The Fire Mage asked. "It's got something to do with these Five Spirits, right?"

Osian nodded and led the way back toward the centre of the circular hall, specifically to the large firepit and the set of statues standing opposite it on all sides.

"The Old Way," he started, "is grounded in our revered druidic traditions. Guided by the Five Spirits of Creation, those who govern over elements of nature."

"Druidic?" Natsu frowned. "What's that mean?"

The old man craned his head. "Drudic, as in Druids. A Druid can use the magics of the natural world, so that we can ensure it is properly maintained and protected from those who wish to tamper with it or mistreat it."

"So… you're Wizards, then."

"Heh, no," the elder laughed as if Natsu had told a bad joke. "Wizards are inherently born with their talents and their capability to use Magic. We Druids, must spend time meditating and connecting with nature, and most especially with the Five Spirits who guide and watch over us. This bond between them is the source of our Magic."

Huh?

That didn't seem right. Was definitely an odd… what was the word?

Distinction! That's right. Definitely an odd distinction to make. And one that reeked of bullshit (as well as stinky garlicky incense), too.

Natsu wasn't one to put much stock in being book smart, but going off what he'd already learned about Magic and the History of Magic from Fleming's book, it really just sounded like Osian was bullshitting him. And the fact that Gramps recommended the book to him in the first place was enough for him to trust it.

Sounded more like Druids were basically Wizards, but gave themselves a different title so they could feel 'special' or something like that.

Probably best that he kept that bit to himself. Wouldn't be best to insult a guy he was trying to get information from.

"Oh…" The Dragon Slayer tried his best to seem impressed. "That's cool."

Thankfully, the old man actually took his half-baked comment in stride. "Indeed. It is simply that our own traditions are much more sacred and older than that of most magical practitioners these days," Osian said, as if he were sharing a dirty secret. "Most Wizards simply view Magic as a tool, when it is, in truth, a gateway to so much more."

Yeah… definitely wanting to feel 'special'.

It was then that Osian changed the subject. Immediately, he switched back to the topic of the altars, and more specifically, the five statues depicting each of the spirits belonging to the old Ammarkian faith.

The statue, which Natsu had been inspecting upon first entering the temple, the veiled woman standing in a firepit, turned out to be a hearth spirit named the "Ash Mother". Supposedly, warriors often called upon her just before they went into battle, asking for courage or to cleanse them of fear.

Or… something like that.

Osian went right down the list. One-by-one. The statue to the right of the Ash Mother was a great hulking monstrosity of a snake carved out of the very same unnaturally smooth grey rock. A long series of scaly tubes that probably would've been twice as large as a fully-grown python. It was called the "Serpent-of-the-Waters," and it represented lakes, wells, and rivers. Women prayed to it for the sake of fertility, so that they could have strong and healthy children. Praying to a snake after you get knocked up? Now that was a real head-scratcher.

The statue in the centre of the row depicted a tall man wearing a… toga? A great golden four-pointed star was etched into the base of the altar below his carved feet. Long hair, large, bushy beard. Holding a staff in one hand that had a perfectly-shaped crescent moon at the top. The "Star-Father," or so Osian labeled him, represented the sky, and both the sun and the moon.

Next came a squat-looking woman holding a bow. This one actually had a name: Eryndra, the Green Sister. She represented the wilds, animals, and was a focus of renewal. Hunters would always pray to her, and would offer up animal bones or hides to her statues.

Fair enough… but none of them seemed to line up with the thing in the labyrinth.

Some dude with a beard, a snake, and two ladies. Not exactly "tear your own eyes out" material.

"Ah…" Osian hummed lowly as they approached the last and furthest statue. "And here, we have Eryndra's brother," he said. "His name is Mormansk. He is known as a Guardian of the Earth, and does often grant boons of fertility. One of the ancient names for him, however, is Ankhinara."

Natsu exhaled sharply when he saw it. The figure was by far taller than the statue of the Star-Father. This one depicted a man carved out of stone, one nearly ten feet tall, and covered in a coat of moss. Long arms that weren't overly muscle-bound, and a head that resembled something of a cross between a human and a stag. Same deer-like snout, but human eyes, lips, and ears.

Moreover… it was rather hard to miss the jutting, elegantly carved stone antlers sprouting from the top of the figure's head.

And the symbol etched into the base of the statue-

Danger! Danger! Natsu felt his senses fire off like a cannon as he set his eyes on a very familiar sigil. The same one he'd seen within the mountain.

A pair of glowing green antlers.

The walk to the town hall was quiet. Almost too quiet.

After seeing the sigil of glowing green antlers, the air had immediately grown heavy with tension. Though at the time, it seemed as if Osian hadn't noticed in the slightest.

Much to his own surprise, he managed to keep his cool, forcibly stuffing down the fresh wave of anger that washed over him. It was tempting enough to burn the whole damned temple down, but Natsu had kept himself from doing so, instead making sure to icily thank the old man for the tour, giving one last remark that he had more than enough material to work with now that the priest had shared so much of his culture with him.

And then, the Dragon Slayer had taken his leave of the blasted place and silently made his way to the town hall, where the local library was also located. Laxus would be waiting there for him.

Natsu's mind, however, was not at rest.

Ankhinara? That…

That… had been one of the more… intelligible words? Yeah, intelligible.

Among all of the words the mayor had said in that gibberish mountain-people language, Ankhinara had been one of the more understandable ones. Or at least, it had been easy to remember.

If Osian had been right, then the thing in the mines was one of these old Ammarkian spirits. Supposed to be friendly and cuddly and all that. A real 'Guardian of the Earth' from what the old man had said.

But why the fuck was it terrorizing the town? Why did it suddenly have a bone to pick with the same people who once worshipped it? Wasn't it meant to be benevolent?

Somehow, the idea that these special 'druids' were wrong about their own special 'deities' wouldn't have surprised Natsu in the least.

Total posers… I swear.

Town hall had come into view.

It looked almost like a courthouse. It was a wide rectangular building laid atop a foundation of white stone, which, thankfully, was worn enough to put Natsu somewhat at ease. Pillars of greyish-white marble, tall brick walls, a series of ornate glazed glass windows with arched frames, and a basement, where the town records would be located.

Glints of yellow-gold light came through some of the windows on the left side of the building, where the basement would be.

He went up the series of steps that led to the main twin doors. Easy enough to see that one of the doors was swinging gently on its hinges. Open.

It was Laxus, alright.

Natsu pulled it open and stepped inside. The entry hall was a box-shaped room. Identical sets of wooden benches and chairs with coffee tables in between them were put on either side. Corridors sprouting out from both the left and right sides of the room, with a main desk sitting at the back. Behind the desk was a single leather seat and several cabinets.

The lacrima lights from the hanging crystal were off, shrouding the room in darkness, though that wasn't much of a problem for Natsu. A long red carpet led from the front doors right to the vacant desk. And somewhere in the building came the faint scent of tobacco and cigar smoke.

The Dragon Slayer followed it, turning down the left hallway.

Gold-framed paintings lined the cream-coloured walls. Spaced out on either side of the long corridor, there were three identical wooden doors. All facing one another. Plated signs were placed next to each door. Offices.

At the far end of the hall was a lone metal door that was ajar. Light peeked up from the stairwell behind it. Natsu continued onwards, reaching the door and heading down.

The library in the basement was nothing special. In size, it ran the whole length of the building, bearing a carpeted floor and tediously long rows of dark wooden bookshelves.

Both the light and the source of the tobacco smell were several aisles ahead of him. Natsu heard the brush of a finger flipping over a dusty page.

Laxus.

The Fire Mage made his way over.

Wonder what he's found out. Not like he came here looking for anything specific.

It was basically like looking for a needle in a haystack. And Natsu was fairly certain that there wouldn't have been much material in the library going over old Ammarkian religions.

The blond in question was sitting between two opposing bookshelves at a large wooden table. With a light on above the Lightning Wizard's head, Laxus sat reading another tome… whatever it was.

"Find anything?" The older man asked as Natsu approached, without looking up at him.

The Dragon Slayer gave his report. From the architecture of the old Ammarkian temple, to Osian's history lesson about how his people originally hailed from Bosco and then came to the Ammarks, then onto the old man's claims about druids and whatnot, and finally onto the Five Spirits whom the Ammarkian peoples worshipped damn near over a hundred years prior.

Laxus sat there, listening the whole time. Not interrupting once. Once Natsu had finished his recollection, the older man simply nodded and looked away for a moment.

"So the thing in the mines…" The blond mused, "Same thing that killed those miners… that's one of their deities?"

"Looks like it, yeah."

"Same sigil and everything?"

"Yeah."

A long pause settled in between the two of them. Giving Natsu more than enough time to think over it all.

The information he'd gotten on this… Ankhinara… was useful enough. They knew what it was now. All that remained was figuring out how to get past that stupid triangle door in the labyrinth and put the monster down for good.

Sure, this was some sort of special Ammarkian Spirit, but Osian never said these spirits were immortal…

…or that they couldn't take a good punch to the face.

"Hmm…" Laxus hummed suddenly. "Not sure I can believe this thing's a god of some kind," he said as he stood up. "If it were that powerful, then we and everyone else in this town would be toast already. And if this Ankhinara is a nature spirit… then what's it doing trapped in the mountain?"

"Dunno. That's just what the priest told me."

The Lightning Wizard nodded. "Yeah, yeah, I know…" he said, now meeting Natsu's eyes again. The older man looked at him with… respect? "Good call, checking out that temple. Saved us a lot of time, actually."

Damn… alright.

Natsu couldn't think of a single time when Laxus had praised anyone. Much less him of all people. Suffice it to say, he was momentarily caught off guard. "Well… thanks," he said, then hastily clearing his throat. "You find anything here?"

Laxus slid the book he'd been reading over to him, "After some looking around, I found the town records. Turns out that most of the older families here are the same ones that migrated from Old Bosco. Changed their names about a decade after settling in with the Fiorans, too. One of them in particular stood out to me," The older man pointed at one of the pages. "See?"

The page itself was a genealogy chart. Showing a family line that went back over six generations.

Moreover, it had been the name of the family itself that got a frown out of Natsu.

Dunnhaelah? Pretty weird as names went. Definitely sounded foreign. Which it clearly was.

But Laxus had proven to be right. As Natsu read the page down from the top, scanning over the various branches splitting off from the main line, he narrowed his eyes as he immediately noticed the transition.

The name Dunnhaelah quickly changed into Dunhallow. A revelation which wasn't exactly surprising.

"Since Darshel was founded, the same family has been in charge of this town," Laxus pointed out. "Guess who just so happens to be a descendant of theirs?"

An obvious answer. "The Mayor."

"Bingo."

Natsu closed the book. "How does this help us, though?" he asked. "We still need a way into the labyrinth."

"You said the Mayor and the priest spoke privately, right? That the Mayor mentioned this Ankhinara, too?"

"Yeah."

"I'm willing to bet that he knows a lot more about it than we do," said the older man with a smirk. "And that he'll know how we can get through that door."

"What if he doesn't?"

"Then he'd better point us in the right direction," Laxus said pointedly. "Based on everything we've learned, if he doesn't cooperate, then there's a good chance he's going to prison. Either way, he'll talk."

Going in, it was highly likely that the Mayor probably knew something about the labyrinth. But would the fat bastard know how to get into the innermost sanctum within the mountain?

…maybe?

Both Osian and the Mayor spoke in the same "druidic" language of his ancestors… it was highly likely that the Mayor was at least up-to-date on everything. Especially seeing as he was directly descended from the founders of Darshel.

That was enough for Natsu.

He cracked his knuckles and grinned.

"Let's go get 'im."

Author's Note:

Standby. More chapters dropping over the next few days.

Chapter Text

November 3rd, Darshel

Day 34

It rained during the night.

Natsu had trouble sleeping. A rather uncommon occurrence, given that he found he was able to sleep pretty much anywhere. But most of the night, he'd been tossing and turning, all the while hearing those blasted wind chimes again and again.

Such a quiet sound shouldn't have been so hard to sleep through. Natsu used to pride himself on being able to sleep through anything. Other people snoring, trains, falling trees, thunderstorms, and even the seemingly countless hordes of other people's voices that flooded through his ears when he was a kid.

Whatever was going on in this town, however, was just a completely different beast. It was like something was at the edges of his mind. Occasionally poking and prodding with a stick like Happy would when he was little. For whatever reason, Natsu just couldn't seem to isolate it, give it an exact physical location nearby so he could seek it out.

It's like he knew that something was watching him… that it was standing literally right next to him, but he couldn't see it.

Wrong.

Just… wrong.

Earlier the next morning, with the smell of damp water and morning dew in the air, and a curtain of angry grey clouds hanging over them in the sky above, Natsu kicked aside a small stone off the well-paved road as he followed close behind Laxus further into the southern side of town, their ultimate destination inching ever so closer in the near distance ahead. More than a few of the townsfolk had been outside as well, still going about their business and whatnot. A few people had taken their dogs outside, clinging to their linens as they dealt with the cold mountain air. Others had taken to walking outside to smoke their tobacco pipes and warily looked around as they did so. Columns of smoke rising from each of the various homes and buildings were a slightly more encouraging sight.

Yet ahead, as Natsu looked over it, he saw the distinct towering block of dark green granite standing imposingly in the center of the South Quarter of Darshel. Far too guarded and isolated from the rest of the village. Surrounding the tall keep on all sides was an equally striking fence of aged blackened iron, with the only twin gate branching slightly from just off the road.

Two guardsmen stood on either side of the gate beneath wooden hovels that served for guard posts, each with a small roof and a stool, and from what Natsu smelled, each had a bundle containing dried beef and hard cheese.

Both of them looked ragged and tired. No wonder, Natsu thought.

If he had to stand outside while it rained on and off, and in the cold too, he'd be pissed off as well.

Almost immediately, the guard on the right side of the gate saw them first. "Halt!" he ordered.

Laxus stopped just a few feet in front of the gate, opposite the guard. Natsu did the same.

"State your business," the guard said. His compatriot was silent, but held onto his steel pike just a bit tighter as he eyed down both Natsu and Laxus.

"Here to see the Mayor," Laxus said nonchalantly. "His ears only."

It was far too easy for Natsu to hear a distant rustling sound, a noise coming from within the granite keep in front of him. Natsu inspected the tall construction briefly.

The main central tower was cylindrical and weatherbeaten, likely rising around three or four floors. The upper stories expanded outward with refined timber framing, and the roof climbed high and sharp into the sky with angled slate. A wide brick chimney sprouted from one of the corners. And the enclosed grounds within the iron fence, while clearly maintained with the grass lawns cut low, were also distinctly barren and lacking much except for the few oak trees in attendance and a lone creaking wooden bench sitting next to a small pond.

More specifically, Natsu couldn't help but hear the distant sound of a heavy door swinging on groaning hinges. Slowly and very deliberately.

Errrrrrrh…

Very briefly, one of the maroon red curtains flickered aside in one of the windows of the upper keep. In the darkened uneven cut between the layers of drapes… Natsu saw a distant glimpse of pale skin and two brown eyes looking down toward both him and Laxus.

As a matter of fact, now that he noticed it… Every single one of the windows was blocked off. Beneath every sheet of waterstained glass were more and more sets of those same thick red curtains that seemed to keep the outside world at bay.

"The Mayor's taken ill," the guard, a stout man clearly in his 30s, had said. The man was not at all impressed by the fact that Laxus towered over him significantly. "He's not seeing visitors."

"All the same… my associate and I have to see him. It's about-"

The guard snorted, stepping forward. "Don't care what it's about, you're not seeing him. Now get lost."

But Laxus didn't move away. Instead, the blond simply crossed his arms and stared pointedly at the guard. After a moment's consideration, "My associate and I have been up to the mine. We know what's in there, and we know that it's connected to the death of your mate, Tavin. Understand?"

Thlwang! From within the keep, something faintly metallic clattered against the floor.

Natsu glanced back up at the curtains on the upper floor of the keep. The same ones that had been slightly parted before. Now the gap was fixed, and the fingers that held them apart were gone.

Inside, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump! Almost like someone was… rushing down the stairs. Hastened breathing followed.

The guardsmen, however, clearly hadn't heard the same hyperesthetic details in the background. They'd lost their sense of angered bravado, and both brigandine-clad men had gone quiet, nervous, and glanced briefly at one another before sharing a silent nod. The man who'd stood up to Laxus took a long step back and swallowed. "Right…" he said, breaking eye contact. "Um… I'll go see if Mr. Dunhallow can receive you."

The man turned and unlocked the iron gate with a small key. After shutting it close behind him, he walked rather timorously up toward the distinct and weathered tall oaken front door to the house-fortress.

Now it was Laxus' turn to look over his shoulder and back at Natsu. The blond gave a brief shrug, one which Natsu returned, before settling his gaze back on the keep.

The head guard had cautiously crossed the distance, almost careful of avoiding each of the many puddles of rainwater that had pooled in the cracks in the stone walkway. Like he was fearful that he'd fall in and drown. Paired with a new windchill that had swept into the air… all in all, it had made the man jumpy. Once he'd crossed the distance, however, the guard had stopped as soon as the door suddenly jutted open.

Not even from across the walkway could Natsu spot the face of Dunhallow. The voices that he managed to pick up from the other side were clearly hushed in tone.

"Tell them to leave. Now!"

"But, sir… they say they've got information about Tavin. And about the thing that got 'im. Maybe-"

"Tell them to leave now, or you'll quickly find yourself out of a job and unable to acquire work anywhere else in this town. Do you understand?"

"...y-yes, sir."

Thamp! The oaken door thudded shut once more. With a small irritating click following immediately after.

The guard turned swiftly on his feet and marched back toward the black iron gate. 

Upon coming to a stop, the guard glared openly now through the gaps between the iron bars. "Mr. Dunhallow extends his gratitude to you for your concern… but he will not be receiving travelers regarding municipal matters."

Municipal matters? Natsu thought… he couldn't help but think that sounded like an outstandingly complicated and roundabout way to tell them to piss off.

Evidently, Laxus wasn't too happy about it either. "Does he now?" The blond asked, an edge of irony in his voice. "How nice of him."

The guard looked like he wanted to say more, but held his tongue in place. The man gripped his pike tighter than before and nodded back toward the main street.

Leave. Now.

Laxus snorted one last time and turned around to face Natsu. "Come on," he said quietly.

And with that, the two wizards turned around and headed back to the inn.

Whoooooooshumph!

Natsu yawned as he pushed the shower valve all the way down clockwise, then stepped out of the narrow square-shaped enclosure and felt his bare feet press into the grainy tile floor.

Deftly, he took a towel which slung off a nearby hook and patted himself dry, first beginning with his arms and legs, and then moving up and down his chest, back, armpits, and neck. He then tousled the untamed wet spikes of salmon-coloured hair dangling from his head and hanging over his eyes, and roughed them up until they were dried enough to his liking.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and approached the mirror, not a few feet away from him in the narrow bathroom. The thin edges had already begun desilvering, and the glass itself was all fogged up from the steam. He grabbed a nearby hand towel and started wiping it down.

After wiping away the last bit of steam from the mirror, he looked directly at his own reflection.

He'd not noticed until now, but he'd stopped slouching like he had when he was a kid. Now he stood straighter and taller. Shoulders had broadened out, too. He turned slightly, flexing his arms and chest more out of habit than pride. The muscles there were sharper, more defined, and carved deeper than he remembered. Bulkier, as well.

Tired, but sharp onyx eyes stared back at him. And running his palm down his face reminded him of the now distinct layer of stubble that had grown along the length of his jaw, under his chin, and had spread both over and under his mouth.

"...Tch."

Despite his usual utterance of irritation, he found himself donning a small grin.

Somehow, somewhere… Gildarts was laughing at him right now. Maybe even Igneel, too. Might be that both of the mad bastards were chuckling their asses off, knowing he was annoyed at just how prickly facial hair was turning out to be.

I'm gonna have to get a razor, aren't I? He decided that he'd pick one up once they got back to Crocus. Or maybe he'd just let the stubble grow out? Grow a beard? He'd never had a beard before.

The thought of him having one made him smile ironically. Would it look weird? Given the colour of his hair and all that.

Lisanna had mentioned that she could see him growing a beard once, hadn't she?

'It'd make you look handsome,' she'd said at the time. Then making a picture frame out of both her thumbs and index fingers as she took a mental picture of him, imagining how different he'd look with some well-grown salmon-coloured facial hair. 'Well,' Lisanna had added with a smirk, 'Even more handsome than you are now.'

Natsu smiled and shrugged. Suddenly, the prospect of dealing with an overly secretive small-town mayor and his passive-aggressive mountain townspeople didn't seem so bad.

He went ahead and brushed his teeth before reaching for the pile of clean clothes he'd taken in with him before showering; instead of another one of his robes, he'd tugged on a weathered cream-coloured linen shirt, one with a laced collar that hung open across his chest, and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, leaving his forearms bare. Then came the black woolen hunting trousers and the pair of high brown leather boots he was becoming rather fond of.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Loud knock. Hardened knuckles. Quiet breathing through the nose. Tall. Heavy. And the accompanying smell of burnt tobacco.

Laxus.

Laxus and…

Natsu ruffled up his hair again with the towel as he stepped out of the bathroom, then tossed aside the towel and made his way over to the door that led out into the main hallway, passing by his stuffsack which was half-leaning upright against the edge of the queen-sized bed frame.

He yanked open the door and, sure enough, Laxus was standing there with a large plate of food containing a steaming steak-and-ale pie split open at the crust, several thick slices of roasted venison glistening with drips of melted fat, and a pile of buttered root vegetables sprinkled with salt, pepper, and herbs. Then there was half a loaf of coarse brown bread, a small dish containing pale yellow mustard, and two tall tankards full of cider to complete the haul. Laxus held the plate effortlessly with one hand, but Natsu could tell that for anyone else, they might've needed to put their back and both arms into it just to carry all the goods.

The older man nodded, and instinctively, Natsu stepped aside, letting him in. As Laxus strode inside and made his way over to the small square table by the corner of the room next to the windowsill, Natsu shut the door and locked it, then headed over to the table and took a seat in the chair across from Laxus. By the time Laxus had already lit a cigar he'd withdrawn from his coat pocket, Natsu had already cut a sizable slice of the steak pie and taken half the portions of sliced venison, tearing off a chunk of the bread while he was at it.

"Mrmph, so whadda we do?" Natsu asked as he chewed down the comforting mixture of blocky chunks of steak, soused tomatoes paired with mushrooms, and simultaneously picking up where they left off earlier.

Laxus shrugged as he nursed his cider, "Haven't decided on anything quite yet," he mused, scratching his ear. "It's not like we're drowning in options. Since Dunhallow won't meet with us, our best option is probably to skip town for the time being and head up North."

Natsu frowned. Leaving town? What's the point in that? He swallowed his food and sat back in his chair. "What for?"

"Fort Thunderhawk," Laxus said plainly with the cigar still lodged between his teeth, then puffing out a column of tobacco smoke as he reached for the other chunk of the torn half-loaf of brown bread. "It's a Rune Knight outpost stationed here in the Ammarks. So long as we stick to the road, we can probably make it there in three, maybe two days. Since the Rune Knights work directly for the Crown now, there's a good chance we'll be able to make a case to their Commander and get them to intervene down here."

"But getting there and back would take the better part of a week. The Ankhinara could kill more people by then."

"I know," the older man said sourly. "It's not a great idea, but it's the best one we've got on hand."

Naturally, Natsu didn't like it. Not one bit.

The Dragon Slayer glared down into his tankard, filled with the cool brownish-gold liquid that smelled of apples and blackberries. Out of frustration, he took a draft from the mug and set it down on the table.

Why even bother with the Rune Knights in the first place?

The Ankhinara was here.

Dunhallow was here.

They were so close to their goal, and they had everything they needed to put an end to these killings here, in Darshel.

What was stopping them from finding another way to confront Dunhallow now? It was clear enough that the fat bastard knew about the Ankhinara, and it looked like he was actively protecting it, even. At the very least, he was sticking his head in the sand and trying to ignore its very existence.

He decided to voice his musings, "Let's just get into his house," Natsu said casually. "Hopping that fence looks easy enough. We could probably get in through one of the windows in the upper keep."

Laxus gave him a rather quizzical glance. "Yeah, and then what?"

"We get him to talk; tell us what he knows about the Ankhinara," said Natsu, like it was obvious. "Ask him if he knows a way into the inner sanctum of the temple, too."

The Lightning Wizard ran a hand down his face and pinched the bridge of his nose, letting loose a short sigh. "Natsu, we can't just break into the home of a local government official and interrogate him."

"Why not?"

"Because it's illegal, and doing so would be grounds for us to get tossed into prison."

"Who cares about a few nights in jail? People have already died to this thing! And we already know that Dunhallow knows about the Ankhinara-he probably knows how we can get to it, too!"

"That still doesn't make it right in the eyes of the law," Laxus shook his head as he puffed at his cigar. "We're Guild Wizards, Natsu. We don't have anything even close to resembling the kind of legal authority we'd need to make Dunhallow talk. Even if we went ahead and cut through all the red tape, forced Dunhallow to cooperate, and got to the Ankhinara… there's going to be serious consequences regardless. Not just for us, but for the rest of the guild as well."

"The guild?" Natsu scoffed, "Since when did you care about them?"

The older man sat back in his chair and looked sternly at Natsu. The younger man held his ground.

"Just because I don't like the way the guild is going, doesn't mean I don't care about it."

Natsu opened his mouth to argue-

-but Laxus cut him off and pressed on.

"Believe me, I want to drag Dunhallow out by his collar just as much as you do," the Lightning Wizard said firmly, putting them back onto the topic at hand. "But if we go in there swinging our dicks around, taking the law into our own hands, and picking up Dunhallow just 'cause we've got the Magic to do so? There's gonna be hell to pay. And you won't be the only one who pays the price."

…You won't be the only one who pays the price…

Natsu stilled, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Think about it," Laxus sat forward. "You remember what Trast told us, right? About what happened to the Magic Council? Do you seriously think that after the whole Etherion business and them being chopped in half by the Aurellion Assembly… that the Crown would hesitate even for a second about doling out punishments on Wizards in general? Even the Legal Guilds?" He asked rhetorically, shaking his head again. "Not a chance. If we screw this up, you and I will end up in prison, and the rest of the guild will be toast. And that's even if it's not outright disbanded by the Crown. Fairy Tail pays for our screw-up. Gramps pays for it. My team pays for it. Your team-"

The Dragon Slayer had already been staring at the floorboards. Rays of morning sunlight were creeping in through the stained-glass windows to his side.

A flurry of relaxed movement was coming from downstairs, but when Natsu stretched his ears to listen in, he quickly realized that the patrons downstairs were chatting away and lounging around like normal.

"-And Dunhallow would probably spin it any way he wants," Laxus continued, making his point. One that was already carving its way through Natsu's mind. "He'd go from being a coward to a victim overnight. Suddenly, we wouldn't be the guys who tried to stop a dangerous monster that's already killed seven men. We'd be rogue Legal Wizards who threatened a Crown-appointed official in his own home."

"He could bury the Ankhinara story after that," Laxus added. "Call it hysteria from the miners. Say it was an excuse or something. Completely escape any legal culpability he'd normally be facing, as well. And people would believe him… because we would've handed them every reason in the book to do so."

Silence fell between the two of them then.

Would it really turn out all that bad?

Natsu wasn't scared of sleeping in a prison cell. He'd done it plenty of times before. But…

…will everyone else actually get hit because of it? Happy? Lucy? Gray? Gramps? Erza?

He didn't know what to think of all this… these legalities and rules that he'd known had existed in the background… but which he hadn't really cared much for in the first place. Wasn't familiar with any of it to begin with, though it was only now that he realized he should have been.

Gradually, he began to put more thought into the hypothetical situation Laxus had presented to him. Trast's words had come to mind when the CEO had off-handedly outlined how the Magic Council had been gutted from the inside-out for reckless use of the Etherion Cannon. It didn't even matter that they'd done it to try and stop Jellal from resurrecting a long-dead yet insanely powerful dark wizard.

If the Crown would do that… then maybe-probably, they would also take action against the rest of Fairy Tail if he'd gone and roped Dunhallow out of his house. Might actually disband Fairy Tail as a whole. Gramps and Erza were always going on about how tenuous their position was with the Magic Council… which only made him wonder how bad a spot they were in with the Crown.

Holy shit, Natsu almost laughed humorlessly at the sharp, dagger-like realization that hit him in that moment. This was the 'blowback' on the guild that Laxus had mentioned back in that bath-house in Crocus.

It was then that the thought of confronting Dunhallow now banished itself from his mind almost instantly.

But…

But ditching town just to head up North to Fort Thunderhawk?

No… There had to be something-anything else they could do. The Ankhinara was a problem that needed to be solved weeks ago…

Natsu nodded numbly and resumed his meal. He was hungry, after all. But while he finished off his venison strips, his mind set to work.

If they couldn't go to Dunhallow now… then what could they do? Dunhallow had information they needed, maybe also knew how they could get by the triangular gate within the Ankhinara's temple so they could put it down. At the same time, they couldn't outright force him to do anything, especially since he wouldn't leave his own home and speak with them…

…if they didn't have the authority needed to make Dunhallow talk… then who did? Besides the Rune Knights, nobody else came to mind-

-wait.

Laxus had already gotten busy, stubbing out his cigar and eating his own share of the breakfast plate, holding up a forkful of flaky pie crust and cubes of tenderized beef that threatened to spill out onto his plate. Content to let Natsu think it all out for himself while he finally dug in.

"What if we talk to the Guard Captain?" Natsu asked suddenly, now taking another sip from his dark cider.

He watched as Laxus pulled his fork away from his mouth upon hearing the suggestion. The older man pursed his lips, but didn't seem immediately opposed to the new idea.

"You mean… tell her everything?"

"Well, yeah. She's got authority in this town, right?"

"Not exactly the kind we need," Laxus said, slowly easing back into his seat and thinking it over. In that same instance, Natsu saw a flash of something light up behind those gray eyes. "Didn't Wrightwood mention that Sorn came around the mine a few times? To ask about what happened to the miners?"

That's right! The memory of their first meeting with the mine foreman popped into his mind. Natsu snapped his fingers, pointing back at Laxus. "He did say that, yeah," he pressed on. "She also didn't seem too happy with Dunhallow after he addressed the town yesterday."

"...which could mean that she and Dunhallow have something of a contentious relationship," Laxus continued, standing up from his seat and pacing the small space of open floor in the room. "Or that she suspects him of something."

"Think she'll help us?"

"Maybe," The Lightning Wizard said, "Doesn't look like there's any downsides in at least talking to her, though. If she does help, she might be able to bring Dunhallow to us. Might aid us with her testimony if the Rune Knights show up and-"

Tiiiiing…

…Taaannnng…

In the blink of an eye, Natsu had shot to his feet, letting his tankard fall free from his left hand and crash against the floor, his right hand curled up into a fist already alight with crackling golden-red flames.

Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum…

The chime had come from just outside the door to his room. Already he could feel it coming again, this time joined with that damnable drumming, and… and a voice…

"Duul… Oor… Haal… Gek… Aahall…"

…thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum…

He looked to Laxus then, expecting the older man to look at him like he'd grown a third arm. Yet when set eyes on the blond-

Laxus was also staring at the door. Facing it, too, like he was ready to leap into battle at any moment. Fists clenched with small sparks dancing around his knuckles.

Very slowly, Laxus glanced over at him.

"You hear it too?"

Before Natsu could answer, however-

"Aaaagghhhhhh!" A howling scream echoed from beyond the door. BOOOM! Something crashed, shortly followed by a chorus of men shouting and the screeching of women. Natsu bolted toward it as soon as he realized that the source of the bellowing was coming from downstairs!

Not even a few seconds had passed, and the two wizards were already out the door.

The wide staircase groaned distressingly beneath the combined weight of both him and Laxus, as they leapt down two or three steps at a time.

Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum-

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, the main floor exploded into view.

Dozens of half-full tankards had been abandoned on various tables throughout the main hall. Chairs here and there had been flipped, overturned. A few patrons were still at their tables, but most of the people present were standing around the great hearth and staring warily in the direction of the disturbance. There was a spoor of something… wet. A stench of earthy rot that was all too familiar to him, paired with the iron-like, metallic odor of fresh blood and freshly chopped firewood.

A young woman was sobbing within the cluster itself. While-

"Fucking hell!" A man swore angrily, loud enough so that those outside roaming the marketplace likely would've heard him.

It was Laxus who acted first, pressing toward the mass of townsfolk who'd clustered on the other side of the Silverview. Narrowly darting around the various tables and isolated people who'd simply gone into shock over the whole experience. Natsu followed close behind, though internally, his instincts were yelling at him about… something.

Some sort of magical presence. A pressure. Natsu hadn't felt anything quite like it since… they'd gone down into the labyrinth.

That presence he was feeling… it was still here.

They'd crossed the distance and made it to the swarm of people. The woman who was crying was audibly weeping now, louder than ever. Not that Natsu could find it in himself to blame her.

Nobody seemed to take notice of them, not until-

"Move," Laxus said to one man who was at the edge of the group.

The man turned with a hard scowl. "Who in the-"

"Move. Now."

The townsman who'd almost gotten into a quarrel with Laxus suddenly came to realize just how tall the blond was, towering nearly two and a half heads higher than him. The glare had disappeared in an instant. And going by how big Laxus' arms were, it didn't take much for the man to decide to step aside.

Now more of the townsfolk had been startled awake by the arrival of the two strangers. Most looked at Laxus, but Natsu felt more and more eyes pressing into his sides and the back of his head. The rest of the crowd made way for Laxus and Natsu.

Hushed whispers flooded into Natsu's ears. It was distracting to listen in on them while he was still scoping out the rest of the tavern, trying to locate the magical presence.

"Those two again?"

"That one with the pink hair… he found Tavin the night he died, didn't he?"

"Yeah… that's what my mate in the guard said. Awfully convenient timing that they show up just after Eamonn bit the dust."

"You don't know that…"

"Well, I-"

The crowd parted enough right then. Just enough for Natsu to see the large body lying on the floor.

The man, Eamonn, was flat on his back. Boots still pointed toward the crackling fire of the long central hearth, as if he'd fallen over right where he'd been standing. Left hand balled into a blood-coated fist, curled against his chest, holding something. On the other hand, there was a large serrated steak knife. The blade was red to the hilt. And his face-

Natsu's jaw tightened. Angrily, instinctively, he balled his own hands into fists.

Eamonn's mouth was wide open in a wordless scream. His nose and forehead were painted red, distorting his face. Along his mouth and jawline, there was great bushy brown beard that should've been sprinkled with flecks of white and gray, which was instead doused in slick wet crimson.

His eyes were gone. Instead, blood ran freely from his face in thick, crude torrents, soaking into the collar of his woolen tunic, and dripping steadily onto the floor, a black pool emulsifying beneath Eamonn's head.

There was no light left in him. Not any longer.

The woman who'd been sobbing was clearly still racked with grief. Tears ran down her face as she let out a harsh cough and turned away from the body. Another man, somewhere to Natsu's right, had gone ahead and outright vomited into a nearby bowl.

"He just-" someone in the gathered crowd choked, "-He just started screaming…"

It was Laxus who stepped toward the body, crouching down with a measured calm. Natsu watched as the Lightning Wizard calmly swept his eyes over the torso, the hands, the angle of the blade.

Natsu, however, was scanning the hall. He couldn't quite describe how he sensed it, but the feeling was there. The knowledge that he, along with everyone else in the tavern, was being watched by something else. Something magical. Something that wasn't human.

But where was it?

It wasn't as if he could pick out a giant monster anywhere here on the first floor.

By the door? No. Somewhere in the back? Hmm… no. And the-

-the hearth!

The pressure seemed to grow just a bit heavier as Natsu looked along the edges of the long stone-built hearth. Fire popped sharply, and a wash of orange light flashed against the finely-paneled walls adorned with hunting furs and stuffed animal heads, as well as the hardwood floors below.

And then he narrowed in the foreign presence that was at the edge of his mind… and saw it.

A shape. A long and unnatural one at that. An abnormally tall and lanky shadow that was branching outward from the long firepit and stretching along the wooden floor like the ribs of something enormous. The shadow did not match the flames, nor did it flicker with them. It was there, though… like an invisible watcher. It might've looked almost humanoid in shape, were it not for the unnaturally bent limbs and the two jagged horns sprouting outward from the top of its awkwardly oval-shaped head.

Horns?

No. Antlers.

For half a heartbeat… it seemed as if the silhouette turned its head. Gradually shifting in the firelight, like it was looking directly at the limp body of Eamonn before…

…and now looking directly at him.

Natsu stared back.

"Move! Move!" Outside, there was a commotion. Pairings of various voices. The clinking of chainmail and steel. Rumbling toward him-the tavern, were pairs of boots running, getting closer and closer and-

BAM! The door to the tavern swung violently open, damn near being torn off its hinges as men wearing maroon-coloured brigandine armor. Each of them bearing swords or axes as they hastily flooded into the main hall of the tavern, some of the guards even outright ignored the gathered crowd of witnesses by the hearth and running upstairs to investigate, while the rest of them swarmed over toward Natsu, Laxus, and the rest of the convened patrons.

At the center of the armored mass was a head of all-too-familiar mousy brown hair. Marching nicely and orderly toward the hearth.

"Out of the way!" Captain Sorn's aide shouted from her side. Those gathered around Eamonn's body very quickly cleared away. "Out of the way! Now!"

Natsu stepped away from the body, and so did Laxus. The two men found themselves cornered back against one of the empty tables that had been left behind in the chaos. Two cold plates of food and two half-empty tankards sat on top of the flat wood surface, rumbled slightly as Natsu bumped against them.

Meanwhile, the Guard Captain didn't seem to pay much mind to anyone else in the room as she rather handily took Laxus' earlier place at the side of the dead man's body. As if she'd done this sort of thing a hundred times over by now.

As Sorn looked over the body, Natsu very briefly glanced back to the spot where the long, shadowy silhouette had been just moments prior.

It was gone.

"Just like Tavin…" One of the guardsmen muttered, roping Natsu's attention away from the shadow.

That revelation was old news, however, as another of the Town Guard scornfully pointed out, "No shit," he said, "Unless you have something useful to say, then keep quiet."

It was right then that Captain Sorn stood upright, stone-faced. All further mutterings that had come from either the rest of the town guard, or the witnesses gathered had stopped completely as she turned to her aide.

"Have the doors watched," She said, "No one leaves or enters until I say so."

A round of murmurs echoed throughout the room. Meanwhile, Sorn's aide ordered two of the reserve guards to stand by the entrance.

Sorn's gaze snapped around the main floor of the tavern. Her narrowed and hardened blue eyes swept over everyone and everything. Even briefly pausing as they landed on Natsu before moving onto Laxus and then the other townsfolk present.

"Anyone who saw him do it-hands up."

Three hands shot up instantly.

The Guard Captain nodded, "Alright. The rest of you, sit down and stay where you are. We'll be questioning each of you. If I hear anyone giving grief or complaining, then you'll be spending the night in a holding cell," she turned to her aide, and lowered her voice, though Natsu could still hear her clearly enough. "Names. One at a time. Separate them, so they don't blend their stories. And have someone send word to Dunhallow; he should know about this."

It was then that Sorn's blue eyes passed back over everyone gathered all over again, and eventually, patiently, landed back onto Natsu.

No hint of accusation, nor warmth.

Only scrutiny, and a cold, detached once-over.

It was an hour later.

Both Natsu and Laxus had given their separate testimonies of what had gone down. They'd had time to get their stories straight, as the guards didn't seem to be in much of a rush to interview everyone in the tavern. When it had been their turn, they'd each told the truth: they'd been upstairs when it happened, and had come rushing down to the main floor when they heard the victim scream.

The guard who'd interviewed them separately wrote everything down and left them alone, telling them to stay on the main floor in the meantime, since the guard may have more questions. Meanwhile, several more guardsmen had come into the tavern and carried Eamonn's limp body outside, likely putting it into a cart of some kind so as to haul it off to the local coroner. All that remained was the blackened patch of now dried blood on the floorboards near the hearth. A lot of the blood had slipped through the various cracks in the floor. Natsu could still easily pick out whiffs of its metallic scent, even as he casually breathed in through his nose.

Eight.

Eight men had died, and the Ankhinara was still at large. Still isolated within the mountain temple that they couldn't even get deeper into.

Or was it? Because it seemed to appear as… what? A ghost? A odd looking shadow on the floor? It seemed to be well-aware of what it was doing. It had deliberately targeted yet another of the local townsfolk.

It had looked directly at Natsu, too.

Had that even been the Ankhinara at all? Was he just seeing things?

The Dragon Slayer flexed his fingers as he stared intently at the blazing hearth. In any other circumstance, he might've been tempted to eat the golden-red flames that snapped and lashed sharply at the air around them just now. Right now, though… it was quite hard to feel hungry for anything, really. Natsu didn't even care about finishing the rest of the food he and Laxus had left upstairs in his room.

He decided then that he had actually seen it. That shadow felt unnatural.

"I saw it."

Laxus had been sitting by an empty table nearby. They'd since moved to the back-left corner of the main hall. The blond had clearly been staring at the vacant expanse of wood, however, and looked up in surprise. "It?"

Natsu met the older man's gaze. "The Ankhinara. It was here."

"When?"

"When you were checking out the body," Natsu answered, not sure how best to explain what he saw exactly. Nor whether or not Laxus would actually believe him or laugh at him. He decided to go for it, "It didn't appear like the statue back in the temple… but there was this shadow by the other side of the fire."

The Lightning Wizard sat forward in his seat, paying rapt attention and seeming to actually be humoring him. "A shadow?"

"Yeah. You know how when someone stands in front of a fire, you can see their silhouette on the ground behind them 'cause of the light?"

"Of course."

"Well, nobody was standing there, but there was still a shadow," Natsu said. "It didn't flicker with the fire or anything like that. Looked like a human, too, but with longer arms and legs, and it had antlers sprouting from its head."

Laxus ran a hand across his face as he mentally digested the information, and probably didn't know what to think of it.

Even Natsu still wasn't sure if what he saw was the Ankhinara itself. A part of him thought he might've been crazy, just seeing odd shapes in the firelight. But instinct was telling him otherwise. That this was well and truly an alien threat capable of blending in with the shadows, while somehow capable of sending a man into some sort of masochistic frenzy, leading him to carve out his own eyes.

Those wind chimes… and the drumming… and now those lyrics. How did he know they were lyrics?

It sounded like it was some sort of song. A peaceful, lovely lullaby, but one that put him on edge, made the more primal parts of his brain signal out to him. Danger! Danger!

Was he next? Was Laxus? They'd gone into the labyrinth, after all. Just like those miners had. They'd heard some kind of song, hadn't they? And look what happened to them…

"Let's say you're right," Laxus said after a long pause, standing up slowly from his chair. To Natsu's own surprise, the older man took his comment seriously anyway. "If you saw it, then this… entity, or whatever it is, doesn't need a corporeal form to roam about. Hell, it could be watching us right now."

"Can monsters even do that? Actually hide as a shadow?"

"Not any of the ones I've ever faced," Laxus admitted as he paced around. "It's active again. Can influence others telepathically. Probably sentient, too."

Natsu huffed. "So what do we do?"

"Speed things up," the older man answered casually. "I could be wrong… but if it's going after the townspeople on the regular, then it sounds like it's getting bolder. And seeing as Dunhallow hasn't left his house to see this… talking to Sorn looks like our best option. Worst case scenario, we head up to Fort Thunderhawk and get the Rune Knights involved."

The latter option still didn't sit right with Natsu. Too much time would pass getting to Fort Thunderhawk and back to Darshel. It just felt too… passive in his mind.

And Natsu hated being passive more than anything.

He decided to voice the same question he'd asked earlier. "Do you think she'll help us?"

"Don't know for sure," the Lightning Wizard shrugged, then looking far past behind Natsu and toward the opposite end of the tavern where the stairs to the second floor were located. Directly at the woman herself, as she was currently speaking with her aide and two other patrons of the tavern.

The older man looked to him then, "Come on."

Calmly, the two men made their way past the still smoldering hearth. The mood in the tavern was already tense enough and two dangerous-looking men walking about like they owned the place would certainly make things worse. Even then as they made their way over to Sorn and her aide, Natsu still felt many other pairs of eyes peering directly at the back of his head.

Thankfully, when Natsu listened in once again, it sounded like Sorn had dismissed the two townsfolk she and her aide were speaking to. Now she was speaking quietly with her aide once more as they compared the stories taken from each of the tavern patrons.

He and Laxus approached her at that moment, and it was the former who didn't even bother staying quiet.

"Captain," Laxus said simply. "A word."

The tall woman turned deliberately to face him. Again, she shot a scrutinizing look at both him and Natsu. "What is it? Is this about what you told my men?"

"Not entirely."

"Well, whatever it's about, I don't have time for it. You two'll be free to go about your business soon enough, just-"

Laxus didn't even wait, "We've discovered information critical to your investigation," he said, just low enough to get the woman's attention, while making sure nobody else around them would hear, "And how it's related to the incident that took place up at the Blacksteel Mining Camp."

That had done the trick.

The Guard Captain uncrossed her arms. Her prior wariness and tired eyes were replaced with a sort of hunger and renewed energy. Seemingly enough, a lead had presented itself to her on a silver plate-something that she could actually follow up on.

And a possibility that, perhaps, she could actually do something, anything, to prevent more deaths within her community.

Sorn leaned in toward her aide, then, an unassuming man about her height, "Keep the floor secured. I'll return shortly."

"Yes, Captain."

The tall woman looked back at him and Laxus, then, "You two," she said, pointing at both of them before gesturing to the door to the kitchens behind the main bar. "Come along."

A warmer, heavier air had enveloped Natsu as soon as he'd entered the kitchen.

The room itself was long and broad, with walls and a floor made of dark mountain stone, and two great hearths that still glowed with flames that had been reduced to steady embers. Two empty iron spits hung above the coals, clearly having been wiped down and pushed aside in haste. One of the cauldrons had been dragged off-center-faint whiffs of beef broth thick with barley and chopped onions still hung in the air even now.

On the central oak table sat a half-kneaded roll of dough, and a dusting of flour coated the flat wooden surface around it, along with scattered handprints. Strings of sausages swayed faintly from the rafters. Wheels of hard cheese sat beside sacks of grain. There was even a basket of both red and green apples, which gleamed ruddy and taut near the back door. More waves of aromas hit him then… salt and smoke and yeast… browned butter and seared meat… freshly baked bread split open…

It should have felt comforting in here.

The numerous murmuring voices coming from the rest of the witnesses and guardsmen faded away behind him and Laxus. Though Natsu could hear them if he wanted to, he'd opted to limit his hearing just to his immediate surroundings for the moment.

Sorn hadn't wasted much time. Almost as soon as the kitchen door shut behind them, she took her position by the main table, leaning against it as she'd whipped back around to face him and Laxus. Placing her hands on her hips and staring them both down with narrowed blue eyes.

"Who are you two? Really?"

It was Laxus who cut through the tension, "We're Wizards," he said casually.

The older man then snapped his fingers, and several bolts of lightning shot out harmlessly from his open palm.

Natsu did the same, raising his hand and coiling it into a fist. Immediately, he conjured up a coat of flames that swirled around his knuckles and palm.

A visible tick mark formed across the Guard Captain's forehead, and she scowled. Clearly, she wasn't satisfied with the blatantly simple answer, nor was she impressed with the light show. She probably wanted Laxus to elaborate further, "Did the Crown send you?"

"No."

"Then who sent you?"

"Gerwan Trast," Natsu answered calmly as he let the flames around his fist die down. "He contracted us after the deaths of his workers."

Upon even hearing Trast's name, and Natsu's own mention of the miner's deaths, Sorn had briefly gone wide-eyed. Evidently, she knew who the man was, and likely realized that the stakes had been raised, regardless of whatever was going on. "What do you mean deaths?"

"A few weeks ago, the miners up at the Blacksteel camp broke into an old ruin in the mountain," Laxus said. "A temple of some kind, as it turns out. The first man to step into the ruin had cut out his own eyes, rambling about something singing to him in the night. He died not long after."

Sorn was listening keenly now. "And the others?"

"When we arrived on the scene, we found them in the mine," Laxus said. "They were dead. They'd all cut out their eyes, too. The thing that got them is the same thing killing your people."

In what seemed to be a rare moment of sorrow for the tall woman, Sorn had looked down at the floor, pinched the bridge of her nose, and shaken her head.

Then, Sorn's face had twisted up into an enraged snarl. She looked up sharply and narrowed her eyes once more at both of them.

"You two knew about this all along?" She stood up straight now, glaring at them openly. "Without even thinking about coming forward with this information? Two men could've been saved if you just-"

Natsu could understand her frustration well enough. He'd want to know more about the situation if he were in her shoes. But that didn't suddenly mean that she had the moral high ground. Natsu was already fed up with the ongoing reprimand.

Think and act differently, Dragneel, he told himself, almost like a prayer. Think and act differently. You're angry, but that doesn't mean you have to get flustered. You can be pissed off and levelheaded at the same time.

He could still be… regal… and angry, couldn't he?

Natsu decided that yes, he could be.

"Listen here, lady," Natsu cut her off mid-rant, a wave of cold anger washing over him. Even though inside, he was about ready to explode. "We're not obligated to tell you shit."

"Mind your tone, I'm-"

"No," said Natsu, crossing his arms. The Son of Igneel forced himself to keep his voice steady.

"Don't stand there and act like we owe you something," the Dragon Slayer said as calmly as he could manage. "You didn't trust us when we walked into your town; you made that clear enough. We were hired to handle this quietly, but the situation's changed."

He didn't need to look to the side to see Laxus giving him an approving nod.

It was then that the older man stepped forward.

"That's right," Laxus said, reining the conversation back in. "We don't even know if we can trust you. We only approached you because you might be able to help us," he stated plainly. "So do you want to keep lecturing us? Or do you want to solve the problem at hand?"

To her credit, Captain Sorn had the decency to look somewhat embarrassed. She seemed flustered more than anything when Natsu had begun dressing her down, and upon being reminded that she'd more or less accosted them after they'd arrived in the Silverview, Sorn had glanced away, looking down at the darkened stone floor while pressing her lips together.

The Guard Captain briefly looked back and forth between the two of them, and then let out an exhausted sigh. It was clear enough that she was stressed out of her mind, and so any remaining anger behind her eyes had evaporated completely.

"Apologies," She swallowed. "That… wasn't fair of me," Sorn straightened herself, regaining some of her dignity. "You're sure of this? That the same… thing… stalking my people is also responsible for the deaths of those miners?"

"It's the one thing I'm certain of," Laxus said matter-of-factly.

"But why didn't Wrightwood-"

"Wrightwood had learned that the deaths of his workers was possibly connected to the faith of the old Boscan Tribe that immigrated to these mountains well over a century ago. So he wasn't about to trust anyone from town," Laxus explained. "As it turns out, he was right."

Sorn frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The religion of the early rural Boscans gives worship to the 'Five Spirits of Creation'. Supposedly, the thing that's killed both the miners and your people is one of these spirits."

"And this… spirit… is locked away in the mine?" Sorn asked, clearly unfamiliar with the old legends of her people.

"Not in the mine itself. Inside an old temple deep in the mountain."

"But if it's in the mountain, then how is it able to attack people here in town? I don't get it."

"From what we've seen, this entity… this Ankhinara… doesn't need to be physically present to influence its victims. It's capable of projecting itself outside the mountain. That's how it got to both Tavin and Eamonn," the Lightning Wizard pointed out. "We'll handle the Ankhinara. We actually need your help with Dunhallow."

"Dunhallow?" Sorn was clearly caught off guard by the sudden change in conversation. "What does he have to do with any of this?"

Laxus didn't miss a beat. "We think he knows more about the Ankhinara, at least more than we do. There's also a chance he'll know how to get past the gate inside the mountain temple."

"You think?" She asked, eyebrow raised. "What proof do you have?"

"I overheard him say its name," Natsu said. "The other day, after he addressed the town over Tavin's death, he spoke privately with the local priest, Osian. You know him?"

Sorn nodded slowly, still seemed skeptical, too. "I do… but that alone isn't much. Dunhallow simply whispering its name is… circumstantial at best."

"Even after he ruled your man Tavin's death as a stroke?" Laxus added, pressing on. "Not to mention that Dunhallow himself is directly descended from one of the town's founders, their Head Druid at the time in particular. He even locked himself in his home after Tavin's death. We tried to get a meeting with him, but he had his guardsmen turn us away."

"That… still isn't much to go on."

"It's more than enough to make one curious."

There wasn't much more to be said. The Guard Captain seemed to relent somewhat, having fallen silent. Hesitantly, she glanced downwards, idly nudging her heel in the cracks between the stone tiles in the floor.

Even to Natsu, it appeared that Dunhallow was burying his head in the sand, likely hoping that the problem would go away all on its own.

Not that it will.

"It certainly does," Sorn admitted quietly. "Dunhallow's always been a bit of a weasel… but if you two are right, and he is withholding something… that would make him negligent. Maybe even complicit."

"Which is why we need you to bring him in."

Sorn laughed darkly, yet her jaw tightened ever so slightly at the same time. "You're asking me to compel a sitting official-someone who can trace his ancestry all the way back to the founding of this town-to answer to two out-of-town Wizards on the basis of pattern and suspicion."

Laxus shook his head. "You don't have to arrest him," he clarified. "You're tenured in this town. You might as well have the same level of authority here as Dunhallow. And since you've known him your whole life, it's possible that he'll trust you enough to leave his home. Doesn't matter if you decide to arrest him or you tell him about us and ask him to come in for questioning. As long as you bring him in, we'll take it from there."

"But what if you're wrong?" She pressed. "What if he knows nothing that can help you?"

"Then we'll apologize for the inconvenience and see if we can find some other way deeper into the mountain."

Silence settled over the kitchen.

The Guard Captain frowned once more and bit her lower lip as she gazed at the floor again. Seemingly looking for some sort of answer from it. The worry lines on her forehead and the dark bags under her eyes stood out more than anything.

Natsu almost scoffed at the tall woman's wavering. It was a simple enough decision in his mind. Yes or no.

But…

His conversation with Laxus back in his room upstairs played out again in his mind.

You won't be the only one who pays the price...

…would Sorn also face something like that if they were wrong about Dunhallow?

"Fine."

Natsu snapped back to the present. Sorn had pushed herself off the table and straightened. Her blue eyes lingered on Laxus first, measuring the calm certainty etched into the Lightning Wizard's expression, before slowly drifting over to meet Natsu's gaze. She seemed to be satisfied with what she saw.

Finally, she let out a drawn-out sigh.

"I won't arrest him. But I will speak with him. This afternoon," Sorn continued. "If Dunhallow chooses to come with me, that's his own decision."

"That's all we're asking," Laxus replied.

The Guard Captain didn't address the blond's comment. "If he does come along, I'll bring him to the keep along the western wall. I'll have my men direct you to it," she said, striding past the both of them, making her way to the door leading back out into the main hall of the tavern.

As she rested her hand on the iron latch, however, she paused. Sorn glanced back over her shoulder to look at them.

"If this gets messy," she added dryly, "I'll expect you two to explain everything to the authorities should they arrive."

"Naturally."

Sorn nodded and opened the door. A blast of stale air mixed with the now stronger scent of dried blood came from the other side.

"Good," she said. "Wait for me at the keep."

And with that, the Captain of the Town Guard took her leave.

Midday turned into the late afternoon.

The chamber they found themselves waiting in was little more than a box of grey stone blocks and old timber beams. The ceiling was just low enough that the smoke from the pair of spitting wall torches gathered in a thin cloud. A window had been placed on the wall opposite the door. Large enough for one to get a nice enough view of the outside world, but lined with iron bars.

A heavy oak table occupied the center of the room. Three chairs surrounded it, two on the side by the door, and one near the window.

Laxus sat in one of them, sitting comfortably as he leaned back in his seat. He'd reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a lighter. A small flame flared brightly in his hand, and he brought it closer to the end of his cigar. After a few puffs, he was satisfied, then he flicked the lighter shut and stuffed it back into his pocket.

Natsu, however, found himself slowly pacing the room. Very slowly.

Patience wasn't exactly one of his specialties.

How much longer do you need? He wondered to himself. After all, they'd been in this room long enough to watch the sun sail down into the west. The fact that Sorn hadn't turned up yet with Dunhallow in tow was…

What was the word he was looking for?

Irksome. It was very irksome.

'Marked by irritation or annoyance; disagreeable; troublesome; tedious.' Or so the dictionary at home had said. A bit of an odd-sounding word now that he thought about it. Natsu partly wondered whether or not he'd actually end up using it during conversation at some point.

Who knows? After all, he'd probably use it to perfectly describe Gray if someone had asked him about the stripper.

"Didn't do too bad back there."

And so the silence was broken.

Natsu glanced over his shoulder at the blond sitting in the chair, who was looking directly back at him. "What?"

Laxus inclined his head a fraction, "With Sorn. You handled her quite well."

"...thanks?" The question was moreso out of surprise than anything. That was the second time in two days that Laxus had commended him. At this point, Natsu was beginning to wonder whether or not the older man had hit his head against something. "What do you mean?"

The Lightning Wizard gave a simple grunt in response, as well as an ironic smirk. Keenly aware that he was suddenly being laudatory, and that it was seemingly out of character for him to be so. He puffed at his cigar again before answering, "You didn't lose your shit for a start," Laxus snorted then. "I mean, that by itself is the bare minimum, but when it comes to you… well, I figure it means you're at least making an effort."

At least.

For some reason, the remark didn't quite feel like a barb to him. Natsu was sure that, at some other point in his life, it definitely would've landed as one.

Yet after everything he'd seen and witnessed over the last week alone, taking those sorts of insults to heart like he used to as a kid just felt… small…

Small. Everything was so small in retrospect, wasn't it? Every perceived slight. Every challenge he'd issued to Gildarts or Laxus or Erza over the years. Every time he'd succumbed to his motion sickness. Every loss he'd suffered in battle from whichever scumbag he'd been facing that particular week. Even Lisanna's abrupt absence from his life, right now at least, felt like a tiny grain of sand in the vast desert that was his life.

Natsu couldn't help but grin back, "Being nice must be pretty hard for you."

"About as much as it is for you to keep your cool. Who knows, though… You keep acting smart, and I might actually write you a poem."

"Really? 'Cause if we're talking poems, then I got a limerick for you. Wanna hear it?"

The blond shrugged nonchalantly, "Why not."

"Laxus, Laxus, what a dick."

The older man nodded along as if he'd just heard a total masterpiece. "Not bad."

A tense silence fell between the two men at that exact moment, as they stared one another down, but never once moving from their positions. All the while, Laxus still kept on puffing at his cigar, and Natsu still flexed his right fist.

And then they laughed.

For some reason which escaped him entirely, it simply felt like the thing to do.

The cocktail that was their present situation, paired with the mutual knowledge of their shared history of clashing together and butting heads, was likely that last little push needed to send them both over the edge. For as long as he'd known Laxus, this was the first time that Natsu felt that the older man was truly a comrade-in-arms, and not the bully he'd challenged over and over again when he'd been a kid.

The cacophony of laughter began to die down a few moments later, with Laxus slapping his knee with his free hand, and Natsu shaking his head with a long sigh.

"Not bad, huh," Natsu snorted, "Guess I'll have to own that."

"I'd advise you work on your poetry," Laxus said, his trademark smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Or at least your conversational skills. You know, get a bit more… eloquent. A lot of women go in for that sort of thing, especially if one's got boyish charms the way you do."

Boyish?

The Dragon Slayer looked up, eyebrow raised. "Boyish charms? Really?"

"Oh yeah," the older man nodded once more. "You know how the saying goes, Natsu… 'Girls just wanna have fun.'"

It wasn't hard to look back on the majority of his life up until now, to sort through each memory or experience he'd had with the opposite sex.

Every time Lisanna giggled like a schoolgirl whenever he'd swept her away onto some random, mundane adventure when they were kids.

When he'd first met Lucy and saw her face light up as they booked it from Hargeon as the Law attempted to chase them down.

Even the time he'd pushed Erza into the whirlpool at Akane Resort, and when she'd risen out of the water completely drenched with her soaking red hair sticking to her face, she'd given him a euphoric grin as she splashed him back.

Natsu chuckled, "Yeah…" he said slowly, meeting Laxus' eyes once more. "They kinda do, don't they?"

The Lightning Wizard dipped his head encouragingly. "There you go. It's not hard to-"

Thwang! Iron rattled shut against hardwood. The door was just down the hallway outside the room they were in now. Approaching footsteps echoed away, joined with a pair of voices-both of which were familiar enough.

"These, err… men," One of the voices began. A man's voice, and one that was trying to hide the tension behind it, "Did they show you any identification? I know you said that Trast sent them, but you never know with-"

Dunhallow.

"They showed me enough," the other voice cut through. A woman's voice, obviously Sorn's. "As I said, they've been snooping around these last few days. They informed me of the thing that's stalking our people."

A nervous half-laugh followed from the Mayor, "Oh… did they now…"

"Indeed."

And that was that. Silence between the two of them as they kept approaching, growing closer and closer.

It was then that Laxus stubbed out his cigar and rose from his chair by the table. Natsu met his grey eyes, and the two of them nodded. "Let me do most of the talking," the older man said.

"Ergh," Natsu huffed quietly. There wasn't much time to argue about it. "Fine."

Only moments later did both pairs of feet stop at the door to the interrogation room. The circular latch turned and opened with a click. The hinges groaned sharply as the door swung open, revealing the two figures standing behind it. Sorn looked far more tired than she had before, but it was Dunhallow who drew away most of Natsu's attention.

The Mayor himself seemed to have been adjusting the collar of his button-down shirt, as well as his coat. Almost as if he were entering an important meeting… which he was. Dunhallow looked haggard compared to when Natsu had last seen him the other day, his crew cut hair looking slightly scruffy. The moustache wasn't much better. The portly man's eyes were also red and veiny, indicating a lack of proper sleep.

"You-" Dunhallow's eyes widened in shock as he swept back and forth between them both. "You two? But I thought-"

"You thought wrong," Laxus stepped forward, folding his arms across his chest and looking as imposing as ever. "We're here on important business, Dunhallow. Or is it Dunnhaelah?"

The portly man gulped, his face blanching white. He briefly looked to Sorn for help.

Sorn, however, stared back at him rather coldly. Indicating that she wasn't really there to bail him out of his current predicament. The Guard Captain inclined her head toward the nearby table, giving a silent order for him to step inside.

Dunhallow did so, exhaling sharply as he did so. Sorn entered after him.

"Good. Now that we're all here…" Laxus stepped aside and pointed to the chair sitting on the opposite side of the room, with its back to the wall. "If you please, Mr. Dunhallow… take a seat."

And with that, Captain Sorn shut the door behind her and Dunhallow…

…the latch closed gently with one final click.

Author's Note:

Whew…

This chapter would've been released a lot sooner. HOWEVER, I was not happy with the previous draft, so I wrote it again from the ground up. Apologies for the (unreasonably) long delay.

To make up for this, both Chapter 21 and Chapter 22 are each about 80% done. Both of them need a good spit and polish first before I publish them, however.

The next chapter will close out the Darshel Arc, and then we'll be heading back to Magnolia afterwards for some downtime stuff so we can cool off.

From there, we'll be heading up the S-Class Trials…

Yeah, that'll be rather… explosive :)

P.S. I'm sure some of you got the reference during Natsu and Laxus' shit-talking ;)

Chapter Text

Late November 3rd, Darshel

Day 34

A pregnant pause filled the room.

Instead of continuing to stand there paralyzed, Dunhallow straightened himself, walking over to the table with his head held high. Having reclaimed some of his dignity, he took a seat and looked skittishly back and forth between Natsu and Laxus.

"So… what does Trast want from me?"

Natsu watched as Laxus slowly approached the table and placed both his palms on it, leaning forward. "What do you think?" he asked rhetorically. "His workers are dead. He wants answers."

The Mayor chuckled nervously, "Err… well, you see, I had nothing to do with any of that," he said as he shuffled quietly in his seat. "I-I only heard that something may have happened to one of his workers, not that any of them had died. What with them stuck in those mines all day, I'm sure they're bound to get a bit stir-crazy and-"

"Let's stop with the games, Dunhallow," Laxus coldly cut the portly man off right then. "We know about the Ankhinara."

Upon hearing one of the names of the dreaded creature, Dunhallow stiffened. A sort of false bravado seemed to overtake him then, and he cleared his throat, "Ahem. I have no idea what you're insinuating, but if you're simply here to talk about tall tales and folklore, then I'll have you know that I'm quite familiar with certain individuals in Crocus. Powerful people. People who can make your lives a living hell. I highly suggest that you-"

"So you also know about the Ankhinara."

That itself was already a forgone conclusion. Natsu wondered whether or not the Lightning Wizard had only said it to pressure Dunhallow.

"N-No, I didn't say that. I said-"

"Let me clarify a few things for you, Dunhallow." Laxus grabbed another one of the nearby chairs and placed it on the side of the table opposite Dunhallow. "My associate and I aren't going to threaten you. We're not here to harm you. We're not here to take you to jail. We're here to solve a problem that, if my suspicions are correct, has been plaguing your family and your people for generations. Now, if you don't help us, more people are going to die. And whatever contacts you have in Crocus won't be able to help you when Trast comes gunning for you personally. This is for real," the blond eased back in his seat. "Do you get the picture?"

Suspicions? What in the blazes was Laxus on about now?

Natsu knew that the blond was talking about the Ankhinara, of course. But what did he mean by generations?

A pin could drop in the room, and it would've been heard. By the main door to the interrogation room, Natsu knew that Sorn was simply leaning against the wall, as silent as the grave, while watching this whole scene play out. Only the crackling of torchfire and the wind outside could be heard now.

The Mayor found himself staring directly at the polished surface of the oakwood table. No doubt trying to think his way out of this. The added knowledge that Trast would likely come after him might've done the trick.

Even Natsu could see that something was weighing down on the portly man. He hadn't appeared to be in the best of shape.

Would he resist?

Continue to spout half-baked threats?

Leave altogether? It wasn't like they were able to legally keep him here.

Or was Dunhallow considering the threat of Trast? Knew that Trast would come after him if he continued doing nothing? Maybe even understood the potential consequences of it if he did.

It looked like he was.

Despite the questions that flooded through Natsu's head, Dunhallow didn't move from his seat. "I…" The portly man visibly sagged. He ran a hand through his hair and nodded resignedly, "Yes. Yes, I do."

Laxus nodded with him. "This isn't the first time it's killed people, is it?"

A hesitant pause, "No."

"Tell us what you know about the Ankhinara. From the beginning."

Slowly, Dunhallow looked up from the table. "I… I don't know much, only what my grandfather told me of it," he began, starting to get his footing. "Our people came to these parts from Bosco around 150 years ago, give or take. Back then, they were led by my ancestor, Aengynn Dunnhaelah. He was my, uh… great-great-great-great-grandfather, and the Head Druid of our tribe at the time," he explained, having calmed down to a degree. "They were quite a spiritual people, of course. Far more superstitious than we are to this day. They worshipped Five Spirits in particular, entities that would grant us-"

"We know about how your people got here and about the Druids' religion," Laxus cut in. "Tell us how your people came into contact with the Ankhinara."

Dunhallow exhaled sharply. "Right, right…" he said. "Err… my grandfather told me that after our people settled in the valley and began hunting and gathering, that…" he trailed off for a moment. "That they encountered a creature out in the woodlands."

"The Ankhinara," Natsu said suddenly.

The Mayor glanced away from Laxus and up at the Dragon Slayer for a moment, "Yes," he said, dipping his head. The portly man switched back to Laxus and continued. "Supposedly at the time, our people believed it to be one of the Five Spirits incarnate… after all, in some ways, it matched the likeness of this specific spirit, or at least how they envisioned it."

A creature? So Dunhallow wasn't referring to the Ankhinara as one of the Five Spirits. Did that mean that he didn't believe in their 'Old Way'?

Natsu couldn't help but pay attention to the wriggling comment. What did it mean? If the Ankhinara wasn't actually the Mormansk figure that Osian had shown him back in the Temple of the Five Spirits…

…then what was it?

And where did it come from?

Laxus seemed to be thinking along the same lines as him, "You don't think it's one of the Five Spirits?"

"No," came the expected response. Dunhallow looked doubtful. "I don't know where it came from, or how it came to be. All I know is that it must've somehow resembled this spirit, Mormansk in appearance. If it were him, then it wouldn't be trapped inside the mountain."

Resembled?

Laxus pressed on, "What happened next?"

"What do you think happened? They rejoiced and built the temple in the mountain to honor it. The beast couldn't communicate with speech, but it would… send them dreams, images, even while they were perfectly awake. It aided our hunters in tracking game. Precious gems and ores from within the earth suddenly sprouted from the ground like flowers. It even formed walls out of… liquid stone."

"Liquid stone?"

Dunhallow nodded, "I know it sounds strange, but…" he pressed on. "In the beginning, it would ask for animal bones, fresh venison, even bird eggs at times. Yet as the years went on…" he gulped. "It started asking for more."

The implication wasn't difficult to figure out.

"Human sacrifices," Laxus stated matter-of-factly.

"Not entirely," the Mayor admitted. "It wanted flesh, however. Human flesh. Pieces of skin, fingers, toes, ears. From what my grandfather told me, the creature was fond of human eyes, in particular."

Eyes.

Natsu was more bewildered than anything. He couldn't imagine anyone willingly giving up their own body parts just to praise and worship some creature they met out in the woods.

Nobody would do that…

…right?

"And…" The Dragon Slayer interjected briefly, "Did people really put up with that? Like… they actually gave up parts of their bodies?"

"Some of them did, yes," Dunhallow's voice was numb by now, like he couldn't even believe it all himself. "In such a short amount of time, they had grown quite wealthy. And with the influx of passing merchants and traders, that wealth was expanding rapidly. The people simply wanted more," the portly man sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. "My grandfather claimed that they'd come to worship materialism just as much as they worshipped the Ankhinara, as opposed to protecting and maintaining the natural world. From there, the beast began asking for limbs: arms, legs, hands, feet. And then," he gave a slight dip of the head to Laxus. "For human sacrifices. Men, women, children. It didn't discriminate."

What the shit…

The Mayor continued, "My ancestor, Aengynn… he couldn't stomach such an idea. There were people gladly willing to sacrifice themselves; the old and the sickly, of course, but he wouldn't allow it," Dunhallow's voice went low. "The beast grew angry and lashed out at our people anyway."

It was Laxus who spoke next; the older man only bore a stony expression. "You think he would've drawn the line sooner to protect his people."

"As I said, they were a very superstitious people. And this…beast…was like a god to them," Dunhallow said. "Aengynn attempted to stop it, but the Ankhinara was far too powerful. Whatever spells he cast on it seemed not to affect it. So to prevent more deaths, the only course left to him was to lure it into the mountain and seal it within the temple."

"Which is where it is today."

"...yes."

Laxus shifted. "How did your ancestor pull it off?"

Dunhallow rubbed his hands together, "Old Druid Magic. It's what's called a 'Blood Seal'. The caster could draw their own blood to enchant an object or even a place if they're powerful enough. Regarding how the enchantment itself works, it largely depends on the caster's intent. The seal can only be lifted by the caster, or-"

"Someone who shares their blood," Laxus finished, sharing a knowing look with Natsu in the process, before meeting Dunhallow's eyes again. "Do you know the spell? Can you lift it?"

The portly man seemed to hesitate for a moment-a sort of dawning crept into those brown eyes. A realization that he knew he should've anticipated sooner, but hadn't during his explanation.

He ran a hand down his face and gave a shaky sigh. "Yes, I can."

"Then we'll need your help with that. Now what about the-"

"You fucking coward!"

Both Natsu and Laxus sharply glanced over their shoulders and watched as Captain Sorn stormed toward the table, looping around the side and getting right into Dunhallow's face. "You knew about this creature the whole time! Knew exactly how to get to it! And you didn't once think to warn any of us?!" She shouted. "First Tavin and then Eamonn… how many more have to die before you finally do something about it?!"

In a rare showing of spine from the portly man, Dunhallow actually leapt out of his own seat and matched Sorn's fiery glare. "What was I supposed to do?! Die needlessly in an attempt to confront it?! The Ankhinara would've left the mountain and started slaying our people by the dozens! Hundreds! I'm not nearly as capable with Magic as my own ancestor was, and even he couldn't stop it! What makes you think I could?!" He fumed, actually making Sorn take a few steps back. "As long as it's trapped in the mountain, it can't kill everyone in town! There was a chance it might've gone back into hibernation!"

"But it's still coming after us!" Sorn spat back. "It's killed two of our people already! Not to mention the miners from the Blacksteel Camp! What do you intend to-"

"Captain," Natsu watched as Sorn and Dunhallow immediately ceased fighting upon hearing Laxus' voice, both of them looking at the blond.

Laxus stood upright from the table, easily commanding the room and towering over both the Mayor and the Captain of the Town Guard. His voice was hard and stone-cold. "I advise you let us do what we came here to do. Would you kindly?"

The polite 'request' certainly didn't sound like one.

The Guard Captain looked like she wanted to say more. To bite back and lash out. But instead, she controlled herself and her breathing. The tall woman gave Dunhallow one last disgusted sneer before stepping aside and taking her place by the wall.

Silence fell once more, and Dunhallow, while still wary that his fellow public servant would attack him, sat back in his chair.

"Now," Laxus remained standing. He continued where they left off. "The priest in town. Osian," the blond said. "You said the Ankhinara's name to him. What does he know?"

Dunhallow shook his head. "He's just a… religious leader. Nothing more."

"Does he know about the Ankhinara?"

"Y-yes," the Mayor said uneasily. "But he believes it's the same spirit as in our people's religion. He doesn't know what I know."

Laxus seemed to be satisfied with that answer. Even though Natsu had personally questioned Osian, he doubted that the seemingly harmless old man played much of a role in the deaths of the townsfolk.

"How does Blacksteel play into this?" Laxus asked.

Dunhallow swallowed dryly, "Trast came to me with a plan to open up a mine near town. After conducting some surveys and collecting samples, his company discovered large lacrima deposits within the mountain. Darshel would get a good percentage of the profits, so I accepted. At the time, it sounded like the easiest deal of my life, yet…" he trailed off for a moment. "I never thought they'd mine into the temple…" the portly man laughed bitterly at the irony of it all, "...and by complete accident of all things."

"Well, they did. And because of it, the Ankhinara woke up. It's active again, and if we don't do something about it, then it's going to come after the miners in the Blacksteel Camp, and then it'll come after the rest of your people," Laxus leaned forward then. "We need you to lift the seal for us. Do that, and we'll take it from there."

"Were you even listening?!" Dunhallow bellowed. "This thing can't be killed! My ancestor-"

"Wasn't us," Laxus interrupted. "If you don't help us, then Trast will come after you, and he'll make sure that you go down with him. But if you do help us… Then we'll be able to deal with the Ankhinara. After that, both you and your people can get on with your lives, and you'll never have to worry about it ever again."

The Mayor didn't seem to share Laxus' conviction. If anything, Dunhallow only looked far more despondent over it all.

"It's suicide."

In that exact moment, Laxus straightened and met Natsu's eyes once again. He gave a slight dip of his head, and Natsu nodded back.

Then the Lightning Wizard looked back to the sulking form of Dunhallow, and his voice hardened.

"We'll manage."

Dunhallow ran both his hands through his hair, staring down into the smooth surface of the oakwood table. Despite his prior objections… was that a small glimmer of hope in the man's brown eyes?

No doubt he'd been long overtaxed from the pressure of his private knowledge of what was going on. Knowledge was passed down through each generation of his own family. And when the wheel finally turned on him, that was when everything had imploded on him.

Natsu couldn't help but feel somewhat conflicted on the matter.

Initially, he'd viewed Dunhallow as an outright coward, a… craven man who was attempting to bury any general awareness or information about the Ankhinara, pretending it wasn't real. Possibly even being involved with what the entity was doing. Yet now…

…now…

Even the Dragon Slayer himself could recognize that Dunhallow had good intentions. He just… didn't know what to do.

Sure, Dunhallow was still something of a weasel, as Sorn had said earlier. Yet it wasn't like his options were any good.

Get destroyed politically and legally by Trast, all the while his people got killed one-by-one, or go ahead and confront the Ankhinara himself and die in the endeavor, which would've led to his people getting massacred altogether.

And, now that Natsu considered the potential ramifications, if Dunhallow had gone directly to the authorities for help, they'd probably also force him to lift the seal on the temple, which would've led to him going to prison at best, and to even more people dying at worst. It was also likely that he personally wouldn't have had much in the way of cash to pay for any wizards or mercenaries to help him out, at least nothing that would've been worth the effort.

It was a no-win situation, with no way out in sight.

Natsu wasn't exactly sure what to make of the man… especially now that he'd gotten the full context of why Dunhallow had done what he'd done.

"Alright," Dunhallow spoke up, breaking the long silence. He sat upright in his chair, "Just… allow me to organize a few things. I'd like to send word to the Rune Knights in case… well…"

The sentence finished itself in Natsu's head, in case you fail.

"I'll have my men round up everyone in town," Sorn added, stepping away from the wall as she did so. "Get everyone ready to leave if this goes south."

"Sound ideas," Laxus said, uncrossing his arms…

"Looks like we're all on the same page."

The moon had already risen from the East by the time they'd reached the Blacksteel compound.

It was… what was the right word for it? One that he'd read about from the dictionary at home?

'Vexing: annoying, worrying, or causing problems; maddening; bothersome; infuriating.'

It was vexing that the climb had taken so long, or at least longer than it had last time. What with Dunhallow occasionally losing his footing, tripping on some loose rock or tumbling onto the ground along the darkened path up the winding trail to the mining camp, in which case Natsu would have to physically haul the fat man up to his feet.

Not that Dunhallow actually weighed that much to Natsu, despite the other man's appearance. He might as well have been a sack full of feathers. Another annoying fact was that Dunhallow was constantly wheezing and damn near out of breath. He was sweating, too. A lot.

Should've kept yourself in shape, you dunce.

Once more, Natsu had been firmly reminded that not everyone had super heightened senses or strength as he did. Which was a rather inconvenient occurrence at times. Even when he was out with his team.

Natsu had looked over at the blond several times during their hike. Laxus seemed to know exactly where to step, kept his balance just fine, even. Hadn't so much as brushed against a twig and continued navigating through the pitch-black darkness just as well as he could.

Now that he thought about it, though… how did Laxus manage to navigate the darkness almost as well as he did?

Probably nothing. Likely some sort of Eyesight Magic or whatever it was called.

Thankfully, the journey up the mountain didn't take much longer after they'd spotted the lanternlights coming from the gates of the Blacksteel camp. They acted as a sort of beacon, and as the trio grew closer, so too did they quicken their pace.

The fine wall of tall wooden stakes that bordered the edges of the hill awaited their return. The lanterns hanging on either side of the main gate creaked gently in the slight breeze. And the great watchtower stood like a sentinel in the night. The same two men who'd greeted them on their last visit were still there in their nest, smoking from their tobacco pipes and chatting idly about…

…No, they were complaining about how the camp cook had an obsession with garlic.

"Ah," the guard on the right spotted them as they stepped out of the darkness. "Back again? Brought some company with you, huh?"

Laxus spoke, "Found a solution for that problem of yours."

The man in the tower nodded and turned to the other, "Ought to go tell the boss that the lads from Fairy Tail are back." And so the other guard descended the stairs to find their superior. Not long after, the gate to the compound shuddered open.

"What?" Dunhallow looked shocked, "Fairy Tail?"

"Surprise," Natsu retorted sardonically.

The trio met with Wrightwood as soon as they'd made it to the center of the compound. Surrounded by bunkhouses on all sides, with a large pavilion right dead in the middle of it all. The massive firepit in the core of the hub was still blazing, flames reaching as high as the bunkhouses themselves.

Dunhallow was oddly silent as they approached. Probably knowing full well that Wrightwood had rather…unpleasant thoughts about him.

"So," the mine foreman crossed his arms as he addressed both Natsu and Laxus, with his darkened brown eyes hardening as they focused on Dunhallow. "I see you convinced the good Mayor to finally pay us a visit. Would I be correct in assuming he's responsible for what happened to my lads?"

"Not exactly," Laxus said. "He's helping us."

"Out of the good graces of his heart, I'm sure."

Natsu saw Dunhallow noticeably sag somewhat. The Mayor clearly wanted to be anywhere else, but he had agreed to lift the seal on the Ankhinara's temple. It was, perhaps, the only way for him to completely avoid a prison sentence once everything got out.

Wrightwood seemed more than pleased at the portly man's squeamishness; nonetheless, Alright then. We'll let you two get right on it, then."

"One more thing," Laxus said. "Gather up your men and leave camp. If we're gone long, then you should run and head back to Crocus. The creature in the mines won't give a rat's ass if you bar the doors shut. Once it's out, the first thing it'll do is attack everyone in Darshel. Your men included."

The foreman gave an exhausted, but understanding nod of the head. Unlike before, this time around, he seemed to get that this whole situation was entirely beyond him. "I'll, err… have everyone gathered up and ready to leave within the hour."

"Good."

With that, Laxus turned back to Dunhallow and Natsu. "Let's go."

Heading down the mineshaft once again was peas.

With the passage being mostly lit by lanternlight, it was easy enough for the three of them to gradually make their way downwards to where the maw was located. Laxus had taken the lead, with reluctant Dunhallow keeping pace behind him, and Natsu following closely.

The familiar jaggedly-shaped manhole that opened up into the cavern containing all the lacrima veins was naturally still there. The very same rainbow-ish mixture of shimmering light shone out into the shaft itself, just as it had the first time he'd set eyes on it.

Raw lacrima was very…nice to look at, Natsu decided. It reminded him of stars, and the way they'd shoot whenever he'd looked up at the night sky with Lisanna.

A small comfort. Especially in a place like this.

Not much further had they come to their ultimate destination. The gaping maw of darkness seemed to have recognized them and had been waiting for them patiently.

Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum…

The drumming had returned. Had pulsed rapidly, even. Almost like… it was greeting them.

And the inky black void within was beckoning for him to head inside. To make the required sacrifice that the miners had. All the while, the heartbeat that echoed in his mind got louder and louder and louder.

The Ankhinara was awake. And it knew that they were coming for it.

Dunhallow halted briefly as he saw the fissure in the rock. Likely also feeling the drumming sensation beneath his feet, too. "I… what is this? It's like the earth is tapping against my feet."

"It's the Ankhinara," Laxus answered from the front, not even bothering to stop as he made his way over to the open cavity leading into the mountain temple. The Lightning Wizard leapt right inside and out of view.

The Mayor glanced back at Natsu for some sort of reassurance.

Natsu simply nodded toward the breach in the wall.

Hesitantly, shaking even, Dunhalllow gulped and turned back to the tunnel entrance leading into the hollow. He stepped forward and, meeting the threshold, jumped down into the void below. Natsu even heard the fat man gasp as he landed on the floor, having fallen onto his side after his feet hit the floor.

The Dragon Slayer followed him, and as he leapt inside, landed skillfully on both feet.

His nerves were on fire. And while Natsu felt a sense of apprehension for the upcoming fight, he also felt excited. The tensing of the muscles, the edginess that came with the anticipation of battle. The prospect of finally being able to confront the Ankhinara and slay it once and for all…

…the odds of a worthy challenge were always exhilarating.

For now, however, Natsu managed to push the thought aside. Once again, he hauled Dunhallow up to his feet and directed him through the darkness and down the long hallway, and down the middle corridor once they'd reached the intersection.

Faint traces of decomposing corpses remained, and so did the metallic scent of dried blood. And-

As they neared the tall, triangular door, Natsu picked up that the sickly greenish glow emitting from the shining antler sigil was… brighter somehow. Stronger than it had been before. It cast its pale green light onto the walls and floor, and onto the spot where the missing miners had been prostrating. Laxus was standing to the side, having waited for him and Dunhallow.

"This is it," Laxus said as he met them halfway. The blond looked to Dunhallow, "You know what to do?"

"Y-yes," the fat man nodded. "I suppose I should get started."

"No time like the present."

It was now or never.

In a moment of clarity and calm for the man, Dunhallow gave a silent, almost resolute nod and stepped toward the triangular door. Moving past the blackened patches of dried-out blood. The gateway seemed to acknowledge the man. The symbol of the glowing green antlers shone vibrantly like a flashlight in the narrow hallway.

Slowly, Dunhallow knelt on the floor in front of the gate. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small knife.

Natsu watched as the fat man cut right down the center of his left palm in one quick slice. Dunhallow winced, but continued as he used the blood-coated knife like a pen, and carved odd-looking symbols and letters into the triangular gate. The very same runes which Natsu had seen back in the Temple of the Five Spirits in town, and the same ones that were etched into the murals within the labyrinth itself, with Dunhallow occasionally dipping the knife back into his palm.

The first rune looked something like a sideways 'K' but with three squiggly lines branching off from the bottom. And not even a moment after Dunhallow had finished writing it, the…letter…glowed crimson. Four more runes followed after the first. One after the other, they each smoldered red and, somehow, reeked of both iron and sulfur.

When Dunhallow had finished, he'd set the knife down by his feet and placed his bleeding hand on the gate. "Cyyah.. Cyyah…" he chanted."Ada naa saerum. Loshala ruut nielle oendasiile. Dayindabek aiel… Rhaeara wendiar!"

A sudden, vast, subterranean growth rolled outward, causing the entire temple to rumble and quake violently. Like someone was sounding through a massive warhorn. The emblem of the green antlers soon dissolved into dust, so too did the blood red runes that Dunhallow had drawn. What followed was slow and uneven, like stone grinding against stone. Then a thin wavering wail and-

THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The earthquake came to an abrupt halt and ceased altogether. Silence fell immediately, almost like the hallway itself had not come crumbling down on top of him and Laxus.

In that instance, the edges of the stone triangular gateway began to…melt? The rest of the gate melted away like it had been made of butter, turning into a greyish-black sludge that gradually, slowly, disintegrated down into the floor.

When it had gone, Natsu saw the stone stairwell that led downwards.

No other split hallways or intersections. Just one way forward.

Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum thrum, thrum thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum…

It was down there. Had to be.

At that exact moment, had Dunhallow chosen to leap up onto his feet and get himself out of dodge. He'd turned right around and broken into a sprint as he darted down the hallway and back the way they came. Neither Natsu nor Laxus bothered to stop him.

Nonetheless, Natsu shared a look with Laxus. "Should we go after him?"

The older man shook his head, "Looks like he's done his part. If we need him again, we'll go get him," he said, already stepping toward the downward passage. "Come on."

Right, the Dragon Slayer nodded and followed the blond.

Onward then.

The actual staircase itself was long. It had to be well over two hundred feet of steps alone, which Natsu had to clamber down one or even two at a time in a narrow, triangular-shaped tunnel. Taking him far deeper into the earth than he would've normally liked.

Altogether, the descent wasn't as time-consuming as he'd initially thought. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairway, the walls at the lower end of the tunnel curved and branched outward on either side, opening up into a wide circular cavern.

The floor from the stairs extended into a broad catwalk that was wrapped around the circumference of the circular chamber itself. Stone pillars, made of the same smooth rock as the walls and the ceiling, stood perfectly leveled on either side of him, and the curved walls were adorned with more murals. Each one depicting a tall antlered figure, with droves of people kneeling before it, offering sacrifices, and the figure walking among them. And then to his right, there was another staircase leading down.

In the center of the hall, there was a gaping pit, one that could've been as wide as a small castle. Natsu cautiously stepped toward the edge of the catwalk and looked down.

What in the… an underground tower?

That's what it looked like. Damn thing went deep, yet another hundred-foot drop down into the abyss below. About five more floors, too. At the bottom, Natsu had made out a drastically larger version of the statue of Mormansk standing tall off to the side. He recognized the same shape, the same confident bearing. The statue itself had actually been made out of marble, and it was quite a favourable likeness of a man, one who also had the trademark bone-white antlers of a stag branching out from the crown of his skull.

And at the base of the tower…

Natsu narrowed his eyes.

…something was moving down there. Shifting slightly. Glowing a dim, sickly green light. It looked almost like a cocoon of some kind.

A cocoon that was well over fifteen feet tall, standing upright on the floor, and layered in bone-like petals. It certainly didn't belong to any sort of bug he'd ever seen.

"That's got to be it," Laxus said quietly, now standing at his side, also looking down into the pit. "This has to be a trap."

"Trap?" Natsu frowned. "How?"

"You ever get the feeling that it was waiting for us? Aware of us?"

Hedid. Yet Natsu still didn't particularly care whether it was a trap or not. They'd come here to kill the Ankhinara, and that's what they were going to do. "So what?"

Laxus narrowed his eyes, still looking down into the abyss. "So we should at least have a plan. We don't know what this thing can do," he looked to Natsu then. "I'm thinking we tag team it. You get in, hit it, then immediately disengage. I'll go first, then you follow up right after me. We keep that rhythm going until it drops. And if, for some reason, that doesn't work… We'll have to figure out where its weak points are, and hit it where it hurts most," Laxus finished his explanation. "Got it?"

Now THAT was a plan Natsu definitely could get behind.

"Yeah. Got it."

The long fall from the catwalk was fun.

Feeling the sharp rush of air as he plummeted down to the bottom of the temple only served to heighten the adrenaline given to him courtesy of his battle nerves.

Natsu soon reached the floor, easily landing on both feet, and steadily at that. Yet his excitement quickly washed away as soon as he began to feel-

Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum…

The tribal-like drumming, the furious heartbeat itself, had returned as he now faced the towering chrysalis. The floor seemed to shake beneath his heels, now that he was near the source of the reverberation.

Zwap! To his immediate left, Laxus had stepped out of a fizzling haze of crackling yellow sparks. Having used his Lightning Body Magic to teleport down, as opposed to jumping as Natsu had. The older man had already shrugged off his coat and was cracking his knuckles in anticipation.

Even still… the pale cocoon continued to beat on impatiently. Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum…

All it took was him taking a single step towards it.

The cocoon shivered and shuddered, with the bone-white petals cracking apart into shards of milky glass, all of them falling away from the chrysalis onto the floor and shattering into smaller fragments. What followed were dozens of harsh pops! The entire casing seemed to splinter exactly like a bone would, almost like somebody had somehow broken all of the bones in their body in a single instance, one after the other.

And then it all stopped, and the remainder of the petals fractured and turned into pale dust that fell away, now revealing the grotesque and malformed thing that stood before them.

Natsu hadn't really known what to expect of the Ankhinara's likeness, perhaps except the vague notion that it would've looked more man-like, similar to the depiction of Mormansk in the statue behind the creature itself.

But this creature wasn't a man.

It had to be just over twelve feet tall in height alone. Easily twice as tall as even Gildarts. Two bone-like antlers, each missing several tines, sprouted from the crown of a hairless, deformed, and featureless human-shaped head, one with clammy chalk-white skin that was unnaturally stretched back. A face with a disturbingly maw-like mouth and slick-wet teeth, and two dark, empty wet holes for eyes. Large, inky veins were sprawled all over its skin like a spider's web.

The entity's body was composed of some sort of fusion of both bone and stone, with a large collar made of moss wrapped around the spindly, abnormally long neck and covering lanky, bent shoulders. Bits of gnarled bark and old roots were fused into its flesh, even into the revoltingly pronounced ribcage that almost threatened to burst from within its freakishly tight skin. And finally, there were the impossibly long and thin arms that ended in sharp, clawed hands-the claws were curled like talons, and all of them were as lengthy as spearheads.

Those blackened eyeholes surveyed the entirety of the chamber that the three of them were standing in. Sweeping its gaze slowly, deliberately around until finally, it rested itself solely on Natsu.

At that exact moment, the Ankhinara's monstrous-looking mouth shaped back into a maniacal grin.

Natsu's disbelief at just how ugly the entity looked was immediately overridden by a furious, burning anger.

People actually worshipped this… thing?

The shadowy inner sanctum was suddenly illuminated in a terrific and radiant fiery light. Orange and golden flames exploded to life all around the Dragon Slayer, with curtains of fire snaking up and down his arms and legs.

Half a second later, Laxus had darted out from his position next to Natsu, heading directly for the Ankhinara. The Lightning Wizard himself was coated in golden-yellow sparks that crackled all around him and moved blisteringly fast. Too fast for the Ankhinara to dodge.

Laxus summoned up a large lightning bolt into his closed fist and threw it directly at the beast. The spell struck the thing in the chest, and the Ankhinara stumbled backward for a moment.

"GRAH!" The beast howled as it was doused in an explosion of sparks. The misproportioned face twisted into a snarl.

Natsu had already shot away towards the beast like a rocket, using his flames to propel him just as Laxus disengaged from the creature. Having raised his fist and…

…missed.

His flame-coated knuckles almost kissed pale flesh. He'd been only a few inches away from grazing the Ankhinara's ribage when the entity had melted into the floor. The Dragon Slayer skittered to a halt along the chamber floor. Where in the blazes did it go?! What-

Immediately, he was struck in the back by a battering ram. Natsu gasped sharply and felt his feet leave the floor as he was sent flying into a nearby pillar, crashing into it and falling to the floor.

Liquid stone…Natsu ground his teeth as Dunhallow's words had come back to bite him in the ass.

The Ankhinara rematerialized on the opposite side of the chamber. Now it was engaging with Laxus, who had leapt over it. The Lightning Wizard unleashed a torrent of thunderbolts that extended out of his left hand, the wave plowing right into the entity's right side. As the haze of sparks cleared away, the Ankhinara was clearly still standing where Laxus had hit it, with fresh scars and blackened burns all over its spiny arms and-

No, wait… in a matter of moments, those same wounds were covered up in stone sludge. Healing the beast instantly.

Just then, the Ankhinara grinned madly at Laxus, and as the blond was about to hit it, it had yet again dissolved into the floor, reappearing behind him and slicing down Laxus' back with its clawed hand. "Grrrrgh!" Was the only sound Natsu had heard from the blond as he nearly fell over from the impact of the blow by itself.

But the Ankhinara didn't give Laxus time to recover. It immediately grappled Laxus by the leg, picking him up and actually swinging the Lightning Wizard around like he was a child's doll-

-then threw him up into the air, into a pillar on one of the upper floors. THWUNK!

Natsu was back on his feet and already heading right towards the Ankhinara. This time, the beast didn't have much time to react. It turned to face him, but wasn't quick enough to disappear again.

FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST

The blow landed, and the ensuing blast of orange-gold flames engulfed both his enemy and everything surrounding him. Natsu's fist sank deep into the monstrosity's unnaturally pale skin, and the Ankhinara actually stumbled backwards, nearly falling over from the impact, shambling against the pillar behind it for a moment before it instantly recovered. In response, it let out a pained howl.

"SHYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" It roared, shaking the entire tower.

Don't like fire much, do you?

He didn't even get a chance to enjoy his momentary success. Not a moment sooner had it raised its right arm-blindingly fast-and raked its claws deep across his abdomen.

"Gah!" Natsu shouted, leaping backward to get away from it. Forcing himself to ignore his torn open shirt and the hot sting of fresh blood that pulped down his lower chest. Laxus reappeared once more by the creature's side, and followed up with a lightning-coated right hook that hit-

-nothing!

Again, the Ankhinara melted into the floor. Behind him, Natsu heard liquid stone boiling and popping. He turned and saw it standing a few feet away. The distinct blackened patch where he'd burned it was swiftly coated in more of the same rock-sludge as before. The burns and dent left in the beast's torso had faded and healed!

The Ankhinara's blasted stretched-back face smiled smugly at him, its mouth moving unnaturally, like it was speaking, but obviously not in any language he knew. "SHHYOOOOO, SHYAAARRRRR! HUA! HUA! HUA!" Its chest rumbled, like it was…

It was fucking laughing at him.

Almost amused by the minuscule efforts of the two insects who'd come to confront it.

Those serrated claws came for him once again-Natsu swiftly ducked, missing it by mere inches. He instinctively dove forward and rolled along the floor, and when he got back to his feet, he-

He couldn't move! Something hard coiled tight around his legs and rooted him to the floor!

Natsu looked down. Tentacles made of liquified stone sprouted up from the floor, writhing and grasping at his feet and knees, almost reaching up to his waistline as they tried to drag him down, down, down!

The Dragon Slayer tried pulling himself free, but he didn't have the time as the Ankhinara had already closed the gap between the two of them. In the blink of an eye, it swiped downwards with its claws, and the only thing that Natsu could think to do was to raise his arms in an attempt to block it.

Shhrrrt! The tearing open of flesh was audible. "Arrgh!" Natsu ground his teeth as he felt even more blood begin to pour down his forearms to his elbows.

The Ankhinara made to strike him again and-

This time, the blow never landed. The stinging stench of ozone permeated the air around him, and the Ankhinara shifted away to the other side of the room as it was suddenly struck by a frenzied bolt of golden lightning. It quaked, but made no sound as it turned to face Laxus, with the blond dishing out a dizzyingly quick series of blows at the creature's torso. The distraction by itself gave Natsu an opening to wrench free both of his legs from the stone tendrils.

…the Ankhinara was distracted yet again by Laxus, who was just as fast, if not faster. The blond kept landing strikes and blows against the beast, but…

Suddenly, the entity was engulfed in a towering pillar of lightning, consumed by it entirely. A brilliant flashing glow of gold-yellow emitted from the blast, and Natsu resisted the impulse to shield his eyes as he now ran back over to rejoin the fight. This time, he heard the entity roar out in pain once again, the supernatural scream making the temple around them shake and squeal violently. No doubt it would dissolve again to get out of the blast range.

Natsu had been right. The portion of stone floor behind Laxus had begun to shift, and in less than a second, the Ankhinara rose out of the soup-like patch of floor, its right claw already lifted to strike.

Not today! Natsu changed directions and blasted toward the thing.

FIRE DRAGON'S FLAME ELBOW!

The Ankhinara had turned its head at the last second to look at him, but it hadn't been enough to stop Natsu's flame-coated elbow from blasting right into the monster's left cheekbone.

Laxus seemed to notice this too, and as he made to throw another lightning-infused kick to the Ankhinara's side, the entity instead stepped to the side, getting behind Laxus in that same instance and slashing down across the blond's backside.

"HUA! HUA!" The entity was delighted with its own performance. Those empty wet eyeholes crinkled in unbridled joy.

That unadulterated, childlike elation never once went away, not even when the creature had turned just in time to dodge one of Natsu's flame-coated fists. Both of his sharpened and burning knuckles sank deep into the sickly-pale, almost translucent flesh of the Ankhinara's right shoulder. Charring it to a distinct shade of black in an instant.

Before Natsu could hit the beast again, one of its unnaturally long arms shot out, and a malformed and large human hand coiled around his neck, lifting him off the ground and then pulling him close.

Now he and the Ankhinara were face to face, only inches apart from one another. Its entertained stare remained, showing off rows upon rows of large, cracked teeth. A long, dry tongue that writhed like a snake within, and large clots of both blood and drool poured out from the corners of its low-slung jaw. "SHYOOOOOR SHYAAAAA!" It said to him then. Grinning madly.

Natsu growled. "Fuck you!"

It was then that Laxus flashed into the air behind the entity with a long and jagged lightning bolt in his right hand! The blond brought it swiftly down onto the Ankhinara's backside like a javelin.

"GRRAGH!" The entire hall was illuminated in a brief and flickering golden glow as the Ankhinara was doused in a shower of sparks and bolts.

Right then, Natsu had already pried himself free of the beast's grip. Still holding onto the Ankhinara's long-limbed arm, the Dragon Slayer focused up his flames and-

FIRE DRAGON'S WING ATTACK!

Fire poured from the Dragon Slayer's body in a roaring arc, forming the shapes of great wings behind him as he struck at the Ankhinara at point-blank range with the spell. KRRAAAAAABOOOOOM! The temple rumbled and quaked, with small rocks falling loose from the pillars surrounding them. Once the attack connected, flame and force exploded outward, and the Ankhinara was lifted off its feet entirely and hurled sideways through the air.

The terrifying battle cry that erupted from the airborne entity was far more abominable and thunderous, however. It sailed through the air, yet as it hit the exterior of the temple, Natsu watched on in pure astonishment as the Ankhinara, in its full shape, actually melted into the murals etched into the curved stone wall… Solid stone turned into a thick, grey, and viscous slurry that consumed bone-white limbs and antlers until the entity had outright vanished altogether.

What the…

Flloppp!

Not a moment sooner had he heard something boil. He instinctively whirled around, stepping to the side to avoid any more of the damnable stone tentacles-

"Aghhh!" The Dragon Slayer howled out agony as something flashed and two spear-like claws tore diagonally down his face like enlarged scalpels that just narrowly missed his right eye. Pain exploded across his skull, almost as if two burning lines had been branded on his face; one across his nose and the other along his forehead.

His vision had blurred as blood poured down into his eyes. Natsu hissed and staggered back from the pain, his hand flying to his face. The world seemed to tilt for a fraction of a second, everything around him drowning out and slowing to a grinding halt.

Hot, thick pulps of red seeped beneath his palm. When he pulled it away...

…his palm was painted scarlet.

All he could hear were his own ragged, harsh gasps for air. Damn thing almost hit my eye…

He looked up.

The Ankhinara was standing there. Grinning madly at him.

Natsu snarled and rushed forward.

Behind the creature, a lengthy bolt of lightning lanced magnificently through the air, careening and then crashing right into the back of the monster! CRRRKBOOOOOM! The Ankhinara lurched forward from the impact and attempted to swat away the newly re-materialized Laxus to no avail as the blond darted back and forth through the air, blindingly fast.

Natsu leapt forward, grappling onto the entity's left side as it wildly swung its arm around in the air, attempting to catch Laxus. The older man had landed seven consecutive blows against the Ankhinara's upper body, leaving behind several feather-shaped burns across the creature's chest.

FIRE DRAGON'S-

In its continued efforts to catch Laxus, the Ankhinara began swinging its arms wildly around. One of them had slammed right into Natsu, and immediately, he felt his feet leave the floor, now soaring through the air.

Across the temple floor, Natsu landed on his side with a grunt, breaking his fall with a roll. Instinctively, the pink-haired man got to his feet, and when he turned to face his adversary once more…

The Ankhinara reacted just in time, moving faster than either Natsu or Laxus expected-or perhaps it had adapted to the Lightning Wizard-and the instant Laxus materialized into thin air, the entity had seized the blond by the throat, now pinning him against one of the pillars. Already beginning to raise its other arm…

Fuck this thing! Natsu had already sprung back into action, and through focusing his flames into his legs and feet, had rapidly closed the distance just in time to prevent Laxus from being skewered!

FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST!

KHAABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The shockwave from the blast cracked the immaculate stone floor beneath his feet, right as Natsu drove his fist straight into the Ankhinara's torso. An explosion of gold and orange fire erupted from the point of contact, blasting outward in a cone of flame that tore the Ankhinara away from the Laxus. Yet much to Natsu's frustration, even through the ensuing blast, he felt the entity's skin liquify into rock-sludge beneath his own knuckles, and watched on as the creature melted into the floor just to get out of the blast.

As Laxus got back to his feet, sweat dripping down his face, he dipped his head in appreciation. Even the blond was bloodied somewhat, with his purple shirt torn to ribbons and barely hanging onto the man's shoulders. Despite it all, the blond seemed to be in far better shape than Natsu himself.

Natsu returned the nod, and then-

-on the opposite end of the hall, just where the grand statue of Mormansk stood tall and proud, a darkened pool of coagulated, almost molten-looking grey sludge appeared.

Immediately, the pair of spiky, jagged antlers attached to the horrific pale-white visage of the entity emerged from the pool, and so too did the rest of its body. The Ankhinara stood there, completely healed and not even bearing a single nick, scratch, or wound of any sort. It was in the same condition that they'd found it in.

It was definitely making them work for it.

"How do we even kill this thing?" Natsu heaved as he wiped aside a congealed mix of fresh blood and sweat rolling down his face.

The dumb Ankhinara just wouldn't take a hint and burn.

It keeps healing. Whatever damage it had sustained from Laxus's initial blitzkrieg and from Natsu's own attacks simply didn't show. Burning or missing chunks of pale, stone-like skin had regenerated within moments.

It could clearly feel pain, could be injured temporarily… but whatever damage they did to it would be healed instantly. Meanwhile, Ankhinara just kept that stupid grin plastered on its abomination of a face; those empty, wet holes for eyes somehow showed plain and unadulterated amusement within.

So what-

All around him, the ground split apart. Tendrils made of smooth stone curled and lanced upwards, groping and grabbing at his arms and legs, and in his peripheral vision, Laxus as well.

The Lightning Wizard had immediately evaporated into a crackling haze of sparks, having used his Lightning Body to arc over towards the middle of the hall, closer to the Ankhinara. Natsu, however, wasn't so lucky. All at once, each of the stone tentacles yanked and pulled him down, down, down into the floor. The Dragon Slayer, one by one, broke each of his arms and legs out of their grasp, yet that didn't stop more from spawning up from the floor below. He almost wished that-

-wait! The antlers!

The bony appendages, which branched off from the crown of the Ankhinara's deformed human-shaped head, were clearly not of the same pale-white flesh that made up the rest of the creature's body. Just a slightly lighter shade, with both horns bent several feet upward into the air, each of them made of bone that looked…

…worn?

A stag would often use its antlers as a weapon, but the Ankhinara clearly didn't need them for the same purpose.

What were they? Some sort of… sensory organ?

Natsu couldn't believe his eyes. What did that mean? That it could be-

Crrrrrck! Laxus reappeared next to him in a literal flash. The older man was probably a bit better off than he was, except for the long red gash cut wide and deep along his right shoulder. But nonetheless-

"The antlers!" The blond said sharply, briefly meeting Natsu's eyes before he turned to face the Ankhinara along with the Dragon Slayer himself. "Get its antlers! I'll distract it!"

Natsu didn't have time to react to the blond's immediate plan of action, and he didn't particularly care. If hitting the Ankhinara's antlers would solve the problem of its existence, then Natsu was all for it. He leapt off the ground and rocketed toward the Ankhinara, both fists coated in fiery golden-red flames. He didn't need to look to the side to see an all-too-familiar curved lightning bolt heading directly for the beast as well.

The Ankhinara clearly must've heard them and knew what their goal was. The entity instantly melted back into the liquid stone floor, yet as soon as Natsu started hearing boiling and popping from the opposite side of the chamber, he pivoted on his feet.

It reappeared in all its glory, now rearing its head back and opened its gaping mouth in a dreadful-

Instead of the expected howling scream, however, Natsu began to hear something hum in his ears.

Duul… Nah… Elle… Ael… Aahall…

His whole body began to shake as he heard an almost loving melody drown out everything around him. It was like hearing a goodnight lullaby… one that simply made his ears ring and ring and ring with white noise.

Pain. Just pain. Natsu felt his own blood boil inside him. Something hot and wet was leaking from his nose. He let out a sharp gasp, but he couldn't hear it. Couldn't hear anything except for that droning song…

By instinct, Natsu placed his hands over his ears. All the while, the tune—lullaby—just kept playing. The Ankhinara simply swayed back and forth now, standing still on the spot, like it was singing them to sleep…

…Duul… Oela… Noor… Ael… Aahall…

The Dragon Slayer fell to his knees. His vision blurred, though he saw Laxus also try to cover his own ears—clearly affected by the song. The blond was still on his own two feet, but his nose was… bleeding?

Why does it feel like his brain and eyes were going to explode? Like his arms and legs were turning to jelly?

Can't… stop…Natsu shakily tried to stand. The effort almost made him fall onto his side.

Through blurred eyes, he managed to look at Laxus—the blond was also looking at him. Laxus raised his hand and pointed at the Ankhinara. Managed to mouth something out to him. He couldn't hear it, though…

Natsu nodded. Just barely managing, he put most of his weight onto his right foot and steadily, but painfully, rose to his feet, almost stumbling as he stood upright.

His head pulsed violently, like his brain was about to leap out of his skull. Natsu flattened his palms against his ears just to keep it inside. In a matter of seconds, he managed to eat up what remained of his magical aura. Hoping that his eyes wouldn't explode, and making the greatest effort of his life to not vomit his guts out, Natsu reared his head back. FIRE DRAGON'S…

…ROAR!

A massive tornado of fire launched outwards from his mouth. The ground beneath his feet quaked and rumbled, and Natsu kept pumping his Magic into the roar-it didn't matter if he missed, so long as the blast hit the Ankhinara, or simply distracted it or made it move… the song would end.

BOOM! Not a moment later, the resulting explosion on the other side of the temple floor erupted into a whirlwind of golden-red flames. Gusts of hot air and dust blew against his face. Moreover, the digging scalpel of pressure that had been carving into his head earlier came to an abrupt stop. Natsu let out a sharp breath, relieved that he could even hear himself breathe once more, and kept himself from falling over onto the floor.

The temple continued to tremble and quake. The Ankhinara had moved once again, yet this time it was swinging its arms wildly around as flames danced all over its upper body, and specifically along the two bony appendages burgeoning from its head, and while the pale flesh all over its body was regenerating, the antlers were still doused in flames.

The beast let out a shrill scream this time that was almost as bad as its song, "SHRRRYAAAAAAAAAA!"

Natsu looked to his right and shared a knowing look with Laxus.

No more words needed to be said. The two men sprang back into action.

While the Ankhinara was shaking and attempting to put out the last of the flames, both Natsu and Laxus had already crossed the cavern, the latter having made it to the beast first, tackling and grappling its lower body. From the sheer impact, the Ankhinara almost fell backward, even if Laxus was only half its size and weight alone. It tried to scrape him off, but the Lightning Wizard had latched onto it like a tick and wouldn't let go.

At the same time, Natsu jumped up onto the Ankhinara's upper body, his hand finding its spine and bony shoulders. He kept climbing and immediately grasped onto the beast's left antler, holding onto it for dear life. Now planting both his feet onto either of the Ankhinara's shoulders, Natsu used all of the power and weight in his legs to push himself upward and pulled and pulled and pulled!

Crrrrrraaacck!

The effect was instantaneous, "SHRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHL!" The Ankhinara screamed terribly into the cavern, and the entire temple shook.

A stray claw had torn down his backside, effortlessly tearing through linen and agonizingly rending open his flesh. Natsu ground his teeth together, keeping himself from bellowing out in pain and forcing himself to stay rooted where he was, desperately trying to wrench free the left antler.

Up! Up! UP!

Crk! He felt it again! The vibration of something beginning to snap apart beneath his bloodied palms and fingers!

Good! Keep going! Keep going! Natsu obeyed the bodiless inner voice and kept prying and twisting and wrenching the massive curved tine of bone. Something, anything-

Brrrrrrkk… there it was… something hard was burgeoning from the crown of the Ankhinara's bald and unnaturally large human-shaped skull. Some sort of bone. Something that the antler was connected to. Come on! Come on!

BRRRRAAAAAK!

Through strength and anger alone, Natsu had torn out the antler in one swift motion. And-

"SHRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUGGHHHHHHH!" The Ankhinara howled out. This time in pure unadulterated pain.

Truepain.

Natsu almost lost his balance atop the Ankhinara's shoulders as it fell to its knees. He managed to grasp onto the right antler then, and the entity began to make some sort of choking sound as Laxus then went to town on it below, striking it with lightning bolts and blindingly fast combinations one after the other.

The Dragon Slayer tossed aside the loose appendage and got right to work on the other. This time, he hadn't been hit by a claw, and in a matter of seconds, he'd-

CRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! Chalky white, stripped-back flesh tore apart easily, splitting hideously and leaking torrents of spurting black blood that sprayed at Natsu's face. Nonetheless, he snarled and pulled loose the right-most antler free, along with a chunk of the beast's skull.

In that moment, all feeling or resistance beneath his feet had ceased. The last shrill scream echoing from the monster's no-longer smiling mouth had died halfway, leaving behind a horrible ringing sound in his ears.

Natsu felt the body lurch forward, and he jumped off it, landing and breaking his fall with a roll.

THOOMP! The Ankhinara fell dead onto the floor. In front of the very statue of the deity it represented.

Not a single sign of life could be heard. No breathing. No jittering limbs. Only a growing pool of black blood beneath it.

As Natsu got back to his feet, he wiped away another curtain of sweat and blood from his face and caught his breath. "Erghl!" He gasped as the jagged slice along his back made itself known to him again. Shit…

The pain remained, but dulled somewhat. Natsu threw the loose antler aside and looked down at the corpse of the entity.

For all the mystery and grandeur behind it, its death was rather…

Mundane. That was the word. It was pretty mundane, wasn't it?

To his left, he heard Laxus panting also. The older man also had collected a set of new scars, too. Three on his tattooed chest, and several more adorning both of his arms. The Lightning Wizard's blond hair was doused in red and black blood.

The two men collapsed to the floor one after the other. They shared a look, and…

…started laughing.

Maybe it was the absurdity of their situation. Maybe it was the adrenaline. Regardless, the two men chuckled away in the darkness. And if someone else were to enter the mountain temple at that exact moment, laughter is all that they'd hear.

They'd finished the job. Saved the day. Won

And what's more?

It felt pretty damn good.

Author's Note:

And that concludes the Darshel Arc!

As I said at the end of the previous chapter, we'll be heading back to Magnolia and chilling for a bit before the (uninterrupted) S-Class Trials begin.

Expect some sprinkling of NatsuxErza around then as well;)

If y'alls have any questions on the characters or the story moving forward, feel free to ask in reviews or DMs.

Additionally... I should tell you that the Song of the Week is "Swords In The Wind" by Manowar.

Enjoy :D

And last but not least, R.I.P. to the legendary Chuck Norris.

Chapter Text

November 16th, Fiore

Day 47

Iron wheels drummed the train tracks in a steady, almost hypnotic rhythm.

The carriage swayed gently with the motion. The train's whistle, on and off, filled the silence between them.

They'd stayed in Darshel another few days after slaying the Ankhinara.

The Rune Knights finally arrived on the scene, having come all the way from Fort Thunderhawk. But strangely enough, they'd only let off Laxus and Natsu with a 'warning' despite Fairy Tail having taken centre-stage in yet another political mess that they'd need to clean up.

Once he and Natsu returned to Crocus, they'd met with Trast, who'd welcomed them warmly and had immediately paid them the promised reward of 10,000,000 Jewel each. The Blacksteel executive had managed to smooth things over in court, maintaining the stance that while Fairy Tail had skirted the lines of the law with their unorthodox interview of Mayor Dunhallow, they'd ultimately gotten the job done and put down an inexplicable entity which would have terrorised the eastern countryside if not for their intervention.

As long as trade continued uninterrupted through Darshel for the foreseeable future… well… King Toma was happy. His advisors were happy. And the merchants who often frequented the Ammark Pass were happy as well.

Then Trast had invited them to dinner at his estate, accompanied by his family. Laxus would've normally declined politely, but Trast would not take 'no' for an answer. They stayed in the capital for a few more days and kept a low profile.

Crocus was just a small blip in the distance now. Neither Domus Flau nor Mercurius Palace were even half the size of his pinky finger. The train ride would take up the rest of the morning and a good chunk of the afternoon as well.

Laxus cracked his neck, feeling the sun's gaze on his face. Could probably catch some sleep in the meantime.

Natsu largely kept silent after they'd hit the train station at dawn. The retractable table next to the window folded outwards in front of him, and a small stack of papers lay out in front of him. As strange a sight as it was to see Natsu patiently working away at something… it was far better than watching the kid hurl his guts out on the ride back to Magnolia.

No doubt Grandpa played a hand in that.

Whatever, Laxus thought. Putting it out of his mind.

Fields rolled by outside the window. Laxus always enjoyed watching the Fioran countryside, placing his hands behind his head and leaning back as gentle green knolls and rolling fields of newly emerging winter wheat passed him by. All beneath a crystal blue sky, sparse with clouds.

Charming.

A small comfort, more than anything.

The pinching feeling in his stomach lurched as the train rumbled slightly along the tracks. Laxus focused on a tall oak tree standing on top of a hill far, far out in the distance. Almost instantly, the pinching subsided.

Natsu was scribbling away on a nearly filled-out page, pencil in hand. And sitting by his forearm was a… familiar leather-bound cover.

'Understanding Magic & Spellcraft' by Commander Jon Fleming.

Laxus snorted.

Putting a lot of faith in him if you gave him that old brick.

The blond opted to break the silence first, "I guess Gramps gave you that," he said. When Natsu glanced up from his writing, Laxus nodded to the book.

"Hm? Ah, yeah."

"Solid read. Fleming definitely knew his stuff. But why's the old man making you write about it?"

Natsu set down the pencil and sat back in his seat. "Guess he wants me to… open my mind or something like that," he said, scratching at his cheek. "Get used to learning new Magic, or just learning Magical Theory. Admittedly, it's kinda interesting, figuring this stuff out and all that."

The blond nodded in approval. Even for a punk as thick-headed as Natsu, it was good to see him actually taking his profession seriously.

A quality that most people in their guild sorely lacked.

However, Natsu grinned. "I'm pretty much finished writing the report," he stretched his arms and legs, and then took up the pencil once more. "Gonna hand it in once we get back."

The kid seemed rather excited at that. Good for him, I guess. Most people in his position wouldn't be so cheery.

Especially not after the battle they'd had.

Laxus had picked up a few new scars of his own-the most notable ones being along his backside and his chest. But it wasn't him who took the brunt of the Ankhinara's wrath.

Pairs of visible lesions marred Natsu's forearms. Yet the most notable disfigurements were the two jagged claw marks that had raked down Natsu's face; one had sliced diagonally down his forehead all the way to his left cheekbone, and the other scything from just over his right eye and across the bridge of his nose.

They'd healed quickly, but Laxus knew that those scars in particular would stay with Natsu for the rest of his life.

"Well, I'm sure the old man will be jumping for joy," Laxus said, feeling their compartment jolt again as the train kept chugging away. He smirked. "Surprised you didn't actually drag Dunhallow out on his ass as you suggested."

"I'd be a pretty shit doctor if I did."

"Ah… so you were listening."

"Yeah?" Natsu raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Never know with you, Natsu. They don't call you a dumbass for no reason."

"People don't-" The Dragon Slayer laughed, shaking his head…

…and then he gave Laxus the finger.

The Lightning Wizard snorted amusedly. A rather odd occurrence, given his present situation.

If someone had told him that one day, he'd be laughing and talking smack with Natsu Dragneel-who personified everything Laxus despised about the current state of Fairy Tail-after working with the punk on an S-Class job… then Laxus would've assumed they belonged in a nuthouse.

Yet here he was… doing just that. Moreover, Laxus found the kid to be decent company. Even if he was a dunderhead at times.

Grandpa would be cackling if he could see them now. Would probably rub it right in Laxus' face once they were back in town. So would Gildarts, probably, wherever the old bastard was right now.

Great…

With that, a contented silence fell between the two men. Laxus resumed looking out the window.

What would come next?

This year's S-Class Trials were coming up. Likely to happen sometime in early December, like they had last year.

Grandpa would get his recommendation. The kid had handled himself well enough on the job, had adapted quickly and earnestly to the work. Natsu would be selected among the participants, for sure. Besides that, Laxus didn't care much to know who else would get picked. He'd just be around for whatever task Grandpa needed him for.

Besides Natsu, he was also hoping that Freed would make the cut as a candidate.

Whatever. It would be a few weeks until then. Maybe once he got back to Magnolia… another ribeye steak (cooked rare) and a mug of ale would do. Not to mention, there was plenty of lost time he had to make up for with the Thunder God Tribe. Taking them out on another job wouldn't hurt.

And maybe some-

"Hey,"

Laxus glanced away from the window and met Natsu's eyes. "Yeah? What?"

"You…" The Dragon Slayer paused for a moment. Scratching at his cheek. "You wanna be friends?"

Friends?

It was kind of… odd, hearing a rather curt request like that directed at him. Like he was suddenly back in his first day of preschool, talking with another lonely kid he'd just met on the playground.

Chatting shit and all that with Natsu reminded him of the old days, back when he was adventuring with Gildarts, going from one escapade to the next…

It had been a long time since then. Too long.

Eh… what the hell, right?

Laxus leaned forward and held out his hand.

Natsu met him halfway and firmly shook the offered paw.

When the two men separated, so too did the mutual-

"You're still a dickhead," the Dragon Slayer grinned, like he'd suddenly thought up something clever. "Captain Dickhead."

Laxus hummed, "Yeah, and you're still living proof that the gene pool needs lifeguards."

"...what?"

"I'd explain it to you, but I don't have any crayons on me at the moment."

"Err… well, you must have been born on the side of the road. I hear that's where most accidents happen."

Shit, Laxus almost whistled.

"Alright. That one wasn't half bad."

THWAM!

A shower of wood splinters exploded against the wall just three rows down from Erza's table. She hadn't so much as flinched, not even when Elfman and Nab slammed into the bar downstairs, inadvertently sending one of the barstools flying up onto the second floor.

It was much the same throughout the guildhall. Jet and Loke, Droy and Alzack, Max and Warren and so on. The good-natured chaos that was brewing would ultimately burn itself out as it usually did unless, of course, someone down there did something… unbecoming.

Erza hoped not. She really didn't feel like stepping in today.

"Juvia wonders if they would get bored of fighting over and over again," The Water Mage said absentmindedly from her seat to Erza's right. "It seems overly repetitive."

"Nah," Gray said dryly, not even looking up from his book, 'The Rise & Fall of the Darzamarian Empire Vol. III' written by Sir Galadon of Dyynbrook. "It's good for us."

"Gray-sama! How could you say such a thing?"

"It's how people make friends here. Next thing you know, every one of them will be stumbling over like drunks, saying they love each other. Just wait, and you'll see."

Not entirely untrue, Erza thought as she speared a chunk of strawberry cake with her fork. The guild's culture was rather… unorthodox. At least compared to other guilds and social settings. That said, Erza would pick Fairy Tail over any of them in a heartbeat.

When it got overly violent and disrupted her cake time, however… that was when she had problems with it.

No trouble had arisen in that department. Yet.

Erza reached for her cup of tea and took a sip. And she reflected on the last few weeks as Gray and Juvia settled back into a comfortable silence.

Progress with the violin was coming along about as well as it could be. Erza found that while the challenge of the instrument was initially frustrating, it also quickly became addictive.

After she'd been… err… reminded of how loud she was courtesy of Levy, Erza had gone and visited the nearest professional who could instruct her; one Mrs Abelina Brunner. An older woman well into her fifties, but one who was no less graceful and beautiful. She had been practising and playing the violin for over four decades, and was more than shocked to hear that her latest client was in fact Erza Scarlet of Fairy Tail.

Erza took a liking to Abelina immediately, and so the two of them had partnered up. Lessons would be once a week and no longer than an hour-and-a-half each. In case Erza were gone for longer periods of time due to her work, she would have suitable material to practice with on her own.

It was an arrangement Erza liked quite a bit.

Then came Natsu's sudden disappearance.

According to Gray, who'd been speaking with Natsu about one thing or another, Laxus (of all people) strode up to them, told Natsu that they were heading out on an S-Class job, and he should head home and pack since they'd be gone for a few weeks. The fact that the blond hadn't even said what the job was about made it all seem… shady.

And Natsu had just gone along with it. Hadn't even bothered to say goodbye to any of them, just heading home to get his things.

Erza had been irritated by the whole affair from the start. At some point, she'd planned to take their team out for an S-Class job, but then Laxus just goes ahead and, unironically, steals her thunder.

Checking the S-Class request board on the second floor had gotten her nowhere. Even when she'd asked Master Makarov about the contract, her guildmaster had been unusually tight-lipped about it, not divulging a thing to her.

Erza was downright infuriated with the three of them, but with Natsu most of all. When he finally got back, she was going to give him a piece of her mind.

"Guys! Guys!" Another familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, and Erza looked over her shoulder to see Lucy running up to their table with a thick magazine in hand. Happy followed close behind, clearly excited about something.

Sorcerer Weekly? Erza shouldn't have been so surprised once she read the title. Lucy mentioned having a subscription to the magazine. When the blonde finally arrived at their table, she all but slammed the article down in the centre. Open directly on page one.

"Check it out!" Lucy grinned as she caught her breath.

Erza leaned over, inspecting the first page. What she read simply floored her:

PRIMEVAL MONSTROSITY DESTROYED IN EASTERN FIORE

Centuries-Old Creature Beneath Ammark Mountains Slain By Fairy Tail Wizards

By Elira Quent, Senior Correspondent - Sorcerer Weekly

Published November 15, x784

The border town of Darshel, a vital trade artery between Fiore and Bosco, has returned to guarded normalcy following the elimination of a powerful subterranean magical entity linked to a string of deaths at a regional mining site.

In a daring undertaking carried out by Laxus Dreyar and Natsu Dragneel of Fairy Tail, who were contracted by Blacksteel Excavations after the mysterious death of one of its workers, the creature behind the conflict was put down once and for all.

Sources close to the investigation describe Fairy Tail's response as swift, deliberate, and "somewhat contained" - a performance that has resonated positively with both the public and governing bodies.

Darshel's origins, as well as its importance to cross-border trade through the Ammark Pass, have come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of the incident. (For a detailed history of Darshel and its economic significance, see Pages 6-7.)

Blacksteel confirmed that six workers breached an underground structure during excavation, uncovering what is believed to have been a sealed temple. What followed was a series of deaths marked by extreme psychological distress and self-mutilation. Two residents were also killed under similar circumstances. (For a full account of the victims and timeline of events, see Page 8.)

Fairy Tail operatives identified a sealed inner sanctum beneath the site and confronted the entity during the late hours of November 3rd. After a violent clash, the creature was slain.

Both Dreyar and Dragneel sustained traumatic, but non-life-threatening injuries. No civilians were harmed during the final engagement.

Mayor Edric Dunhallow was taken into custody by Rune Knight authorities shortly after the incident. Investigators concluded that he possessed prior knowledge of the entity and failed to disclose it, even after multiple deaths had already occurred. (Further details regarding the investigation and sentencing can be found on Page 9.)

Blacksteel CEO Gerwan Trast issued a formal statement following the incident:

"All six of those men were fathers… Though we can't bring them back, I can at the very least thank the two who helped bring peace to them and their families. I don't care what anyone says about Fairy Tail - these two, Laxus Dreyar and Natsu Dragneel, are hands-down some of the best men I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with. I only wish I'd contacted them sooner so that more lives could've been saved."

While Fairy Tail declined to comment on the exact nature of the creature, the Magic Council confirmed that the so-called "Ankhinara" does not match any known classification of demon or rogue magical beast. (For further speculation on the entity's possible origins, see Page 10.)

When asked about Fairy Tail's involvement, Council Spokesman Haldor stated:

"They handled the situation somewhat appropriately… this time."

Commander Freyr of the Rune Knight legion stationed at Fort Thunderhawk offered a more direct and oddly charitable assessment:

"As unorthodox as Fairy Tail's methods usually are… they got the job done cleanly and saved lives. I'd say we have a lot to thank them for."

Trade through the Ammark Pass has since resumed. Blacksteel has confirmed the permanent closure of the tunnel leading into the mountain temple, alongside compensation for the victims' families. A public memorial service will be held in Crocus later this week. (Obituaries and memorial notices are listed on Page 11.)

Despite repeated attempts by this reporter, both Dreyar and Dragneel elected to maintain their silence upon their return to Crocus.

For the people of Darshel, however, silence is a small price to pay.

For the first time in generations, the mountain no longer watches them back.

Was this even real?

If her eyes weren't playing tricks on her, then the whole feature was practically a ringing endorsement of Fairy Tail. And from the Rune Knights (and the Crown by extension) and the Magic Council, no less!

Her shock was quickly superseded by another quote on the page, one which gave way to worry. "Both Dreyar and Dragneel sustained traumatic, but non-life-threatening injuries."

Oh dear… Erza felt that warm tickling feeling in her chest go completely cold.

He's strong. I know he can take care of himself…

…so why was she so worried for him?

Erza really did hope that he was alright-And Laxus, too, of course. Not that she was even nearly as close to him as she was to Natsu.

Just…

"Damn…" Gray had already pulled the report towards him, speedreading his way through it. "Real tragedy, what happened to those miners."

Everyone around the table had hummed quietly in agreement.

Though not unexpected in their line of work, it was never pleasant to hear about, much less witness, the suffering of others. Especially in Erza's experience, where she'd personally seen many examples of the worst that the magical world had to offer.

That these men died in such a gruesome way, having clawed out their eyes? She couldn't possibly imagine what it would be like for their families. To hear that your husband, father, or son had been killed in such a horrific manner. That he had lost his mind before mutilating himself…

At the very least, those men had been avenged, and their families would be looked after. However small a comfort that was.

"What do you think it was?" Gray asked, briefly glancing up at her. Though his voice was dour, he seemed no less curious. "This Ankhinara?"

"It doesn't sound like anything I've ever encountered," Erza admitted solemnly. From what she'd read so far, it sounded as if the beast had been sentient. S-Class monsters were typically far more animalistic. The inclusion of 'further speculation on the entity's possible origins,' and that even the Magic Council didn't know exactly what it had been, only highlighted the sheer miracle that Natsu and Laxus had managed to put it down. "I'm just glad that Natsu is alright."

"Aye, sir!" Happy chirped.

The lighthearted outburst had lifted the gloomy mood set around their table. Both Lucy and Juvia nodded their agreement. At least some good had come out of all this.

Even Gray lifted his glass in a silent toast.

"Hm, well…" The Ice Wizard spoke up after he gulped down his beer, eying the paper up and down and then flashing a knowing smirk at Lucy. "Doesn't say anything here about property damage."

Lucy, who'd also looked relieved to know that their teammate was fine- "What?!" Shortly enough, the blonde's expression twisted into that of shock, and she yanked the magazine clean out of Gray's hands, scanning it all over again from top to bottom. "No… no it doesn't!" After a few moments, she was practically fuming. A visible tick mark adorned the blonde's forehead now. Lucy glared openly at the article like it was an unwanted stepchild. "Where does that jerk get off?! He always gets my rewards cut in half whenever we take a job, but the first S-Class job he takes without me, and he doesn't blow anything up?!" Her face grew beet red. "Is he just out to make me go broke?!"

Her outburst was rewarded with a stifled giggle from Happy, who'd been sitting next to Juvia.

The bluenette was also visibly trying not to burst out laughing.

"What's so damned funny about this?!" Lucy narrowed her eyes at both of them.

"N-nothing," Happy coughed into his paw. "Hey, Luchee… having money problems?"

"You're lucky I've already paid my rent for this month, cat!"

Gray snorted, "Well, that didn't take long." The Ice-Make Wizard ignored the reignited bickering between Happy and Lucy as he pulled the magazine back over to him. "Wouldn't mind learning more about this underground temple, though. And these Druids… or whatever they call themselves."

"Maybe you should ask Natsu-san yourself," Juvia said suddenly.

Wait, what?

Erza glanced up from her half-eaten cake and then at the Water Mage. The bluenette was looking past Gray, and at something down on the first floor. The Knight followed her gaze, all the way to the high twin wooden doors that served as the main entrance to the guild. Both doors had already swung open on great iron hinges, revealing two tall figures purposely striding side-by-side into the guild hall.

Laxus… and Natsu.

The former, Erza, had recognised easily enough. Laxus had ditched the headphones he often wore in the guild. Still had his usual black fur-lined coat and leopard-patterned shirt, black trousers, and dress shoes. A plain green stuff sack was slung over his left shoulder.

Natsu, though?

He'd walked right into the guild wearing some sort of foreign robe, one which Erza couldn't quite place. A dark brown robe, with deep teal accents and embroidery that extended maybe a few inches below his knees, also cut open diagonally along the front for easy freedom of movement, paired with a layered brown sash coiled around his midsection, simple black trousers, and tan knee-high leather boots. Both the robe and the fitted white shirt beneath it had the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and the collars cut wide open to reveal his bare upper chest. A stuff-sack of his own was dangling over his right shoulder.

The whole get-up was so completely unlike him at all. And yet…

It… Natsu looked good. Really, really, really good.

Erza felt her face heat up slightly. Could only watch as Natsu kept walking with Laxus, the two of them chatting casually about one thing or another.

Just as she was finally able to switch her brain back on, the entire guild hall exploded. She nearly flinched as a great wall of noise instantly came crashing down on her.

Shouting. Laughter. Boots thundering against the floor. Chairs scraped back violently as people surged to their feet. Tankards rattled and sloshed as others made toasts. Someone even whistled sharply enough to cut through all the chaos as everyone present set eyes on the pair.

It wasn't so much a single cheer as it was a cacophony of tens, even dozens of voices stacked all on top of one another. Even those who'd been brawling had already dusted themselves off and began clapping as well, joining the flood of people who soon crowded around both Natsu and Laxus in droves.

"Natsu!"

"Laxus!"

"Welcome back!"

Both men had stopped briefly when it had happened. Had Natsu winced briefly just then? Likely. Erza knew his hearing was a lot more… powerful than most people.

Whatever softened pain he'd felt must've subsided as he massaged his right ear. Then adopting a winning grin of his own as he joined in on the merriment of the others.

"Looks like we're the last to know," Gray noted calmly, nodding to the growing mob downstairs.

"Natsu!" Happy cried, having all but flown over the railing and gliding down to the first floor, right into Natsu's arms.

All thoughts of finishing her cake vanished. Casually, Erza wiped at her mouth with her napkin and pushed the plate away, standing up.

Lucy, however, had beaten her to the punch. The blonde had apparently forgotten her anger towards Natsu and was already heading towards the stairs, waving for the rest of them to follow along. "Come on! Let's go see our boy!"

It was becoming apparent just how tedious it was to simply make her way to the entrance of the guild hall. Almost everyone there had gathered, and more than a few times Erza had needed to say "Excuse me," just to get past them.

Blessedly, both Natsu and Laxus were also heading further into the hall. Other guildmates congratulated both of them, and Erza managed to get a few glances at them up close.

Surprisingly enough, it was Laxus who looked slightly uncomfortable. He towered over pretty much everyone else in the guild, yet when he was being clapped on the back and congratulated by his fellow guildmates. After a moment had passed, however, it was then that the blond planted a hand on Natsu's shoulder, leaning close and whispering something into his ear.

For a moment, Natsu nodded, laughed at whatever was said, and then the two men… shook hands.

What in the…

Had she suddenly woken up in an alternate reality where there wasn't a shred of animosity between the two men?

Laxus passed Natsu and headed to the bar, where he was immediately intercepted by his team. It was a strange sight for Erza to see the usually cold and indifferent Laxus being almost tackled into a collective group hug by Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen.

That line of thought had evaporated, as Natsu soon spotted them and headed over. Erza felt her eyes widen, startled as she immediately spotted the battlefield, which was his face.

She hadn't been alone in acknowledging the two jagged, ugly scars. Voices from all over had cut in.

"Holy shit, what happened to your face?"

"How bad did it hurt?"

"What did the thing look like?!"

Before Erza realised what she was doing, she was already walking toward him. And after closing the gap, without thinking, she rose up onto the tips of her toes and threw her arms around Natsu's neck, drawing him close until she was pressed gently against him.

The release of adrenaline that followed had done its work. Her breathing hitched, and Erza ignored the initial terse moment when his shoulders tensed, and then immediately relaxed, with his right arm coiling around the small of her back.

He was warm.

Realisation struck her like a hammer then.

Erza's eyes widened, knowing exactly what she had done, and cursing herself a thousand times over. Instinctively, she pulled away, taking a step back and straightening herself. Silently hating the fact that her face was heating up, and unable to ignore the lingering warmth where his hand had been resting on her back.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted a full head of platinum hair and a pair of deep blue eyes staring directly at her. The demoness stood well behind the bar, holding two empty beer mugs in each hand. Yet despite it all, her gaze never once wavered. She even wiggled those platinum eyebrows of hers. Mira was so going to tease her about this later, wasn't she?

Damn her! Damn her straight to hell!

"Jeez, Erza… It's not like I died," Natsu's hardened, but no less lighthearted voice brought her back to the present. When she met his dark eyes once again, she was met with another one of his crooked smirks. "Well… not yet."

That was how he greeted her? Seriously? Erza glared openly at him now.

Much to her annoyance, Natsu didn't even flinch. He just kept on with that idiotic grin of his. She should've hated that, but she couldn't.

"Natsu Dragneel… you absolute-" The Knight punched him in the arm "-idiot!"

He scoffed unashamedly, while also soothing the bicep she'd hit with his free hand. "What was that for?"

"Running off on yet another S-Class quest without telling us where you were going? Not even bothering to say goodbye? Don't you remember the last time that happened?"

"Come off it, Erza. Everything turned out fine anyway."

"That's all you have to say?!"

"Yeah," Natsu snorted, his grin widening as the rest of their team joined them. "We punched it a lot. Ripped out its horns. Saved the day. Got paid. End of story."

Before Erza could even offer a retort, Gray spoke up. "How much?"

"Ten million."

"Split?"

"Each."

The Ice-Make Wizard whistled. "Damn," he shook his head. "Well, at least you got money now. Can't say the same for that ugly mug of yours."

"Listen, shithead-"

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" Lucy interrupted the pair, the blonde looking on the cusp of having a complete meltdown. Probably would have, had one of her friends not just come back alive from a dangerous job. "Ten million Jewel each?! That's ridiculous!"

The trading of barbs between the Dragon Slayer and the Ice-Make Wizard was immediately forgotten as the former looked at Lucy now. "S-Class pays," he said with a shrug. "Kinda glad I didn't blow up anything this time. Would've been a real pain in the ass."

That off-hand comment alone was more than enough to send Lucy over the edge. Everyone ignored the comically bawling blonde. Happy, who'd buried his face in Natsu's hair, had now perched himself on top of the Dragon Slayer's head. "Oooooooooh! Can we go to the toy store later? I wanna get-"

"Yeah, yeah, we'll go tomorrow, alright?"

The cat excitedly pumped both his paws into the air. "Yay!"

Natsu glanced between all of them, casually lifting Happy off his head and depositing him on the floor as he did so. "I gotta talk with Gramps real quick, but how about we find something to eat in an hour or so? Lunch or-" He glanced behind Gray, looking directly at the clock hanging just above the bar, "Early dinner by the look of it."

"As long as you're paying," Gray snorted.

Lucy crossed her arms in a pout. "I sure as hell hope so."

"Juvia would be delighted," Juvia added softly.

A low snicker came from the Dragon Slayer as he breezed past them and made his way to the stairs leading up to the second floor. "Yeah, yeah," he said, waving absentmindedly as he went. "See you guys then."

But Erza wasn't done with him just yet. "Natsu."

He halted on the first step, glancing back over his shoulder and meeting her gaze directly.

"Don't be late."

His grin came easily. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Then he was gone, already climbing up to the second floor.

The noise of the guild swelled back in around her-shouting, laughter, tankards clattering-but somehow it all felt so far away.

Natsu was safe. That alone should have been enough for her.

So why did she still feel like hitting him for leaving as abruptly as he had?

Her hand drifted briefly to her chest before she caught herself, lowering it at once.

"...Idiot," she muttered under her breath.

And yet, despite everything, the lingering heat on the small of her back remained.

Erza found herself smiling.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

Something about that ticking sound always made Natsu feel right at home. Downright comfortable, even.

The first thing he'd done upon walking in was hand in the finished book report. Gramps had accepted it, and immediately started reading it, but not before calling up Mira for refreshments.

Both of them had asked the barmaid for coffee, and when she'd come back with two mugs of fresh black coffee… Natsu had actually been slightly caught off guard when the eldest Strauss sibling playfully wiggled her eyebrows at him. He was about to ask her about it, but she'd left just as soon as she'd entered.

Weird… Did something spill onto his shirt or-

"Mmmm…" The much gruffer voice of Makarov hummed idly from the other side of the office.

Natsu refocused. "So? What about it?"

"I'll tell you just as soon as I'm finished reading."

"How long does it take to read a book report?" He asked. "You already know what it's about."

The old man lowered the small stack of papers in his hands, just enough so that his eyes could see Natsu's for a moment. "About as long as it took you to write said report," Makarov snarked. "Now, how about keeping quiet over there, hmm?"

…fair enough.

He did ask the old man for an extension, after all.

Natsu sipped his coffee. And waited patiently as the grandfather clock ticked away. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. His mind began to wander.

Ah! Just before he'd skipped town with Laxus, he'd stopped by the house to grab his things. Some of the roof tiles had fallen off, and they definitely needed replacing.

He hadn't fired up the makeshift kiln in the pit behind his house in years. The last time he'd used it was when he was building the place, and that was a whole damned ordeal. And then there was-

…wait a minute…

Couldn't he just buy some more tiles in town? Save himself the time and trouble that way?

Natsu blinked.

Shit, why didn't I think of that sooner?

He dragged a hand down his face, equal parts embarrassed and irritated. All that time spent digging clay, shaping tiles, trying to heat them evenly, trying to cool them without cracking-there had to have been twenty broken tiles for every one that he got right!

Son of a-

"Ahem!" Makarov had suddenly cleared his throat, finally sliding the papers back onto his desk and looked pointedly at Natsu. "Rather surprising, given how comprehensive this report seems to be… outstanding work, my boy."

Natsu grinned crookedly as a fresh wave of pride flushed through him. Reading that book hadn't turned out to be the pain in the ass he'd been expecting. It was definitely… instructional. And it had opened his eyes on a lot of things he'd been missing out on, too.

"Thanks, Gramps."

The old man dipped his head encouragingly. "Of course," he said, clapping his hands with a loud slap! "Now! You just came back from your first official S-Class job," there was a harder edge to that 'official' in particular. "Tell me all about it. Don't leave anything out."

With that, his mentor lazed back in his seat, even kicking his feet up onto his desk. Waiting expectantly for Natsu to regale him with the events of the last few weeks.

All the way from the beginning, when they'd arrived in Crocus, and Laxus chastised him over not wanting to learn the specifics of the job, to when they'd gone to Silvarose Court, and Natsu learned the importance of getting gussied up. Gramps had flashed a knowing smile when Natsu told him about how he and Laxus had to start snooping around Darshel until they learned of Dunhallow's secret. How he and Laxus managed to avert a potential political disaster for everyone involved by not taking the direct route of breaking into Dunhallow's own home and grilling him then and there. Then the battle with the Ankhinara… and how he and Laxus teamed up to take it down. Working together like they'd been fighting side-by-side for years.

Natsu scratched the back of his head, "If Laxus hadn't been there, I would've screwed that job up bad," he admitted. "And…"

Instinctively, his grip around the coffee mug tightened as he mentally recalled his first night in Darshel.

He hadn't even known Tavin personally, had only seen the man standing in front of a statue hours earlier. Yet whenever Natsu recalled the memory, he could only see the old man sinking deeper into his arms, the life fading out of him as blood poured from his mangled eye sockets.

The only comparable experience he'd had was… was when he watched Simon die in Erza's arms.

"It… just wasn't what I expected," he said solemnly.

"What is it you were expecting?"

"Dunno, guess I thought it'd be something like the Galuna Island job. An adventure with loads of action and all that."

Makarov's eyes seemed to focus on him, only slightly narrowing. "Hmmm… and instead you found…?"

Natsu thought for a moment about how best to phrase everything that came to mind.

There had been so much that he'd had to pick up and learn, and all in just a handful of weeks. So many concepts which were previously foreign to him, and he'd been put through a crash course in all of them back-to-back.

Really only one way to put it. "I found out that the world's a lot more… complicated than I thought it was."

A slight tug pulled at the corners of Makarov's lips. "Does that discourage you?"

The Dragon Slayer shook his head, "No." The answer was instantaneous.

"Good… very good…" His mentor rewarded him with a proud smile. The kind that reminded Natsu of whenever Igneel lauded him with praise, however rare those moments were. "That's all I needed to hear."

The old man raised his coffee mug, then said, "To you and your success, my boy. Be sure to enjoy it… but not too much." Giving him a toast, and then taking a long swig.

Natsu took up his own mug again, raised it, and drank from it until there was nothing left.

When they'd both finished their drinks, the atmosphere in the office seemed to regain some of the levity it had before.

"Now…" Gramps promptly snapped his fingers in his free hand, "What is it that you plan to do next?"

It only took him a moment to remember what else he'd wanted to bring up. "Ah, right…"

If he was going to start anywhere…

The Dragon Slayer scratched idly at the stubble on his chin, immediately recalling the handful of leads that were on his mind as of late, "Well… you know Fleming's theory on spellcraft? Like, how you gotta think about the purpose of the spell; then imagine it; then go over how it'll work; then actually create the shape of the spell through Magic?"

The guildmaster sank back into his chair, dipping his head for Natsu to continue.

"I'm gonna put it to the test. Try my hand at making a spell," he clarified. "A Fire Dragon Slayer spell."

Then there was the other thing that had gotten him curious since he picked up the book. "Fleming also mentioned how Dragons have been extinct for over four-thousand years," Natsu shook his head. "Doesn't make much sense, since I last saw Igneel nine years ago, but I'm gonna look into that, too."

It struck Natsu then at just how easily he could mention Igneel around the old man sitting across from him. Gramps had never once questioned him or doubted him whenever Natsu brought up memories of his early childhood spent with the cranky old lizard. Not at all like Gray or Laxus had.

A notion that only further endeared the old man to him.

"As good a place to start as any," Makarov hummed in agreement. "I suggest perusing the guild library. Perhaps Levy might lend-"

"I already decided I'd ask her next time I saw her."

"Ah… excellent!" The old man said, voicing his approval. He causally peeked over at the grandfather clock, "Take some time to figure it all out, then," he said. "When you've got that spell ready, come and see me."

"What if I've got more questions, though?"

"Then I'll carve out some time to answer them. In the interim, I'm afraid I'll have my hands full with preparations for the upcoming S-Class Trials in December."

Natsu perked upright. "Am I one of the-"

"Spoilers, Natsu, spoilers. If you do make the cut, I'll be sure to inform you in private."

He should've known that Gramps wouldn't spill the beans right away. It was a minor annoyance, given all the crap that he'd waded through so far just to get a stupid title… but it was one that he could cope with for now.

Then again, a part of him was somewhat appreciative that Gramps was still making him work for it, even though Natsu knew he had a clear advantage over the other potential candidates.

At least he had a few things to keep himself busy with until December rolled around.

Natsu nodded and stood up. "I'll be back," he said.

"And in impeccable style, I'm sure."

Natsu grinned back at him and slung his stuff-sack over his shoulder. The grandfather clock was still ticking as he made his way to the door.

Time to get to work.

Chapter Text

November 20th, Hargeon

Day 51

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMPH!

The train whistle faded back into the countryside behind her, and the wind began to pick up once more. Erza pressed her scarf against her neck as she marched along the sidewalk toward the port.

Wouldn't do for her to catch a cold in this weather. Not in the least.

In a matter of days, the light autumn breeze she'd been enjoying was quickly replaced by an onset of cold rain and an overcast sky wrought with dull grey clouds. On a day like this, it was tempting for her to simply stay at home. Maybe curl up on the couch, with a hot mug of tea and a good book to keep her company for a while…

…not that she'd listened to that little voice in her head.

Nonetheless, Hargeon seemed as busy as ever. Plenty of men and women were roaming the city's streets, families were walking in the park, and it seemed that the local 8-Island restaurant had a small line waiting outside for whatever reason.

Should she grab something to eat on her way back home? Maybe. A good steak and ale pie would do, what with the flaky crust, and the cubed chunks of slow-cooked beef, and the gravy, and the onions, and the-

Ugh… now she was getting hungry for real. Not now. Later.

The harbor soon came into view as she turned a corner. Local fishing boats and commercial vessels were well in sight, yet as she went along, Erza actively made it a point to eye up each of the street signs she passed by. It didn't take long for irritation to set in.

Larkspur Lane… Brindle Street… Elderfen Road…

Carefully, Erza withdrew the thick card tucked in her coat pocket.

23 White Gull Row. By the harbor.

Well, she was certainly nearing the harbor. Yet for the life of her, Erza couldn't see a single street sign with 'White Gull Row' written on it anywhere.

The locals would undoubtedly know more.

Stepping out onto the pier, she saw the rest of the harbor stretch out before her in a seemingly endless forest of masts. Further to her right, the docks went on and on for well over a mile. Dozens upon dozens of ships rocked gently against their moorings. Smaller fishing boats sat closer to shore, lower in the water, and their decks cluttered with nets and crates. Men, both young and old, went about their business, hauling ropes and carrying cargo onto the docks and chatting away about nothing in particular.

To her left, however, naught but a long shoreline consisting of pearly white sand, with a few homes perched up on the grassy hills above the beach itself. Odd to see just how untouched it was by civilization.

By the nearest docked boat, she saw several men smoking their tobacco pipes on board, but another was sitting on a barrel along the pier, mending a fishing net. He was middle-aged and barrel-chested, with a full head of salt and pepper hair and a bushy beard. Two small blue dots for eyes looked up to see her as she approached, and Erza swore that the fisherman's eyes were squinted to the point that it looked like he was constantly glaring.

"Excuse me," She began, "Do you happen to know where I can find twenty-three White Gull Row?"

The man seemed pleasantly surprised by the question, those blue eyes briefly looking at the hard case hanging from her right shoulder. "Oh aye," he said, then pointing to her left. "Down the beach thataways. House at the end by the cliffs."

Erza raised an eyebrow. "You know Abelina?"

"'Course. She's good people, and a friend of the family," the fisherman said. "Seeing as you've got an appointment with her," he nodded to her violin case. "Don't suppose you'd mind delivering a message?"

"Well… I don't see why not."

"Grand. When you see 'er, just tell 'er she's welcome to come over to Kaito and Hina's place for dinner on Sunday."

Ah. No doubt she was speaking with 'Kaito' now. 'Hina' must've been his wife.

"Of course. I'll do just that," the redhead smiled. "Thank you again."

"No problem." With that, Kaito flashed her a toothy grin and got back to mending his fishing net.

Erza turned and made her way down to the beach.

"...and you said he was 'fine' when dealing with the client, yes?"

Laxus shook his head slightly as he finished lighting his third cigar of the day. "Got off to a rocky start at first, but he quickly got the hang of it," he clarified.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, the grandfather clock to his left continued clicking away in the box-shaped office. Incessantly noisy, at that. The temptation to blow it up with a stray lightning bolt was far too great…

…was it just him, or was it actually getting louder by the second?

Laxus opted to flex his fingers and banished his annoyance to the back of his mind.

Across the room and on the other side of the great polished wooden desk sat Grandpa. Feet kicked up onto the tabletop, quietly puffing away with his smoking pipe, and occasionally nursing his mug of ale.

There was a refreshing light in those black eyes. The old man seemed to be having a good day so far. Probably hadn't had any property damage bills sent his way yet.

Grandpa blew a perfectly formed ring of tobacco smoke out of his mouth. "That's good to hear," he said slowly, a seemingly innocent smile then adorned the old man's lips. "Dare I say you actually enjoyed yourself on this assignment?"

"Sure. Always a great time dealing with eldritch demons that make you tear your own eyes out. Fun for the whole family."

"I'm sure your new best buddy thought so, too."

Laxus rolled his eyes. "You really wanna hear me say it, don't you?"

It was then that same 'innocent' smile morphed into what was clearly a shit-eating grin.

The old man dipped his head accordingly.

Of course…

The Lightning Wizard grumbled, "You. Were. Right."

"Ahhhhhhhh…" Grandpa sighed contentedly, naturally savouring the moment. "Always feels nice to hear that…"

Laxus might as well have disappeared from the room entirely in that moment, as his grandfather simply lazed back into his chair, puffing away at his pipe and rubbing it in.

Hell… was it just him, or had some of the wrinkles on Grandpa's face actually cleared away just now?

After a few moments, his grandfather finally decided to take mercy on him, and the smug expression the old man wore disappeared entirely as he sat forward and took a swig from his mug. "And I assume this means…"

"Yeah, yeah… the kid's got my recommendation."

"Excellent!" Grandpa cheered, making a note with his free hand on a slip of paper.

Despite Natsu having gotten something of an unfair advantage and more or less a crash course in the S-Class experience, that didn't mean the Trials would be any easier for him. He'd be one of this year's candidates for sure, but more than likely, he'd have it far worse than the others in some way or another. Grandpa could be pretty sadistic when he wanted to be.

Now that his mind wandered onto the topic, another part of Laxus was silently hoping that Freed would get picked for this year's trials as well. He'd been working hard this last year to earn S-Class, after all; had become a capable leader whenever Laxus himself was absent; was powerful enough to handle S-Class-worthy challenges; and he worked well under pressure.

Hell, before this whole escapade with Natsu, Laxus was damned well sure that Freed was gonna close out this year as a bona fide S-Class Wizard, leaving the rest of the candidates in the dust.

Naturally, his grandfather likely knew that he had a horse in the race.

Well… two horses now.

Laxus decided to risk it, "Who else is getting picked?"

Like in most cases, Grandpa would usually keep his cards close to his chest. Yet today, he seemed rather chatty. The old man grunted, "So far, the list is looking to be shorter than last year. Five names this time around-Natsu included, of course. Others might pop up in the coming weeks, but I won't hold my breath."

Maybe not as chatty as he initially thought, given how smoothly Grandpa had just dodged his question.

"That's not what I asked."

"Spoilers, Laxus, spoilers," his grandfather said with a smile. "As far as logistics go, I've decided that we'll be using Tenrou Island. I'll be needing your help as well. I do hope that's not a problem?" He asked, giving Laxus a pointed look.

It wouldn't be the first time he'd be brought in to do some task or another. "Not at all. I'll be here."

"Excellent. I very much appreciate it."

That said, Laxus would've preferred to get the scoop on what was going on and who'd be selected sooner rather than later.

It was unlikely that anyone else would manage to step up in time for the trials. So out of the five that Grandpa had picked, Laxus already knew that 'Natsu Dragneel' was one of them.

And he wouldn't have been surprised if 'Cana Alberona' was one of the others. The chances of her getting picked again for this year's trials were high, though the odds of her actually passing were another thing entirely.

Cana was above average, at least in comparison with the rest of the guild. But besides her being a capable enough A-Class Wizard… there wasn't much else to say about her. After all, she'd been on a losing streak for… what? The last four years now?

Based on how much she drank these days… it looked like she'd given up on making S-Class entirely.

Probably for the best, he thought to himself.

"What about Mystogan?" He asked, opting to move on. "Or Gildarts? You bringing them on as well?"

"I've already written to Mystogan; he should be back in town sometime next week. Gildarts is another matter, however," the old man frowned slightly, taking another sip of ale. "His last letter came in about three months ago, if I'm not mistaken. He said he'd be back in town around the eighth, yet…" he shrugged. "I suppose something must've held him up if he's taking this long. In any case, between you, Mystogan, and Erza, it appears we won't be needing his help this year."

Not the first time Gildarts has been late, Laxus thought to himself. The old bastard traveled around a lot after all, so he tended to get mixed up in all sorts of affairs. Even when it wasn't part of the job.

Either Gildarts had gotten tangled up in a random side adventure, swept off with some broad, or he was taking the long way back. Or more likely… all three.

Regardless, it seemed that there'd be three S-Class Wizards on hand in the upcoming weeks, meaning that his grandfather wanted to close out the year with a bang.

"Hmph," Grandpa's resigned huff upon looking over at the clock had brought Laxus back to the present. "I've got some more paperwork to handle, so we'll have to table your role in the trials later. Unless," he raised a curious eyebrow in Laxus' direction. "Are there any other matters you'd like to touch on before you head out for the day?"

Laxus frowned and looked down into his half-finished mug of coffee, seeing his reflection in the dark brown pool.

Their whole conversation had helped put things into perspective for him, yet… he couldn't help but feel baffled. Stumped, even.

In such a short amount of time, Natsu had actually gone ahead and made something of himself. It took him a few months to turn things around and get his shit together, but even Laxus could now see that the kid was putting in genuine effort. Natsu's progress only further highlighted just how stagnant the rest of the guild was in turn.

If Natsu could change… then why couldn't they?

Why couldn't they?

Far too many of the so-called "wizards" downstairs never once experienced true danger. Had never taken fire for people they were supposed to protect. Had never been in the heat of battle. Had never stared death in the face, absolutely terrified, and still pressed on knowing that they could very well die at any moment.

Did they even know what true camaraderie was? Unlikely.

Frustration pooled at the forefront of his mind then, and for the first time in years, Laxus didn't want to hold any of it back.

Screw it.

"Yeah…" he said slowly, locking eyes with his grandfather. "There is."

Grandpa dipped his head, encouraging him to elaborate.

Laxus obliged. "The guild's getting soft."

"Rather elegantly put."

He ignored the off-hand comment, "We've got all these people downstairs doing nothing; day after day of sitting around drinking and making up bullshit stories of jobs they never went out on. Doesn't seem like they train much, either."

"...and?"

"And… they're dragging the rest of us down with them."

"Image isn't all it's cracked up to be, Laxus."

"No," the blond admitted. "But that doesn't mean it's not important. Not everyone is cut out for S-Class, I get that. But standards need to be set for everyone else who calls themselves a member of Fairy Tail."

His grandfather's chair groaned as the old man lazed back and looked thoughtfully up at the ceiling.

Even though it felt liberating in a sense, to finally get everything off his chest… It was also mildly annoying just how charitable Grandpa was being right now. If they'd had this conversation when Laxus was younger, the old man would've cut him off already and told him to go finish up his chores at home.

Is he just humoring me?

Grandpa spread his hands. "What sorts of 'standards' are you thinking, then?"

Laxus raised an eyebrow. He certainly hoped that his grandfather was listening to him, genuinely speaking. "Off the top of my head? We'd be fixing a lot of our problems with a decent vetting process, we can't be letting just anyone with a pulse into the guild," he started counting off with his fingers. "Setting up a quarterly work quota would get a lot of our current members active again. We're pulling in hundreds of jobs each month, so it's not like we're lacking for work, and it'd incentivize them to put more time into training as well. Once that's set up, all we'd have to do is get rid of the people who aren't doing anything."

There it was. Several solutions on the table right there.

Energy had to be expended to stay at the top. Plain and simple.

He sat back, taking one last tug from his cigar before stubbing it out altogether. He made his point, but he doubted-

"Hmm…" His grandfather hummed, regaining his attention. "As a matter of fact, I agree with you."

Wait, what?

Before Laxus could even utter a word, Grandpa elaborated. "In more of a… technical sense, I suppose you could say," the old man clarified as he filled up his smoking pipe once again. "Our operations could be running more smoothly, and it would certainly make my life easier if we had more cash to kick around in our budget. While I am not against implementing the solutions you've put forth here, it is your last suggestion that I take issue with."

The blond frowned. "What? Kicking people out?" He asked bluntly. "It's not exactly a new concept."

"The idea itself is irrelevant." Grandpa's face suddenly hardened. "In the hypothetical scenario in which we do 'trim the fat' as you claim… then where exactly will these people go?"

It was perhaps in only the briefest of flashes that Laxus suddenly felt like he was eight years old all over again.

He did what he could to hide it, though.

"What does it matter where they'll go? Doesn't really matter to us in the grand scheme of things."

"Of course it does, Laxus," the guildmaster's tone became stern. "Consider this: did you know that well over half of our current members don't actually have any family?"

He didn't, "...No."

Now it was his grandfather's turn to count off with his fingers. "They don't have anywhere else to go; they don't have any connections outside of the guild; and believe it or not, quite a lot of them are orphans or have lost their loved ones in recent years, mostly due to the many threats that hound the more isolated pockets of our country."

It was like he was on the defensive now. "I still don't see how it's our problem."

"It's our problem, because whether you like it or not, Laxus, they are our people."

Our people? Yeah, right.

Laxus rolled his eyes at the familiar turn of phrase he'd heard from the old man several times over by this point. "For how long? How many people have left us over the last few years? Twenty? Thirty? All because of a few bad articles here and there. What's the point in having their backs if they won't reciprocate?" The blond huffed. "Sure, we got a few good ones downstairs. So why not just cut out the rest who clearly aren't doing anything for us? At this point, the guild is practically a shelter."

He didn't doubt for a second that if, somehow, most of the guild's S-Class and even A-Class Wizards disappeared, their people would vanish in the blink of an eye. They'd probably only joined because Fairy Tail was getting more work than the other legal guilds in the kingdom, and they'd leave just as soon as that work dried up.

Without a doubt, within the next few years, another guild would come along. A flashier, newer, younger challenger. And Laxus knew that some of the people downstairs would begin to doubt Fairy Tail, and then flock to the new guild like flies to a corpse.

Despite this, his grandfather had probably taken note of the eye-roll, and only pursed his lips in response...

…the same way the old man always did when he was about to bring down the hammer. Instinctively, Laxus stirred uncomfortably in his seat.

Ah shit.

"I feel as if somewhere along the way in your upbringing… there has been a miscommunication on my part," Grandpa said coolly. "For that, I take full responsibility. And, I will endeavor to correct that error."

Not for the first time in his life, but certainly for the first time in years, had Laxus begun to feel the first inklings of doubt.

Nonetheless, his grandfather continued, "Fairy Tail was not built to be a simple legal guild, with its members being mere employees to be nudged around or pushed out whenever it's convenient or if there seems to be a decline." The old man paused briefly, holding up his hands. "Make no mistake, I'm sure that many of the individuals mucking about downstairs could do with an old-fashioned kick in the ass. Yet while our people are with us… It is our responsibility to take care of them as best we can."

"If they wish to leave, then that is their prerogative. And if they also can't find it in themselves to perform at the same level as you, or Erza, or Mystogan, then that is perfectly fine. The point still stands," Makarov said. "This duty to our people? This responsibility? It is precisely why Fairy Tail has come as far as it has. This is the legacy of Mavis, Warrod, Precht, and-" the old man pointed a bony finger directly at him right then, "-of your great-grandfather. The idea that while our members are with us, through thick and thin, we nurture them and guide them towards something better."

…guide them towards something better.

Laxus, stubbornly, wanted to keep arguing the point. Yet he couldn't shake the knowledge that it was, in fact, his grandfather's signature style of leadership, which was instrumental in placing Fairy Tail on the map. Regardless of the guild's various quirks and oddballs… they were still number one.

All thanks to the little man sitting across the table from him.

Still… there were far too many people downstairs… people whose names Laxus simply couldn't recall. Nameless faces he saw each day he walked into the guild. They'd stayed the same for years. Wore the same clothes. Kept the same haircut. Did the same things over and over and over…

It was maddening. And it was a wonder for the ages that Grandpa hadn't gone insane.

"What do we even do then?" The blond asked with a hollow laugh. "Just continue letting these fools into our guild? Allow them to waste our time and be a net-negative on the people who actually do work?"

"Well…" The elder Dreyar sighed briefly and splayed his hands, "...keeping in mind that we cannot force others to change, while it would be easier to simply remove some of our undesirables… Why not instead use other means at our disposal?" Makarov asked sincerely, an excited light seeping into the old man's eyes. "Inspiration! Aspiration! Potential! Showing them an example of what they could be-who they could be! And even better, showing them that all of what they want… is within reach."

"And what if that doesn't work?"

"It has, and does work." Despite his grin, Grandpa's tone was completely without any of his prior smugness. "It worked on me. It worked on Gildarts. It worked on Erza. It worked on Natsu. It worked on your team. It worked on many others downstairs. And," he once more pointed directly at Laxus. "It worked on you."

And… that was that.

Laxus found that he didn't really have much else to say. No properly structured response or witty retort in mind.

Just… nothing.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

That was all he heard now. The only thing occupying his thoughts as he looked down at the wooden floorboards.

It worked on you.

How could he even deny that? It would certainly be unreasonable to say otherwise.

With even the barest glimpse looking back on his childhood… How many times had he played pretend as 'Legendary Wizard Saint Makarov Dreyar' in his parents' backyard, parading around and playacting as if he were smiting down monsters and dark wizards alike?

How often did he find himself listening raptly as Gildarts recounted yet another of his wild stories or adventures from beyond Fiore's borders, and wishing that he could do the same?

Laxus crossed his arms.

If this was how the guild was supposed to be run… how it had been run ever since it was founded… then… how could he…

That line of thought went unfinished. "Ahem," the old man cleared his throat, and Laxus looked up, meeting his grandfather's eyes. "Now, I really must be getting back to work," Grandpa said, gently waving his hands to shoo Laxus away.

Laxus nodded numbly and stood up. "Uh… yeah... I'll let you get back to it."

He turned and made his way to the tall green door to the guildmaster's office. Placing his hand on the door handle, he-

"Please," the gruff voice returned, and Laxus looked over his shoulder. "Think on what we've spoken about," Grandpa asked with a sincere smile. "You've raised many good points, especially when it comes to some of our more average or underperforming members. Come back and see me on Thursday. I'm sure there are plenty of solutions we can come up with to solve that particular issue. In the meantime, consider this…"

Makarov ended off with a knowing twinkle in his eyes. "Is it more effective in the long term to demand excellence?"

"...Or to cultivate it?"

"Miss Scarlet, would you consider yourself to be a patient woman?"

Wind hummed gently outside the window to Erza's right. Further beyond the glass, the sea was clearly visible, with grey waves rolling in steady lines against the shoreline. Meanwhile, just a few feet behind her, the fireplace crackled and popped steadily.

Upon knocking on the door to the cottage she now sat within, the redhead was greeted warmly by the older woman in question. Abelina Brunner opened the door wearing a fitted cream-coloured blouse tucked into a black high-waisted knee-length skirt. She was around half a head shorter than Erza herself and was perhaps around fifty-seven or fifty-eight. Despite this, the older woman was in exceptional health. Slender at the waist, face free from stress-lines and bearing only a few wrinkles, and a head of long, wavy dark brown hair that extended just past her narrowed shoulders.

The flawlessly kind smile she'd given Erza right away after seeing her was quickly followed up with a rather close hug. The Knight was rather embarrassed that she'd instinctively stiffened, and she knew that Abelina felt it as well.

Her tension had been ignored, however, and soon enough the older woman had invited her inside and made tea for both of them.

Now they were sitting comfortably in the living room of the rustic cottage, and for the last twenty minutes, a part of Erza was wondering why they hadn't yet gotten started on today's lesson. But when Abelina began asking her questions, Erza figured that the older woman simply wanted to get to know her first and figure out how best to help her.

It was a familiar process. Asking questions of clients was one part of her job as a Wizard.

Erza blew off some of the steam from her teacup before taking a sip. Immediately, she felt herself begin to warm up. "When necessary."

"Ah, but that is not the same thing," Abelina said pointedly, flashing her a lopsided grin from across the table. "When one is learning, one must be patient. Not simply with the instrument in question but with themselves. Should you wish to continue, then there will undoubtedly be moments in which you will feel frustrated with yourself and with your progress. You mustn't give in to these feelings."

Oh.

"I… may have a few difficulties in that respect," She admitted.

Memories of her first week trying out the instrument flashed through her mind, each one more embarrassing than the last, especially when Levy had knocked on her door and asked her to keep it down.

Erza rather liked the violin itself, but she'd also prefer not to make people's ears bleed.

"Hmm… It is something to be worked on. Tell me… how much time can you commit towards practice?" Abelina asked.

"As much as is required."

Her host shook her head. "Good. When you are at home, I expect you to practice for thirty minutes on your own each day of the week. I will, of course, provide sufficient materials for you."

Thirty minutes? That didn't seem right. It'd taken her several hours a day alone for months with an instructor just to become adequate with the longsword. And the physical conditioning for each of her armors? She couldn't count how many weeks she'd put in simply running, jumping, and even climbing in full gear just so she could effectively handle the weight distribution. "That doesn't seem like a lot."

Abelina smiled sweetly over the rim of her teacup. "Frequency and consistency, my dear, is far more potent than volume," yet her tone hardened. "If you wish to continue with our lessons, you will only practice once a day for thirty minutes. No exceptions. Have I made myself clear, young lady?"

The redhead instinctively straightened, shocked into compliance by just how… stern the older woman sounded just then. "Yes, ma'am."

"Wonderful. Now, show me what you've been working on."

Erza set aside her teacup and placed her violin case on the table.

After opening it, Abelina had briefly inspected the instrument itself, and after a few moments, gave an approving nod. Then she gestured for Erza to continue.

As the redhead took up a seat closer to the open hearth, she placed the violin on her left shoulder and the bow in her right hand. She sat on the edge of her seat, made sure not to bend her neck, and sat up straight.

Not a second sooner had the brunette come over and placed a warm hand against her upper back. "Come now, relax your shoulder."

Erza hadn't even realized that her left shoulder had tensed up right then. She lowered it immediately and took up her position. Erza raised the bow gently over the strings and exhaled slowly.

When Abelina stepped back into her line of sight, the older woman shook her head. "Please, dear… You are not a statue, are you?" She tutted. "Let yourself breathe."

She reddened again at the chastisement and did as she was told.

Making another mistake! You're just off to a wonderful start, aren't you Scarlet?!

Alright…

…let's try this again, he thought to himself.

Natsu stood up from the long log he'd been using as a seat, wiping away yet another fresh coat of sweat from his face.

The wind was picking up, and the sounds of crickets and chirping birds from all around him did as well. The sky had turned golden orange, and the sun setting down in the west had already blended with the treeline. Natsu might've admired the view if he weren't downright frustrated.

"...tch," The Dragon Slayer grumbled. The weird pressure that had been building in his chest over the last twelve hours had slowly ramped up. Now it was like his stomach had grown three times larger and was blasting against his ribcage.

Slowly, he put his hands together. "Okay…"

Whooooosh! Fire exploded out of his hands. By now, he was probably drawing on whatever scraps of Ethernano he had left in his body.

Consciously, Natsu willed all of the crackling flames right into the tiny gap between the palms of his hands. The pressure in his stomach-

"Errgh!" Natsu growled as his arms began to shake uncontrollably. His whole body was racked with aches and muscle cramps, and to cap it all off, his Magic Container was practically squeezing him from the inside-out.

Come on… No pain! No pain!

Gradually, inch by inch, he drew his hands apart. A great reddish-orange light ruptured from the swirling mix of flames. He kept steady and brought out his hands further and further. And-

The spiraling mass of fire began to elongate!

Yes!

He grinned madly and stretched his arms further apart.

The long branch of flames didn't have much shape to it. At first glance, it would've looked like someone poured a bunch of oil on a metal rod and lit it on fire. But Natsu didn't care. As soon as he stopped focusing his magic into it, so too did the strain in his chest come to a complete halt.

With his right hand, the Dragon Slayer reached out and felt along the rod made of fire, surprised that he was able to physically grasp it.

It weighed about as much as a butter knife. Less, even.

"Whoa…" Natsu suddenly didn't care how sore he was. The fact that he'd actually gone and created the spear…

Hehe…

Now to test it out.

Natsu turned and looked up into the darkening evening sky. Aiming at the sun, he reared back his arm and threw the rod of flames! Watching on as it-

-immediately unraveled. Losing its shape instantly and sputtering out in a flash of golden-orange not even fifteen feet into the air…

…

…

…

…that was it?

That was what he'd spent the last four days working on?!

"Rraagh!" Natsu shouted, instantly switching his attention back to the turned-over log he'd been sitting on only moments prior.

The Dragon Slayer just started kicking away at its side. "Stupid piece of fucking…"

Thump! He brought his heel down once on the overturned tree.

Thump! Twice.

"SHIT!" Thump! Once more, he heard a distinct CRRKK.

Natsu huffed and stepped away. Slowly, he ran both hands through his hair and felt his anger ebb away. "Agh… for fucks' sake…"

This really was gonna take some more work, wasn't it?

Author's Note

Progress TL;DR

Chapter 24, 1st Draft Writing: 50%

Chapter 25 Outline: 90%

Chapter 26 Outline: 80%

Chapter 27 Outline: 75%

Act 1 Development: 95% (Final Touches Going over what additional character/worldbuilding/plot beats to add in each chapter and what to remove for greater efficiency).

Act 2 Development: Creating Outline

Setting things on fire is very fun (not a pyromaniac so don't call the cops on me).

L;R

And we're back again, people. There's been a change in the wind, I can feel it!

Lately I've been setting a lot of things on fire (not peoples' homes, only old PARTS of peoples' homes), and I've got to say that it's super enjoyable. Back in Humanity's caveman days, Fire was Man's entertainment after all-so nice to get back to our more primitive (and arguably healthier) activities.

Obviously today's chapter was more of a "slice-of-life" episode in the lives of our main protagonists.

Since Fairy Tail is typically a lot more plot-heavy sprinkled with some filler content, a lot of what I've seen from the anime (yes, I've only ever watched the anime, never read the manga) never really went into showing the daily lives of our protagonists, and what was shown only ever felt skin-deep. I despise filler as much as the next man, but only so long as it's pointless. That said, I will endeavor to show the more mundane aspects of Natsu, Erza, and Laxus ONLY if there's a way to further flesh them out while also not bloating the story itself. "Side" Characters such as Lucy, Gray, Happy, Juvia, Elfman, Freed, Mira, Cana, etc will also receive the same, albeit limited treatment (since they are not PoV Characters in this story).

If that's the sort of thing you go in for, then I'm right there with you. If not… well, I can only respectfully encourage you to click "Unfollow/Unfavorite" so you can move on and continue to enjoy the rest of your life.

As far as development goes for the rest of our story, Chapter 24 is well into the writing stages. First Draft nearly finished, and after that will come the second draft. Chapter 25's outline is nearing the half way mark. For everything else, Act 1 (Chapters 26, 27, 28, etc) are mostly mapped out, including the S-Class Trials as well as the chapters leading up to them and the chapters happening afterwards.

"Act 1?! Jeez, how long is this story going to be, Son-of-Wanderer?!"

My dear child… it's going to be quite a long one. Act 2 will be seeing Natsu going on some solo arcs, where he will meet both new and familiar faces, and experience far greater challenges and dangers that outclass many of the threats he's faced in Fiore up until this point. Erza will be doing Erza, and Laxus may even begin to step up and take on more of a leadership role in the guild. And let's not forget that this is a NatZa story-there will be plenty of that to come, I can assure you.

I've already got plans in motion for Act 3 and Act 4 (some of which are just a tad outlandish), but those can come later. First, we'll need to build up to them ;)

In the meantime, keep doing whatever it is you're doing, and keep a stiff upper lip.

Should you want to see more of these longer-type updates where I share more details about what's going on and where this story is going, then by all means let me know. They won't be in every chapter, of course-bloating up word count is a self-inflicted curse these days, like this segment is already pushing 620 words by now and-

I'll just stop talking.

Cheers,

Son-of-Wanderer

Chapter Text

For the first time in Natsu's life, he found that he wasn't all that hungry.

One mess-up and his body would never be found, much less see the light of day ever again.

Aww, man… he was well and truly screwed, wasn't he?

"What's wrong, Natsu?" Came the terrifyingly sweet voice laced with venom. "Is the tiramisu not to your liking?"

The Dragon Slayer rigidly glanced up from the white porcelain plate containing the untouched slice of the treacherous, deliciously layered dessert. He nodded-hastily in response. It was his only shot at survival.

Brushing up against his side? Lisanna. Nestled in her arms? Happy. Sitting directly across from him? Elfman, now wearing a completely unnecessary crisp white dress shirt and black trousers that made him look super out of place on a beach. And next to her younger brother on the outstretched picnic blanket was the demon who'd come straight out of Natsu's worst nightmares.

Mira was staring at him intently, with fake kindness in those deep blue eyes of hers, studying him. Probably wondering how she was going to tear his guts out, and internally debating whether or not she'd ride him like some sort of meat sled or... whatever that would look like.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Where was Erza when you needed her?

"I-it's w-wonderful, Mira," he said with a deep gulp. Could he get away with bluffing her? "I, uh… just had a pretty big breakfast, is all. You know how it is…"

"Excuse me?" The Demon frowned ever so slightly, setting down her plate and fork. It was all feigned, naturally. "Are you implying that I eat too much?" She shook her head, and 'innocently' smoothed her hands down the narrow waistline of her pale blue sundress. "That's not very gentlemanly to say such a thing to a lady, Natsu. One might call it a crude remark, at that."

A lady? That's what she was calling herself?!

Elfman shook his head in disapproval. The big man was watching him like a hawk, and even went so far as to flex and ball up his fist, the knuckles of his index and middle fingers jutting out prominently. "It's not very manly to say something like that to a woman, Natsu. It would be in your best interest to apologize. Now."

Natsu wasn't exactly terrified of Elfman, though the idea of having the middle-born Strauss come after him on the daily didn't sound very fun.

"Well, you know… I didn't mean that, I just meant-"

A much smaller hand rested gently against his right bicep, giving a comforting and very welcoming squeeze. Natsu now glanced to his right, and suddenly remembered that Lisanna was there with him. Wearing a matching dress with her older sister, paired with jade earrings, and cradling a now fast-asleep Happy in her arms.

His… err… girlfriend, beamed up at him with an encouraging smile.

Right… he could do this. He kind of had to if he wanted to stay alive.

Clearing his throat, he summoned up whatever courage he could scrape together on short notice. Natsu managed to direct his gaze to the young woman, only a year his senior, who simply gazed right back at him with a look of what seemed to be mild concern with her sister's choice of a suitor.

Natsu saw through the act, though. Those deep blue eyes twinkled with delight every time he nervously tugged at the scarf wrapped around his neck.

Don't apologize. Don't show weakness. "I… meant that I had a lot to eat this morning."

"Really?" Mira sighed disappointedly, as if he'd narrowly avoided one of her word traps. "That can't be right. I mean, when we're in the guild, you eat just about everything on the menu."

"And all in one go," Elfman added.

The Demon nodded along, "Mmhmm. Exactly."

"Ah, well… guess anything could happen," Natsu said, keeping steady, and somehow still managing eye contact with the Demon herself.

And then she smiled sweetly at him, but her tone told another story altogether. "Is that really the story you're going with?"

"It's the one I'm sticking to."

In an instant, that happy smile morphed into a wicked and sinister grin, and Mira's deep blue eyes flashed red.

"Ahem!" Lisanna forcefully cleared her throat and looked to her older brother now. "So, Elfman… how did the Lionel job go?"

"It went fine," the big man said coldly, not even taking his eyes off Natsu for a moment. "Ever skin an animal, Natsu?"

"Yeah."

"Cause I could give you a demonstra-" Elfman paused and blinked. "Wait, really?"

"Sure, not like it's hard or anything."

Lisanna sat forward slightly, so as not to wake Happy in her arms. "It's true," she said, a little too eager to change the subject. "He caught us a… what was it again?"

"Largemouth bass."

"Right!" His girlfriend nodded. "Natsu caught us a HUGE bass the other day. Killed it clean and gutted it too, then he roasted it over the fire, and we ate it for lunch!"

"You know…" Mira interjected, flashing a smirk at Natsu. "I like gutting things on occasion, too… one of my favorite hobbies, really."

It was then that one of the butter knives from the picnic basket suddenly sprang into the Demon's palm. Natsu was actively trying not to think about her using that knife to cut off certain bits of his anatomy.

Yet Elfman seemed totally ignorant of his older sister's veiled threats. "Going out and feeding your family? Now that's MANLY!" He said, then reaching out across the blanket and giving Natsu a hearty slap on the back. THWAP!

He should've been relieved that he'd actually managed to win over at least one of Lisanna's siblings.

Yet the fact that, out of the corner of his eyes, Mira was making more stabbing motions with the knife in her hand. That kinda put a damper on things…

"I was thinking of teaching Natsu how to dance in a few weeks, once we're back in town and all that," Lisanna piped up again, looking pointedly at her older sister. Natsu watched on, astounded, that his girlfriend now donned a devilish grin of her own. "Y'know… like how you taught me?"

What happened next was a sheer miracle.

Mirajane Strauss, the Demon of Fairy Tail, froze completely. Eyes. Wide. Open.

"W-whatever do you mean, Lisanna?" Mira was a wounded animal, now being pursued by the not-so-terrifying predator that was her younger sister. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Oh come on, Mira! Dancing! You showed me how, remember?"

"N-no, I didn't! Don't you dare say another-"

"Now that we're speaking about it, though… Didn't you mention that you wish your future husband knows how to slow dance? So he can hold you like in those-"

"Okay! Okay!" Mira protested hotly, throwing up and hastily waving her hands in the air, her face now an interesting shade of crimson. "I promise, I won't do anything to him! Just stop, Lis, please!"

Whoa…

Satisfied at how she'd successfully cowed her older sister into submission, Lisanna Strauss opted to show mercy and withdrew from her attack. She lazed back and leaned her head on Natsu's right shoulder. "Maybe it would be a good idea to apologize to Natsu, then? I don't think my BOYFRIEND liked being threatened on such a beautiful afternoon. Because if you don't, well… maybe I'll just go and tell everyone about those Lovestruck Illustrated magazines you keep stashed under your bed."

It was Mira's turn to gulp. Her face was still as red as a tomato. Rigidly, she turned to face Natsu again. "Grrgh…" The soft growl that came from her sounded more like something that'd come from a wounded puppy. "Fine. I'm sorry, Natsu. Welcome to the family…" She said, grinding her teeth, probably thinking of some way to preserve her pride, "...I guess."

Lisanna glanced up at him, her head still lying in the crook of her neck. "How does that sound, honey?"

Honey? Where'd a name like that come from? Wasn't like he was covered in bees.

At the same time, Natsu also wasn't entirely sure how to proceed.

On the one hand… finding out that Mira was at least embarrassed about something was kinda refreshing. On the other… Maybe he should let the secret slip to Erza. He could totally see her holding it over Mira's head like that.

But… if he was 'welcome' in the family… or whatever that meant… maybe not.

"Uh," Natsu shrugged, feeling a lot more comfortable now that the tension had been diffused. And noting the lack of any sort of protest from Elfman, he just decided to go with it. "Thanks, Mira."

The Demoness of Fairy Tail gave a mute nod and, without a word, went back to eating her tiramisu.

Lisanna beamed up at him once more, especially as he looped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. "What about it, Natsu? Wanna learn how to dance? It's pretty simple..."

Err… not really, no.

Slow dancing or whatever sounded kinda lame. When would it ever be useful to him? Was he, at some point, gonna get into a dance-off with some monster? Not likely..

Still… those warm, blue eyes stared up at him. The same damn eyes that his chest feel all warm and crap…

Shit.

"Pleeeeease!" If it weren't for Happy snuggling her arms, Lisanna might've cupped her hands together in some sort of prayer or something.

Well… if it was THAT important to her, then…

"Tch…" Despite himself, Natsu dipped his head. "Screw it… I'm probably gonna hate this, but alright."

"Yay!" Lisanna cheered, leaning up and planting a long kiss on his lips.

After a few moments, as they parted, Natsu felt dazed all over again. And all he could do was grin like an idiot.

Across from them, Mira said nothing. She simply watched the pair a moment longer than perhaps she should've…

…and with a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

November 22nd, Magnolia Outskirts

Day 53

He was awoken by a small paw mushing against his cheek.

"Errgh…" Natsu groaned, and a flash of blinding light blared down from above. Instinctively, he brought up his hand to block out the sun. "What the…"

"Yay!"

Groggily, he sat upright, and-THUMP! Something round and pointy-earred pressed into his chest. The familiar sight of blue fur and two white feathery wings told him exactly who woke him up.

"I thought you'd never get up!" Happy cried, breaking away from the hug. "I poked you with a stick, and then I tried lifting that log, but it was pretty heavy, so…" He hit Natsu on the forehead. The impact was little more than a tap. "What'd you do this time, huh? Knock yourself out again? How would you even do that? That's-"

That was a good question…

…What had he been doing again?

Memories flooded back to him one by one. A whole lotta fire, combined with the feeling that he'd been rammed head-on by a train.

The absolute last thing he remembered… he fell into a bed of grass, telling himself he'd take a short break before getting back to…

Natsu rubbed his palm against his forehead.

Right, he'd been attempting the spell again.

Meanwhile, Happy seemed to drone on, completely oblivious to his confusion, "-then I got back from Lucy's last night and found you out here. I mean, you were breathing, but it was kind of like what happened a few months ago after you came back from the mean medicine lady. I was thinking I should take you to see her, but…" the cat looked rather sheepish. "I kinda don't know where she lives."

Last night?

"Good buddy?" Natsu asked, "What day is it?"

Happy paused for a moment before answering, "It's the 22nd. Why?"

Oh.

A glance up into the sky told him that, going by the sun's position, it was probably noon, or… early afternoon. After looking away, the Dragon Slayer ran a hand down his face. So, he'd been out cold for like… a day and a half. I'm losing daylight, and this Fire Dragon's Spear thing wasn't gonna make itself.

Slowly, he moved to get to his feet. And not a moment sooner-

"Ergh…" Natsu made an almost animal-like growl as he straightened, which he should've expected, since he might as well have just woken up after doing the worst workout of his life.

His neck, his arms, his abdomen, even his thighs. All of them stung with each twitch. Sure, he'd had mornings like this before, almost always the day after he'd trained too hard. It still wasn't exactly the greatest feeling to wake up to. He cracked his neck-Kch! Though not without wincing, he felt everything out.

Didn't feel like he was out of fumes like he'd been the other night, there was that at least.

It was hard to describe. The pressure he'd felt in his core while training was gone, now replaced with more… space.

He probably filled up on Ethernano while he was out. So what, his Magic Container was… Roomier? That was a word, right? The book said something like that would happen-that the Magic Container was sorta like its own muscle.

Nice. Nice and weird.

An idle flick of his fingers and-WHOOOOMPH! A great burst of reddened flames erupted from his palms, swirling and snaking up his arms like a bonfire. Natsu grinned, more so out of satisfaction than anything else. Never gets old.

Instinctively, Happy had taken several steps back, almost clearing fifteen feet before he felt comfortable enough to stop shielding his eyes.

"Hmmmmph…" Natsu grumbled as something deep within his gut began to ache, like he'd flexed a muscle that was already well into healing. Not a good sign, that.

"Are you okay?" His best buddy asked from the side, evidently having seen his discomfort.

The Dragon Slayer nodded and snuffed out all of the flames by wiggling his fingers. "Yeah, just…" he pursed his lips. "Think I might've overdone it with training… a bit."

"Maybe you should take a break, then?"

He didn't want to. Not now, at least.

Even if it was little more than an unstable rod of fire, it was still progress. If he kept at it, then there might be a chance he could form a complete spear. Today, even. All he had to do was keep going,

The moment he rolled back his shoulders, though…

"Gah!" Natsu snarled, and let himself stumble back onto the log he'd kicked in halves the other night. He was thoroughly reminded of just how sore everything was. The joints and muscles in each of his limbs ground excruciatingly against one another like rusted iron.

Definitely not a good sign.

Happy pressed on, "How about we get something to eat?" He asked in earnest. "I ate some fish already, but just so you know, I had to skip my second breakfast AND lunch just trying to wake you up." He smirked and crossed his arms. "Sounds like you owe me breakfast."

"It's gotta be like, one in the afternoon."

"Yeah? So what?" The cat suddenly clapped his hands together. "Pleeeeeease? Let's just go get something to eat."

Admittedly, it wasn't something he was immediately opposed to. Natsu glanced down at his stomach, which, just on time, responded with a loud, 'Grrrrrrrghl!'

Yeah… maybe a break wouldn't be so bad. And it might give him some ideas on how to proceed with making the spear. What was his next step, actually? Was he doing something wrong?

What did the book say again? It said that spellcraft was a bit simpler for Dragon Slayers, right?

Fleming's outline of spellcraft for normal wizards was pretty extensive, and it seemed like it'd be longer compared to what he'd been doing. All the progress he made was done on instinct, just like Fleming said it'd be, and going from what he remembered of the passage on Slayer Magic, now that he could make a shape out of fire, maybe he just needed to… refine it.

So all he needed to do was figure out what the finished product looked like?

Kinda drawing a blank on that one. The spear he kept tucked by the front door in his house wasn't much to look at. It was more or less a long stick with an old iron spike attached to the end. It was functional, since he'd been using it frequently over the last five years or so, but it wasn't much to look at.

Oddly enough, he found himself thinking back to his time in Crocus, when Laxus had taken him to Darrier & Co., to pick up a more presentable outfit for their meeting with Trast, and he decided to ask for something… regal.

If he was gonna make this thing out of the same magic that Igneel taught him, then it should look super cool, right? Super regal, too. Like an actual, professionally forged spear from a top-notch blacksmith. Dad would appreciate that, for sure.

Okay, yeah, sounded like a plan.

Go into town. Grab something to eat. Check out the local smithy for any nice-looking spears. Then imprint its look onto the Fire Dragon's Spear.

Natsu stood up, grunting as his knees screamed at him. "Alright, buddy," he said. "First, I gotta go take a shower, and then we'll head out. Sound good?"

Happy grinned right back at him and brought his hand against his forehead in a salute. "Aye, sir!"

Ding, ding…

The mounted brass bell hanging from the door chimed as Natsu stepped into the 'Hammer and Tongs,' the local smithy of Magnolia.

After a good shower, he'd thrown on a white linen shirt, black trousers, and his new knee-high brown leather boots. From there, it'd been a good three and a half hours, with him and Happy eating at 'The White Orchid'.

Fourteen tomahawk steaks and eight bowls of buttered scrambled eggs, drowned in salt and pepper, had gone a long way toward getting him back into fighting shape.

Sorta.

Happy floated alongside him as he entered. "-And then he says," the cat puffed out his chest and deepened his voice, "'Of course, you couldn't buy one with a ruby the size of a testicle. I managed to get my hands on a few, however.'"

The Dragon Slayer threw his head back and barked out a laugh. "No way! Elfman actually said that?"

"Mmhmm, in the middle of the guild, too."

"Did he-"

"Yeah, he heard it after a few seconds."

To the right side of the smithy were all sorts of tools and accessories; buckets full of horseshoes, a wide selection of various types of nails, and open boxes showing off fish hooks. Rows upon rows of axes, pickaxes, hammers, rakes, and hoes hung from several thick wooden beams overhead. Pots and pans were neatly stacked next to a workbench, where a half-finished axe head sat next to some chain links. On the other end of the shop, there was a line-up of armor stands that were placed just in front of the store windows, showing off clean-looking sets of brigandine, chainmail, and even full plate armor. Glass cases with displays of swords, daggers, maces, and even shields mounted up on the walls alongside racks of spears and other polearms.

By the back, there was a long wooden counter with a tall oaken door behind it. Coming from within the next room over, Natsu had easily picked up the scents of oil and burning charcoal, among other things, and heard the metallic ringing of a hammer upon an anvil-CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Picture frames on the wall opposite the counter showed off photos of happy customers, mostly older people, smiling alongside a short, burly man with a bushy and wiry beard.

That's gotta be the Smith, Natsu figured. A buff guy with rough hands like that definitely knew what he was doing.

Natsu walked toward the back counter. More well-carved glass display cases were set into the gray plaster wall. Swords, daggers, pieces of armor, even a full-blown warhammer. All of them had etchings and engravings, each looking clean, too.

Did Erza get her gear here? She never did say where she got her armor from, actually.

"So like," Happy floated up to his side, probably having taken a quick look around, and chose to land on the spot of the wooden countertop in front of him. "You ever wonder why they're called 'blacksmiths'?"

Huh… it hadn't really crossed his mind before.

Natsu figured it was pretty obvious. But now that Happy had brought it up…

He shook his head. "Nah, not really. Why'd you ask?"

"Dunno," Happy shrugged. "Just feels like an odd name, you know? Like, why are they all called 'Smith'? I know not all of them have that as their last name, but did it start out that way? Did the first blacksmiths have the name 'Smith' and then other people started co-opting the profession?" He asked randomly, seemingly deep in thought about this particular range of coincidences. "And what makes them black, anyway?"

Hmmm… another good question.

The Dragon Slayer scratched at his cheek, "Maybe 'cause all the soot they get from the forge," he said off-handedly.

"Maybe," Happy hummed. "Wouldn't they be sootsmiths, then?"

"Eh… sounds pretty lame."

"It'd at least be accurate, wouldn't it?"

The clanging behind the door had stopped. Natsu's ears twitched slightly as he heard heavy footsteps head closer in his direction.

He turned to face Happy. "No, 'cause you can't exactly make things outta soot. And silversmiths are a thing, so if it's not the soot, then it's probably just that they work with darker metals and alloys, like iron or steel. Hence, black-smith."

"Pffft!" His best buddy of close to seven years didn't seem very convinced, though. "It can't be that… Know what I think? I bet it's probably just one of those trademark things."

Natsu blinked and ran that back through his mind again. Trademark? That's not- "Yeah, I don't think that word means what you think it means."

"Hey! I know what I'm talking ab-"

THWAMP!

Just on time, the door behind the counter suddenly swung open, revealing the same short and stockily built man from the photos, though his hair was now peppered with flecks of silver, and his face was slick with sweat and grease.

Really hope his name isn't Smith. Happy would probably have a field day if it were.

The blacksmith picked him out instantly and grinned warmly at him. "Well, if it isn't Master Dragneel!" He chuckled heartily, now wiping his right hand down with a fresh, wet cloth. "I don't believe I've had the honor!"

Huh… that was the second time someone's called him 'Master'.

Should he get that title in writing one of these days? Maybe it'll look good with future clients or something.

Ah, right, remember your manners, Natsu thought to himself, holding out his hand. If there was one lesson Laxus impressed on him, it was to make sure he minded himself when greeting clients, and… other people in general. "Excuse me, but I don't-"

"Darrus Hoffmann, at your service," The older man took the offered paw and squeezed it.

Natsu breathed a sigh of relief, "Good to meet you, Darrus."

"Likewise, now what can I do for you today?"

Well…

Natsu knew what he was looking for. "I need a good spear, something super high-quality if you have any."

"Whatever for, if you don't mind my asking? Miss Scarlet comes in on occasion for repairs, naturally, but for the life of me, I can't imagine why a Wizard such as yourself would need any sort of weapon," Darrus barked out a laugh. "Well, outside your two hands, of course."

"It's for a personal project… Plus, I do a lot of hunting when I'm at home, and the spear I've got there is kinda… wearing out."

That was putting it lightly.

Darrus hummed, "I see…" he clapped his hands together. "Well, I do have a few pieces that you might be interested in. I know my way around the forge, but if you're looking for something you can use with your… Magic or whatnot, my partner Riordan is a specialist with heavy gear like that. He's the one who handles most of Miss Scarlet's requisitions, actually… I don't suppose you'd also be looking for anything fancy from him?"

Fancy? Seemed like an odd task just to gussy up a pointy stick. Could be that super-rich people went in for that sort of thing.

Guess I am super rich, though… he thought to himself. In addition to all the cash he kept buried in his backyard, he still hadn't figured out what he was gonna do with the ten million Jewel he'd gotten from the Darshel job.

So pricing wouldn't be much of a problem, then.

At the same time, Natsu really didn't feel like waiting a few days just to pick up a spear. It felt like a massive inconvenience, and he wanted to get back to work now.

Yet…

None of the pieces on display was really doing it for him. They were good, and Natsu didn't doubt the quality of Darrus' craftsmanship. It was really more of a matter of having something that looked good, but also functional and practical at the same time. The stuff in the shop definitely fit the latter bill.

If Erza trusted this guy, Riordan, that was good enough for him. And if Riordan made Erza's gear, then he could probably make something worthy of the magic that Natsu learned from Igneel. "Alright, yeah. Do you have anything from him that I can take a look at?"

Darrus shook his head, "Not any polearms, unfortunately. He sends me some gear to sell in the shop every now and then, but he mostly handles custom orders. If you like, I can take your order and have it out to him tonight."

Tonight?! Now that was some quality service.

"How long would it take him to make a good spear?"

"Oh, maybe… Three? Four days tops?" The older man seemed satisfied with his estimation. "If he's not buried in commissions, that is. He's good, though. Probably the best in the whole kingdom, if you ask me."

Four days?

Potentially longer than that, too? Damn.

Upfront, he felt pretty silly about it all. On the one hand, Natsu felt in his bones that he could get this spell finished within the week. Yet on the other… he needed a weapon of the highest possible quality he could get, all so he could use it to give shape to the Fire Dragon's Spear like Fleming's book said. Agh…

If he was going to wait around for his order to be finished, then he'd definitely have time to kill. Maybe he could keep himself busy? Finally get around to asking Levy about any books on Dragons she knew about? And he'd be able to get some rest from training, too.

Fine. Yeah.

"Sure," Natsu said. "Let's do it."

"Excellent!" Darrus beamed, now reaching for something under the counter, coming up with a notepad and a pencil. "Gimme some details on what you'd like, and I'll send it off to him."

Right… What did he want on this thing?

Good steel… Maybe a sort of leaf-shaped head… Definitely balanced for throwing… With some wings, too? And it had to have engravings and stuff, both on the spearhead and the haft. After he nailed down the Fire Dragon's Spear, he'd be using this thing for when he went hunting.

"Okay," Natsu planted both hands on the countertop, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Get this down..."

RETURNING SPECTRE IN ARKTALYNN HALL

GRAYHAVEN CITY, KINGDOM OF SEVEN

To the prominent Wizarding Guild of Fairy Tail,

My name is Hoster Yulkan, Head of the Museum of Local Antiquities & Historical Relics here in Greyhaven City, of the Illustrious Kingdom of Seven.

I am writing to you in the hopes that you may be able to get to the bottom of an enigma which has been plaguing one of our most important regional landmarks for the last two months.

The monument pertaining to my request is that of Arktalynn Hall, the longtime sanctuary and seat of the Arktalynn Family, who once ruled over Greyhaven and the surrounding region since the very founding of our kingdom. The last owner of the estate was Lady Selene Arktalynn. She passed away a little over one-hundred-and-fifty years ago, and as she left no heirs, she gave the estate to the city on the condition that it remain open to the public. Since then, the house has served as a most beloved reminder of our city's history, and is quite popular with both our citizens and tourists alike.

Why is this relevant? Well, just over two months ago, a spectre appeared within the boundaries of the estate, having taken the form of the aforementioned Lady Selene, as she bears the likeness of the lady in the many paintings throughout the house itself.

Initially, she seemed completely harmless to visitors during all hours of the day. Very soon, however, she began attacking guests and citizens both. Thirteen were killed, and those who were left injured seemed to have fallen into a comatose-like state, from which we have been unsuccessful in waking them. The estate has since been quarantined off altogether by Greyhaven's administrative board and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

I hold a seat on the board, and my associates and I are anxious to discover both how and why Lady Selene, or whichever entity has taken her form, has suddenly chosen to appear at this time. Even in the last two months, not one of our researchers has conjured up a suitable answer. Dozens of other wizards and mercenaries have attempted to dispatch Lady Selene. Though some of them were capable enough to banish her for a time, she soon reappeared in the following hours.

I am keenly aware that Fiore borders our kingdom to the South. Nonetheless, it is known to us that you are the best of the best within your kingdom's borders, and I am desperate to resolve this matter as soon as humanly possible.

Please aid our citizens in finding out how Lady Selene has returned from the dead, and in dispatching her once and for all.

Come and see me in the Museum of Antiquities here in Greyhaven City for more information. Opening hours are 8:30 AM to 7 PM.

Reward: The administrative board of Greyhaven is prepared to pay the fee of 9,200,000 Sevenian Laurels, which should equal a payment of 9,774,000 Fioran Jewel. In addition, you will also be given free lodging and any resources you require.

Thank you for your time,

Hoster Yulkan

"Hm…" Odd that all of the surviving victims were left comatose… There was definitely something fishy with that. And that the spectre kept reappearing, too.

A curse, maybe? Definitely sounded like one, that's for sure.

In all of Laxus' experience, he'd gone through a few old-fashioned hauntings. Ghosts were nothing new in the more archaic parts of the kingdom, and even in those outside it. That said, victims being left comatose was never a detail that had popped up.

And that it was happening in the largest city in Eastern Seven… and that nobody else there had figured out what in the hell was going on up there…

…It was definitely looking like something he could take seriously.

At least compared to the last few requests that showed up on the S-Class request board a few weeks ago.

It wasn't the first S-Class job that came their way from another kingdom, though few as they were at times. But Greyhaven was still a long way off. The journey up to Dahlia Town through Northern Fiore would take a week and a half alone, even if he and the Thunder God Tribe took the main roads. And if they went to Seven by ship, then it would still take another week before they got to Grayhaven. The trip back would be more or less the same, not including, however long it took them to solve the problem of Lady Selene's spectre.

Laxus still wasn't clear on the date the S-Class Trials were going to take place. The team made it unanimously clear that they wanted to go on another job with him, but he knew it'd have to be done promptly. Something local would have to do, for now.

Not to mention, he still hated boats. Regardless of whether or not he could tolerate them now.

Boats. Were. Shit.

"Hmph," the blond huffed irritably. He pushed down his dissatisfaction and forced himself to read the next request on the board.

The logistics of which didn't fare much better…

STRANGE LIGHTS OUT IN SUUNIAL BAY

To Gildarts Clive, Laxus Dreyar, Or Whomever Answers This Request,

I will be brief. Three weeks ago, an aberrant mist formed off the northern coast by Therrabar Town in the Kingdom of Minstrel. In the following days, the mist has completely enshrouded the waters of Suunial Bay.

As you may know, Suunial Bay remains our most direct maritime trade route with various other kingdoms in Ishgar; our trade partners specifically being Minstrel, Bosco, Stella, and Joya. With the bay branching out into the Calm Sea, it's quite important to say the least.

The mist has so far proven extremely toilsome and distressing. Many, many vessels from both my company and our competitors across the bay have gone missing, never arriving on schedule as they should. Within the mist itself, however, there seem to be strange lights glowing at all hours of the day. According to reports from our captains who have yet to traverse the bay, one of these lights resembles that of any other lighthouse.

There are only nine lighthouses in Suunial Bay, however. And it seems that they are indistinguishable from whatever lies within the mist.

While Fiore is well over several hundred miles from Suunial Bay itself, we still use it frequently when conducting business. It is my belief that whatever lies out there in the mist has taken them, though for what purpose, I do not know.

You can find myself and my associates at the Golden Sickle Tradehouse, within the Silvergate District of Crocus. Hopefully, together, we can find a way to resolve this matter.

Reward: 9,950,000 Jewel. Any personal necessities or resources required until the aforementioned task is complete.

Yours sincerely,

Fel Vanius,

Chairman, Golden Sickle Trading Company

The top line of the notice hadn't escaped him.

Another trade route fiasco by the look of it, though Fiore didn't seem to be that much worse off compared to Joya, Stella, or even Bosco.

It probably sucked to be a bit further inland right now.

Laxus could see it now; he and the Thunder God Tribe would end up having to take a ship from Hargeon just to head out and investigate, and without a doubt, they'd be getting into plenty of dick-measuring contests with teams of Wizards from the other kingdoms involved in the whole affair. The mish-mash of monarchies and authorities stepping in would be an inevitable pain in the ass, too. Paperwork, paperwork, and a whole lot of bullshit.

The missing ships and accompanying sailors, with the added fact that the request was asking for him specifically, certainly put things into perspective. All the trouble would be worth it, at least.

Laxus tore the request off the board, folding it and slipping it into his coat pocket. He and the team probably only have time for the job between Thursday and whenever Grandpa decided to announce the date of the S-Class Trials in the next few weeks.

He'd probably have to clear with the old man during their next meeting, just to line up their timing…

Fine.

The trip to Crocus and then down to Hargeon would be peas. Once they were out on the Calm Sea, it'd get a little more… interesting.