Hi guys Azza here!

So many of you asked and I shall deliver the origins of what many of you describe as the best OC Fairy Tail Character Elise Faulkner the War God Slayer and adopted daughter of the Goddess of War Eliza.

I know those of you who have read Power Of The Dragon know why this is a thing and I am giving you the red alert warning MASSIVE END OF SERIES SPOILERS in this and subsequent chapters so if you are ok with reading this and finding out summarized stuff from the end of Power Of The Dragon then I hope you enjoy otherwise you might want to hold off reading this until after I finish that.

Now then important stuff to get out of the way before we begin this story ends upon Elise meeting Natsu and Erza during the Valthiem's Razor Arc in Power Of The Dragon though I may rewrite it from Elise's sole perspective if enough people ask.

There are no pairings for this fic because Elise won't be at an age where any kind of pairing could even occur until late in the story since she was only 20 at the time of the Tenrou Island Arc.

Again this is a tribute to all my dedicated readers who followed Power Of The Dragon through the good and the bad and have endured my change in writing styles and screw ups and been nothing but supportive and helpful the whole way I dedicate this story to all of you!

Also again since this chapter will likely come out well before Power Of The Dragon concludes there are spoilers for the EOS littered throughout so if you care about that you may want to hold off until it is finished.

Now that's enough of that if you all have questions feel free to PM me or leave it in the reviews as my long time readers know I always reply to them and I hope you all enjoy!

The Child Of Devotion

/Magnolia – Elise's POV/

The wind blew lightly across the city of Magnolia with the sun shining brightly radiating a calming warmth that assured eternal calm and peace, sitting out the front of a large manor a beautiful woman with long flowing black hair that reached just down her back with her bangs covering one eye sipped quietly from her cup of tea.

It had been thirteen years since the Alvarez/Fiore war and the deaths of both Zeref and Achnologia had all but assured a lasting peace with a treaty formed by the now Queen of Alvarez Irene Belserion and Queen of Fiore Hisui E Fiore however it came at a heavy price.

Natsu Dragneel was a man Elise admired like the brother she always wanted, he was cool, calm and collected and frighteningly powerful with the fearsome Hybrid's Aura that was a combination of both the God and Devil Auras.

The Alvarez/Fiore war was one that shook the foundations of the world and yet the forces of Fiore never once wavered in their resolve with Natsu at the helm, the man exuded an air of authority that commanded the utmost loyalty and respect and his rallying cries drove the allied forces to fight with every last drop of magic they could muster until they could draw no more.

The war even then was hard fought with heavy losses on both sides with even the death of many they called family and friend, Makarov Dreyar was one such casualty of the war but one that drove Natsu to push back an entire army with several of the Spriggan and Leichart 12 at the helm by himself he was a true force to be reckoned with.

Unfortunately as much as the allied forces wanted to believe Natsu was unbeatable it was not to be, Natsu had fought the Black Wizard Zeref to a standstill and victory was almost within their grasp when Ahnkseram tried to resurrect himself only to have half his soul consumed by a ravenous Achnologia who had arrived on the battlefield with the four Harbingers of the Apocalypse at his side.

Natsu and Zeref put aside their differences and tried to fight as best they could but the monster seemed to be too much until the Dragons returned having released themselves from their respective slayers after almost 1000 years and the others who had not been sealed arrived alongside the Dragon God Xicor.

Zeref who finally succumb to his wounds begged Natsu to end Achnologia with his dying breath and Natsu alongside the Dragons raged a long and bloody battle against the Dragon King that shook Earthland itself, one by one the Dragons fell and tossed the vestiges of their power into Natsu to prevent Achnologia from getting them and eventually even the Dragon God Xicor was slain but not before buying Natsu one final chance.

With the power of the perfected Hybrid form combined with the power of the last Dragons in a last ditch effort in collaboration with the Goddess of Time Lady Felicity Natsu used every last drop of power and threw both himself and Achnologia into the Ravine Of Time being scattered amongst time itself.

Natsu had sacrificed his very life for those he loved yet could never truly walk beside choosing to ensure they could live their lives free of the hopelessness and despair that had plagued so many others, in that moment Natsu appeared so very old and wizened as he urged them to live well in his name.

His death marked the end of the conflict as both sides were reduced to tears with his now widowed wife Erza Dragneel who was with a child emotionally destroyed at losing Natsu after everything they had gone through just to try and be able to live their lives together.

Elise wiped a tear from her eye as she shook her head of that day; often she found her mind drifting back to that horrid day that was both the greatest blessing and the most horrid curse. Natsu of course was hailed a national hero and had a statue made of gold erected in the centre of Crocus upon the order of Queen Hisui who hailed him as the Saviour Of All Earthland and its people with a yearly festival celebrating his sacrifice and honouring all those who died in the conflict.

"Aunt Elise, Aunt Elise," a cheerful young voice cried as Elise gained a small smile to her lips.

"Ah my favourite God Daughter how are you this morning," Elise asked as the young girl pouted.

"I'm you're only God Daughter you know …"

"Of course and that is why you are my favourite," she replied with a giggle as the girl smiled again.

The little girl before her was the child of Erza and Natsu Dragneel, her birth had saved Erza from the spiral of depression she had been going down and brought new life into the requip mage.

Cynthia Dragneel was the new light of Fairy Tail, a girl with beauty and grace of her mother but the passion and drive of her father. Cynthia had long scarlet coloured hair like her mother however it was all spiky and unkempt like her father's with his menacing black coloured eyes that could freeze even the most stoic mages at the guild in place.

Cynthia was an interesting child for she had inherited her father's destructive tendencies burning down the family home at age three when she accidently used some Fire Dragon Slaying Magic for the first time not that anyone cared however everyone was delighted she inherited something from her father.

At age seven she again defied the odds when she turned the bar in the guild hall into cubes using an accidental bout of Crash Magic, Wendy whom Natsu had also taught magic was tasked with teaching young Cynthia the basics on controlling her power since it was quite dangerous and Gildarts was out of town at the time.

The biggest surprise of all however came on her twelfth birthday when she was on a job with her mother and Elise, the group was attacked by some bandits and one managed to sneak up behind Erza. Little did she know Erza already knew this but to little Cynthia she thought her mother was in danger, her arm morphed into a black tendril and went right through the man's chest killing him instantly much to the shock of everyone present.

It was then that everyone knew Cynthia had indeed inherited Natsu's Demonic traits which was an unexpected occurrence since even Natsu claimed such a thing would most likely be impossible.

From that day forward Cynthia was dubbed Fairy Tail's Impossible Girl always making the impossible possible just like her father and it was a much welcome occurrence.

"Aunt Elise your spacing out again!"

Elise blinked twice as she looked down at Cynthia who seemed slightly concerned but also annoyed at the same time, smiling she gave her a small pat on the head.

"So what brings you here Cynthia?"

"Is mom going to be back yet?"

"She's still in Crocus at the annual meeting of the Masters she won't be back until next week I'm afraid, why do you miss her?"

"Obviously but I'm not happy because she said I can't do any advanced magic training without her I'm gonna fall behind Colt, Ash and Rina!"

"Cynthia you do realize it's only a week right?"

"But every week counts Colt's Dad is showing him how to use metals other than Iron and Rina just got her third Take Over and don't even get me started on Ash she's learned how to become fully intangible using water and how to become one with Ice it's not fair!"

"Cynthia trust me you won't fall behind the others you have a whole lifetime to grow stronger one week isn't much to lose, you know training all the time isn't the greatest thing for anyone even your father would agree."

"Did father train all the time too?"

"He ran off with old man Gildarts when he was a kid for over a decade when he was around your age and when he came back your mother beat him up for it," Elise said as she giggled as picturing the sight.

"I wish Dad were here he would've trained me …"

"Your Dad probably would have Cynthia but he would've also told you the importance of experiencing your childhood something none of us ever got to have, your mother was enslaved at a tower, your father was fighting in a bloody war in Scarlione, Gray had his family killed by a vicious Demon and Mira had her sister killed in front of her."

"And what about you Aunt Elise I hear stories about the other S Class all the time but I've never heard one about you before?"

"I've never spoken about my past before that's why no one ever speaks of it," Elise replied as Cynthia looked at her quizzically.

"So you told no one?"

"I told your father in private once when we were on a mission together to pass the time and I told your mother and Wendy on a training trip but I made them swear not to tell a soul."

"Why wouldn't you want anyone to know about your past it can't be that bad?"

"I don't really like talking about it Cynthia it wasn't the greatest part of my life, the best part of my life is when I met your mother and father and joined Fairy Tail and that has been my life since."

"Come on Aunt Elise can you tell me at least a bit about your life?"

"Well that depends what's in it for me," Elise asked slyly.

"I'll stop pranking the guild for the next six months if you tell me."

"Deal," Elise said quickly thanking the Gods such an opportunity presented itself Cynthia was an absolute menace when she wanted to be.

"Alright I'll tell you but you can't tell anyone not even your friends alright?"

"I promise Aunt Elise," Cynthia said with a small smile as she sat down in a chair next to Elise as she began to look out at the city staring off into space.

"Hopefully you are comfortable Cynthia because this is a long tale; my story begins a long time ago in the small village of Kihetai …"

/Kihetai Village – Age X776/

Kihetai Village, a village nestled away in the mountains unbeknownst to those who don't know where to look. This seemingly quiet village held a powerful secret and one that would one day prove its final undoing, this village worshiped War itself.

The village was founded many years after the fall of the Dragnof Empire after a man began a cult centred around the God of War claiming that a sword he had come into possession of was in fact a sword of the War God himself.

Many who desired conflict flocked to the site and eventually a village formed around it centred around the cult known as The Cult Of Eternal Armageddon, today the villagers have taken to simply worshipping War rather than actively calling for it at every turn thanks to the current High Priest a kindly old man named Gentou.

Gentou was the former leader of the village raiding party who would attack bandit and Dark Mage camps for supplies and eventually after years of fighting he decided to retire and become a priest of the Cult eventually rising to the rank of High Priest.

One factor that led to his retirement however was an incident that happened on his final raid upon a Dark Guild camp that changed Gentou's outlook on life.

Raiding a Dark Guild camp standing orders were to kill all combatants which Gentou always followed to the letter, cutting through the pathetic mages with ease Gentou came across two Dark Mages holding a malnourished and badly beaten child by the hair in front of them as a shield.

"What have you done to that child," Gentou cried in shock never having seen such a sight before.

"This oxygen thief tried eating a corner off our loaf of bread so we taught it a lesson it'll never forget," the woman snarled as she ran a dagger along her side as it tapped against her ribs which were visible against her malnourished form.

"How could you treat a child in such a way what if that was your child!"

"This little shit is our child you pathetic worm," the man sneered as he punched the child in the head.

"You Dark Mages truly have no honour, no respect for anything!"

"The only thing that matters is what we want everything else is irrelevant, once we acquire true power life will be ours for the taking," the woman cried as Gentou saw red and with blinding speed had cut the arm off the woman who was holding the child and caught her in his free arm.

"You will pay for your crimes," Gentou said softly as he slit the woman's throat and blocked a sword strike from the man before running him through with the sword and kicking him to the ground.

Looking down at the girl he couldn't help but wince at her injuries, beatings must have been a daily occurrence and clearly she survived on less than bread and water. In a split second decision Gentou decided to take the girl with him back to Kihetai and raise her, he initially faced resistance from some but his argument that he would raise the girl to be of use silenced most and he promptly retired to take care of her.

The small girl had dirty black hair that went just past her neck with striking red eyes that held nothing but fear from the moment she awoke, clearly she was terrified at what she assumed was going to happen to her no doubt instilled into her by the Dark Mages who she once lived amongst. It would be a long road to recovery for her however Gentou was determined to try he was an old man now so that meant he had the patience to raise this child right, right?"

"From day one it was a nightmare, the only responses he could get from the girl was her name which was Elise and the simply yes, no or at once responses. The girl also assumed it was her duty to slave away doing menial tasks and whenever she messed up one of them she would either await punishment or administer it herself much to his horror.

The girl was a mental wreck and she was only five years old such a sight nearly broke the man on many occasions but he was determined to try and make sure this girl knew she was indeed free of her old life.

As the months passed Elise began to slowly but surely learn that she was indeed in a better place however she never once smiled, never once did she speak out of turn and never did she ever ask for a single thing not even food or drink.

To Gentou it was progress and he hoped that eventually she would ask for something as normal children should, one day he decided to ask when her birthday was and she simply replied that she didn't know what a birthday was which led him to explain that it is the day she was born.

Elise simply replied with September 29th and continued cleaning as Gentou realized that it was a mere two weeks away, with zip in his step he decided he would give Elise something for her birthday since she clearly didn't have one before.

The two weeks passed and Gentou was silently preparing for Elise's birthday, eventually the day arrived and he was anxious to see how she would react.

Elise slowly rose from her bed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, looking around she quickly undressed and redressed into some fresh clothes before walking out into the living room. When she arrived in the living room she found Gentou waiting for her.

"Ah Elise I've been waiting for you to wake up I have a surprise for you," Gentou said with a beaming smile as Elise bowed before him.

"Of course Master what am I to expect today."

"Come now Elise I've told you countless times you don't have to bow and call me Master," Gentou sighed.

"Of course Master."

Deciding not to get into the same endless loop Gentou moved on as his smile returned full force.

"Now you remember how I asked when your birthday was Elise well today we're going to celebrate it what do you think about that?"

"Celebrate … the day of my birth?"

"Yes all children celebrate it, the day of your birth is often called a birthday Elise remember that word you didn't understand?"

"Birthday … what does one do on a birthday?"

"Well for the person who has the birthday it's an extra special day where their friends and family give them gifts and everyone celebrates with food and drink."

"Gifts, friends, family," Elise asked as she cocked her head not understanding the words as Gentou felt his heart twitch.

"Well Elise a gift is the act of handing someone something that they like, usually the gift has some meaning behind it and you don't have to hand something back in return for it."

Gentou walked behind the couch and pulled out a wrapped up package and placed it between them and motioned for Elise to open it.

"What is this?"

"A gift for your birthday from me."

"A … gift, for me," Elise asked looking back between the package and Gentou trying to see if this was some sort of joke.

In the time she had been with Gentou he hadn't once raised a hand to her, never once had he ever raised his voice and he always allowed her to eat as much as she wanted. He always asked about her wellbeing and even helped her recover and be able to walk again, though she was still frail and sickly looking she was slowly recovering from what she had endured at the hands of the Dark Mages.

"A gift …"

"Yes I tried my best to get you something I thought you might like I had to travel all the way down the mountains and into the next town over to buy you it but I'm sure you'll like it."

"So it really is for me?"

"Yes."

"I … thank you … Gentou."

Elise flinched expecting some sort of harsh punishment for addressing Gentou by his name but instead his smile lit up the room as a few tears escaped him.

"Go on and open it up Elise," he croaked as Elise nodded slowly and began to fiddle with the packaging. "You can tear it open you know that's the fun part."

Taking his advice Elise ripped off the packaging and gasped, in the box was a pretty black dress with white frills on it, back with the Dark Guild Elise saw the other children receive pretty dresses whilst she was forced to wear rags so to receive something like this she was shocked.

"Mas-Gentou I-I- is this really for me!"

"Of course Elise I thought you would look adorable in it," Gentou replied not bothering to hold back his tears at this precious moment, the sadness behind the moment combined with how overjoyed Elise seemed to be was too much for the old man's heart to take.

"C-can I try it on now," Elise asked hopefully as Gentou smiled and nodded.

"Of course go put it on and come show me I'm sure you'll look really pretty."

Elise nodded quickly as she shuffled off to her room still far too weak to even walk at a fast pace, Gentou wiped the tears from his face as she stroked his beard in thought. He would strive to make many more moments such as this Elise's reaction was perfect she truly was getting better even if it was just bit by bit.

After several minutes Elise returned wearing the dress with a white bow on the left side of her head, she looked rather nervous as she squirmed not sure of Gentou's reaction.

"Elise you look so adorable," he cried as he flew over the couch clutching his chest in a comical manner as Elise looked at him confused.

"I-I hope it is to your expectations G-Gentou."

After crawling back up the couch Gentou shook his head.

"It's not about my expectations Elise the only opinion you should value about yourself is your own, if you think you look pretty in that dress then you wear that dress with pride and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise."

"The only opinion that matters … is mine …"

"So what do you think Elise do you like it?"

Elise's bangs shadowed her eyes as Gentou awaited her response, after several moments Elise looked up at Gentou with several tears in her eyes.

"I will treasure it always G-Gentou it is perfect!"

'She's crying but Elise never cries not even when she stabbed herself …'

"I'm glad you like it Elise from now on expect lots more presents ok."

Elise wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded furiously as Gentou couldn't help but smile.

'Just like my little Aayla …'

After Gentou cleared the mess of the wrapping paper up the two sat down once again as Gentou began to speak.

"Now then Elise there is more to a birthday than just presents the birthday girl also gets to do whatever she wants for her birthday," Gentou said as Elise gasped in shock.

"A-anything I want!"

"Yes anything, so Elise what would you like to do today?"

"C-can I not do any housework today?"

"Elise I've been telling you since day one you never had to do any housework anyway so that's something you already get anyway, is there anything else?"

"Well I don't know anything else that I would want …"

"So there isn't anywhere you want to go or anything you want to do?"

Elise shook her head as Gentou sighed since he probably should have planned for that, thinking quickly he came up with a solution.

"Alright Elise I know what we'll do today we'll go explore the temple you like exploring right?"

"B-b-but the temple is outside are you sure I can go outside!"

"Elise you are free to go outside anytime you want you aren't my slave you are your own person, if you want to go outside then you can do it, but until you are well let me know when you go outside in case you get into trouble ok."

Elise nodded quickly as he slowly stood up from behind the couch and motioned for her to follow.

"Alright come on Elise take my hand and we'll walk over to the temple, if you need to rest just say so."

Elise moved over to Gentou as quickly as she could feeling something inside her she couldn't describe, taking a chance she decided to ask Gentou about it.

"G-Gentou I feel … strange inside, am I sick?"

"Hmm what exactly are you feeling?"

"Well we are going outside and heading somewhere and I feel something that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside."

"Oh don't worry Elise you aren't sick that's called being excited," Gentou chuckled though inwardly he was seething that she didn't even know what excitement felt like.

"Excited … excited is good?"

"Yes it's an emotion tied to being happy you know what that is right?"

"Happy … the feeling when you gave me the … gift?"

"Yes that's what happy is good job Elise you are such a smart girl," Gentou said as Elise seemed to blush slightly from the praise and looked down at her feet.

Gentou opened the door and Elise had to squint due to the bright light of the sun as her eyes adjusted, after a few moments she slowly opened her eyes and her eyes widened in surprise.

"So pretty …"

Elise marvelled at the village of Kihetai that was build atop and into a mountain, Gentou's home was situated atop the mountain giving them a great view of the village and the valley below.

"Come Elise let us head to the temple," Gentou said softly as he slowly lead them to the temple which was at the end of the village atop the mountain.

Elise was panting when the two arrived and Gentou leant down to see if she was alright, Elise merely nodded simply wanting to enjoy every moment of this day. With a small smile Gentou opened the door and the two walked inside.

The temple was dimly lit with all sorts of markings adorning the walls that Elise couldn't understand; priests kneeled before braziers chanting in another language however her eyes immediately locked onto a large altar atop a pyramid like structure at the end of the massive hall.

Situated atop the altar was an Ebony Sword with four flames lit around it, before Elise had a chance to comment on it Gentou began to speak.

"This is the Temple Of Eternal Armageddon a place where we worship the God of War in all his glory, it is here that we pray for victory and blessings against any who would face us and that war shall avoid us."

"The God … of War, but what if it is a woman?"

"A woman cannot be the God of War that is preposterous," a voice cut in as Gentou sighed.

"Aniel she's only six and has no idea about the cult it's a fair question."

"It is blasphemy!"

"She doesn't even know what that means Aniel leave her be," Gentou said more sternly as the hooded priest scoffed and stormed off leaving the two alone.

"G-Gentou why can't there be a Goddess of War?"

"Because that sword belonged to the God of War himself and was left behind long ago that's why, I take it you like the sword?"

"I feel something coming from it but I don't know what it is," Elise replied seemingly captivated by it.

"Yes that is the mystery behind it, left behind by the God of War after a battle long ago we use it as a way to commune with him and offer worship."

"And does the God ever respond in kind?"

"Well we are still here aren't we; the village was founded hundreds of years ago and has never been attacked so yes I suppose he has."

"So you worship the God of War?"

"Yes I am a Priest of the Cult of Eternal Armageddon and a high ranking one due to my years of service to the village."

"What are those symbols all around the altar?"

"Those are words Elise I suppose you don't know how to read and write then, don't feel bad I'll teach you how to read and write but as for what the words on the altar say it says this. Here lies the sword of the God of War, we offer ourselves upon his Divine grace. Here stands his noble blade let he who discovers its true power ascend to stand at his side, ride unto battle wielding the forces of war at their command."

"I don't understand how can a human reach the level of a God?"

Gentou chuckled as he placed a hand on her shoulder affectionately ignoring the slight flinch upon contact.

"Don't worry about it your too young to understand it right now Elise I'm sure you'll get it when your older, come I'll show you the village and I'll buy you some ice cream."

"Ice cream?"

"It's a … look you'll understand when I give you one."

"Another gift?"

"It's both a gift and food Elise but you'll see soon enough now come along," Gentou said as the two began to leave the temple however Elise's eyes never left the sword until it was out of sight the aura it exuded gave her that same feeling of excitement but made the one she felt in the house feel like nothing.

It was at that moment Elise knew she would solve the mystery behind the sword no matter how long it took … if Gentou would let her.

So I just ruined Elise's childhood I feel so bad and the there is worse still to come I actually feel awful for doing this but it is her story as heart wrenching as it is. And yes this story is being told by an older Elise so expect bits of the present but nothing crazy from them just conversation and stuff.

So I hope this first chapter was to Elise fans liking as brutal as I was to her childhood yes her parents were Dark Guild scum sadly but you aren't a Fairy Tail character if you don't have a tragic back-story so you know sticking with the theme and all.

Things will progress a little slow with no real combat the first few chapters at least not that I can foresee yet anyway so hopefully you all stick around.

Anyway as always I hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!