Family is More Than Blood
Arc 1 Chapter 2: About Stars, Wishes and Wood
Lucy's shoulder blade was on fire.
Well, not literally. Though, with Natsu around it was easy to see why people would get confused. She wasn't literally on fire, it just hurt like someone had set it on fire. She was experiencing sudden pains like these on and off ever since the war last year. At first, she shrugged it off as nothing more than phantom pain from a past battle, but lately it has been acting up more than usual, appearing once or twice a week and making her want to rip her shoulder off just to get some peace and quiet. She considered going to Wendy for help but rejected the idea as she got a feeling it's not something physical. Shifting uncomfortably on her seat, she sighed. The ride to Draseel was 8 hours long, and they were only 2 and a half hours in. Wendy rested on Erza's lap, looking pale, while Carla stroked her head soothingly. Gray was napping whilst Happy was drooling over Carla. Sighing again, she looked out of the window. The sky was already dark by the time their train sat out and now every star was shining brightly in the clear night sky. Watching the many constellations she learned about from a very young age she smiled. Every constellation had its spirit, the thought that there were so many celestial spirits out making her all giddy inside. But lately, every time she looked up to the shiny orbits and thought about the spirits that guard them her shoulder blade would burst in pain, stealing her breath and making her heart beat fast as her temperature raised. Like now, for example.
Tonight, the pain was horrible. It felt as if someone was sticking a hot needle under her skin whilst trying to break her back with a hammer. Breath hitching, she shifted again in her seat, trying to massage the pain away. Tears clouded her vision from the pain and she had to bite her lower lips in order to keep in the whimper that was threatening to escape. Her movements caught the attention of her pink-haired partner as Natsu, who was napping in her lap ever since they boarded the train, rolled up to look at her from his spot and scrunched his nose in worry.
"You okay?" He mouthed to her, not wanting to alert the others if it was a false alarm.
Placing her hand at her side after finishing the massage, she nodded and tried to smile at him, though the pain still lingered on her back. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she tucked a stray hair behind her ear and ruffled his bangs while smiling (this time successfully) at him and nodding her head. He stared at her for a few seconds before a new wave nausea came over him and his face turned green. Laughing quietly, she felt the pain subside and moved her shoulder in circles a few times to check for any strange feeling. After confirming that the uncomfortable feeling has passed, allowed herself to relax as she caressed Natsu's hair, hands diving into his pink, soft truffles and combing it with her fingers. Natsu was fast asleep, completely knocked out on her thighs. He seemed to be having a dream, by the amount of expressions on his face and the small noises he made. She really wished sometimes that she could enter his mind and see what's he thinking and or dreaming about. It genuinely made her curious. Natsu made a small noise, something between a choke to a laugh, and it made her even more than ever, interested to know what the hell does Natsu do in his mind?
Well, too bad I can't just snap my fingers and bam! I'm in his dream. She thought to herself in disappointment I guess understanding how Natsu thinks will stay one of those questions without answers. Giggling silently, she looked down again at his sleeping face. Quickly glancing up, she made sure that Gray was still asleep, as well as Erza, Wendy, Carla and Happy. Releasing a breath, she leaned down and placed her forehead on Natsu's, closing her eyes.
The houses all around her were burning down… a man diving to save a woman before getting hit with an ice blast… the dragon looked down on her before preparing his next attack… the girl being pulled underwater by chains, as her eyes are wide with panic and struggling to break free, screaming with no voice-
Lucy shot up in her seat, heart beating like a drum in her rib cage and her breaths are shallow and unsteady. What was that? Was she really watching Natsu's dream? How? And was that girl the one he told her about? So many questions ran through her head, until she felt a tugging on her sleeve. Looking down, Happy looked at her with worry in his eyes, clearly stressed from her current state.
"Is everything okay Lushi? Did you have a bad dream?" He asked her with a slight tremble in his voice as he held her hand tightly. Lucy mentally kicked herself. Happy hated nightmares, the fact that for a few months after the war all of them were having the worst moments from the battle come and disturb their sleep. When he and Natsu crashed at her apartment, he usually couldn't sleep because Lucy would silently cry in her sleep and Natsu's lack of peaceful, dreamless nights that were instead filled with terror. Happy would usually cuddle between them on her bed, trying to make them feel better by being there for them, but he grew to despise those awful nightly horrors for disturbing his friend's minds over and over. Shaking her head, she smiled at him. Patting him on the head and trying to radiant a warm aura to make him feel better.
"I don't think I'm the one with nightmares tonight, Happy" she looked at their pink-headed dragon slayer friend that was stationed on her lap "Natsu's has it way rougher than us," as if on cue, Natsu whimpered slightly, his shoulders tensing.
"What do you mean "having it rough"?" Happy's concern to his buddy was clear.
"Well," Lucy bit her lip "I'm not too sure of it myself, but I think I just caught a few glimpses of Natsu's dreams" she wasn't too sure about it, but saying it out loud now actually made sense. In some way she somehow managed to look into her partner's dreams. But how? She questioned herself how did I do that? Last time she checked, she had Celestial Magic, a Spatial based magic and in no way something that will allow her to watch other's dreams. So how did she managed to do that? The questions seem to haunt her, and honestly, she was having none of that. It all started when I wished that I could see what Natsu was dreaming about. She retraced her step "but how could that do anythi- OWWW!" She yelled, clutching her suddenly burning shoulder. Her yell seemed to wake Gray and Erza, who had jumped up in their seat as if someone used electric shock on them, as well as Natsu and Wendy, who the moment they opened their eyes immediately got all dizzy and nauseous again.
"What's happening? Who yelled?!" Gray looked around quickly, looking for the non-existing attacker.
"Is everything alright Lucy?" Erza asked her in concern, her eyes scanning the scene in front of her; Lucy sitting in the train seat, grabbing her shoulder like it was just dislocated. Natsu in her lap, trying to get up in vain, giving in to the motion sickness, and Happy who was looking like he might cry at any second now. Lucy cursed in her head. If there was something she hated, it was to worry her friends.
"It's… nothing" she lied, hating herself for that "a phantom pain, really. Not something to worry about" she smiled at them reassuringly, and seemed to have put the others at ease.
All except one Dragon Slayer, who wasn't buying any of that crap.
Elsewhere, at the same time…
Ignia positioned himself on the grass so that he could lay there comfortably. He was in for another night of stargazing and loneliness, not that he'll ever admit he was lonely. There is only one person that he would ever agree to tolerate, and she was gone for a long while now.
Of course, thoughts about her made him think about them, the other Dragon Gods.
There was Mercphobia, the peace-loving weakling.
Aldron, that giant wood bastard.
Beerness, that good-for-nothing low-life metal brain,
And Selene, the only one who is remotely sane amongst the others, and yet is waaaay too crazy for his sanity to stay intact for more than ten minutes around her.
But that Moon dragon still was best friends with her, so she wasn't a complete waste of space, but still not enough to make him want to actually hangout with her.
Looking up at the stars, he could remember a conversation he had with his beloved friend before everything happened. While they were watching the stars after she got him hooked on them.
"Look Ignia, a shooting star! We gotta make a wish!" She pointed at the sky, where a flaming comet just left a trail of shiny dust whilst on his journey across the galaxy.
Ignia grunted as she shook his arm and disturbed his peaceful state "why would i wish something from a flaming rock? It's not like it's going to affect whether or not my wish comes true" in all honesty, Ignia sometimes had no idea how he was friends with her. She was so… weird. Always smiling, and dancing and twirling around in the middle of the forest while laughing, her long hair swishing around her and always get leaves caught in it. She used to drag him in his human form, human form!, To the festivals humans had in their pathetic little villages, and he always had to stand and watch as she danced all night long with the filthy meat bags, while the males all around her were ogling at her… lady parts and trying to make a pass at her. She always smiled at them and laughed from their lame jokes and stupid antics, but never let them get too close, because after all, she wasn't stupid. One time one of the males tried to grab her chest, and something just snapped in Ignia, telling him that if he were to burn that piece of crap to ashes he will be doing the world a favor. Before he managed to get to him though, she caught the male's hand and casually threw him behind her back headfirst into a pile of animal poop like she was doing nothing but flicking her hair away from her face. After that she grabbed Ignia's hand and dragged him away from the village, into the woods. He could feel she was upset, but didn't know what to do. He wasn't the best at handling situations involving feelings, she usually was the one to take care of him. As they slowed down, Ignia could feel her mood lifting up bit by bit, and realized he was picking up the salty smell of water, meaning she was taking him to the lake they saw earlier when they made their way to the village through the forest. The lake was wide, though it seemed pretty shallow. As the moon was full, it's reflection could be seen on the lake's surface, as well as all the stars that shone brightly. Turning to her, he saw she was staring at him, not the lake.
She smiled at him, and then without further warning, pushed him into the water before taking off her golden ornaments and jumping in as well. He broke through the water's surface, wet to the bone and found her laughing at his dripping hair. Seeing that, it made him feel quite mischievous, so he grabbed her waist from behind and sent her squealing into the water, where she emerged from completely drenched and claimed he was cheating by catching her by surprise. The moonlight illuminated her dripping hair that stuck to her back, making it reflect its light as she grinned at him. In the end Ignia speculated that that night might not have been a complete disaster after all.
"-nia, Ignia! Are you listening to me?" She shook his arm again.
"Yeah. You were saying something about wishes and shooting stars or whatever" he sat up, facing her "i still think it's stupid"
"Look," she began, grabbing his hand with her own and pointing at the stars with her free one "just make a wish. That's all I'm asking you to do. And if it's a good wish, maybe it'll come true!" She smiled at him confidently.
"Ugh, fine! But I'm only doing it to stop your whining" he gave in, both of them knowing he can't say no to her no matter what.
She smiled at him, her eyes reflecting the stars, and he felt like the whole world just got brighter. "That's all I'm asking" she repeated, squeezing his hand.
"What are you gonna wish for?" He asked her while they were waiting for another shooting star to appear in the sky.
"I'm going to ask for…" she stopped and giggled "you know what? I'm not telling' you!" She laughed wholeheartedly into her free hand at the hurt expression on his face.
"The hell?! Then I'm not telling you!" He retorted and turned his back to her, faking a pout.
"Oh come on, Igni" she used his nickname, meaning whatever she said next will make him forgive her "it's just that I'm a bit embarrassed about it, that's all" she poked his puffed cheek in playfulness.
Sighing and knowing he was doomed either way, he gave up "fine. But if you won't tell me I won't tell you too. That way we're even"
She held out her hand towards him "deal?"
He shook her hand "deal."
"And just in time as well," she pointed at the sky "look!"
Looking up, a new meteor shower graced the starry night with shining trails of dust. He felt her letting go of him and looked over at the one who he considered the most important person of his life, and saw that she closed her eyes and held her hands in a prayer. so, he did the same and closed his eyes, wishing for the only thing he could ever need.
A few days afterwards, the war could not be ignored anymore, and they and all of their friends were forced to fight at the front row against the powerful mages of the enemy. And few weeks after that, in a battle that took everything from him, he stopped believing in wishes all together. knowing that wishes are a lie foolish human believe in. and not once did he ever hear about a wish coming true. No, he stopped believing in wishes when he saw his own perish in front of him.
Because he wished for him and her to always be able to watch the night sky together.
But that could never happen again.
Shaking his head from those thoughts, he looked up once more in time to see a single shooting star crossing the sky. Sighing, he knew that even though he doesn't believe in wishes anymore, he needs to try one more time, he needs to make this last wish, for the little chance that it might help.
I wish i could tell her how i really felt, that time under the stars.
Closing his eyes, he felt a single tear rolling down his cheek. allowing himself to drift off into the dream realm, he hoped that maybe tonight, he would be able see another memory from the time he was happy.
The time he was with her.
Draseel, the next day…
"Freedom!" Natsu ran around the streets of Draseel. The clean air was great, smelling of freshly baked bread and newly cut wood. The train ride was horrible, and he was close to jumping out the window and end it all a few times. But arriving at the city, he forgot his thoughts about misery and marveled on the sheer size of it. Being bigger than Crucus and far more architecturally advanced, Draseel was indeed a sight to behold for Natsu and his team, who's own country was nothing like this. As he walked down the street, he recalled his private conversation with Mercphobia before they left Elmina.
"Natsu," the Water God Dragon called after the pink-haired mage "may i talk to you in private?"
Erza grabbed Lucy and Wendy by the shoulders "let's go. Natsu, when you're done, meet us at the entrance to the city." She dragged them off, with Gray and the Exceeds following them.
Turning to the horned man, Natsu crossed his arms on his chest "so, what's up?" He felt this conversation is going to be quite grim.
"I meant what I said earlier" Mercphobia opened "the other Dragon Gods are nothing like me. Each one of them is stronger and fiercer for even a Dragon to handle, and Ignia is the worst of them all. He's nothing like what he used to be. He is more ferocious and wicked, with a twisted way of thinking and a thirst for destruction. You cannot defeat him."
Natsu lifted his eyebrow, a bit annoyed "seems like you two really don't like each other huh?" He didn't like it when people told him it was impossible for him to do something, like they had no faith in him. He experienced that many times with Future Rogue, Zeref and Acnologia, all of which he fought and won against, even if it took everything he had and more. And now Mercphobia was telling him that no matter what he'd do, he'll still won't be able to win against the prick Ignia.
Mercphobia sighed and shook his head, like he could hear the Dragon "it's not that I don't believe in you. I do! It's just that… look, me and Ignia might not see eye to eye now, but it wasn't always like this. We used to be close friends" Natsu's face furrowed "oh? Then what happened?" He asked.
"The same thing that made Acnologia who he is," the horned dragon looked down "he lost someone precious to him"
Natsu gritted his teeth. Losing someone important to you is something he has a lot of experience with. Igneel and Future Lucy were the prime example, with each of them alone being one of his most cherished people.
"Was whoever he lost… important to him?" The Dragon Slayer looked up at the Water God who smiled at him with nostalgia "important? Try the most precious and adored person in his life. His roar of rage and heartbreak on the battlefield was so loud you could hear it from miles away. It was tragic."
Natsu could understand that. When he thought Lucy was dead, he became a literal Demon. And if Ignia lost someone who meant so much to him, he could feel himself relate to the Fire Dragon God. But…
"I still have to defeat him in order to finish the quest." Natsu reminded Mercphobia who nodded. "I know, and I think it needs to be done as well. He's been on the rampage for years; he needs to be stopped. But he isn't like anything you faced before. Strength is not what's going to win you a battle against him. You'll have to find another way of fighting. Another method. Only then will you be able to defeat him and complete your mission."
Natsu nodded in agreement. "Don't you worry. I will train hard until I'd be able to take him down with a single punch!" He moved his fist up in the air, to further prove his point.
Mercphobia laughed and patted the pink-headed dragon's shoulder "don't ever change, my friend. Until then, however, i suggest you try your luck with the other Dragons first. Maybe Aldron. He's strong, but if you can take him down, the other two will be a piece of cake."
Natsu grinned at him "will do man! I'm all fired up!"
"Natsu! Will you wait up?!" Lucy called behind him. Her hair in cute long pigtails and wearing a long sleeved, pink golf shirt with frills on the chest area, and a cute frilly black and white skirt. To her feet she donned her usual combat boots, and her whip and keys were tied to her belt which rested on her hips a little uneven.
Behind her Erza, wearing her usual armor and skirt combo, was dragging her luggage while Wendy, Carla and Happy were chatting with Gray, who was looking at the map of the city. They took two of them when they left the train station, in case of someone getting lost or the group separated. The woman who handed them the map asked if this was the first time they visited Draseel. When they answered positively, she giggled into her hand and warned them that this city is a little… tricky for new people. Not that they had any idea what she meant by it.
Finally reaching him, Lucy made her pouting face, where she puffed one of her cheeks in annoyance and cross her arms across her chest. He knew that he might have ran too fast in the excitement of a new city to explore and the feeling of freedom from the "death trap" called train, but man, if she was going to make faces like this every time he does something like that, he might just run off a lot more. The way she was pouting was just so adorable. Though he knew that even if that's what he thought, saying it out loud was not an option. It seems people just can't handle it well when he says something to compliment them or not being a complete dense idiot.
He grinned at her "sorry Luce. My bad. Just couldn't wait to check out the city y'know?" He waved behind him at the arches and brick walls around them.
Lucy just rolled her eyes and smiled "sure. Just next time, wait for everyone" she forgave him "but you have a point, this place is incredible!" She spinned around to try and catch it all with her eyes.
Erza appears from behind them with Wendy, Gray and the Exceeds "indeed. This is quite the sight" she agreed with Lucy "now, shall we get a room?"
They all cheered at the thought of a chance to lay back and bath after that long train ride "i hope they have yummy fishies here!" Happy exclaimed excitedly "I'm hoping they have decent bath here." Lucy pointed out "oh!" Her eyes lit up "look there! It's a hot springs inn! Can we go there Erza? Please please please?" She begged the scarlet knight.
"A hot spring? Well, it does sounds tempting. Why not?" Lucy and Wendy cheered and ran towards the large wooden inn, who had a big sign at front announcing "Sunflower Hot Springs Inn" is open for business. Shrugging, Natsu followed the girls together with Gray and Happy. He never understood the girls constant need for baths. He took one once a week and he was fine. Though Lucy does complain when he sleeps in her bed all sweaty. What a weirdo.
Entering the inn, Natsu got the feeling that someone was watching him. He turned around to see if his suspicions are right only to realize that there's no one there.
"Hey Natsu! You coming?" Happy called to him from the check-in counter.
Glancing one last time around, Natsu decided that it was just his imagination. Walking back to his friends, he convinced himself that he's just tired from the train and needs a good night's sleep.
From the corner of the inn, a character engulfed in shadows watch the team of adventurers who just checked in. More importantly, the person focused on the pink-haired one.
Natsu Dragneel they thought to themselves you play a big part in this plan. Question is, will you succeed, or will you die trying? I'll be waiting to see how it plays out. Salamander of Fairy Tail.
At the Hot Springs…
The girls sighed in content as they soaked their bodies in the hot springs' water. After not showering for at least 5 days, they deserved it.
It was an outdoor bath, so the man's baths were on the other side of the thick wooden wall. They could hear Natsu and Happy's voices echoing from the other side, though they couldn't understand what they were talking about since the wall was very high. Dipping in deeper into the hot water, Lucy allowed herself to relax. The train ride was awful, but it was worth it if it meant soaking herself inside this heavenly water. Though, there was only one thing that bothered her…
Why is this city so… off? She wondered. Something was definitely not right. The feeling she got the moment they got off the train was… odd. She knew that there was a lot of magic presence in big cities such as this one, but the magic she got was not from the people. No, it was from the city itself.
Her thoughts were cut short when she heard a large "BANG!" from the other side of the baths, then Happy's laughter and Gray's cackling, followed by Natsu demanding they'd shut up, to which they ignored and continued laughing at him. Sighing, Lucy knew it was only a matter of time before something will get burned, freezed or slimy from fish, and it might be best for her to get out from the baths before she's dragged into the mess.
"I'm done with my bath. You girls coming?" She turned to the other females. They all declined her offer politely, saying that they would prefer to soak in the springs a little bit more before getting out. Nodding, Lucy grabbed her towel headed towards the inner room of the baths, where they took off their clothes and laid them in the baskets that were meant for it before entering the water. When they first came in, Lucy noticed that there was a selection of yukatas in a variety of colors for after-the-bath wear. Choosing a cute pink one with white stripes and cherry blossom flowers embroidered onto the front, she finished tying the wine-colored sash around her waist and stepped out of the female baths by moving the red, thick curtain with the word "Woman" on it in white, immediately bumping into someone's chest and knocking them to the ground while falling on top of them.
"Ouch. Jeez Luce, look where're going." Natsu sat up and robbed the back of his head, his men's yukata sleeve falling down, revealing his shoulder and a bit of his muscular arm. Realizing that she was one, staring at him and two, still on top of him, she scrambled to get off him and made sure that her yukata is still on her unlike his.
"Sorry about that. I was lost in thoughts" she apologized to him as she bent down and forwarded her hand towards him to help him get up. He grinned at her and grabbed her hand, pulling himself up. They stayed quiet for a few minutes, only for Lucy to realize that she still didn't let go of his hand, and they were in fact, still holding each other's hand. Quickly pulling away, she moved her hands behind her back and started walking towards their rooms. "You coming?" She looked back at him. He shook his head as if shaking away bad thoughts and ran after her, stopping by her side and walking down the hall.
"Where are Gray and Happy?" She started a conversation. Honestly Natsu being quiet was a bit unsettling.
"They wanted to soak some more. I'm used to the hit so the moment i got cleaned i got out." He told her, placing his hands behind his head as support. Lucy made a soft 'oh' and continued walking in silence with him. Something was seriously wrong. Usually they'd have tons of stuff to say, but ever since Natsu had that dream he told her about he's been quiet. Always deep in thoughts and having a blank expression on his face. She tried talking to him but it seemed like he was completely closed, which was so unlike him it unsettled her greatly.
As they arrived at the room, she went into the girls room and heard Natsu following suite, probably because he would have been lonely in a room alone. The room was pretty spacious, with wooden floors and walls, as well as sliding doors. The only window was located on the biggest wall of the room, just across from the door and two chairs and a table beneath it. It was round and blinds from, you guessed it- wood, were keeping it shut. She walked up to the window and opened it. A cool breeze hit her face gently, and she closed her eyes and breathed slowly. Looking at the sky, she let herself bath in their light and tried to feel the connection between her and them. But a moment afterwards, she gasped in pain and fell to her knees, clutching her shoulder.
"Lucy!" Natsu rushed to her side, picking her up and looking around for any intruders that might have hurt her "what's wrong?" He asked frantically. Honestly, even if she wanted, she couldn't tell him as she had no idea what the hell was happening to her. It seems every time she thinks about the stars her body reacts negatively and starts hurting. She heard the door opening and Erza calling "what happened?!" While Gray, Wendy, Happy and Carla gasped as they saw Natsu on his knees, with Lucy in his arms while the latter is having trouble breathing and clutches her shoulder like her life is on the line.
"I don't know!" Natsu answered, clearly in distress "once second she was fine and looking out the window, the next thing i know she's suddenly on the floor and gasping like she didn't breathe in years!"
"Did you just say gasping?" Gray asked in shock.
"Is that really what you're going to focus on right now?!" Natsu questioned him in disbelief "it was clearly something from the window, so close the damned window already would 'ya?!" He ordered.
Erza rushed to the window and slammed it shut. The moment it hit the frame Lucy was able to relax and let go of her shoulder. Everyone in the room gave a sigh of relief as she rose up to a sitting position and looked around. They were all watching her in anticipation, but she just shrugged her shoulders and said "so… dinner?"
30 minutes later...
"And you have no idea why that happened?" Natsu asked her while stuffing his mouth with meat. They ordered room service and were currently eating dinner in the girls' room while questioning Lucy on her "issue" from earlier.
It worried everyone sick since they learned it wasn't the first time it happened to her. It kinda made him angry that she didn't tell him about it but said she didn't think it was anything serious so she kept quiet.
Lucy shook her head " no. I have no idea how it happened or why. All i know is that i was looking at the stars and thinking about them when it happened." She used her chopsticks to bring more rice into her mouth from her small bowl.
Erza swallowed her drink "still, it is very disturbing that it has happened. Please alert me if it happens again." She poured more sake into her small cup. Lucy nodded and assured her that she will. Wendy was eating and chatting with Carla while Happy was devouring his fish and Gray eliminating his meat.
Lucy grabbed some steamed vegetables from the communal bowl. "Anyway, weird pains aside, tomorrow we should probably start looking for Aldron. He's supposed to be huge but then again this city isn't that small either." And she made a good point. Igneel was quite big himself but in this city, he would've been hard to spot as well.
"although, something did bother me earlier," she continued " it was in the map. hold on, I'll find it." She got up and walked to her bag, pulling out a map of the city. "Uh…found it!" She yelled out as she waved the map in victory and walked back towards the table before stopping mid-step "uh... guys? Is the table shaking?" She asked.
Natsu furrowed his face in confusion " how much did you drink Luce?" He asked her.
"I didn't you idiot! Look, the table is shaking!" She pointed at the table. At this point he saw that all their drinks are rattling and the bowls and plates were slowly making their way across the table with each shake.
"Not just the table, the whole inn is shaking!" Gray called in panic "it might be an earthquake! We need to get outside!"
They quickly got up and ran outside, only to see that all the city was shaking and people were holding on to whatever they could. Surprisingly though, nobody was screaming in horror. It was like they were used to it. Natsu approached an old woman who was sitting on her knees in the middle of the street "excuse me, what's going on around here? Why isn't anybody freaking out?" He asked her. The woman smiled at him nicely "oh! You must be tourists. This is a normal accuracy in Draseel. We're used to it, though I could see how it might be scary seeing it for the first time."
Erza intervened in the conversation "so you have earthquakes here often?!" She asked in panic.
The woman laughed "earthquakes? Oh no dear. This is no such thing."
Wendy let out a small squeak "uh, guys? T-the ground is lifting up!" She was right. As the ground lifted, they had to fight to stay on their legs.
The woman shifted so she'd be more comfortable sitting like that and said "now, let's just pray to the great trees." She moved her hands together in a prayer.
Trees? She doesn't mean… There's no chance that Natsu was right. Lucy made a startled noise as her map flew out of her hand and she got a look at it "the city… it's in the shape of a hand!" She called out in distress as suddenly a large shadow began to cover them all, bringing darkness to the streets.
"Indeed, it is dear," the elder woman said as the shadow began to cover the street they were in "Draseel's right hand. Or rather…" she pointed up, and they looked there, their eyes immediately widening in fear and disbelief. Above them, towered a massive dragon, so big the he was able to cast shadow over all Draseel in her full size. His neck was thick at the base but became thinner as it got closer to the head, which had a small, mask like face, with small, dot like eyes and a huge cut that seemed to be his mouth. A huge tree could be seen on his back, and it seemed like his entire body was made of tree roots.
"The great Wood God Dragon, Aldron's right hand." The woman finished her sentence.
"Aldron..." Erza whispered.
"This city's on top of a hand?!" Gray called in disbelief.
Lucy held her hand close to her chest "wait, so you're saying right now… we're…"
"On top of Aldron…" Wendy completed the sentence with a mere whisper.
Natsu looked at the face of the dragon, his eyes wide and his face sweaty from stress.
"I heard he was huge," he couldn't fathom this at all "but... this is way to big…"
And cut! Phew, this was a tough one.
I was going to upload it sooner, but life kept trying to make me do things and i couldn't make time to write more than a few hundred words a day.
I try to do each chapter at least 5 or 6k words, and it is a task. But now I managed to free up a lot of weeks for a few months so updates would be smoother and less long.
Do realize that English is not my native language and I will make grammar mistakes as the story progresses, but I will get better.
For another thing, about the ending of this chapter, yes. I did look at the last panels of chapter 27 of the real manga for information. I would like this story to be as much canon as it can be, such as character design and personality as well as having the story itself that I planned. So yeah, Aldron does look the same as he is in the manga, and I will try and make his personality similar too. Emphasis on "try". This also includes Ignia and Touka. Yes Touka. I didn't forget her, and I do plan on featuring her and the rest of the guild in this story as well, though not before chapter 4 at least.
Welp, I think that's it for today. Don't forget to favorite, review and follow since I need the support to actually do stuff in my life. Building criticism will be helpful.
Until next time!
Snowwaffles.