~THE EIGHT GAVES~

CHAPTER 2

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Makarov Dreyer strolled down the long halls of the west wing. Bright sunlight shone through tall windows that casted beautiful rays on the wooden floors. The kingdoms insignia hung on the mile high walls on curtains placed in between each set of glass, bearing their pride and courage proudly throughout the Kings castle.

The old man wore a frown beneath his mustache. He gazed to the parchment in his stubby fingers, holding it with a subdued outrage he struggled to contain. He snorted out of his nose at the words on the page and stuffed it back in his bag that rested on his shoulder, nearly dragging on the floor.

"Gramps!"

Makarov stopped and turned to see the bright jade eyes he knew all too well.

"Natsu, I won't say this again, it's Sir or General. Show some respect for once will you?" He snorted at the boy.

Natsu merely rolled his eyes, stopping once approaching the elder. "You know it's too late to change it now, Gramps."

Makarov narrowed his eyes at the half smile he wore, twisting his wrinkled lips in a sort of pout, "What do you want? I'm very busy right now."

Natsu suddenly straightened his face, dissolving all the apparent easement between them, "You haven't ordered me for practice in days. I haven't heard a thing from you since we spoke about the human. I want to battle, to fight, to do something but sit and wait for your call."

Makarov saw the eager gleam in his eyes and sighed heavily. He could understand the distraught Natsu had, but couldn't deny the fact he nearly forgot about him all in all. The past days have been messy and were only getting worse as time went on, and he knew personally that Natsu was not a patient soul. He was always energized and ready to take on whatever challenge came towards him. He had an itch for sparring, always got a rise out of proving he was the stronger man and being the center of attention pride wise. He learned that beautiful trait from his father.

"Oh, yes, your training. I've been meaning to get around to that, the human-"

"I mean actual training Gramps. You know, the one that'll actually be useful once this war finally blows up?" Natsu sneered, "I'm tired of wasting all of my time, I want to train."

"And you will," Makarov nodded, turning on his heel to continue down the hall, "With the help of the human."

Natsu held back a growl and a roll of his eyes. He jogged to catch up with the old man and stood a foot in his way, "You know what I mean Gramps," Makarov swerved around his foot and ignored him, "Isn't Laxus around? What about you?"

"No actually I don't, we are all very busy." He answered briefly.

Natsu halted with reluctance and gaped, annoyed, at his retreating figure. He closed his mouth and suppressed a groan, before seething out, "What about the girl?"

Makarov glanced back with amusement to his question, but sighed in disappointment. "She is as well."

Natsu finally let out a loud groan that echoed throughout the halls, "What could she possibly be busy with?"

Makarov stopped and gave a pondering look, "Oh I don't know, maybe adjusting to the conditions of an alien planet, or getting tested for any unknown human diseases she might have, or maybe even learning about Verdesi and all it's wonderful glory?"

Natsu sent him a look from the tone he held, but scrunched up his nose in confusion, "Verdesi?"

Makarov raised his eyebrows with a light smile, "Yes, Verdesi. You know, the planet we live on? Come on Natsu, I know intelligence isn't your greatest strength but you have to at least try sometimes."

Natsu glared at him and walked closer, squinting at the harsh rays that poured through the window, "I mean why would she need to know about Verdesi? What use is it?"

"Well it would be confusing for her if she just waltzed into our world without a clue as to what it's like. I'm sure she's been nervous and scared, so doing this would hopefully assure her of her role."

"You're sure? What, haven't you met her yet?" Natsu asked, a small smile growing on his lips.

"Well not exactly," he shrugged feebly, "But I've heard of some very promising updates about her. Like I said, I've been very busy and the woman still has much to learn about our planet."

Natsu heard Makarov sigh heavily again and scratch at the few hairs on his head.

"She's managed to learn our language in the few days she's been here. A bright one she is, but her peoples lack of advanced technology nearly astounds me every time she doesn't know how to operate our inventions. She still needs time. She needs to learn not just about what we are, but about who we are and all we've been through. Our history, our culture, our hopeful plans for the future..."

Natsu exhaled in wearing patience. He eyed the old man and rose an eyebrow, "So no training then?"

Makarov was annoyed at his negligence towards his problems but said nothing about it. He instead rolled his eyes at the boy and turned away from him. "Arena in an hour. If you're late I'm leaving, no excuses."

Makarov could hear the grin on Natsu's face. He made a small smile of his own and continued down the long rug of the hallway.

~THE EIGHT GAVES~

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Makarov watched with a careful eye as a searing inferno of fire filled his gaze. Dust clouded up into the sky from the staggering feet of the fire breather as his own power forced him back on his heels. The opponent tumbled and dodged, but without a burning singe as the fabric he wore caught fire.

Natsu launched himself forward and leaped in the air, his feet burning. With his fist tightened, words flew out of his mouth before he could register what he was yelling. A magic circle sprouted before his fist. Ancient writings symbols shined in a fiery flash before his fist connected with the opponent's cheekbone. Makarov only saw an explosion after that.

The opponent went flying, painful grunts and yelps erupting from his mouth with every bounce he tumbled on the harsh sandstone. His red, searing face could be seen from the watchtower like a bullseye target.

"We should really invest in some stronger opponents."

Makarov glanced over to his grandson's sudden appearance, surprised, as he claimed the seat next to him. He sighed down to his lap and shook his head, "He was told not to engage-" He nodded towards Natsu, who jerked his way suddenly, "Because this is a defense lesson!"

Natsu merely raised an eyebrow. Laxus couldn't help but smirk at his grandfather's irritated look as the boy meandered around the arena, kicking up dust and ultimately ignoring the man groaning of pain beside him.

"How much longer do you think it will take?" Laxus asked, quieting his voice so Natsu could not hear. Makarov glanced over, confused, but then understood he meant the human.

"Not long," He answered quickly, obviously annoyed at the reoccurring question, "A day or two at the most."

Laxus hummed heavily. He trained over his thoughts again as his grandfather ordered another set from Natsu again. They sat back, watching carefully as the opponent from before slowly stood and made his way through the gate and another came through.

They sat through Natsu's next round, watching the flow of his movements as his opponent proved a challenge for him. Laxus could see his grandfathers eyes were clouded with thought. He knew what he was thinking of, but from the tone of his voice from his previous question, he wasn't sure it was something he wanted to bring up. He did nonetheless, as it wasn't something that could be evaded forever.

"Do you really think this human can help him?" Laxus asked softly, his eyes focused on the battle. He heard Makarov exhale, but received no words in reply, so he began himself, "I mean, given the amount of time we have and her obvious knowledge of this place..."

"We have no choice." He said darkly, "She has to help him, she will help him. We have no room to be concerned with her productivity.."

Laxus gazed to him out of the corner of his eye and saw him relax at the sight of Natsu winning once again.

"And I have faith in him. It won't be an easy task, it's obviously proven its challenge over him, but I know he can do it. It's not like how the first of us did it, it's different for every person. People have different skills, different mindsets, but all similar weaknesses. It took one years of training before she was able to grasp it. Just give him a little more time." Makarov urged.

Those who have accomplished Dragon Force have perished for decades now. With a new generation, a new hope has sprouted that the ancient craft will not be deemed impossible to achieve. People have trained for the able mindset for their entire lives, yet never have been able to practice the form. It granted the user unimaginable power. It channeled through their veins from within them and came out in their magic. It was something everyone held, but no one could possess. It was often those who could unlock the power were not able to withstand it. The power was something their bodies could not suppress; it ate them from the inside out, leaving a mangled carcass in its wake. The true spell wasn't meant to be held in that form.

It was meant for the original magic users. The ones born with the spell, not taught and bred to carry it.

Dragons. Giant beasts that inhabited this world before any of the smaller beings even existed. They still existed, but times then and times now were much different.

In ancient days, The Eight Gaves ruled the world. They were a clan of the strongest, most advanced dragons of every element one could gather from all around the planet. The formed an Oligarchy over the lands and seas and ruled over their kind peacefully.

Then the smaller beings showed, and everything turned to chaos. They were humanoids, lost and wandering, hiding from the beasts in packs of hundreds. They remained unknown to them, until one fateful day when their paths crossed. They were weak, all of the clan leaders could agree on that, but more possibilities and choices rose from the encounter, that not all of them could concur with.

Some thought nothing of them. They had lived and prospered on their own for years, and proved to be of no trouble for the dragons. Others in fact liked them. They were fascinated by the small creatures and wanted to acknowledge their existence, bring them into their world, in fact. Some of the members offered the idea of taking the beings under their wing, provide care for them and teach the able of their magic to pass down for generations.

Others, had a darker idea. They saw the survivors as prey, put on this world solely to be devoured. They saw them as slabs of meat, waiting to be caught in the rifts of their teeth and as a delightful game to be played. Those in the clan who thought this merely laughed at the idea of making them equals and claimed their thoughts were vacuous.

It was a simple disagreement, with a simple answer, but neither backed down. It was called to be settled with a vote among the clan, but when assassination attempts and slavery of the beings undertook, all of them were sent into a blind outrage for one another. Blood was spilt, and the clan broke apart into two, along with Verdsi.

Those who wanted peace with the beings went east, and sustained enough dignity to keep the name of who they once were. They were called the Three Gaves of Gora, and established their kingdom of dragons and humanoids together. And those who saw nothing of the beings, who enslaved them and played with them as food went west. They named themselves the Elemental Four, and founded their nation of Naturus.

Years and years have passed since the separation of the Eight Gaves. The Three Gaves of Gora have yet to be seen since then, and the smaller beings under their rule have created a life with the help of the dragons. They've created cities and assigned a King to rule among them. The Naturus Kingdom's well beings were unknown, but rumors have spread that they were gathering an army. They have believed to brainwash their slaves into fighting against their own kind, but nothing has been proven true.

The beings who were able were taught the magic from the dragons. They evolved into stronger, more advanced beings who grew talons and had skin as tough as stone. Their bones thickened with strength and their teeth began to match those of their mentors. They were fierce warriors, and were named Draconians, from the descendants of the dragons themselves.

Now the time is present. Little scuffles between the clashing sides were the worst of what's happened so far. There were no major outbreaks, but the tension between the two was growing immensely as each day passed. The citizens of Gora were on edge. News has spread that the Elemental Four were planning an attack, but months have passed with no attacks. Both clans understood that if either of them were to assault the others kingdom, it would be considered an act of war.

They knew this battle was evitable, but some still wished that it wouldn't come to that. Neither knew who would strike first, neither knew any of the land markings or who held the strongest soldiers, and neither could predict the outcome of the legendary battle that has yet to come.

Or, so they thought.

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Just some background of the setting in this story, we'll progress further in the next chapter.

If it's confusing to any of you ya'll can just ask questions, I'll answer :)

Thanks for reading and for all the follows, I appreciate it :D

Have a crazy day!