I promise I'm trying to be better about updates. I talked to a friend of mine about the direction this story will go, and she gave me some good advice.
OWTF!
"MY MOTHER WAS A WHAT?!"
Nashi's voice hit an uncomfortable octave as Cana stood there calmly. Gale and Storm were also staring at her in shock, not willing to believe that they were part of the races destroying the mortal plain.
"An Angel," Cana repeated with a smile.
"What the fuck?! Why haven't you told me this before?!"
"Because of how you're reacting right now." Nashi shut her mouth. "Now, will you let me explain why your mother gave you up?"
"Because E.N.D raped her?!"
"No! Let me tell you this—Natsu and Lucy loved each other more than I've seen anybody love another being. And she loved you, but she wasn't able to keep you in Heaven because of your heritage."
"Oh, dammit…" Nashi's legs wobbled as she sank to the ground.
"I think it's time for you to meet them. There's nothing keeping you here, and I promised Lucy that I'd bring you home when the time was right."
"Wait… wait… you're telling me that my mother is the fucking Queen of the Angels and my father is the King of the Demons?!" The look on Nashi's face plainly voiced her shock and awe.
"That's why the fire didn't hurt you," Cana sighed. "Your father is a fire Demon. You've inherited his powers."
"And what about my parents?" interjected Storm.
"It's up to Nashi where we go first. Heaven or Hell, kid."
"Well… does my dad even know I exist?" Nashi asked.
"Nope. He and your mom had a one-night thing and then he couldn't be with her anymore."
"Then I want to see him first. Let's go to Hell."
"Okay. It's gonna be a long few weeks, so let's try and pack as little as possible—food, water, and clothes. The bare-bones basics."
"Got it!" Gale replied. She was shaking a little, and Nashi could tell that she was afraid of the journey ahead. Any reasonable person would be. Gale would be in more danger than any of them, however—an Angel going into the belly of the beast, Hell.
To be honest, Nashi was terrified.
I'm going to meet my father. My father is a Demon. My father is a fire Demon. My father is the King of Demons. My mother is the Queen of Angels. Their love was forbidden. I should not exist. I do. I have to stop a war. A war that's been raging for thousands of years.
"Hey, you got this." Cana ruffled Nashi's hair. "C'mon. Let's get you some clothes, because I'm pretty sure you don't want to travel to Hell in your pajamas."
Nashi glanced down at her outfit and her face turned pink.
The first few days of the journey were fine. They'd walk or hitch a ride when they could by day and camp by night, only stopping to eat or rest. Cana began telling the three teenagers stories of Heaven and Hell, as well as things her Demon and Angel friends had told her about powers.
"Demons and Angels are basically the same thing," she explained. "The difference is that one has white feathery wings and the other has black leathery ones. And even then, it's only a few. It's the marks on Demons that really set them apart."
"Like the mark of E.N.D?" Storm asked.
"Yeah. Actually, the only reason his mark is burned into villages is because the Demon soldiers think they're paying him tribute. I know Natsu hates it."
"I would, too," Nashi muttered.
"He did tell me something once—about how he wished he wasn't a Demon so he and Lucy could at least be together."
"Aw… what are my parents like?" Gale asked.
"Your dad's pretty scary for an Angel," Cana replied. "Gajeel doesn't fuck around, but your mom's one of the few people who can control him."
"Really?"
"You look just like her, down to being short."
"Hey!"
"Will we see my parents when we get to Hell?" Storm wondered.
"Yep. Your dad's one of the generals, and your mom is one scary lady." She shuddered. "I remember when she used to accuse him of lusting after various women. He shut her up real quick."
"I wonder if Natsu will try to kill me," Gale sighed.
"Probably not, since you're with me, but keep your guard up. Remember—your powers come from strong emotions when you're just starting out. The only way to get better is to practice."
"And good night!" Nashi covered herself with her blanket and shut out the world.
A child of Heaven and Hell…? How deliciously scandalous… I must inform the Master...
"Here we are!"
Nashi looked down the fiery entrance to Hell. She looked at Cana.
"Fuck no."
"Aw, c'mon, Nash! You wanna see your dad, don't you?"
"I do, but there is no way I'm jumping down a hole full of fucking fire."
"You'll be fine. I'm the one who has to worry."
"I'm still not doing it."
"Fine. Just don't hate me for this."
"For wh—"
Nashi was cut off as Cana shoved her down the hole. Storm and Gale went after her, with Cana not far behind.
"OOF!" Nashi landed hard on the rock below. She rubbed her sore behind and saw Gale and Storm land, too. Cana was laughing as she leapt to her feet.
"Now that's always a rush!" she whooped.
"CANA, YOU'RE FUCKING INSANE!"
"I know!"
Gale clung to Nashi's arm, looking around in fear. Hell looked like an underground city, with a surprising lack of fire, given the entrance. Nashi took a deep breath. The air smelled like smoke and brimstone—a comforting smell to the young halfling, like a campfire. She gave a half-smile and took a few steps forward.
Before they knew what was happening, they were surrounded by Demon guards.
"Who dares trespass in the Kingdom of Hell?!"
Boom. Chapter four should be up before Thursday.
So long and thanks for all the fish!