Chapter Three: How To Train Your Natsu
By the time a certain over excited priest broke into the room that'd become Natsu's future bedroom, the boy was already tucked into bed with Shadow zealously standing watch. Shadow made no emotional response, already used to his behaviour patterns by now and merely bowed to her superior. Van'tor idly waved away her formality while gazing about the room. This was his second or third time - couldn't remember which - seeing one of the few rooms designed with royal and diplomatic figures in mind.
Even if the rest of the castle was a tremor away from crumbling into nothingness, these quarters were maintained by the servant staff housed nearby. With nothing but time on their hands and it was a given they'd dedicate themselves to duty since their master rarely called upon them. Van'tor was startled to see how everything was kept in pristine condition and truly remained true to their once golden era.
The walls of the room were solid brick with black oak varnished panels anchored by silvery stained iron brackets, far ahead of it's time and more of a status symbol to display their advanced construction. Well lit by bright crystals holstered in silver fittings, maintaining the theme of dark and silver to keep balance perfectly. Furniture also stuck true with the design, one part of the far going wall had shelves and was made in mind for books mostly.
Three wooden Human-shaped dummies stood on silvery iron plates in the corner, along with a dresser table, chair, wardrobe and tall dressing shield to safeguard guesses dignity. Beside the area was a strange never ending stream of white-watery liquid pouring from a pipe and exiting through a circular grill on the ground and surrounded four panel walls on sliders.
Over near the king-sized bed was a large desk with a few draws and fair sized deep back arm chair fixed to the ground with another circular plate that allowed one to turn easily. The bed itself was made of solid iron, as well as it's headboard and its mattress created from a strange type of material. Soft and heavenly to touch, this was where Natsu's body sunk into it and keeping him covered was silk sheets. They were disappointing. Bland and nothing special but comfortable none the less.
"Have you informed the staff about arranging clothes, Shadow?" Van'tor asked, walking towards the desk and plotting his bony arse into the chair.
Shadow nodded, turning about and facing him. "The chambermaids mentioned they had clothes that'll fit him well. They're currently searching for them." Her voice was calm and collected for a change.
Van'tor hummed, nodding more to himself than her while shooting a glance directed at Natsu's sleeping form before drifting off into his usual self. "Ah, before I forget. Natsu will be tutored by me before our master judges him."
"I-i see..." She stuttered out, not expecting Van'tor be given such task nor Natsu to be judged further. She were about to continue before Van'tor held up his hand.
"Could you retrieve my stave, Shadow? I seem to have misplaced it. And fetch his clothes while your away." Van'tor asked sweetly yet his tone suggested it was more of leave now and she dipped her head, making haste to avoid the priests wrath. Van'tor sighed, setting his eyes upon Natsu again. Left alone to collect his thoughts with her out of sight and mind.
He was beginning to understand his kings line of thinking now after finally giving his mind time to stew. When he first appeared in the throne room with Natsu, he felt everyone's attention centred on them since this event was a first but their eyes didn't reveal curiosity alone. It held familiarity. The very same he had felt days after the boys arrival and after speaking with his master, it was becoming clearer now.
This was a first for him to see. A shadow from the Coven of the Exalted Night was showing concern for another that wasn't Azzadiss. Even the Unyielding Templars kept their eyes focused on the boy than himself, he felt their nod after his introduction was directed at himself but it more in favour towards Natsu. Skilfully ignoring the banshees existent entirely. Van'tor was becoming concerned more he rolled over this information. With a hollow groan, he escaped his minefield of an imagination and leaned into the chair.
"None of this answers the biggest question... Why does he have pink hair!?" Van'tor sprouted with minor annoyance laced in his voice. Deciding nothing will happen while the boy sleeps and Shadow return won't be back for a few hours in the least. 'Better prepare for his studies..' He mentally cried. His boot kicked against the ground, his chair turning and facing the empty desk.
With this in mind, Van'tor set about working out a routine that'll work with Natsu. He didn't know his age but if looks were anything to go by. He'd be about six, seven? Uncertain yet he kept those numbers in mind with how the child held himself up till this point. He spoke clearly, for one allied with fear and knew about life-death cycle to question his own standing. This isn't a subject anyone younger than six would know of without previous understanding of it.
That left it down to his academic level. He used words such as 'don't' instead of 'do not', calling his parents 'dad and mom' and ruling out a more formal background. Even mentioning how his parents fell to their deaths by a dragon's claw and not 'hands'. Clearly it were his first time seeing such a beast and to know they were claws and not hands, again proved he's had someone teaching him.
At best, he assumed Natsu were at elementary level give or take and he felt grateful for it. That, he could work with effortlessly and increase the boys knowledge. Physically, he didn't require it. His magic was still working to rebuild the boys mass and that'd only hinder it's progress. Van'tor shrugged, coming to an answer now and setting down the routine he'll go through with Natsu.
Figuring he'll be able to read and able to write his own name, he focused on the manner to teach him. Taking a stroll down memory lane, how he taught youths that'd later turn into his standing order of freaks and loons. It was the only choice, despite their own individual characteristics... They were amongst the brightest and clever within temple-sect of the kingdom. Coming to agreement with himself and siding in favour of practical approach to learning through interacting rather than constant lecturing. He focused his magic and begun creating numerous objects to aid in his endeavours.
Besides, if the boy was a blockhead like many of his followers were and still are, he'd take this method of learning quickly and if he proved to more along the lines of a natural thinker, lectures and books it'd be.
While Van'tor was focused on his work and Shadow distracted by her task. The castle was shaking, a certain king's voice was booming along with another. This went on for sometime before it settled down and no one paid it any attention. After this days events with a certain priest and the banshees. Every expected this outcome to happen and Natsu slept like a log through it all. Still kept out of the picture for what will shape his life.
Shadow had just about wrapped up her task, most difficult part was finding the priests stave. Somehow, it was lodged within the wall of the room they previously used and she found a tad bit of joy from the sight. By now as Van'tor predicted, a few hours had passed and she was well on her way back to the royal quarters.
Van'tor also completed his preparations and waited for the boy to awaken. As if on time, Natsu was beginning to roll about in his sleep and yawn tiredly, repeating his eye rubbing and sitting up. He was surprised to see himself in another room and fell further into it with Van'tor staring down at him. "S-sorry." Natsu felt the need to apologise from passing out again.
Van'tor dismissed the child's words by shaking his head. "No need to express your apology, Natsu. Let us talk while your new clothing makes it way back, yes?" Van'tor spoke with warmth in his voice, trying to prevent Natsu's more-than-likely panic attack.
Natsu nodded tiredly, yawning and rubbing his eyes as usual. This ordeal had taken a lot out of him and then some. Surprise after surprise. Miracle in its self his heart hadn't smashed through his rib cage and buggered off by now with all the excitement. Pushing himself in a sitting position with the bed sheets covering his lower half, his back resting against the headboard and setting his gaze on Van'tor. "What is this room?" Natsu asked, his mind clear enough to straighten out his questions.
"Ah, yes. You were too busy grieving to hear my masters words, weren't you?" Van'tor snickered, his tone mocking and stifling a chuckle. "You're currently residing within the royal quarters of the castle and this will be your room for now till his majesty decides your fate. Till that time is up, I am tasked with teaching you." Van'tor nods to his own words, smirking madly.
Natsu bit his bottom lip over the petty remark, twisting his face into a childish pout yet couldn't bring himself to hate or feel any negativity towards the priest over it. Actually, he felt rather content over his taunt and his body replied by releasing tension with his sighing along. 'What's wrong with me?' He questioned, shaking his head over his internal thoughts and asking another question. "I don't feel hungry or thirsty. Why?"
Van'tor was now chuckling softly over the boys question. "Gahah... Remember what I told you? These lands belong only to the undead. You'll feel no need for food or liquids and sleep but your body is still adapting. In time you'll lose the need to sleep, though many do maintain patterns of sleep out of sheer habit." He amusingly answered.
Natsu cocked his head, raising a brow and peering more curiously as the priest answered. "W-what do you mean?" He was certain he understood his words perfectly but he couldn't put two and two together.
Van'tor groaned noticing the boys expression and forcing a heavy sigh. "Normally, you require a balanced diet and water in order for your body to remain healthy. This also includes your development else it'll be hindered and the side effects will only downplay your own inherited genetics." He takes a moment to allow his information soak into Natsu's head. "As of this moment, you're no longer in a plane that follows the usual way. Here, you feed off the energies of the land itself and that is why only the dead may survive here."
Natsu's eyes widened and screaming out panicked words. "BUT YOU SAID I AM ALIVE!"
The priest was glad no longer had ears else that high-pitched boy scream would of deafened him. Throwing his hand up to silence Natsu. "I was mistaken. You are alive for now however it'll not last. Unlike his majesty, I'm not capable of sensing when that'll happen and that is exactly why you need to prove yourself Natsu." His previous mockingly tone vanished and revealed seriousness the boy didn't expect to hear.
Natsu fell deathly quiet, waiting for the priests words to make some sense and kept struggling to grasp the situation. 'But I am alive?' He kept on debating with his mind while a familiar figure walked into the room since someone broke the doors locking capabilities.
Shadow heard muttering going on in the room and waited a few extra minutes to allow them added chit-chat time before walking in. She wasn't surprised in the slightest by the kids expression by now with how Van'tor spoke to people. Pushing that aside, she dipped her head towards the priest and leaned his stave against the wall beside the desk before heading towards the clothing area. She neatly placed the folded clothing set behind the screening shield and turned about, moving towards the wall and observing the pair silently.
"Wonderful. Thank you for your assistance, Shadow." Van'tor thanked her kindly, directing his eyes over and giving a brief nod. "Natsu, change into your new clothing and I'll explain what we'll be doing together afterwards, alright?" He encouraged.
Natsu wrapped the bed sheet around his body, kicking himself off the bed and walked behind the screen. He broke into a wide grin while touching the fabric of the clothes. They felt soft in hands and he didn't resist his urge to instantly put them on. A moment later he had come out from behind the screen and looked more as a child should.
They weren't fancy at all. Grey buttoned shirt, brown trousers, socks, and sandals. Beaming a happy smile at the pair while they studied his new look and nodded. The boy suited the clothing, nothing over the top or lagging behind. Casual set of clothing that'd likely belong to any boy his age from a decent family at least.
Van'tor motioned his hand for Natsu to sit across him on the bed, the boy complied and sat down, gazing up at the priest. "Much better!" He yelled, clapping his hands merrily. "Right, Natsu. You need to tell me before I explain what will be happening. Can you read and write?"
Natsu's face tightened up, his tongue poking his cheek out and folding his arms across his chest. He somewhat nodded, trying to rebel against where this was leading. That was until he yelped and held his forehead to further shield it after the priest flicked him.
"Already trying to resist? Wonderful. Keep that attitude, you'll need it." Van'tor smirked devilishly, his plans now including ways to break the boy down and rebuild him. "Until my master is ready to see you again, I shall be teaching you. You'll be learning basics for now, language, art, calculations and spell seals." Sighing upon noticing the boys eyes light up after saying spell seals.
"MAGIC?! I get to learn magic!" Natsu yelled loudly, his excitement reaching new levels and swinging his legs wildly.
Van'tor could already predict the future headache while shaking his head. "No, not magic. Your body can't handle it right now. When such a time comes, you need to increase your knowledge before being able to use the magic we use here. And that is only when my master grants you permission."
To say he didn't understand this was truly understated. Natsu vaguely remembered some people in his previous village life yelling loudly and casting spells. Surely that's all one needed to do, right? That is what kept going on in his mind till the back of his hand recoiled in pain from another bony flick and his attention shot back to his attacker with a pout.
"Listen to me!" Van'tor was tempted to use his stave and cave the idiots skull in with his attention span. Grumbling mentally while waving off the thought for the moment. "You can't use magic at all, Natsu! When the time comes you're able, you'll need to study hard and master the very basics first."
Natsu kept displaying his age, retorting he could handle anything and before he could finish. Another bony flick destroyed that rant before it could lift off. Van'tor started showing him the various items he created with his magic and Natsu was in awe by it. Numerous learning devices such letter blocks, maths puzzles and a few others Natsu couldn't figure out. They all held one similarity together and that was; all made of bone.
Shadow never spoke a single word and kept her watch over the pair, keeping her thoughts alone as the priest begun breaking down the boys mind and reforging it anew. Well, that was the plan anyhow.
Time rushed by for the first three months of Natsu's learning. Each day left new bruises and imprints of knuckles across his cheeks and body from countless blows he kept suffering. Van'tor had zero tolerance for the boys complaining. Natsu had no idea how dire it was. The priest only had six months to mould the boy into a worthwhile project for his master. Shadow was left with battling herself when the priest would harm the child but felt it was odd for Van'tor to be this harsh.
Rational thought won over her protection instinct. There had to be a reason for the priests punishments when the boy whined to make him crush his resolve with several blunt blows. Beside the array of stave swings and boned backhands, Natsu was taking to his studies like a fish in water. Van'tor prediction worked out, Natsu was a blockhead that learned better through interacting teaching rather than lectures and book formats.
Natsu himself never understood why art was such a big section of his learning or why he was taught other languages he never even knew existed but kept on with it out of fear. Despite all the whacks he received, a bond between him and Van'tor was growing daily. He even found out the sort of magic the priest used, a form of creation magic called Bone-Make and was even allowed to see him use it.
Only teaching left untouched was learning about magical seals. Van'tor kept holding off until the boy could at least read properly. It took another month before Natsu took to their native written language and it was from there the boys drive increased tenfold. The priest was surprised by how quickly Natsu could absorb information and swore it wasn't natural. But he was still only a child and far from mastering a single subject.
Yet he was excelling on the seals and his persistence with focusing on art was working wonders. Natsu was learning to explore his creativity and drawing during the downtime while Van'tor worked on the next lesson. Van'tor would never admit it aloud but was child like becoming a favourite of his, either because it was centuries since he taught a child or because Natsu reminded him of his former self. He wasn't sure but whichever it was, he was grateful for it.
With the pair too caught up together, only Shadow remained to notice a presence looming over the royal quarters and observing the three in the room. Natsu was gaining more and more attention from others within the castle as gossip spread. All of it was curiosity, innocent enough but that wasn't the reason for why she'd straighten and lock her gaze over the boy.
Azzadiss would often observe them, this was his castle and he was able to set his sight on any room without leaving his own chambers. She took this to be her master observing her, ensuring she's focused on task of looking over the boy but in reality... He forgot about her. His focus was solely on Natsu.
The child rekindled former emotions and memories he once held for Humankind, ones he didn't know vanished at first. That wasn't all, it was also how the priest and child acted together. Natsu didn't recoil in horror or scream when Van'tor would praise and run his fingers through his hair. Their were more to it, he welcomed the embrace and reacted with what one expects from any other child.
He never expected any of this and it bought him some joy to see – ironically – life return to his vassals. Though the most surprising was what Van'tor would do while the child was still embracing his need for sleeping. The priest was fuelling the boys magical container with his own, aiding in it's growth and adaptability to the realm. Azzadiss never underestimated his own comrades but Van'tor actions surprised him enough.
When their king wasn't watching, others took over the role to pry into the daily lives of the three. The various sects, temples and orders took interest from the sight. Those from the more militant orders looked in wonder, clinging a secret aspiration they wanted while the temples took a different viewpoint. Acting more zealous in their view and looking into reasons to provide reason for disbanding Van'tor own order and the last few sects merely acted out for the latest gossip.
All in all, they kept silent and waited for the upcoming verdict that was quickly approaching as time boarded closer to the six month marker.
"Priest, it's time." Shadow spoke up, their six months was over and if left to Van'tor, they'd continue forever with how he's lost track of time. They were currently drawing pictures of mythical beasts of various sizes. Natsu's were more of blob monsters while Van'tor's were more refined and detailed projections of three-headed hounds.
When Natsu's interest in drawing took off, that was about the time their bond begun. Both were passionate about exploring their minds and making up creatures at the drop of a hat. Van'tor glanced over at Shadow, cocking his head and sounding disappointed. "Already?" Sighing aloud and throwing curses in his head.
Van'tor pushed himself from the chair, leaving his drawing be and grabbing his stave. "Come on, Natsu." He mumbled sadly with a hint of annoyance, slumming it out of the room at a snail pace and waiting for others to catch up.
Natsu frowned at first before returning to his usual smile which came into bloom since this whole ordeal and quickly jogged over to Van'tor's side while Shadow kept up, giving them space.
Author's Note; Grr. I made this chapter end sooner than first thought since next chapter will be deciding Natsu's future and I didn't want them to speak about his learning progress only to repeat it again.
On a positive note, events will be picking up and moving a tad faster. However, it will still remain a slow paced story. Also left a small spoiler regarding one school of magic Natsu will possibly learn.
That aside, I'm really getting into chapter four! I've got a couple of questions for readers regarding OC's; Am I introducing them too quickly, slowly or doing fine? I was intending to have Gnash and Azzadiss meeting take place rather than small paragraph but felt it was too soon to reveal him, choosing to have Van'tor bond with Natsu instead.
Any thoughts to share regarding OC's will be wonderful. As always, thank you for taking time to read/follow my story and by all means. Review away!
MisterGrimReaper.