CHAPTER NINE
"G-Gildarts? We have to fight you?" I asked, schooling myself from stuttering. I have fought harder people than him. Hell, I've killed stronger opponents.
"Ah come`on Eyrx, it will be fun! Ready Gildarts? I`m all fired up!" Natsu yelled flame igniting in his hand.
"Yeah we are two Dragon Slayers!" I proclaimed.
"Actually Eyrx I got this! You can sit out." Natsu said.
"Good luck," I responded giving him a warm smile, kissing him on the cheek.
He returned the smile and the kiss. He stepped up to Gildarts ready to fight.
"You got this, Natsu." I muttered under my breath.
Natsu charged Gildarts, giving him his all. Though Gildarts just dodged. Natsu getting angry and charged him again, his flames brighter. Again, Gildarts dodged and blocked him.
"Come on Natsu." I said under my breath, knowing he can do better.
I heard a fluttering of wings behind me. I turned to see Happy and Fozana entering the cavern.
"What are you two doing here?" I asked, keeping one eye on the fight.
"This one decided, that it would be nice to fly to Tenrou Island! What could I say to the stupid one?" Fozana snapped, her green eyes rolling.
"Charle and Pantherlily are coming soon as well. Charle had another a vision." Happy said, unaffected from Fozana`s insult.
I turned back to the fight, Natsu was getting angry. He jumped at Gildarts again.
"I`m getting tired of this." Gildarts muttered and released his power. I saw Natsu fly to the air, his flames extinguished. It looked like he was unconscious. He hit the cavern ceiling with a loud crack, dust floating from the ceiling.
The dust cleared and no sign of life, no sign of Natsu.
"Oh shit," Gildarts mutterd. "I over did it."
My eyes widened in shock, my face ashen. "Natsu!" I yelled, my voice strained. I felt a tear run down my face. He can`t be dead.
I turned my gaze to Gildarts. My sadness turned to anger. "YOU KILLED HIM! HOW COULD YOU KILL HIM!" I yelled, feeling my power flow through me. Water ran around my arms, increasing my power.
"YOU WILL PAY! WATER DRAGON SLAYER SECRET ART, WATER TSUNAMI FORCE!" I yelled releasing my power, water flowing towards Gildarts. The most powerful flow of water I have ever released.
"Relax Eyrx, I`m fine." Natsu said in a small voice. The water instantly fell to the cavern floor.
I turned to see something I never expected. Natsu wasn`t whole, he was transformed into many small Natsu`s. I broke out laughing. Its funny how fast your emotions can change.
"It`s not funny! Stop laughing!" The small Natsu`s said as one.
"Natsu, I think that this fight is over." Gildarts said, in a sad voice.
"What?! No!" The small Natsu`s protested. And they all jumped at Gildarts. It made me laugh even harder.
They pulled at his hair and face, only causing Gildarts to get angered.
"Hey stop it!" Gildarts protested.
"Ah come on! We are going to win." The small Natsu`s said, pulling even harder.
"Alright stop it! Back to normal you go." Gildarts said and with a blink of an eye, Natsu was turned back to normal.\
"I got to say Natsu, I like you better this way. You're more handsome. I could never deal with you being so small! I would just laugh all the time!" I mocked. He gave me a look.
"Let`s go Gildarts!" Natsu said, fire igniting in his palms.
"You think you can win? You have no idea. The only one in this cavern who understands his own strengths is Eyrx. I was the only person he could never kill." Gildarts responded.
Hearing Gildarts words, sent the memory back. I was young probably on thirteen, so four years ago. I had failed to kill him, it was the first job after killing one of the Ten Wizard Saints. I felt cocky.
"Y-you remember?" I asked in a quiet voice.
"How could I? A kid not even old enough to have facial hair, boasting how he could kill me. Saying that he killed a Ten Wizard Saint. He failed. I let him live." Gildarts said with a slight smirk.
"Wh-when I came back Riviori was furious. Th- that is how I go this scar." I said, my finger tracing the scar on my neck. Natsu gave me a small smile.
"So Natsu you think you can beat this?" Gildarts asked building his power.
Gildarts began to build his power. The floor began to shake and rumble. Gildart began to glow white with the shaking force of his power. It brought me to my knees.
"Please stop…" I muttered, tears of fear rolling down my face. Natsu stood next to me, his hand on my shoulder. He was struggling to keep his composure.
Gildarts exerted more power, causing me to shake. Eventually Natsu fell beside me, wrapping his arms around me. Tears coming from his face. He understood what Gildarts said, he understood his own strengths.
"I… forfeit. I give in." Natsu said, his voice strained with fear.
Gildarts let his power trickle back down, below the surface. Natsu stayed where he was, his head against my shoulder.
"You know Natsu, I see a lot of potential in you. I think I will let you continue in the trial." Gildarts said with a smile.
Natsu still having his head against my shoulder, didn't see me mouth thank-you to Gildarts. Natsu began to regain his composure, he wiped the tears from his face. He stood up, offering his hand to me. I took it with a smile. He kept my hand in his grasp as we walked from Gildarts and meeting the others outside the cave. Ready to continue the trial...
