AN: I am moving house shortly (Aug 3rd) and won't have any internet until Aug 7th. I will try and upload another chapter before then. If not then please bare with me while I'm getting everything set up at new place :). Thanks for reading!
A series of explosions erupted throughout East Forest. Natsu and his team were desperately trying to avoid the relentless attacks. Who was this guy? Why did he smell so familiar to Natsu? The skulls stopped their assault and returned to the staff that the cloaked figure was holding.
Now they had a moment to breath the group noticed that skulls they could see were far more demonic in their appearance. They had fangs instead of teeth and two curled horns at the top. Natsu narrowed his eyes, "Who are you? You smell like... Largo?". The cloaked man looked up, his hood still covered his eyes but they could clearly see an evil sneer on his face.
"So you're the ones." The man replied, "The one's who murdered my son. You must be the Dragon Slayer that drove him over the edge. I always knew that fool couldn't handle the Oblivion armour. He was always cruel but never cunning. I am Torvok Zein, Largo's father."
Natsu couldn't believe what he was hearing, "How could you talk like that about your own son?". A pair of demonic red eyes, glowed from under the man's hood, "Don't you dare lecture me, Dragon Slayer!". A bright purple light blasted from the largest skulls mouth and struck Natsu, knocking him to the ground. The attack was so fast that he didn't have time to react. The man scoffed at how easily Natsu had fallen.
"You're no Dragon Slayer after all. You're too arrogant. I know you haven't mastered Dragon Force yet. Judging by your battle with my son, it looks like you never will. You have no respect for your own magic. You lecture me about how I talk about my son? Yet you insult your own father by failing to properly utilise your abilities? Arrogance and hypocrisy hinder you boy and they will be your downfall.".
Erza helped Natsu to his feet, "Don't listen to him. He's using the same tricks as Largo. Don't listen to any of it, block it out. Besides remember what Levy said, while he's using that armour he's defenceless."
Torvok cackled at Erza's remarks. "You think so Titania Scarlet? There's a world of difference between Largo and myself.". He tore his cloak off to reveal what looked like a full suit of demonic battle armour, various horn like spikes covered the arms and fingers. While the main body looked like it was built to withstand an entherion blast. Largo's armour was only a helmet and shroud, this was completely different.
"My son never mastered Oblivion. This armour is sentient and will allow it's user to master it's abilities only when it has been beaten into submission. Largo failed to understand this and his life was forfeit. Hence why it was necessary for him to take the lives of so many powerful mages." He explained calmly, "I, however, am in complete control. My life is sustained by the armour which draws it's own energy from the underworld. Put simply, my power is limitless!".
His eyes were fixed on Natsu the whole time, like the others didn't matter. "Contrary to what your friend tells you, boy. I don't need to lower myself to psychological tactics. I have faced two Dragon Slayers in the passing centuries. One who used and consumed Ice and one who used Earth. Do you know what they both have in common?." A sinister smile sat on his lips as he twirled his staff around to reveal two human skulls.
"They both managed to destroy one of my skulls each. So I replaced them!". He snarled, never taking his eyes of Natsu. "Like you they were both first generation slayers but unlike you they had mastered Dragon Force. It didn't do them any good. So return that skull to me, unless you want to join your predecessors!".
That's when everyone noticed that Natsu had caught one of the skulls and was refusing to let it go, despite it's continued efforts. Natsu was furious, flames enveloped his hand as he crushed the skull. "I can ignore your attempts at insulting Igneel. But having such disregard for your own son and murdering other Dragon Slayers just for spare parts?! That I cannot forgive!."
He readied himself to attack. Torvok raised his hand slightly, an eerie purple aura surrounded it, from behind a tree a figure emerged. Surrounded by the same aura. Natsu's heart froze, "Lisanna! You bastard! Let her go!". Torvok's eyes burrowed into Natsu's, "Take one step and she dies here!"
Natsu froze on the spot. There was no way he could get to her in time. "What have you done with Elfman?". Torvok held Lisanna in front of him, he held out his hand like he was holding an orange and squeezed. Lisanna screamed in agony as the purple aura turned into flames. He relaxed his hand and her pain subsided. Natsu was seething, his whole body, engulfed with his flames.
"Listen carefully boy! You have one chance to safe the girl and her brother. Come to the town where you broke my son's spirit and surrender yourself to me. Come alone. If you fail to meet my demands... well let's just say that by the end of the day I'll be replacing that skull you destroyed!". Gray was confused, Torvok seemed to be contradicting himself.
He had such a low opinion of Largo but seemed to want revenge? He could tackle several enemies at once while using Oblivion yet wanted Natsu alone?, "I thought you didn't even like your son?!." Gray yelled out, agitated by the contradicting nature of Torvok's demands. "There's a difference you know between not liking one's son and not caring when a group of glorified mercenaries murder him in a one sided battle."
Torvok and Lisanna disappeared in a haze of purple light. Before he could move a muscle Erza stood in Natsu's way, "I understand how you feel but I need you to calm down! There's no way we're letting you go there alone!". Natsu was still enraged and it was difficult to talk reason to him when he was wanting to go on a rampage. "CALM DOWN? HE'S GOT LISANNA AND ELFMAN!". Knowing there was no arguing with him Erza suddenly threw her arms around Natsu and hugged him tightly, stunned by her reaction his flames died down as she held him against her. "Please Natsu! We all want to save them, we all know how you feel about Lisanna. But without a plan we could end up losing all three of you."
Natsu could feel warm tears against his face, Erza was crying. "Please! Let's get back to the guild and tell Master Makarov what's happened. He'll come up with something." Natsu felt another pair of arms wrap around him from behind, it was Lucy. "Listen to Erza. We almost lost you after you fought Largo. Torvok seems so much worse.". Gray placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder. "C'mon Natsu. Largo was tough enough to give you a challenge but Torvok is in a whole different league. This time we need a plan."
Unclenching his fists, Natsu place a hand on Erza's head and with the other, held onto Lucy's hand. "OK. Then let's get going.". A sense of relief came over the group, soon replaced with determination as they ran back to the guild.
A furious Makarov listened carefully as Erza brought him up to speed on the situation. Natsu stood at the bar, the image of Lisanna being tortured fresh in his mind. He gritted his teeth, baring his fangs that became more prominent as time passed. He felt a hand on his head, it was Gildarts. "Don't worry Natsu. We'll get her back." his face was serious, Gildarts was usually so carefree. A brief moment of relief came over him.
"Natsu." Makarov called out, "I want you follow Torvok's instructions...".