Chapter Twenty-Eight:

"What?" Lucy gasped as she stared at the writing.

"Wait, the titans are baby lions?" Natsu asked.

The writing disappeared and a new one appeared:

No. Cybele and I are two very different beings, I assure you. They're simply assisting me in communicating with you.

"Huh?" Lucy asked.

"Wait if you're not the lions, then who are you?" Natsu asked. "Are you the tree."

More writing appeared.

No. I'm afraid you won't be able to see or hear me, which is why you finding Cybele was quite the fortunate turn of events.

"Why not?" Lucy asked. "What can't we see or hear you?"

"And aren't you supposed to be dead?" Natsu asked.

Both of those questions have quite complicated answers. I'll start with Lucy's. You are both a part of the Fairy Tail guild, no?
"Yeah…" Lucy arched an eyebrow.

Therefore you are aware of the fate that befell Mavis Vermillion. For years she was neither dead or alive, but rather caught in a state of limbo, only able to be seen or heard by those who bore the mark of Fairy Tail?

"Yeah," Lucy nodded, starting to see where this was going.

My fellow titans and I are trapped in a similar state. We are not dead, but we're not truly alive either. Only those able to use our magic will be able to see or hear us.

"So...Nashi will be able to see and hear you?" Lucy asked as she placed her hands over her belly.

Yes. Now, as for Natsu's question.

"Wait, how do you know my name?" Natsu asked. "I didn't write it down on no magic paper!"

I'll answer that later. As for your first question, in order to answer that I must first explain what we titans are. We are the offspring of mortal humans and gods. "Demi-gods" I believe is what you call our kind now. Because we are part god we cannot die. However, when we were banished to Tartarus our physical bodies evenutally faded away, leaving only our spiritual bodies behind. Now our spirits are trapped in limbo.

"Gosh, that's terrible!" Natsu gasped. "I'm really sorry to hear that."

Don't be. Our only wish was to serve and protect the people of parents who actually cared for us. By stealing fire from the gods to bring to them we accomplished that goal. Now, with the birth of your child, we'll be able to ensure that the magic we developed for humanity's protection will continue.

As for your second question, we've know for centuries, thanks to the prophecy, how our magic would be brought back to humanity. We knew it would be the first born child of E.N.D. and a celestial wizard. The E.N.D. parent was easy to find, there's only one of you. As for the Celestial Wizard, that was a bit more difficult. Until you two met in Hargeon. I'd just happened to be in the area when you blew up that ship stealing all those girls away. When I saw you two together I knew you were the two foretold in the prophecy, so I've been keeping an eye on you.

"Wait, you've been stalking us this whole time!" Lucy shouted.

"Creepy!" Natsu squeaked.

Don't worry, I haven't been following your every step. I've just made apoint to check in every now and then so that I could be around for when the child is born.

"And...why exactly?" Natsu asked.

I guess you could say it's in my nature. When we took the fire from the gods, humanity had no clue what to do with it. So we each took a flame and developed different spells to showcase the numerous uses of fire. Iapetus forged weapons from solid flames, Lelantos used the smoke produced by fire to hide and disguise herself, I used mine for protection. My flames are meant to keep loved ones and precious things safe. Therefore, when we had to decide which of us eighteen would be the first to encounter the child I was chose.

"First to encounter?" Lucy asked.

Like any magic, she won't be able to use all of this power at once. She'll have to learn it bit by bit. Since my flames are protective in nature we elected that mine be the first she learn as they are the ones that will keep her safe.

"But she already can," Lucy said. "She used it when I was attacked."

Nonsense! That was me!

"What!?" both Natsu and Lucy shouted.

Well, that's a half truth. As I am in limbo I have no magic energy of my own, so I borrowed some of the child's to cast the spell, and then Lucy's to maintain it. I hope you don't mind.

"Well, you kind of saved our lives, so I guess I owe you a thank you," Lucy said.

Your welcome.

"Okay, I've got another question!" Natsu said.

Yes?

"What is with the baby lions? I mean, what's the connection!"

Ah, yes. Well, if there was no fire before we stole it, then we couldn't have been fire wizards before then, could we?"

Lucy gasped. "You were a celestial wizard!?"

We all were. Once we were sent to Tartarus all of our contracts were broken. However, some of our spirits, one for each of us actually, agreed to help us in bringing our magic back to the human world. Cybele was the one of mine that chose to assist me.

Cybele began purring as they snuggled up to Lucy's stomach.

"Now the prophecy's making a little more sense," Lucy said. "You needed one of the parents to be a celestial wizard so you could contact us and explain what was going on."

Indeed.

"What about me, though?" Natsu asked. "Where do I fit into all of this?"
Ah, yes. Well, there is a reason why most humans cannot use our magic. We are part god, afterall, so our magic energy is a little different than the average human. Little Nashi will not be completely human, will she?

Natsu gasped and took a few steps back.

She'll have a bit of etherious in her. While it's not the same as having the blood of a god in you, it will still give her enough of the, shall we say, boost she'll need to cast our flames.

"So, wait, can I use your magic?" Natsu asked.

No. Unfortunately you have a being inhabitting itself within that prevents you using our flames.

Natsu sighed. "E.N.D."

Yes. Though our flames can be destructive, they were ultimately designed for humanity's benefit. E.N.D. was created for destruction. Therefore the two are not compatible.

"So were all the etherious, so how's Nashi foing to be different if she's part etherious?" Natsu asked.

Oh, that's quite simply. She wasn't created for, or from, destruction. She was created out of love. Therefore those boundaries are not applicable to her.

Lucy suddenly gasped. "Natsu, you realized what this means?"

"What?"

"The Tartarus Flames were designed for good. So much so that anything Zeref created can't use them. It means Nashi's not dangerous! If she was she wouldn't even be able to use this magic. It means Hezim and the Magic Council have nothing to worry about!"

"Try telling that to them," Natsu muttered.

"Please, I'd be happy to hear it."

Natsu and Lucy's insides turned cold as they looked behind them and found Jura approaching them.

"Hello, old friends," he said in a soft voice.

"Oh, no you don't!" Natsu shouted, jumping in between the earth wizard and his wife. "You're not taking Lucy anywhere!"

"Relax, Natsu, I'm on your side," Jura raised his hands in a sign of surrender.

"I had a feeling there was something fishy about that Hezim guy," Makarov's voice called as the short man appeared from behind Jura. "So I tracked down some old friends to figure out what in blue blazes was going on."

"Indeed," Jura's eyes darkened. "Please, sit down old friends, I have much to discuss with you."

Natsu frowned, still suspicious, but he sat crossed legged infront of the two saints. Lucy sat down behind him, reaching her hand around to grab his. He entertwined her fingers with hers and stared straight ahead at the two older men.

"I should start by apologizing," Jura said. "I am so very sorry for the grief that Hezim caused you. Makarov informed me and the other councilmen of the situation he caused. We have had a strong talking to him. He will not be bothering you anymore...for now."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Natsu asked.

Jura sighed. "Hezim's job is to protect the magic world. And he is good at his job. A bit too good."

"Meaning?" Lucy asked.

"Hezim is a bit of an...extremist when it comes to the safety of our world. In his mind you are either a threat or you're not. You are either with him or you're against him. There is no middle ground in his eyes. Everything is either black or white."

"How can our baby be a threat when she's not even born yet?" Natsu thundered.

Jura sighed. "I understand your anger. I myself am not happy with him. We sent him there to assess the situation and assist you in your take down of this dark guild. We did not give him clearance to take anyone in for monitoring or observation. That he did of his own volition, and he will be reprimanded for it. However, I highly doubt his interest in your child will diminish after this. Though he cannot take any action against her or your family without risking further retibution from the council, he will no doubt have his eye on you for years to come. Therefore, I'd proceed with caution."

A short silence fell as the young couple processed what they'd heard.

"But he won't try to make me and Nashi in anymore if we go home?" Lucy asked.

"Not unless he wants to lose his job," Jura said in a firm voice.

"So we can go home?" Lucy asked again.

"You can."

"You promise no one from the council will come for our baby," Natsu's eyes narrowed.

"You have my word as a wizard saint," Jura said.

"Something happens I'm coming for you," Natsu warned.

"I'd expect nothing less from the Salamander," Jura chuckled as he stood. "Now, come along. I'm sure you two would be happy to go home."

"Jura and I will be guarding your apartment to make sure that no one comes for you," Makarov said as he began to walk off.

Natsu and Lucy stood, and turned to where Cybele was still seated. The lion cubs brought the scroll back to them and unfurled it. There was another message from Rhea on it.

As I'm sure you've already figured out, there are 17 other titan keys. While I have no issue with Lucy holding onto them for now, it may not be wise in the long run. As these keys will be connected to Nashi indefinately, they should go to a wizard who will be by her side her whole life. As her parents, though you will no doubt protect and care for her with all your hearts, you will not always be there for her. Epimetheus wanred me that letting mortals know of the future is bad, but I think I can let you in with this little secret. In a few years time you two will have another daughter. She will follow in her mother's footsteps and become a Celestial Wizard. Though it is ultimately your choice, I think it would be wise to give the titan keys to her once she is ready.

Once Natsu and Lucy had finished reading the note the scroll and the cubs disappeared.

"Another daughter?" Natsu asked, a bit of fear in his voice.

"What's wrong?" Lucy asked.

"Am I gonna be the only guy in the house?" Natsu asked.

Lucy giggled. "Aw, you worried about losing your masculinity living in a house full of little girls."

Natsu shook his head. "Can we just get one kid here safely before worrying about another one."

"Can we just get home and sleep in our own bed?" Lucy asked.

"Absolutely!"

Natsu took her hand and they started off after the two saints. Though it osunded like Hezim had been put at bay for now, if Jura was to be believed he'd be back. Still, they'd take this small moment of security for now.

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