The last thing I want to do is make you guys wait this long but my life is complicated and doesn't always allow for pleasures like updating when I want to. At least not lately. SO this chapter is pretty long as apology. And yes, the Greek gods exist in this world, it's my story shut up and just go with it.


Bornsting was used to being under the constant threat of danger. No one ever openly acknowledged it, but they all knew that the assassin's guild lied under the covers in their town and they knew with certainty that if there was any kind of disturbance of the quiet, they would be punished.

No one liked to think of it, but all the people of the small town remembered Drunken Johnny. It had been years ago, but fear was not one to quickly leave your mind, or heart.

They called him Drunken Johnny because, as his title stated, he was a drunk. He was in his early twenties, and with losing his entire family to the flu and losing jobs faster than a crow could fly, his life was miserable. And to combat this knowledge, every night, he went to a tavern and drank himself into oblivion. People generally decided to look in another direction when he came stumbling by. Some tried to help him but quickly learned that it wouldn't do any good. Because he didn't care.

That was his downfall in the end.

One night it was worse than the others. A few in the tavern before the incident heard him mutter something about losing a job and his home. Whatever it was, this time he drank until he could barely speak at all. And that led to his big mistake. Stumbling out of the bar, in his drunken haze, he picked up a few rocks and started tossing them, unprovoked, at windows of buildings nearby. He was in such a stupor as he screamed his lungs off with every toss that he didn't notice the hulking figure hovering over him.

And when he did, it was too late.

They knew not to talk about it, on the streets, or even in the safety of their own homes. No one discussed Drunken Johnny ever again.

So yes, they had their fair share of nightly disturbances and the occasional scuffle that happened on their roofs that they pointedly pretended not to notice. Because of this, they didn't even spare a thought to glancing out their windows at the pink-haired stranger and a large man who squared off in the streets. Same old, same old.

Meredy only spared a thought for the strange behavior of the town before she sprang into action, darting as quickly as an arrow towards Jark. Jark only had a second to side-step her, and when he did he reached out and snatched her wrist and pulled her towards his body.

Before he could whip out a knife or anything of the sort Meredy nimbly slid under his parted legs, dragging the front of his body with her. He let go with a surprised grunt and before he knew it she was on his back, clinging like a monkey.

Grinning in triumph she locked her arms around his neck and squeezed. A choked gasp left his mouth before he reached up and squeezed her forearms with such force that she yelped in pain, arms darting back unconsciously to escape. He refused to let go and without much decorum he stumbled backwards until her back hit a wall of a neighboring building.

Meredy hissed in pain as her skin made contact. Mind moving quickly she decided it was probably best to get off of his back. But then she noticed that there were stitches on his earlobe. An idea coming to mind, she decided to use the old injury to her advantage. Quickly she moved closer and bit his ear and yanked with her teeth. She knew it was slightly vulgar but with her arms still locked around his neck she didn't have much choice. She could taste his disgusting blood and nearly gagged.

Letting out a scream of rage he loosened his grip on her, allowing her to slip completely from his back and dart around to face him once again. His eyes were alight with fury as he held his newly injured ear. His entire body trembled in rage.

Meredy cursed as she glanced at the sky. The moon was out, with the stars draped against the black sky. It was late already and she knew if she didn't head back to their inn soon Jellal and Ultear would start to worry and come looking for her.

Meredy carefully studied the figure in front of her. He was large, and strong. He was also surprisingly fast despite his size. She knew she couldn't win this without using her magic, she didn't have enough training in just hand-to-hand combat. But she couldn't use magic either unless she wanted to expose herself which would cause more trouble than it was worth.

The only thing left to do was escape.

Immediately her mind rejected the idea; what kind of member of Crime Sorciere turned tail and ran from a fight? If she did she would be dirtying the guilds name. But the more rational side said being beat would be even worse than some broken pride.

"I'll kill you," Jark hissed out, bringing her back to the present situation. Meredy frowned.

"Who hurt your ear?" she asked suddenly. Trying to buy time to think, this seemed the only suitable question in the moment. Ultear could call her random all she wanted, to Meredy this seemed like a perfectly logical question.

The man sneered. "A weakling who deserved what she got for her crimes. Just like you." Meredy raised her eyebrows.

"So a supposed weakling caused those stitches? Doesn't sound so weak to me." Her smile was as sharp as razor blades.

Jaw tightening he growled out, "That girl was nothing! Don't taunt me child, I know your plan."

Meredy blinked. She had a plan?

"Mind telling me what that is?" she said hesitantly. His lips curled at the edges.

"Enough talking!" he barked before rushing towards her. Meredy darted out of the way but he was quick to follow, grabbing her dress and raising her fist to punch her in the face. Not thinking much about it Meredy raised her fists to block his attack, and wincied when his fists made contact. Snarling, his legs swept out knocking her to the ground.

Meredy had seen a lot of scary things in her time. An angry Jellal was no laughing matter and a few dead corpses littering the ground had made her believe that she was prepared for anything, could handle anything. But what she saw in front of her made her throat dry up.

Jark towered over her small form, his dark skin blending in with the dark surroundings. Moonlight cast light down on his face, lighting the angry snarl on his lips and his dark eyes alight in rage with dark red dripping from his ear. His coat billowed slightly as the wind blew past. He suddenly reminded her of the stories Ultear used to tell her about one of the Greek gods, Hades. She used to say Hades was a being cloaked in darkness, and his clothes had the souls of his victims sowed into the fabric.

Meredy had no doubt that if possible, Jark would own the same clothing.

And so Meredy did the only thing she could think of in that moment. She ran.

Scrambling out from under his shadow she darted to her feet and sprinted down the alleyways, trying to lose herself in the darkness that the night cast. She had no idea where she was going or what she was trying to do but the only thing she could really process in that moment was the instinct to get away. He was not someone she could beat without her magic.

What felt like hours later of the game cat and chase she thought she finally lost him. She was always good at disappearing but that didn't mean it wasn't hard. He sure was persistent.

Only when she was absolutely sure that she lost him did Meredy head in the direction of the inn, all the while keeping a careful eye out for the man.

Jellal and Ultear were not going to be happy with her news, but boy did she have a story for them.


Natsu was on edge. It was to be expected when he got news of Deliora and Zeref but Gildarts still worried as he watched Natsu pace back and forth. They were in the throne room, one of Natsu's least favorite rooms just because he was expected to sit on the raised chair that was as stiff and hard as marble. And then there were all the formalities that never failed to drive him up the wall.

Gildarts and Makarov shared a glance as Natsu walked, his face twisted into a scowl as he said nothing. Wendy stood next to the two men, twisting her fingers nervously as Erza and Gray stood partly to the side, both faces expressionless.

Finally Natsu exploded.

"We have to do something! Send me out!" he yelled at Makarov. "I'm strong, I know how to fight! I can take care of Deliorah."

"You already know the answer to that Natsu," Makarov replied. "You are too important to risk your life like that. It is not even a question."

"That's not fair gramps! I wouldn't die, I'd be fine! Like hell I'd let something hundreds of years old beat me!"

Makarov narrowed his eyes. "No, Natsu." His voice held a note of finality that he couldn't argue with. Clearing his throat Gildarts spoke up.

"What do you plan on doing though, Master?"

Pursing his lips Makarov glanced at Erza and Gray out of the corner of his eye. "How would you two feel about going and taking care of that mage? We can't let him wander about, and I have no doubt he's on his way to Zeref."

Erza nodded. "Whatever you wish master," she said. "We will not let him get past us." Gray nodded but had no input beyond that.

"Hey!" Natsu growled. "They don't even have magic, how do you expect them to defeat a mage!" Makarov raised his eyebrows as he studied Natsu's trembling form.

"What are you implying? Do you mean to say you have magic, Natsu? Is that why you continue to insist that you should go?" Makarov asked sharply. Natsu froze with wide eyes staring at Makarov. The air had practically turned to ice. No one moved.

Wendy stared nervously at her brother as his mouth opened and closed as he looked for words to say. "U-um, I think Natsu is just worried about them," Wendy squeaked. Makarov glanced at her and his eyes softened just a smidgen.

"Very well," Master sighed. "Erza and Gray, you two shall leave tomorrow at dawn. Do you have anything else to add?"

Gray cleared his throat. "Master, may I bring my brother Lyon? He would be interested in this particular case."

Waving his hands he said, "Yes, do what you think is best. But use discretion, if word got out, panic would spread."

Nodding, Erza and Gray both left the throne room, faces grim. Makarov sighed and turned back to a stiff Natsu. "I've received word that Crime Sorciere has arrived in Bornsting and they are investigating the assassin's guild as we speak. Also, about your two spies Leo and Aries. Remember when I told you about the two magic users they spotted? It turns out they are both in Bornsting as well. It's very likely that they are some of Zeref's lackeys, which doesn't sound comforting."

Natsu's shoulders seemed to sink in on themselves. Wendy hurried to her brother and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Natsu?" she said softly.

Clearing his throat and clasping Wendy's hand with his to reassure her, Natsu looked up and asked Makarov, "Any more news?" Makarov shook his head. Silence settled over the four as all seemed to sink deeper and deeper into their own minds.

"Alright!" Natsu said, startling everyone. He grinned at the three, doing his best to brighten the unusually somber mood. "We're doing what we can for now, that's all that can be asked."

Even as Natsu spoke his insides boiled. He didn't mean it. He wanted to be out there, doing something. He wanted to punch Zeref and Deliora in the face. But he couldn't. He was the Prince, the soon to be King. Even though his body begged him to run and finish the enemy himself he knew that it would be best if he stayed here. He knew that, and yet…

Rolling back his shoulders he said abruptly, "Okay, I'll see you guys later!"

The three stared in silence at the place he has stood moments before, his form darting out of the throne room as fast as possible.

"Where do you suppose he went?" Gildarts asked to no one in particular once the door banged close behind him. Wendy giggled.

"Where he always goes when he needs a break. To Lucy."

Gildarts barely restrained his eye roll and Makarov sighed.

"Youth," Makarov murmured to the large room. And Gildarts laughter echoed in great booms.


Marvin ached all over, but still he pushed on. He had been traveling for days but not even his aching bones and weariness would deter him.

Nothing would stop him at this point.


Comments, thoughts, reviews? Yes, no, maybe so?

Okay okay so sorry about the no nalu and barely any Marvin. He'll show up more and next chapter will have lots of nalu, wooo! Finally. Sorry if the writing for the action scene isn't very good, I've never been great at those.


Dog Daysby Rivendell101: This is a cute little one chapter story Rivendell posted about Natsu and Lucy dogsitting and such. It's pretty short but Rivendell's writing is amazing. I love reading it more than breathing practically and any stories she posts I highly suggest checking out. The story is ADORABLE. Really it won't take long to go check it out, it's only one chapter except she might be posting side chapters so it might get more interesting. Anyway go check it out!


Alright, love you and thanks for being amazing! (I had a dream someone made fanart for this story and I nearly cried)