Chapter Twenty-Eight: Encounters
-X784-
"Loke's got some kind of death wish." Cana took a chug out of the barrel of beer. The other Fairy Tail members that sat close to her nodded in agreement.
Everyone within the guild knew of the engagement between the dragon slayer and the Life-binder. Though no one really knew when they were actually going to tie the knot and there was a betting pool currently on the year it would happen. Most of the member's had their money on the following year, while Cana bet all of her money at the end of this year. Her fortunes were never wrong.
Freya was sitting at the bar, with Loke holding her hand trying to charm who was once a young girl who had now grown into a beautiful young lady. She had finally filled out as she always wished she would, as it was now clear to everyone she was no longer a little girl.
She was just a few inches shorter than Natsu, with a more of a lean muscle tone than the other girl's within Fairy Tail but was in no way muscular such as Natsu and Gray. She had the developing lines on her stomach, but she wanted to still try to retain a more lady like figure. She was curvy, but nothing compared to Erza or Mira Jane. Her hair was kept in the same style as she always kept it, a braid falling over her right shoulder.
"Loke…" Freya was trying to laugh it off as he spouted off his usual lines to her. She wasn't quite sure why he was so taken with her, but if she had to guess he was drawn to her healing. She knew better than anyone that the player within Fairy Tail wasn't exactly who he appeared to be. So every day when he would take her hand, she would unknowingly to him soothe his fading soul. Giving him a little bit more of a lease on his fading life. She feared however it wouldn't work much longer, as it didn't seem to help as much anymore.
"Your shining radiance even blinds…" But before he could finish his sentence Natsu sent him flying through the back door of the guild hall.
"Piss off!" Natsu growled. He couldn't figure out why he was always so hell bent on flirting with Freya. He sat down next to Freya. "Yo."
Freya couldn't help but laugh at his antics. "Yo, yourself." She then giggled. "Did you really have to send him flying out through the back?"
"Hell yeah I did." Natsu smirked.
"So are you really going to send me off with Erza, as you go to look for Igneel?" Freya put her hands down onto the bar.
He could hear her disappointment and he wasn't really looking forward to going without her either. Natsu turned around in the chair looking over at her. "Frey, it's not time yet." He lowered his voice to a whisper. They could hardly keep their hands off of each other whenever they were alone. Their lust for the other over powering them. "We need a small break."
Freya frowned. He almost made it sound like they were going to go separate ways but she of course knew better. She knew that things were really getting out of hand between the two of them. Not that she minded, but it was always Natsu who was trying to put restraint on their relationship. He was dead set for some reason waiting for "when its right."
Natsu put his hands on the top of her dress ripping it off and throwing it behind him as their tongues danced. He couldn't get enough of her and he pushed her into the wall of their bedroom. He ran his hands down her sides, earning a small muffled moan as he continued to run his hands down her curvy waist. For a moment he squeezed both of her soft round cheeks. There was enough that it filled his hands perfectly. Without effort he lifted her up, with her wrapping her legs around his hips, pressing her covered moist core against him.
He broke away from her lips, feeling drawn to the sweet pulse on her neck.
Freya ran her finger tips down his toned back, biting her lips as he nipped and licked on the sensitive spot upon her neck. She could hardly stand it as her neck was slightly more sensitive than anywhere else, especially the back of her neck.
"Natsu…" She pleaded as she bucked and grinded against him, lightly digging her nails into his back.
"Oh god, Frey." He husked, breathing his hot breath against her skin. He was losing it. He couldn't control himself anymore, he didn't care rather it was time or not. He had to taste her, to know rather she tasted as good as she smelled. Just thinking about tasting her sweet folds within his mouth, caused him to drool like the animal he was.
Grabbing a hold of the strap of her rosy pink bra, he sent it up in flames the ashes falling to the floor next to his feet. Before he could finally look upon her for the first time he heard the front door open.
"Natsu, Frey!" Happy had already come back from the guild and was in their living room.
Freya wiggled and rubbed her thighs together a little after recalling the steamy morning they shared that had been interrupted with Happy's arrival with news of a rumor about Igneel. "I just wish I could be there when you see Igneel again."
Freya turned as she felt a cool armored hand on her shoulder. "Ready to set out on your first S-class mission?"
"Oi." Natsu began to protest as he stood up. He didn't know the job was S-class. He had faith in Erza's strength and Freya's abilities but he was haunted by the thought of the last time when someone wasn't S-class went on an S-class mission. There was a time when he once wanted to be an S-class wizard, but it quickly changed after the death of Lisanna. He wasn't willing to risk his life or the lives of Freya and Happy.
"I'll protect her with my life, Natsu." Erza reassured him.
"No way is she going now." Natsu's eyes flared. No way in the fiery pits of hell was she going to go now. He couldn't believe Gramps was allowing it to begin with.
"I assure you the danger is minimal. It can hardly even be classified as an S-class quest." Erza held the flier up for Natsu to look over it.
Freya stood up and peeped over at the request. "Natsu." Freya put her hand on Natsu's shoulder. "It's time that Fairy Tail moves on forward together. We can't always be bound to the past forever."
Natsu gritted his teeth as he crumpled the paper and threw it to the ground. Within instant he wrapped his arms around her waist placing a kiss upon her lips. Shocked for a moment as cat calls and whistles filled the guild, she gave into him and placed her arms around his neck.
Pulling away as everyone continued to cheer and jeer at the two, he placed his forehead to hers. "Be careful."
Freya placed her dainty hand against his cheek. "I will."
"I love you Frey. You better come back safe and sound." He smirked as he placed one last quick kiss on her lips.
"I love you too." She smiled tenderly giving him one more quick hug. "I promise I'll be safe."
As Freya and Erza walked out of the guild hall together, she waved at Natsu within him taking in every detail of her face. Smirking, him and Happy both held their hands up giving her the Fairy Tail send off.
Natsu groaned before stepping onto the train. He suddenly remembered how much he use to hate transportation. "This is going to be hell." He plopped down in the seat as Happy sat next to him. It was already hell without Freya next to him. This was truly the first time when there would be quite the distance between them. They were never too far apart. When they were they both were always within Magnolia. He felt so restless. They needed the space before they devoured the other but it was somewhat painful to him to be away from her.
He trusted Erza to bring her back home safely to him, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to worry.
"You haven't ridden on anything in years without her." Happy recalled. "And we are gonna be on the train for an hour or so too."
Natsu pushed their window up so once the train started he could have fresh air and if need be he could lean his head out the window.
Natsu's stomach churned at the thought. "Don't remind me." Just thinking of being on the train was sickening to him. The final whistle blew and Natsu suddenly remembered he didn't have any other money than what was in his pocket that he used to buy his and Happy's tickets. "Crap man!" Natsu stood up in a panic and was going to run off the train. "We forgot our money!"
"What!?" Happy instantly sprouted his wings. Without money neither of them would be able to eat and they would have to walk all the way back to Magnolia.
However, the train jerked and started to slowly take off and with that Natsu instantly became weak in his knees and fell back into the hard seats.
"Well good thing Freya packed some fish in my pack this morning." Happy sat down, slinging it around and pulling out one of his favorites.
"Ha…pp…i…" Natsu could hardly speak. "Do…do you ha…" The smell of food on top of his churning stomach was making it worse. "ve…to e…at?" Natsu was slurring the words.
"Aye." He happily took another bite out of his fish.
The carriage shook as it went across the bumpy dirt road, taking Erza and Freya further away from Magnolia. Freya was quite apprehensive and nervous. She was excited though too. Going on such a big job as this. They were to slay a Wyvern that has been terrorizing a nearby town. Due to its urgency it was why it was classified as an S-class request.
"Worried?" Erza looked over at Freya. She was impressed with how much she has grown and improved her skills over the years. It was hard to believe that girl she chased after and up onto the hill had grown up to be a proud strong young woman such as herself. She once had been so unsure of her path but now she walked proudly down the path of magic and followed her heart.
Natsu also played a lot into Freya's strength. He showed her the way to become stronger and this was the product. A young wizard who could heal, but it didn't mean she couldn't kick ass and take names like the rest of them could. Honestly if Erza sparred with her without her armor or swords she wasn't entirely sure which of them would win. Freya was fierce, when she wanted to be. Which honestly wasn't that often, as she preferred to avoid fighting altogether.
"A little." Freya stretched her legs out. She would have to focus on the task on hand. Her body ached and yearned to be near the fiery dragon slayer. Natsu had told her what Igneel had once explained to him. As the time got closer it would become painful for the two of them to be a part. She just didn't understand why they just couldn't right now, but he was set on waiting until the time was right. "I'm a little achy too." Freya admitted.
"What do you mean?" Erza raised her eyebrow. She wasn't aware that Freya was unwell.
Freya chuckled a little as she remembers the day Erza seen the marks on the back of her neck. She really was seriously going to slice Natsu up in retribution. Course it took a lot of explaining to spare Natsu her wrath. "It's almost time."
"I see." Erza instantly knew of what she was referring too. Though she still thought she was just a year or two too young to go into the next phase of her life with Natsu. "Will you be able to do the job?"
Perhaps she shouldn't had brought her along, but it was at the request of Natsu saying they both needed a little bit of space. At first she was worried of what he was referring too. Worried about their relationship but seeing Natsu making quick work of Loke and them sharing a kiss within the guild hall her worries melted away instantly. She should have known better than to doubt their relationship. They have after all be together for so long, and they truly brought out the best out of one another.
"Mmh!" Freya nodded. "But I think this will be the last time that we will be able to be apart like this. Though that might be a problem too." Freya mumbled not realizing the mistake she had made.
"What do you mean?" The atmosphere instantly got heavy around them. Freya almost shrieked. "Have you two been fooling around again!?" Erza was the first one after all that caught Natsu on top of her. She should have knocked yes; however, she didn't expect to walk into their house to find their bodies mingling together on their couch.
Freya held her hands up in front of her, shaking both her hands and head. Her face flushed red. "Nope!" She knew she shouldn't lie but she didn't want Natsu to come up missing a few parts either. She didn't want to recall the day that Erza held them both at sword point, threatening if she seen the two of them like that again Natsu would come out of the scuffle with two fewer body parts. It was a year ago, so she knew Erza still seen her as a little girl and so she was protective of her as she seen her as her sister.
"Waiting until we get married." Freya looked away a little flustered.
"Good. As the two of you should." Erza crossed her arms and nodded. While Freya had explained what her and Natsu were to each other, she felt getting married would be more appropriate beforehand. After all, it would only be a once in a life time event for her to be the maid of honor. To see Freya dressed head to toe in white for a maiden such as herself would also be expected.
The train had finally arrived at the port town Hargeon, but Natsu couldn't take another step. Even if the door to get off was right in front of him. He had no strength to stand and laid in the floor of the train. Happy's voice echoed through his head. "I can't handle it…I'm never riding on anything again without her…" His stomach churned causing him to groan out.
"If the rumor is true, Igneel should be here." Happy started to walk off the train, with Natsu finally able to get up off the floor but he draped himself out the window. "Come on let's go, Natsu!"
"Just give me a minute…" He grumbled. He felt sick and somewhat delusional. He didn't expect being away from Freya like this would affect him in such a way. His body ached as his stomach churned.
"Aye." Happy stood outside but the whistle blew and before Natsu could get out the door it was closed and the train took off again, with him screaming Happy's name.
"Well there he goes." Happy, walked over and sat down on the bench waiting for the train to come back.
Freya was carrying her shoes within in her hands as her and Erza walked through the forest. The July sun shined brightly in the sky and Freya couldn't understand how Erza could walk around with all that armor on. Even if she wore a skirt, the chest piece alone would cause dehydration for anyone else walking around in this heat.
"Are you sure the beast is this way?" Erza slashed through some of the thickets.
"It is a little hard to track the Wyvern since he only lands for a brief moment and takes off again, but it is for sure going in this direction." The fog only grew within her mind. His absence was becoming more and more painful to her, and she suddenly felt like she was no longer home.
She was being consumed by the abrupt loneliness within her heart. She hadn't felt truly lonely since Granny passed.
Natsu fell over face first off the train, cursing transportation. His love he once held for it quickly came to an end without Freya by his side keeping his motion sickness at bay. "I can't believe I rode it…twice…" His dull green eyes looked up as he heard Happy coming closer.
"Welcome back, Natsu!"
Lucy had just left the two of them as they finished eating. In a way, Lucy reminded Happy of Lisanna. She talked a lot just like her and seemed nice too.
Though Natsu didn't pay too much attention to her prattling on, his mind was hazy and he didn't quite feel like himself. He was more than a little disappointed that Igneel wasn't here. He couldn't explain it though, he still knew, he felt that he would see Igneel again sometime soon in the coming years.
The ache was becoming worse as a growing emptiness grew within his heart as he sat here with only Happy. He was once again losing sight of himself without her to ground him. Something….something was changing that he didn't quite know. It was something about himself and he didn't quite understand it. He just didn't feel like his normal usual cheerful, upbeat self lately. Now more than ever without his earth, without Freya.
Sighing, Natsu looked out the window into the street trying to think of something else. Anything to distract him from this pain within his soul. If he could recall, Lucy said something of Fairy Tail but he wasn't quite sure.
"Guess we'll start walking home then." Natsu couldn't eat another bite. He was full but he still felt a little nausea from the train ride earlier. Natsu thought for a moment about the wizard earlier that was calling himself Salamander. It was his nickname too to those outside the guild. Kind of weird for someone to go by the same name since it referred to a Fire Dragon and while he wasn't a dragon per say, he was a son of one.
"Yeah, looks like the rumor was a bust."
They reached one of the overlooks within Hargeon and oddly enough each step he took in the direction he felt Freya was in, little by little the aches were fading away.
He leaned against the rail of the overlook, even from here he could hear the ocean waves. He closed his eyes for a moment trying to focus, and from what he could tell Freya seemed perfectly fine.
Happy noticed the ship sailing out of the harbor. "I wonder if that's the same boat that weird guy from earlier said he was going to be on."
Natsu opened his eyes and he could see the ship sailing out as well. "He was pretty weird. More sleazier than Loke with the circle of girls that follows him around all the time."
"You always get so angry when he's around Freya." Happy snickered, curling up his tail.
"Duh." Natsu put his elbow on the railing looking a little annoyed the more he thought about it. "Goes without saying. The way he looks at her pisses me off sometimes."
"I don't think he really means anything by it though." Happy sat down on the railing. "I think Freya is right when she says it's just who he is."
Some girls were currently walking by when Natsu and Happy heard him talking about "Salamander."
"He's the great mage currently in town. Didn't you know that he's in Fairy Tail?"
Natsu and Happy's eyes widen at the revelation. "Fairy Tail?" They both said in unison. Natsu looked over at the sailing ship and instantly his stomach churned at the thought of boarding it. Truth be told he hasn't be on one since last year when the three of them took a cruise. It was for a venue that Freya had been invited to play at and she jumped at the chance to go sailing on a ship for a week.
At first he was reluctant since she would have to play up on a stage and he couldn't just very well go up there with her, but she worked around their problem with her arranging to be standing in front of curtains. Though he did have to stand in one spot reaching his hand through the curtain where no one could see, touching her back.
"Fairy Tail, is it then?" Natsu stood up. "Come on Happy."
"You're not gonna do it are you? You won't be able to do a single thing on their ship!" Happy couldn't believe the crazy idea's that Natsu would come up with.
"I can if you fly me around." Natsu smirked.
They were flying above the ship. "So what's the plan?"
"Plan T!" Natsu tried to mentally ready himself for the drop onto the ship. Even if his feet would be on the ship for just a moment, he hoped he didn't turn into a blubbering mess.
"Aye sir!" Happy released his vest and watched the fire ball descend onto the ship, waiting for the moment that he could come through and pick Natsu back up.
As soon as he seen the opening, he flew through the hole only to see that guy from earlier holding a hot poker with a crying Lucy being restrained. When he looked over at Natsu, he was already reeling from his motion sickness unable to stand.
"Lucy!? What are you doing here?" Happy came closer to her as she was freed as the men walked over to Natsu.
"They said I could join Fairy Tail and…" Lucy then finally realized Happy was flying. "Wait, you have wings!?"
Happy quickly wrapped his tail around her waist and began to fly away. He wasn't quite sure of the situation going on the boat but it was clear she was being held there against her will. That they lured her using Fairy Tail's name and for that it was his responsibility to take care of her. "We'll talk about it later, let's get out of here for now!" Happy took off using his max speed.
"But Natsu! We can't leave him behind!" The wind flew past her whipping her hair around her face, her dress flying up from the wind.
Happy didn't expect for her to be this heavy, and his magic probably wouldn't last much longer. He wasn't sure why she was so much heavier than Freya or Natsu. "I can't carry two people." He struggled from the strain as he dodged the oncoming bullets and magic. It was no use though, he just couldn't do it. "We have a problem."
"Eh?"
Happy's wings disappeared as they both immediately started to fall towards the ocean below them. "I'm out of magic."
Natsu heard the two of them yell out as they fell into the ocean. He seriously needed Happy at the moment but he understood why he suddenly flew off with Lucy. He seen the hot poker within his hands, and heard her say that they lured her here using Fairy Tail's name. They were human traffickers, some of the worst scum in the world in his mind.
They all felt high and mighty at the moment as they kicked him since he couldn't muster the strength to stand. Though they didn't have much strength behind their relentless assaults. Freya could kick harder when she wasn't even being serious.
But Happy was right though. This was probably one of the worst idea's he had but he wasn't going to let someone sully the name of Fairy Tail any longer. Especially the business they practiced.
He gritted his teeth catching one of the men's feet that was kicking him and pushed him away as he pulled himself up against the wall. "Fairy Tail?" His eyes changed, turning to olive green. He could hardly speak from being nauseated, but the ache he's felt all day was slowly going away the more he thought about their profession reminded him of the day Freya told him the truth of what she went through before arriving at Fairy Tail. "You're in Fairy Tail?"
-X781-
Natsu walked up to Freya who was standing upon a hill with a single tree that overlooked Magnolia. It was fall with the heat wave finally releasing its fiery grip it held over all of them. It was the first autumn he's seen without all the colorful leaves within the trees, as the summer scorched the land dried. He wasn't even for sure if the trees were still alive or not.
"Whatcha doing up here Frey?" Natsu walked over standing next to her. Her birthday was coming up and he was wanting to take her to go pick out the cake she wanted from the bakery.
"This is where I first seen Fairy Tail." Freya tried to smile but she couldn't. It was finally time for her to tell him. Tell him the truth of her travels, and what she endured to get here. "It was the first time up until that moment that I was truly happy and relieved. I couldn't believe my eyes that I was finally…" Freya sucked in a deep breath. "Finally so close to seeing the name that kept me going through my hell."
She turned to look at him for a moment before walked over and sitting down at the tree. Something was clearly on her mind and whatever it was, he already didn't like it.
"It's time I've finally told you what happened." Freya looked away, placing her hand on her elbow. "It wasn't long after I set out on my journey."
Freya sat happily humming around the fire she had built. She was certainly tired since she didn't sleep well anymore but she had just seen the reversed waterfall. It wasn't all that out of her way and it was certainly a sight to see water flow in reverse up a water fall. She couldn't figure out how something like that could occur, but it must because of the magic within the area. She was just one more of a day's walk before she would start her trek across the mountain range to cross into Fiore. She was making excellent time and would arrive even sooner than she first thought.
"At that time I was still in awe and wonder of the world around me. I just seen one of the world's reversal water falls." Freya walked over to the tree, sitting down.
Freya quickly stood up however and stomped on the fire she had built. Gathering her things quickly she strapped her quiver to her side, and put her bow across her back, while flinging her back across her shoulders. She ran into the nearby thicket and buried her pack into a shallow hole. There was a group of people not far from her, and they were coming in her direction. She knew she should have paid more attention to her surroundings.
Quickly she climbed up as high as she could hiding within the branches of the tree.
"But when I realized the approaching group it was already too late."
"I saw someone scamper around in this area."
"You don't think the Magic Council is already onto us do you?"
"There isn't too many places to hid in this area, search for them." A young Bora commanded of the three other men.
"They found me within the tree I was hiding up in. I tried to defend myself with my bow. I even got a few shots off, but I was no match against wizards who were older and stronger than me with nothing but a bow."
Natsu continued to sit quietly as he listened, holding her hand within his. He did always want to know, what one of the things engraved upon her heart was. Perhaps her finally letting it off her shoulders, she could continue to move forward into the future with him.
Freya gnawed on her trembling lips. She never wanted to think about it again, but she had promised to tell him one day. She promised that she would be truthful with him and today was the day she was ready to let it go.
"They bound me and gagged me with rope. They even tried to brand me as a slave with a poker so they could sell me."
Everything suddenly went black within Natsu's vision. His mind was in a flurry of rage, and questions. Did they hurt her? Did they touch her? "Who?" Natsu spoke lowly almost growling. He would go to the ends of the earth to find them.
Freya felt the tension within the air, his magic out pouring in waves unable to control it. There was no heat behind it, not yet anyway. "I…I don't really know, I only heard the name Bora."
"Did…did they…?" Natsu couldn't even bring himself to say the words. He had forgotten about her. She was forced to travel alone in order to get to where he was. He was partly to blame for not always being at her side to protect her.
"They would only beat me occasionally. Finding amusement in my healing abilities. They wanted to keep me pure to fetch a higher price."
-X784-
Her voice echoed in his head. As Natsu was beginning to get his footing, the ship suddenly rocked and for a brief moment it felt like complete hell. The shipped being swirled around in different directions until he felt it run ashore. "It finally stopped." But it didn't mean his stomach would stop any time soon. Finally he had the strength to stand however.
He heard the door open to the cabin with Lucy rushing in to ask if he was alright but he didn't say anything as he gazed at the other mage in front of him. Slowly he took off the over coat he was wearing Freya had just recently made him. It still smelled so much like her which was actually why he had worn it. He didn't want it to become ripped or tattered because he could already see her shocked expression asking him how had already managed it.
He could hear other people talking but it just sounded muffled together. There was no doubt that this man truly wasn't in Fairy Tail. He knew everyone within Fairy Tail. "So you're from Fairy Tail huh? Well, I'm Natsu from Fairy Tail and I've never seen you around there before."
"That mark!" One of Bora's men shrieked. "He's really from Fairy Tail Bora!"
As Bora condemned his man from uttering his real name, Natsu's eyes flared at the name. He had finally found him by chance. The piece of scum that abused Freya and who had planned to sell her as a sex slave. He wasn't entirely sure if he could keep himself from killing the man, but did he ever want to.
Lucy stood speechless at the display of raw power from Natsu as he easily over powered the wizard that had tricked her as his men ran away calling Natsu a demon. He attacked with fire, and even ate Bora's purple flames. She had never seen anything like it before.
"I've never seen anyone use magic like him before." Lucy eyes widen as the fight grew more heated. "For fire not to affect him, much less eat it!"
"Aye." Happy was flying next to Lucy. "That's because he's a fire dragon slayer."
"So…" Lucy had read about him before. In fact she had just finishing reading about him. "He's the REAL Salamander?!"
"Aye!"
Lucy brought her hand up under her chin furrowing her eyebrows. "Isn't he going a little overboard?" It was obvious to anyone that Bora was no match for the true Salamander. But the relentless onslaught, was it really necessary?
"Well…" Happy crossed his arms as he watched Natsu. He did always have a tenacity to go overboard, but it seemed Natsu was really angry over something. He understood that Natsu was pissed over someone like Bora using Fairy Tail's name but this seemed to be deeper than that. "He does seem a little more fired up than normal."
As the fight drawn on, it seemed Natsu was getting some enjoyment out of pummeling the almost helpless Bora.
"How fucking dare you touch her!" Natsu roared as he kept throwing his punches. "I swear I'll kill you!"
Happy eyes widen as he realized that this did go beyond Bora using Fairy Tail's name and that it was somehow tied to Freya. It was the only person that Natsu would actually kill over.
Lucy was a little confused. Was he talking about her, or someone else? More so it was actually frightening to see someone she thought was a complete goof ball do a one eighty.
Happy ears twitched as he heard the oncoming army. "Natsu!" Happy called out over his cursing. "The army is almost here!"
Natsu picked up a blooded Bora by his collar bring him closer. How he wanted to kill this disgusting waste of a human, he wouldn't. He didn't exactly want to be imprisoned for the rest of his life as it would separate him from Freya, Happy and Fairy Tail. "You came across a little girl years ago within the wild. You bound her, gagged her and tried to brand her a slave. You found amusement in beating her, until one day you turned your back on her and she rolled over in the fire and burned the rope off."
Bora could hardly open his eyes as his face was swelling and burned from the flames of the dragon slayer.
"If it wasn't for not seeing her again, I would kill you right here, right now." Natsu seethed. "When you close your eyes at night, I'll be in your nightmares torturing you as you did her." Natsu threw him onto the deck of the ship, knocking Bora out.
Grabbing a hold of Lucy's hand the three of them ran off before the army could capture the three of them for the damages done to the port.
"Hey, wait!" Lucy tried to protest.
He was a little worried. He tried to not let others see this side of him. Yes he was protective of Freya but there was a demon within his mind that he couldn't always control when it came to her. While it didn't bother Freya or Happy which he was relieved, he wasn't sure how others would react. Not that it really mattered since Freya and Happy were both understanding. But that didn't mean he wanted other people to see it. However it was always Freya who would rein him in. Keeping him from doing something he would regret. Just like how he thought of her just then, it reeled the beast he was becoming in.
Pushing it all aside, he put on his cheeky grin and looked back as he dragged Lucy along. "You said you wanted to join Fairy Tail, right?"
Lucy's face instantly lit up and with that she happily ran next to him onward to her new adventure.
Natsu was in the middle of a rumble with Gray after just arriving back from the job him and Happy tricked Lucy into. Though he was wanting the money from the job to go buy a surprise and hide it for later so she wouldn't know. He supposed he would have to dip into their savings and try to explain how he spent so much money on him and Happy for food. Actually it could work since him and Happy ate a lot of food sometimes.
It was dull without her around, and he actually felt really disheartened. He missed her laughing at his antics. He missed her smile that could make his breathing hitch, her eyes that caused his heart to skip a beat. Over the years it had only gotten worse, or well perhaps that wasn't the right word. Because he enjoyed feeling that way, his body reacting that way. She truly had him within the palm of her hands.
Each day that passes, as they both get closer to that day when they finally mate, he just kept falling deeper and deeper in love with her. He wanted to bring her happiness every day. To give her everything she has ever wanted, and to finally make love to her. To show her how deeply he cared for her, and how devoted he is to her and her alone.
The only distraction he had from the ache within his body and soul from not having her at his side, was his fight with Gray.
"Erza's back!" Loke ran into the guild in a panic.
Natsu quickly pushed Gray off of him standing up. He didn't realize she was so close but he was relieved that she was finally back, and more importantly safe.
Erza walked through first carrying a decorated horn off of a Wyvern but he didn't see Freya anywhere. He ignored Erza's lectures that she was busy giving to everyone and was about to ask her where the hell Freya was but he felt something tug on the back of his vest. He turned around and there she was smiling.
Both of their eyes lightning up as the hugged each other tightly. The ache and emptiness that they were both filled with instantly dissipating. "I've missed you." Natsu whispered quietly as he put his hand at the back of her head, placing her head over his heart.
Freya listened to the soothing beat, her heart beating in unison with his. "I've missed you too." It felt like it had been ages since she seen him and it had only been two days. It was comforting to once again feel their magic and souls resonate with the other.
"Huh? Who's that Happy?" Lucy looked over for a moment seeing the two embrace.
"Freya the Life-Binder." Happy was sitting on the bar eating a fish, letting the two of them get their embraces and kisses out of the way before he went up to hug Freya himself.
"The Life-binder? The one who is rumored to the best healer within Fiore is her!?" Lucy only looked on in amazement. "I heard that she's been to years of medical schooling! She looks like she's my age."
"She wants to go but she's never been. She uses her magic to heal others." Happy curled his tailed, as he continued to chow down.
"They both seem really close." Lucy furrowed her brows as she brought her hands up to her lips. There was something that seemed familiar about her. She radiated with the warmth of the sun itself, but there was something else. Something she couldn't quite place her finger on.
"Aye! That's because they're…"
"Natsu, Gray!" Erza called out gaining their attention. Erza walked up to the two who were still cuddled up to the other in the middle of the guild hall. "I have a favor to ask the two of you."
Freya and Natsu parted, with him and the guild excluding Freya were floored at Erza asking for a favor from the fire and ice wizards.
"While traveling back me and Freya both heard some troubling rumors. However it appears the Master has not returned yet. This matter is urgent and is something that cannot be ignored. You'll come with me, right?
"Huh?" The two of them said in unison.
"Excellent. I expect to see you tomorrow as well, Freya. Prepare yourselves. The train leaves early tomorrow morning. I'll explain the details on the way."
"Wait, what's this all about Erza?!" Gray
"Who said anything about me working with…" Natsu was about to protest.
Erza turned sharply, staring the two of them down. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Aye!" The two of them chirped in unison.
Erza strolled out of the guild, wanting to go soak in a bath and get some much needed rest before they all went toe to toe with a dark guild.
"Freya what exactly is going on?" Gray started to walk closer, and Lucy's face immediately flushed upon seeing the ice wizard had even stripped out of his boxers. Freya only shrugged as her eyes darted away.
"Bastard, put some clothes on before you just start waltzing up to and talking to her." Natsu slugged the ice mage into a table causing it to break.
Happy flew over towards Freya. "Seen that coming."
"Wanna go at it, flame for brains." Gray got up from the broken table. "I was just asking her a question, damn man."
"Put on some damn clothes first."
Gray looked down and immediately grabbed his boxers and slipping them on as Gray hurled more insults at Natsu and before long it turned into a brawl between the two.
"This could quite possibly be Fairy Tail's strongest team." Mira lost in her thoughts of how the four of them would mesh together. "Erza, Gray, Natsu and Freya."
Freya and Happy both cheered on Natsu but before long the fighting spread to the entire guild, even dragging Freya and Happy in on it.
Lucy sat at the bar as she looked on at the chaos before turning around taking a drink out of her glass. "Is it always like this?" Lucy sighed.
"Mostly." Mira laughed. "Though, Freya hardly ever gets in the middle of it all, so it's nice to see her loosen up."
"It's kind of scary watching her." Lucy shuddered as she was bringing most of the men within the guild to their knees with Natsu laughing manically. "It's like watching a Natsu number two."
Mira polishing one of the shot glasses. "That's because Natsu's trained her for the past several years."
"Huh? She's a dragon slayer too then? I thought Happy said she used healing magic?"
Mira sat down the shot glass and picked up another. "She tried to become a dragon slayer, but was never able to use any other magic than healing."
Lucy looked over her shoulder as Natsu gave Freya a high five for her victory.
"Bastard, that's low…" Gray groaned. "Hiding behind her like that."
"What did you just say, ice princess!?" Natsu cracked his knuckles and with that the second round of the brawl broke out.
"It would be wonderful if the four of them formed a team. But there's the fact that Natsu and Gray don't really get along, especially when Erza's got her back turned. Could you go as the mediator?" Mira smiled at her plan. Lucy was new after all and thought the five of them could all become really great friends.
"Eh? Me? What about Freya? Couldn't she just keep the fighting down?"
Mira chuckled at the thought. "Freya just often laughs at Natsu's antics and never intervenes between them. Which only encourages Natsu since it makes her smiles and laugh."
"They do seem really close."
"That's because they are engaged!" Mira beamed. She couldn't wait to finally go to their wedding. "Mmm, how long as it been now?" Mira brought her index finger to her lips as she pursed them together in thought.
The shot glass Lucy was drinking out of slipped from her hand colliding with the bar, shattering upon impact.
"Oh my." Mira immediately grabbed a rag and started to clean the mess up, while carefully picking up the glass. "To everyone in the guild, we've always expected for the two of them to get married one day. I guess there is just some people who are fated to be together and they have been together ever since she arrived six years ago at the guild. But I suppose it does comes as a bit of a shock to anyone outside the guild. Even more so to you since you were taken in by his charm."
Lucy immediately crossed her arms, her brows furrowed in annoyance. "I am not!"
Mira kept throwing away the shards of glass. "Well after all, once you seen Natsu the charm Bora placed on you broke instantly did it not?"
"Yeah but…" Lucy was beginning to protest as she didn't believe that she had a crush or anything of the sort on Natsu. He was good looking, there was no denying that. If you denied it then you had to be out of your mind. She has never seen a guy with a body crafted by the gods. "What the hell am I thinking!?" He was strong and all, yeah. He was also wild, reckless and destructive but he just wasn't her type. For one he broke into her house, and he often calls her weird. Not only that but he has weird mannerisms and seemed distant most of the time too. But with the arrival of Freya to the guild he seemed more like a cheerful goof ball.
It was odd for sure when she seen Natsu become someone else entirely when the two of them embraced. The way he looked at her, it was as if his whole world became alive again. It would explain why he was so disinterested in her sex appeal while she was wearing that ridiculous maid outfit.
"I'm only teasing." Mira winked at Lucy.
Freya sat down next to Lucy letting out a sigh as she wiped her forehead. "May I have some water please, Mira?"
"Of course." Mira finished raking the small shards of glass with a rag into another rag before tossing it into the trash.
Freya turned and smiled softly at Lucy, holding out her hand. "You must be new to Fairy Tail. My name is Freya Dragneel." She spoke her last name with a bit of pride. It seemed so long ago when she didn't have one, but now she did. Natsu had given her a family, and welcomed her with open arms so long ago.
The way Freya smiled at Lucy, she had seen a similar smile before. Lucy put her hand into Freya, and as they shook hands, Freya's magic flowed into her. It was soothing, something she has never felt before.
"Mmm. I'm Lucy."
"Nice to meet you." Freya smiled as she withdrew her hand and began to chug on the water Mira placed in front of her in a glass.
"Like wise." Perhaps she had seen her in a magazine before since she was such a world renowned healer.
"I was just trying to talk Lucy into joining you guys tomorrow." Mira placed her head into her hands as she leaned onto the bar.
"Oh?" Freya sat her glass down and turned to look at Lucy. "You should come with us then tomorrow. It would be nice to have you along and we could use the help."
"What exactly are we going to be doing tomorrow anyway then?" Lucy was a little hesitant to go since someone she knew from the Sorcerer Weekly named Erza as one of the strongest wizards within Fairy Tail.
"I'll just let Erza explain it to you tomorrow on the train." Freya had promised not to explain the situation to no one so word wouldn't get back to Eisenwald that they were planning to stop whatever it was that they had planned.
"I don't see you keeping it a secret for long from Natsu." Mira knew how open the two of them were with each other. Everyone did. It was impossible for one of them to surprise the other because they would always spoil the surprise. Just like that time Natsu reserved a vacation for them to stay at a ski resort he broke down and told her the day before unable to keep the secret any longer.
Freya's eyes dulled for a moment as she stiffened. She was also afraid of Erza's wrath. While she wasn't quite as scared from her intimidation as Natsu and Gray she dared not to disobey the armored mage. Even if the two of them thought of each other as sisters that they never had, it still didn't spare her from Erza's occasional lectures and threats. Though that was rarely and occasionally and it was always over her and Natsu being what she deemed as to close before their marriage.
"Even I wouldn't dare to speak it to Natsu." Freya breathed out before taking another gulp of the water.
As Mira and Freya's voices blended into the background, debating on rather she would tell Natsu or not, Lucy only sat and observed Freya. She couldn't help but to keep looking at the young life-binder. She couldn't shake off that she has seen someone like her before, and more so she held a familiar magic.
"Dragneel? Isn't that Natsu's last name?" Lucy pondered trying to move her thoughts from where she had seen her before. Since she wasn't getting anywhere with it anyway as she just kept drawing a blank.
"Hmm?" Freya sat her glass down while turned around in the bar stool. "Well, he gave me his last name cause we're going to get married and I didn't have one." Freya's eyes lit up. She felt suddenly alive again. It was as if she didn't know she had been drowning in loneliness, but was saved the instant she seen Natsu within the guild hall.
"I gotta admit looking at him, hearing that he was engaged was a bit of a shocker." Lucy tried to laugh it off. She wasn't trying to put Natsu down, or his apparent happiness he has found with Freya it was still just a shock to her. "Congratulations on your engagement!"
Freya couldn't help but giggle. "Thank you!" She turned back around in her stool and drew circles with her finger upon the bar. "I guess he really wasn't himself the past couple of days…" Her words trailed off. She could only assume from the way Lucy was speaking of Natsu he was really despondent. While not everyone could particularly believe that Natsu was romantic in any sense, not a single person was truly all that shocked when Happy announced their engagement to the guild the following day. Even now how he spoke her name tenderly, full of love, rung through her head when he proposed to her. "Freya Dragneel."
Then again she didn't grow up within the guild like the rest of them had. Everyone else had watched as the two of them grow closer and closer.
They watched them grow up together and endure hardships together.
"He was moping around the guild hall when he was around." Mira interjected. "Happy was too."
"It was hard to focus on the job when I was out with Erza, that's for sure." Freya thought back to how she had almost been pinned by the beast twice.
"Hopefully you two won't have to separate like that again." Mira continued to piddle around behind the bar, organizing and polishing glasses.
Natsu, Happy and Freya laid on a blank outside of their cabin star gazing. Happy lay above their heads, snoring lightly. Freya was laying on her side, resting her head upon Natsu's arm cuddled up to him under a blanket.
He was going to be more in control of himself more than ever before. He didn't want to go through being away from her like that, nor did he want to put her through something like that again.
Freya had her eyes closed, enjoying the feeling she had missed so desperately. The fiery, wild warmth of his soul. She had heard absence made the heart grow stronger, and hers certainly had.
Natsu pulled his arm out from under her head causing her to roll over onto her back. Natsu rolled himself onto of her, placing his arms on both sides of her head, supporting his weight as he lay on top of her.
Reaching her hands up and placing her hands on his head, she lightly guiding his head towards her until their lips met.
It was simple and sweet. Their small break both gave them perspective, and neither of them wanted to be away from the other again. As their lips parted, Natsu inhaled a deep breath, breathing her in as he opened his eyes to look into hers.
"God, I've missed you so much." He nuzzled his nose against hers. He was truly lost without her after all. This was his home, and this is where he belonged. She was the one thing within this world that kept him tethered to it.
"Feels like we were apart for an eternity, doesn't it?" Freya whispered. "I don't want to be away like that again." The darkness within her heart had threatened to swallow her whole once again without him.
She was his earth, and he was her flames.
"Me either." Natsu rolled off and pulled her on top of him, the blanket becoming wrapped around the two of them. Her braid fell to the side of his face as he rest his hands on the small curve of her back. "Let's not push it anymore, kay?" Natsu reached up and tucked her bangs up and out of her eyes.
Freya blushed a little at their position. Here he was saying that but she was on top of him both of her legs on each side of his own. Their hips pressed together. "You say that but…" Freya smiled as she scooted down and simply laid her head on his chest. "You're the one that put me into that position."
"You're so pervy." Natsu chuckled.
Freya immediately sat up and stared him dead within his eyes, the blanket falling off behind her. "Who are you calling a pervert?! You're the one that put me into that position!"
"It was you who thought of it first, Frey." Natsu sat up on his arms smirking.
"I…I…" She crossed her arms, and growled under her breath as she got up off of him.
Natsu sat up laughing whole heartedly. He gotten her so riled up by saying so little. "I'm joking." He smiled placing his hand on the top of her head, putting his forehead against hers. "We should probably get to bed." He stood up, pulling her up with him. "Since you can't say what all this is about tomorrow, it's probably something crazy."
"You have no idea." Freya knelt over picking up Happy. She was more than nervous, and anxious. The last time she went against a dark guild it was when she had been capture by those fanatics that believed her to be the daughter of dragons and death. Yes, she was much weaker then compared to herself now. In the end though, it wasn't her that went against them, but Natsu. She would still occasionally have flash backs, as that wasn't something you could ever truly get over.
She didn't fear tomorrow though. After all, she would have Natsu, Happy, Gray and Erza by her side. Though come to think of it, it would be the first time she's done something with Gray, at least like this anyway.
Lucy sat in her bed, her arms on the window ledge as she looked up into the clear night sky. The street lights in Magnolia faintly glowing, but it was just enough it blocked out some of the starlight. She missed sitting within the meadow, under the blanket of stars. She went there almost every night to escape from the loveless relationship with her father.
As she thought about it, the clearer his face became within her memories. The man who gifted her the beauty of the heavens to gaze upon. Her eyes widen as the thought struck her.
She had indeed seen the smile before. Freya smiled in such a similar way. Did it mean that they were related or was it just by chance? They looked so different. Heaven and earth different, yet the same.
That soothing fire she felt from Freya earlier was also reminiscent of Dusk, though vastly different. Heaven and earth different. If they were related perhaps he was in Fairy Tail as well? She would once again be able to meet the enigmatic man.
Natsu, Freya and Happy arrived first at the train station and were sitting upon the bench as they waited for everyone else.
"Man, Erza was the one that asked us to come and she isn't even here yet." Gray walked up behind the three of them with his arms crossed.
"If you want to complain about it, then say it to Erza." It was the first time that Natsu has ever done anything with Gray.
"Are you trying to get me killed?" Gray smacked the back of Natsu's head.
Natsu stood up quickly on the bench. "Maybe."
"Didn't even take a minute." Freya sighed as the two of them bickered.
"Aye..."
"But at least he's back to his normal self." Freya smiled as she listened to their childish bickering, occasionally giggling at the insults they threw at the other.
Freya stood up as she saw Lucy walked on the platform towards her and began waving her over, but blushed a little.
"She's bold." Freya could only think that she must be very proud of her body. Wearing such revealing clothing, revealing her chest, her stomach and so much of her legs! Freya was proud of her beauty as well, but what Lucy wore was a little more than what Freya was willing to reveal to the world.
"Sorry I'm late!" Lucy ran up with Plue in her arms.
Freya shook her head. "Erza's not here yet, so you're not late in the least."
"Huh? Where is she then? Isn't the train leaving soon?" Lucy looked around and groaned a little seeing Natsu and Gray already at each other's throats as she remember her "special" assignment from Mira.
"Probably still packing." Freya had seen the armor mage pack before, and she brought almost everything imaginable.
"Shouldn't we do something about those two, before they start wrecking the train station?" Lucy pointed at the fire and ice wizards who were both about to start using their magic.
Freya couldn't help but to laugh. "Even I can't stop Natsu, but if you have any ideas now might be the time."
Lucy thought for a moment. It seemed they both were really terrified of Erza, even Freya seemed to somewhat have the same reaction.
"It's no use really. The only person who can put them in line is Erza." Happy sat happily upon Freya's left shoulder.
"That's it!" Lucy snapped her fingers at her grand plan. Turning around she held her hand up in the hand. "Erza, over here!"
Freya smirked turning around to look at the boys who were already had their arms around the others shoulder.
"You ready to get to work, buddy?" Gray nervously spoke.
"Aye!" Natsu looked around but he couldn't see or smell Erza.
Lucy turned around laughing at the two of them. She found their weakness and if she was going to have to be a mediator, then this was how she was going to have to approach the subject.
They both quickly pushed the other way, annoyed over Lucy's simple trick.
"What are you doing here Lucy?"
"Natsu!" Freya gave him a sharp glare. While she knew he was curious it could actually come off a little rude.
"Mira asked me to come along, and Freya did as well saying you would need the extra help." Lucy turned away, blushing. Mira was the one who put this whole idea into her head over being charmed by the dragon slayer, and now here she was reacting to him as if he truly did.
"Good, you're all here." Erza strolled up behind them pulling behind her a huge cart of luggage.
Lucy's mouth dropped at the sight. "There's too much! How long are we going to be gone for anyway!?"
"That's Erza for you." Freya smiled thinking of all the things she packed and couldn't help to wonder within that mountain of packed bags if there was the kitchen sink as well. Knowing Erza, there quite possibly could be. The armored knight did like to be prepared after.
"Oh, you must be the new member I seen in the guild hall yesterday." Erza's interest was piqued upon seeing the golden blonde mage tag along with them.
As Lucy introduced herself, Natsu grinned at his new brilliant idea. He could use this as a way to get Erza to agree to spare with him, seriously at least. He could prove to everyone once and for all, how much stronger he was. While being S-Class didn't interest him anymore for various reasons, he still wanted to be the strongest within Fairy Tail.
"I'll go on one condition." Natsu stepped closer to Erza.
"Oi!" Gray whispered under his breath. Well it would be his funeral not his.
"Oh, and what would that be?" Erza stared intently into Natsu's eyes, as he did hers.
Freya just got done reassuring the nervous Lucy that as long as they all stayed together, it wouldn't really be that risky. But now Freya and Happy both held their breath having a good idea of what Natsu was going to say. Would he truly be that daring?
"When we get back to the guild, I want you to fight me." He challenged her.
Erza closed her eyes for a moment taking a measure of the power residing within Natsu. He was indeed stronger from the last time that spared. She could even sense the reservoir of power he was building up.
"Mmm. Very well then."
Freya debated who could actually win, if they were both truly serious it could quite be a toss-up. She's heard of the things Erza has done, but she's seen the things that Natsu as done. Could Erza melt something intangible as Natsu had done in the past? And that was a few years ago. Now, she couldn't imagine the things he could do when it came to her.
There would no doubt be a betting pool but she didn't think she could really bet on either one of them. Natsu was her love, and Erza her sister.
"Gray, Freya, do you wish to go at it as well?"
Gray gave a big resounding no, and Freya only shook her head. "Natsu may actually be able to beat you, but when it comes to magic I'm no match for any one of you."
"Nonsense." Erza tried to cheer her up.
"Yeah, don't sell yourself short Frey." Natsu for a second didn't miss her comment over his fiery yelling over Erza actually seriously accepting his duel.
"Guess you want her to follow you into the grave then huh?" Gray thought anyone who was willing to go against the monster known as Erza could be their guest. He sure as hell wasn't going to get the shit beat out of him again.
"What was that!? I couldn't hear you." The comment immediately sent fire coursing in his veins. "She could kick your ass any day."
"So you've got to hide behind your finance then, is it?! Since you can't do the deed yourself, flame brain."
Erza sighed as she spoke to one of the train conductors directing them to put her luggage on board. "That's enough you two!" She turned giving them an icy glare that radiated death.
"Is it even going to be possible for us to work together?" Lucy's brows were furrowed together in worry.
"Well if push comes to shove, if I get harmed, Natsu would burn everything in his path to get to me, so there's that." Freya was also worried as she tried to ease Lucy's worries. Though she knew when it came to fighting both Natsu and Gray would focus.
"That's…that's not very reassuring." Lucy groaned as the train whistle blew.
"Aye."
Natsu sat next to the window, with Freya in the middle and Erza sitting next to the aisle. Gray, Lucy and Happy sat opposite of them as the train slowly pulled out.
Lucy was waiting for Natsu to get motion sickness, but it never came.
Freya sat arm in arm with Natsu who was annoyed to have Gray within his eye shot. He turned his head and instead looked at Freya.
"Freya, you shouldn't drain your magic like you are. We have a tough battle ahead of us." Erza scolded the life-binder.
"It'll be alright. I have much better control over it." Freya reassured her.
"What do you mean? Come to think of it, why isn't Natsu motion sick?" Lucy was a little curious as it seemed weird since he a few days ago suffered greatly from it, to the point of having no strength to stand or sit up straight.
"Frey's a healer." Natsu was never happier about her being next to him on transportation. He loved it before but now he has a whole new appreciate for her curing his aliment.
"From where I use healing magic, when I place my hands or my body against Natsu it cures him of his sickness. I can cure most diseases, viral, bacterial and fungal infections. I can also heal any wound. Even on the rare occasion I can't I've read many medical books and I work at a hospital. So there is always some shape or form I can heal others." Freya beamed as she was proud of her ability. She had study hard to have as much medical knowledge as she had.
"That's…that's really impressive." Lucy was still just dazed she was in the guild she had always dreamed about being in. Sitting next to those she would read quite a bit about the four of them, and really looked up to them. "Come to think of it, I've never seen anyone else perform magic other than Natsu. What kind do you use Erza?"
"Erza's magic is beautiful!" Happy perked up. He was going to have a bit of fun with this one. "Blood always comes out in the end." Happy chuckled darkly as he curled his tail
Freya and Natsu both chuckled softly. Happy certainly had a dark and twisted humor at times, and Freya sometimes would wonder about the little blue cat.
"I wouldn't exactly call that the definition of beauty…" Lucy lamented. Even the magic she used was true, it was somewhat scary to think about. No wonder the three of them were a little weary of the armored knight.
"I think Gray's magic is much more beautiful than mine."
Natsu exhaled audibly as he didn't think ice was all that special.
"You think so?" Gray held his hands up as he formed Fairy Tail's guild symbol showing if off to Lucy.
"Oh wow!" Lucy looked on in awe. "No wonder you and Natsu don't get along then."
"What do you mean?" Natsu and Gray both spoke but then they just scowled at the other.
"Ice and fire. They don't exactly mix don't you think?" Lucy tried to explain her reasoning behind it.
"Even if they used different magic, I still think they would fight like brothers." Freya looked at Natsu who sharply turned his head back to look at her.
"How could you say such a thing, Frey? Brothers, really?" Natsu looked at her as he feigned a feeling of betrayal which she saw though and giggled at his reaction. She cuddled closer to him and rested her head upon his shoulder.
Lucy couldn't help but to blush and smile at seeing the two of them. "Awww, he's even given her a pet name."
"What's wrong with your face, Lucy? It'll get stuck like that if you're careful." Happy snickered.
"Shut it!"
Gray rolled his eyes at Natsu and Freya and then looked over at Erza sitting next to Freya. "So what's all this about anyway?"
Natsu ended up falling asleep, slumped down with his head resting upon Freya's shoulder as Erza went on to explain the situation.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the Onibas station with everyone getting off expect for Natsu and Freya. Freya of which who was still trying to wake a snoring Natsu up. She lightly shook him but to no avail. "Na…tsu!" She shook him. This always happened when they rode the train. He would always say it was her magic that soothed him to sleep.
Freya heard the final whistle and finally just picked him up, throwing his arms over his shoulder as she wrapped her arms behind her holding onto his legs. She leaned forward slightly and started to walk off the train, until it jerked and slowly started to pull out.
"Erza is going to kill us." As she looked out the window onto the train platform as the four of them looked back at her in total shock as they watched her and Natsu pull away inside the train.
Sighing as she resided to her and Natsu's fate of riding the train twice, she placed him down into the set and then placed his head into her lap.
Natsu rolled over onto his stomach, left arm hanging over the side of the chair. Running her hands through Natsu's hair she couldn't help but to think he was adorable. How he laid within her lap peacefully sleeping. She actually liked being the only one for the most part to see the fierce dragon slayer show her this side of him.
Freya looked up as a man sat across from her. Her eyes looked around for a moment, noticing all the empty seats and wasn't so sure why he decided to pick the one across from her and Natsu.
"This seats not taken is it?" He smiled at Freya, causing her eyes to dart back to him.
His smile wasn't exactly heartwarming. However she soon realized she had seen him before and he was the man who said he was going to break the seal off of Lullaby. She didn't react as she didn't want to give herself away. Did he recognize her from the bar the other day? Did he know of their plans already?
"No not at all." Freya watched him carefully as he leaned forward towards her and Natsu.
"That's Fairy Tail's guild mark on his shoulder, isn't it?" Kageyama of course recognized the symbol of an official guild. A guild that his own would often scuff at. They weren't all that they made themselves out to be.
"Mhmm." Freya couldn't exactly deny the guild they were in after all since Natsu's tattoo was so visible. If only he hadn't rolled over.
"May I ask for your names?"
"I'm Freya Dragneel, and this is Natsu Dragneel." Freya felt suddenly so uneasy. She was hoping the name Dragneel would deter him from anything, especially Natsu's. Natsu was completely out and she wasn't sure if she could go against someone like the man sitting across from her. He was in a dark guild, and a wizard. She was confident in her hand to hand combat skills, but that can only take you so far.
"Brother and sister?" He inquired.
"Hardly, we're married!" She lied as she beamed happily. They might as well be anyway.
"Oh? I've heard about you two. The so called Life-binder, but if I'm not mistaken, you can only use healing magic?"
Freya gripped Natsu's scarf as she continued with her other hand running her hands through Natsu's hair. "That's…"
But she couldn't finish her sentence as he had already stood up and was about to kick her across the face. However she quickly caught his foot with her hand, her eyes changing to amber.
Kageyama stood there, a little surprised to see the young girl able to move so quickly. He tried to remove his foot from her hand but she only tighten her grip on it, not letting go.
"It's not polite to kick someone that you just met." Freya carefully pushed Natsu's head out of her lap as she stood up. Using her left leg she kicked his leg out from under him causing him to fall backwards onto the train seats.
"You official guilds always piss me off. Acting like you're so high and mighty." He stood up.
Freya stood in front of Natsu, as he began to groan in his sleep. She figured he would be waking up soon, wonder exactly why she wasn't near him anymore.
"Fairy Tail is nothing but what we call flies, that buzz around that need to be squashed." Kageyama swirled his shadow magic around Freya binding her, squeezing her.
She didn't even notice it until was too late. The train suddenly halted causing Kageyama to fly forward. She used the opportunity and forced her way out of the shadows that bound her.
"Natsu!" Freya yelled loudly which startled him and he suddenly stood up.
"What?! Is something wrong!?" Natsu looked around and seen Kageyama slowly getting back up to his feet. He seen a weird flute laying beneath his feet.
"Shit." He knelt down and picked the flute up tucking it back under his shirt. "Guess I've got no choice but to kill the two of you flies now."
"Huh?" Natsu's eyes flared as his blood vessels slowly pushed up from under his skin. He wakes up and the first thing he hears is something about killing him and Freya.
"That flute…" Freya whispered loud enough for Natsu to hear. He was the man that said he could break the seal off of Lullaby, and now he was carrying a strange flute. The power seemed reminiscence to her. It was dark, eerie, and familiar. "It's why we came with Erza. We have to get it back."
"I don't know what's going on but…" Natsu's flames danced across his body as he ready himself.
Freya couldn't help but to smile. Of course he wouldn't know what's going on. He fell asleep rather quickly during Erza's explanation.
The train shook and suddenly it started to pull forward again, and within an instant his flames died.
"Natsu!" She started reach out for him to give him what he desperately needed, but Kageyama had used his shadow magic and picked him up and threw him out the window.
Freya lunged herself towards him and was able to catch him, and she hung tightly onto him as the train continued to speed away.
However, a huge shard of glass was piercing her abdomen as she was hanging half way out the window. Trying to hide her pained face, she held tightly onto both of his arms Natsu.
"You really saved me Frey!" He smiled his goofy grin unaware of the glass that was piercing her stomach. The scent of her blood not reaching his nose due to the wind rushing past them.
However, she couldn't keep the blood down and coughed, causing it splattering all over Natsu's face. His weight was pulling her further down onto it.
His eyes widened as blood continued to seep from her mouth. "Frey!" He almost screamed in horror.
"I'll be fine." She smiled. "Hurry and climb up." She struggled to pull him, she certainly had the strength but the window pane was digging and shredding her insides the more she moved.
"Frey! Don't. Just stay still!" Natsu pleaded as blood continued to drip onto his face. Each droplet that splattered onto his face, only fueled his rage.
She controlled the healing of her body, healing vital veins and arteries that were pierce around the window pane. She healed her skin around it as well but not fully closing it so she could pull it out. She didn't want to seal it in after all, as it would just be more painful to pull it out.
Taking in a deep breath Freya began to pull herself up off of the window pane, pulling Natsu up with her. However, Kageyama came up behind her and pushed her further onto the glass wedge, causing Freya to bit her lips to hold back the scream as it dug and cut further into her body. Anymore and it would pierce right on through her back.
"You mother fucker!" Natsu cursed, as he sent his flames up and over Freya, pushing him far away from her.
Freya looked to the side as she seen a speeding magic mobile that Erza was driving, approaching fast.
"I'm going to fucking kill you. I'll burn you into nothing but ashes and then burn the ashes!" Natsu roared as he continued to rage as they were both still engulfed in flames.
Kageyama could only stand back and couldn't even approach as the raging flames were spreading to the train car, rapidly burning everything within its path.
"Are you ready, Natsu?" Her eyes were dull from the pain radiating through her body. She was beginning to shake from it, but still held tightly onto him, as her blood continued to drip onto him and all over the train.
"Hell yeah, lets…"
But he couldn't even finish his sentence as Freya used her leg strength to push off, the wedge of glass shredding and tearing her insides as it broke off from the pane of the train into her abdomen.
"Where the hell do you think you two are going?" Kageyama watched as the girl pushed herself out of the window. "You've picked a fight with Eisenwald, don't think you can get away with this you damn flies!"
"Frey!" He didn't realize this was what she had planned as he ignored the bastard that had hurt Freya more than what she already was. She had enough strength that she pushed them far out from the train speeding on by. He wrapped his arms around her preparing himself for the oncoming crash with the ground.
Instead the both were caught by Gray who was sent flying off the top of the magic four wheeler. The three of them tumbled on the ground and Erza quickly turned the magic four wheeler around. The three of them eventually stopped, Natsu still holding tightly onto Freya.
They only had a few scrapes and bruises but she quickly pushed Natsu off as she was still bleeding on the inside. She had healed the wound around the shard of glass, it still visibly sticking out across her stomach. With Freya laying on the ground Erza, Lucy and Happy came over but they quickly realized what was happening.
"Natsu…you have to pull it out…I can't at the moment." Freya panted.
He sat next to her and looked at the oozing wound. In disbelief that she had done what she done in order to catch him. Did she just not care about her well-being? Yes, she was an amazing healer, but that wasn't an excuse in his mind for her to just throw herself like she did into danger head on.
"You have to do it….one swift motion…" She coughed, causing blood to spurt from her mouth. "Don't…break it."
Lucy quickly turned around unable to look as Natsu placed his both of his flush with her abdomen. Gray quickly ripped a part of his over coat off, and stuffed it into Freya's mouth so she wouldn't bite her tongue off. He then pinned her arms to her side, and Erza pinned her legs to the ground.
Freya looked intently into Natsu's still glowing green eyes as he straddled himself over her. He knew he had to do it, as she wouldn't be able to pull it out quick enough. He never had any intention of hurting her, but this was going to hurt a lot. He knew it, but it was the only way she was going to be able to heal the damage done. Taking a deep breath, he tried to gauge the angle it was in her and with a swift pull upwards he pulled it out at the exact angle it had impaled her. He tried to do it as quickly as he could to not cause her more pain. However, as he done so the broken window pane dug into his own fingers and palms cutting him.
Natsu, Gray, Erza and Happy watched as soon as the jagged wedge was free from her body the wound was already closed. Natsu tossed it aside as Gray and Erza released Freya.
Lucy heard the muffled scream and she couldn't believe that this was happening. She had just assured her that as long as they stuck together this wouldn't happen and yet, she had been impaled by glass.
Spitting the wad of cloth out of her mouth she asked Natsu to sit her up. As he done so, her stomach purged itself of the blood as the pain was starting to subside. A sign that the damage to her organs were almost completely repaired.
Lucy covered her ears as she was squeamish herself and was nauseated. How can they all just look at something like that?
Natsu only rubbed her back as he held Freya within his arms. Happy sat upon her shoulder, as he patted her head.
"What happened?" Erza only looked as the flowers had already started to bloom from her blood coming into contact with the ground.
Slowly Lucy turned around, there was so much blood everywhere! But there was something weird. There was flowers growing up from the ground so suddenly. And the blood too, it looked just as weird to her. "That's not how normal blood looks."
Freya started to stand but Natsu stood up first and pulled her up. Lucy just looked on in disbelief as she appeared to be none the worse for wear. Which was good but she couldn't get over how she was completely fine after something like that! Anyone else would have died without immediate medical care.
Using the inside of his vest Natsu wiped the drying blood off of his face as best as he could, taking one last look at Freya making sure she was truly alright before turning and taking a few steps away from them as he quietly seethed with his burning rage.
"I couldn't wake Natsu up as you saw and the train pulled out. Not long after it pulled out the man that said he could break the seal off of Lullaby, attacked me. The train stopped, and he actually had the flute as it fell out of his bag but he quickly tucked it back under his shirt. Natsu woke up and before we could attack and get the flute, the train started moving and he threw Natsu out before I could touch him." Freya slowly rubbed her stomach through the tear in her summer dress. It was dark and light green with white flowers embroider into it. Now it was just mostly stained from her stomach on down in blood. "I was able to grab him as he was flying out the window but I ended up impaled on the window pane."
"So we just need to catch back up with the train, and get the flute before he gives it to Erigor?" Gray crossed his arms.
"Yeah, that is if he's not burnt to a crisp. Natsu set the whole train car on fire." Freya looked over at Natsu who was visibly steaming.
"Are you going to be alright?" Erza looked at her. It reminded her of the day she seen her die. It certainly brought back bad memories of that day. Well actually she had died twice that day but now her healing was exceptional. For her to be standing up now completely unfazed.
Freya nodded as she walked over to Gray putting her hand on his to heal the damage he sustained from catching him. "I'll be fine." Gray pulled his hand away.
"We all need to be in peak condition." Freya placed her hand on his again, since it was the only bare skin that was showing other than his face. She was amazed he hadn't stripped out of anything yet.
He didn't see the use in fighting with her since she was a healer, and she always healed everyone against what he thought was her best interests. He knew she was an amazing healer, but for her to be standing completely unscathed now, really impressed him.
She let go of Gray's hand and then walked over to Natsu who was heating the air around them. She walked in front of him, reaching and holding both of his hands in hers. The wounds on his hands he had secretly burned, and she looked at him somewhat disappointed that he didn't wait for her.
"Thank you, Natsu." She intertwined her fingers with his, and looked lovingly into his guilty burning eyes. His face was also stained with her blood.
His eyes were filled with pain, and he couldn't believe he had to do something so awful to her. Yes it saved her, but he caused her pain in the process.
He was beyond the realm of being pissed too. "That asshole. Fucking pushing her down. Impaling her further on it. I'll fucking impale him…"
As soon as she was done healing him he pulled her into an embrace. "I'm sorry." He whispered as he tightly closed his eyes. His voice cracked. "I never wanted to hurt you…"
Freya wrapped her arms around him under his vest. "Sometimes, Natsu. Even I have to hurt others in order to save them. It's what being a doctor or healer is all about. You have to keep in mind the greater good, and that your action, while it will bring pain, it will save them in the end."
They all gave the two of them a minute as Lucy was still in shock. "You gonna make it, Lucy?" Gray looked over at her. Her face was pale and he couldn't help but be a little worried about her state of mind. She must have never seen anything like it before in her life.
"I…I can't believe this is real…" Lucy couldn't comprehend it in the least. Was she even human?
"We don't have any more time to spare if we are going to catch back up." Erza walked over to the magic four wheeler and slipped the SE plug back onto her wrist.
Everyone piled inside the magic four wheeler, with Gray getting back on top.
"You guys actually got our bag!" Freya was relieved as she could stitch the rip in her dress. She dug through it with one hand as she kept her arm looped through Natsu's.
Natsu sat quietly as Happy kept trying to remember what he was supposed to tell Lucy.
Freya was already half way done with stitching her dress but she kept looking over at Lucy who was ghostly pale. She laid the needle and thread down and reach out across taking Lucy's hands into her own.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Lucy looked into Freya's brighter than normal green eyes.
"Yeah. Don't worry about me. I made a mistake not grabbing a hold of Natsu fast enough." It was after all her fault. They were on a train; she should have kept contact with him the whole time. She then reached down pulling her dress apart that she hadn't stitched yet. "See?" Though Freya knew she needed medicine and maybe even a blood transfusion. She did after all loose quite a bit of blood. She felt weak but she could push on for now.
"It's just…not what I expected." The warm fire from Freya's hand spread into her calming her down. Taking a deep breath, she took her hand from Freya's and reached to pull the windows down. It was so hot inside and it only seemed to be bothering her. She looked at Natsu for a brief moment, his burning green dragon eyes were fixated on the passing by scenery.
As Lucy pushed the last window down, they flew past a couple of burning train cars that were coming to a slow stop.
Freya snapped the thread off. "Looks like he detached the train cars."
Gray and Erza also eyed the cars, with Gray stripping his overcoat and throwing it into the wind. The heat Natsu was producing down below him was making him feel a little toasty sitting on top of the roof.
Happy paid no attention as he kept mumbling to himself about fish, and Lucy being weird. He couldn't remember what he was supposed to tell her.
They ran into Oshibana station that had been taken over by Eisenwald. Freya eyed each solider. Some of them were badly injured. She didn't know why they even decided to go against a dark guild, especially since none of them had any magical power. She wished she could heal them but they would have to wait until after Eisenwald was dealt with.
The six of them reached the top of the stairs with Eisenwald standing and waiting for their arrival. Natsu could smell the one that pushed Freya down, impaling her further but he couldn't see him within the crowd.
"Welcome Fairy Flies!" Erigor hovered within the air. "We've been waiting for your arrival before we began the festivities."
"Your Erigor I take? What do you plan on doing here? Depending…"
"What do I plan on doing? Only having a little bit of fun." Erigor hovered closer to one of the speakers within the train station. "Tell me flies, what do all train stations have in common."
"Where the hell is that shadow bastard!?" Natsu interrupted Erza, demanding to see the one who impaled Freya.
Freya held onto Natsu's arm as she tried to think along with the others of what it could be. Which could be numerous things. Trains, tracks, benches, people, luggage, tickets, lights, speakers. "Wait a second..."
"Shadow bastard is the incorrect answer I'm afraid." Erigor stood on top of the speaker. With one arm he tapped the stave of his scythe against his shoulder while his other hand was holding the three eye skull flute within his hands.
"You plan on broadcasting the Lullaby?" Freya let go of the back of his vest, and as she done so he ignited his body and began to charge head long into the dark guild.
Before he could go jump up and over towards Erigor to get the answers he seeks, a shadow shot out in front of him. He swiped the shadow away, with his burning arm. Natsu turned in the direction the shadow came from and there he knelt, a smile he was going to wipe from his face.
Freya's eyes narrowed as she watched the flute. It was billowing a strange smoke from its eyes, something it wasn't doing a moment ago.
"You got me in quite a bit…" Kageyama began to speak but he was suddenly pushed against the wall behind him, as Natsu let out a bellowing roar.
Everyone only watched as the building quake from the powerful roar he unleashed, with Lucy holding onto her skirt to keep it from flying up as the wind created from behind was quite a force.
"Geez…" Gray rubbed the back of his neck. "Why did you let him go?" He eyed over where Freya was supposed to be standing but she was no longer there. As he turned his head back towards Erigor, Erza and Freya both were clearing a path through their numbers. Sighing as he stripped out of his clothes he leapt into the fray with everyone else.
Lucy stood speechless as she watched Fairy Tail wizards in action. Natsu was burning everything in his path as Freya said he would. Freya was fighting head on even though she lacked magic power, she more than well made it for it in her hand to hand combat skills. Erza was doing exactly what Happy had described, spilling the blood of the enemies. Gray was in nothing but his boxers, freezing anyone and everyone.
"They're so strong…" Lucy whispered. The heat from Natsu's flames were enough to cause her to start sweating. She knew he was strong from being around him the past couple of days, but was he truly that strong?
"Aye!" Happy was flying next to her as he watched Natsu go on about his rampage.
"But they're so destructive! Look at all this damage already!?" Lucy pointed particularly to the wall that had been blown away by the first attack courtesy of Natsu.
"A…ye…" Happy's tail fell as he thought about what the master was going to do. Particularly what Natsu's punishment was going to be this time. He couldn't help but wonder would the master eventually ban them from going on particular jobs soon? It was starting to happen more frequent with Freya trying to explain how it was getting closer to "time." So of course it was going to happen more, as he would only get more aggressive. Which never did comfort the master.
"Huh? Where did that guy that was flying just go?" Lucy looked around in the chaos but didn't see him anywhere.
"You're right, he's not here." Happy flew up a little higher to get a better view but didn't see him anywhere.
Natsu stood above Kageyama ready to deliver a third helping of punishment in the form of burns. He did promise after all to burn the man to ashes and he planned to deliver. He could have ended it rather quickly in one attack, but the amount of pain Freya endured because of him, he was going to draw it out as long as possible. As he ready himself, he felt a soft delicate hand rest upon his shoulders.
"Frey…" He breathed. He didn't quite feel like himself, and was beginning to lose sight of himself. Freya was fine, at least now she was. So why was he almost uncontrollably angry?
"You've done enough." She looked at the man who was covered in burns.
"Not near enough." He stood still, as if she was holding him in place.
"It's alright, Natsu. He's out for the count, and I'm still here." She raised her hand to his face, turning it so she could get him to look at her. He always went out of his way to protect her and there were times when he thought he failed to do so. This was one of those times he thought he failed her. She almost breathed a sigh a relief upon seeing his green dragon eyes.
"Natsu! Frey!" Happy called out as he flew next to them as Erza, Gray and Lucy finished up the remaining forces. "Erigor, the guy with Lullaby isn't here anymore!"
Freya kicked her shoes off and closed her eyes, ready to start checking.
"I'm up here you fairy flies." Everyone looked up above as he floated casually above them, amused that they were all able to make such quick work of his guild. "To be beat by a bunch of flies, you guys are nothing short of pathetic." Erigor looked at his fallen guild members.
"Happy!" Natsu called over at his partner, who quickly grabbed him by his vest flying him up.
"Natsu, be careful! He's Erigor the Reaper!" Lucy called out as she watched him ascend upwards with Happy.
"Oh? You're the one that takes those assassination jobs all the time?" Natsu's eyes bored a hole through Erigor.
"What of it?" Erigor tucked the flute into a pocket in his pants.
"Are we just going to let Natsu take him on by himself?" Lucy looked at Freya, Erza and Gray. She was more than worried for him to be taking someone like Erigor head on.
Erza didn't say anything. If she truly wanted she could offer to back Natsu up, but she was a little more than drained herself. She depleted most her magic before they even arrived at the train station. Gray, and Freya neither had the means to fly within the air like Natsu did.
"He'll be fine." Freya smiled softly as she looked at the two forces of wind and fire meeting.
During their fight above them the flute fell out of Erigor's pocket and plummeted to the ground below them. Freya's eyes locked on as she watched it and suddenly pushed Gray and Erza over, and then tackling over Lucy laying on top of her as a wave of death magic shot out at where their head's would have been.
Still laying on top of Lucy, Freya looked over her shoulder at the flute that was emanating its death magic.
Gray and Erza were about to get up. "No, stay down!" Freya yelled at the two of them as she looked over at them with her panicked amber eyes. Her hair was standing on edge, and she wasn't sure how she knew what it was but it smelled distinctly of death to her.
"What's going on?" Lucy questioned her as she began to push her off, but sucked in a breath as she seen Freya's glowing amber eyes. They were so similar to the green eyes of Natsu's she had gotten a glimpse of before.
Freya looked at Gray and Erza and it seemed none of them realized the danger they were in. Could no one else see or feel what she felt? It was like a knife pressing against her throat ready to take her life. The smell was overwhelming. It was perhaps the darkest presence she has felt to date. It was more demonic, twisted, even the earth below her palms was quaking from it. The life, the magic was slowing draining away into the cursed flute as if it was devouring life itself.
"We need to get Lullaby before anyone else does." Gray stood up dusting himself off.
For a brief moment Freya looked up to Natsu who seemed to be struggling against Erigor. She could see why, as Erigor had coated himself in what looked to be wind.
Freya quickly scrambled up and ran over to grab the flute before anyone else could touch it. She strangely felt that she would be able to touch the cursed object. Picking it up within her hands, the curse magic shot through her body. Her amber eyes stop glowing for a moment, as her life began to drain from her.
Her eyes dulled by the moment as she held the flute out in front of her, her body felt weird. It was in a state of constantly dying and reviving itself. However, she feared what would happen if she let the flute fall out of her grasp.
Her hand tightened around the flute, as it continued to devour upon her life. The moment she felt her hand would deconstruct and wither away, her healing magic, the magic that was a part of her soul reconstructed it at a faster rate.
Why did it not bother anyone else that had touched it until now? She couldn't understand, and currently was no longer able to form thoughts. Falling to her knees she clasped the flute to her chest, worried that Natsu, Gray or Erza would take it from her if they seen the state she was in now.
Freya looked up, her amber eyes fading as they returned to her normal green orbs.
"Emera Baram!" Erigor held his hands out in front of him, both fingers from both hands forming a sideways cross.
"Natsu! Happy!" Freya cried out, but could only watch as the wind in the form of blades slice at their bodies. They both plummeted to the ground, with Natsu holding Happy in his arms, as Natsu took the brunt of the attack.
She didn't know what to do, as she sat there horrified at Natsu's bloody appearance. Why was he suddenly struggling so hard? Was he holding back for some reason? As he knelt over Happy, Freya looked at the flute.
It wasn't just affecting her, but everyone else too. It was slowly siphoning their magic and lives. It held more of a notable effect upon herself. Was it because she was a healer? Was it because it seemed her spells had the side effect of life blossoming around her on the rare occasions that it does? Was she truly a life-binder? It might perhaps explain why she took more notice of its cursed powers.
Without as second thought she stood up and ran over to Natsu, dropping the flute upon the floor. She had to heal the two of them, there was no question about it. Happy got away fairly unscathed but Natsu was a completely different story. There was cuts all over his body, some much deeper than others.
Natsu passed Happy into her hands before wiping some blood away that was trickling into his eyes. "Get back." He ordered her and the rest of them as the small wounds on Happy disappeared out of sight.
As Freya was about to put her hand upon Natsu's shoulder to heal him quickly but the flute known has Lullaby let out a roar. Freya's eyes darkened, and she immediately fell over unable to move.
"LIFE-BINDER!" The flute slowly transformed into its true demonic presence. "I'VE FOUND YOU AT LAST! LOOK AT YOUR PITIFUL STATE!" As the demon grew, the roof above them crumbled causing chunks to fall to the ground. "I SHALL DEVOUR YOUR MEEK AND MISERABLE SOUL AT LAST!"
Natsu landed on top of Freya and Happy, wrapping his arms around them he quickly rolled them out of the danger of the falling debris. Lucy shrieked as she jumped around trying to dodge it all, with Gray and Erza getting by without much of a problem. Gray finally had to push the panicking Lucy out of the way from a particular huge chunk falling from the ceiling above.
Natsu gathered Freya and a breathless, magic depleted Happy into his arms holding them close to his chest.
"Look…" Freya meekly spoke.
Natsu followed Freya's eyes as he held a panting Freya. His eyes widen as the demon roared the plant life within the station withered away.
"We can't stay here…" Freya could hardly stay conscious, as it seemed the demon that had an unknown vendetta against her was particularly drawing her life away from her at a much more rapid pace. She knew her body and soul wouldn't be able to fight against it long. Not anymore from her injuries earlier and from where she held the flute previously in her hands.
"She is too weak in her sealed state to fight against the drain the demon before you has upon her. Nor can you or your allies." And before Natsu could protest, his eyes changed to red but no curse marks appeared. "This is more than enough, in my half awakened state."
"Natsu?" Freya could hardly see, her world growing darker.
He knelt down, smiling tenderly as he laid her carefully upon the stone floor of the platform. Happy was passed out with her arms already has the demon continued to draw in everyone's magic, life, and their souls.
Lucy could no longer stand with Erza down upon her knees. Gray was knelt over upon the ground, frozen in fear as the feeling was identical to Deriora.
Erigor had fallen to the ground, his plans to bring death to those that turned a blind eye to his and his guild's plight falling apart at the seams. The flute known as Lullaby was truly just a demon. A demon that no one held no control over.
"Don't worry." Natsu gently laid his hand on top of Freya's head.
"LIFE-BINDER!" The demon bellowed as it lunged for Natsu and Freya. It putting its full strength behind its punch.
Natsu looked over his shoulder, the black flame curse marks suddenly appeared over his body and he stopped the mountain crushing punch by blocking it with his forearm.
The ground beneath Natsu and Freya heaved and gave in as it crumbled. Freya laid motionless and wide eye from soul crushingly, overwhelming power from the demon. The amount of death it emitted, the amount it life it sucked up in return was truly sickening to her. She never tasted fear. Not until now. After all she had seen and bare witnessed to until now.
Her eyes still locked onto Natsu's red ones, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "You're stronger than I remember." "I promised to protect you." He reached out with his free hand, touching her cheek. He could see the fear within them. He wasn't entirely sure if she was afraid of him, or the demon behind him. "I promised to burn away your fears, and nightmares. Are you scared now, Frey?"
"What!?" The demon shrieked in disbelief as it withdrew its fist as it heard Natsu's demonic voice within his mind.
But his question, all she could hear within his heart was "Are you scared of me?". As she looked upon his half demonic form, the presence she has felt from him before was this. The dark, lingering presence that lurked within his soul. Within his mind. She had seen it awakened before and now it had again.
He looked different, felt different to her, but he was still Natsu. "No." Her voice cracked as her eyes strayed from his to the twisted, black, cursed wood behind him. "I could never be as long as I have you." She held tightly onto Happy with arm pushing her healing fire through him. Shakily she reached up lightly touching his cheek where his black flame curse marks were more prominent.
"Master!?" The demon known as Lullaby called out within his thoughts.
Natsu caressed her cheek with his thumb before standing up and turning around. He couldn't help but to wonder, would she start digging into her past once more? Would she learn the truth? The cursed creation of Zeref did call out to her, and with good reason. As the two of them and killed and sealed most of his kind away. While the demon before them did know her, she has yet to encounter him.
He looked over at Erza, Gray, and Lucy but it seemed they were unable to move. He had to end this quickly before they seen him in his half awakened state. Especially, Gray. He knew of the darkness that lingered within Gray's soul. A demon that Freya didn't seal by choice. Fearful of changing the future.
Natsu held his hands out to his sides, black flames swirled around each hand and forearm. "I shall end you here and now."
"My Lord!" Lullaby took a few steps back.
Natsu narrowed his eyes, the strain upon his body was starting to be too much. His body, mind, soul and heart couldn't take the growing fracture. It was still much too early, and Freya was nowhere near ready to heal his broken state. He would have to use the dragon slaying magic he learned from Igneel and hope that it could be enough. He couldn't draw upon his true curse power, not yet.
"With the flames on my right and the flames on my left. Put them together and you get…" Natsu brought his arms together quickly in front of him, clasping his hands together. "Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame." An explosion of black flames erupted within the train station, consuming the demon made of wood.
The sound of the screeching demon filled the train station as it burned. The wood it had been born of popped, and cried from the burning black flames.
Gray and Erza looked up, their eyes widen in disbelief as they watched the demon burn into nothing but a pile of flaming black ashes.
Gray looked over to Natsu as he still felt the presence similar to Deriora only to see faint fading strange marks upon Natsu's skin.
Natsu started to fall sideways as he exhausted everything he had expect for the reservoir he had been saving all this time. Freya caught him within her arms, as they both fell to the ground. Panting as pain flooded and wrecked his body, he looked one more time into her gentle, kind, caring green eyes with his red ones.
He truly hadn't looked upon them in so long with his own demonic eyes. She held the eyes that pierced his wicked soul, purifying him. He felt his wounds that he suffered from Erigor fade away, her gentle healing fire flooding throughout him.
He only smiled a cheeky smile in an effort to assure her everything was alright. The red completely faded from his eyes as he passed out.
Freya looked around as Erza and Gray were finally standing up, with Lucy doing the same. She didn't even know what to say. What should she say, if anything?
Erza was unsure herself if anything should be said. Natsu out of all them was the only one able to stand and those flames were different. Those marks upon his arms were other worldly. "He really saved us." She stood next to Freya who was holding both Happy and Natsu.
"Yeah." Freya caressed his forehead, moving his salmon locks to the side.
"Just what was that?" Gray looked at Natsu the eerie power he felt before from him was completely gone.
"Yeah, I can't believe he was able to do something like that. I mean was he always this powerful?" Lucy dusted her skirt off as she got closer to them.
Freya didn't have any answers. It was the first time for them to see it, but she had seen it before. It was still Natsu, but not Natsu. He did after all repeat his promise so it had to be him? "I've seen it before. I think it has to do with him being a dragon slayer." Freya lied. She knew it had nothing to do with him being a dragon slayer. She knew he was actually concerned about what she thought of him, and the way he looked at the others before he attacked the demon. He was actually fearful. Afraid of what and how everyone would see him now.
Natsu stood in front of a wide glass tube bath, filled with a special viscous liquid. As he took a step closer, putting his head upon the cool glass, the reflection of red eyes stared back at him. Within the liquid was a suspended, naked, unconscious Freya with the tubes immediately attaching to her skin.
"Oh? So you do have a bit of demon blood for the tubes to attach immediately."
Not this again, was all he could think within this nightmare.
The liquid was tinted from her blood that still oozed from her wounds. The wounds he had seen her last time. Now though, he could see how truly gruesome they were. Her skin, and muscles in some places across her body was just hanging from her bones. She had been flayed. More so, there was now a gaping ragged hole within her chest.
He looked down at his hand, it was still stained with dried blood. So he really did. Within this "fucking nightmare" he actually tried to kill her. He impaled her, and crushed her heart and yet she was somehow still alive. This couldn't be real, right? It was just a night terror. It had to be, because there was no way he could do something so gruesome and perverse to her.
He still had no control over himself within this memory, and could only watch the events unfold before his eyes.
"Master!" A young demon with bunny like ears ran up to him. "He knows."
Reaching down and gripping the young demon girl by her face as he lifted her up. "You good for nothing little rat." He squeezed harder with his hand, and he could feel her bones begin to fracture as she screamed and cried out. She tried to resist him, reaching up to pull herself away from his grip but it was only in vain.
He didn't even bother to try to fight against it, not anymore. Was this truly who he was now within his dreams? Unable to control the monster, the demon within?
He threw the young demon against the other wall, leaving her to her suffering. To die in agony for whispering his plans. He took one last look at Freya.
"You've always had that side of you Natsu." A reflection of himself, only with black hair stepped out of the shadows with a face distorted with disapproval. "Treating our kind you believe to be lower in such a way."
Natsu stepped in front of the glass tube. "What's it matter to you?" His voice dripped with poison, narrowing his eyes.
The reflection of himself walked closer and closer, his red eyes fixated on the tank behind him. The glowing pale blue liquid illuminating his face. It looked like him, but so different.
He didn't have a scar on the side of his neck. He wasn't aware he had a twin, but then again it was only just a nightmare, right?
"To be fair, she wasn't the one that told me." He smirked as he reached his hand to touch the glass, but Natsu grabbed his arm.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Natsu snarled at him.
"I could ask you the same thing, brother." He reached up grabbing Natsu's arm with his free hand. "Putting someone like her…."
"You can shut your mouth before I shut it for you." Natsu squeezed his arm within his grip. His red eyes burning brightly. "What I choose to do with her is none of your concern."
The man that was a darker reflection of himself pulled his arm out of his grip and quickly shattered the glass tube Freya was suspended in. The pale viscous liquid quickly drained out, Freya's limp body leaning over to the side of the glass bath that was still intact. "Ever since you've seen that woman, that bitch…"
The words the man spoke he could no longer hear. He only heard silence as his red eyes looked upon Freya's slumped over naked form. The pale blue liquid dripping from her short dark hair, running down her naked bruised, bleeding, broken body. He took in every detail of her, almost as if he was memorizing it. Her skin was ghostly pale, and was mostly skin and bones with very little muscle mass. The thing his eyes were drawn to the most was the guild mark above her left hip bone, with two fang marks below that. There was also two fang marks upon her left breast above her heart, and on the left side of her neck upon her pulse. No matter how much he willed it he couldn't tear his eyes from the marks.
Out of the corner of his eye he seen the man reach for her. Without giving it more thought of to what he was doing, he reached over, snapping the man's arm completely off below the elbow joint by brute force alone.
Natsu woke up, the man's screaming still echoing within his ears. He blinked a few times until he realized he was on a train and was laying within Freya's lap, who was propped against the window sleeping herself. He then realized he hadn't been out for long and could hear Gray, Lucy, Erza and Happy talking behind his and Freya's seat.
It seemed they were talking about a new Celestial Key Happy gave to Lucy, with her reprimanding him.
He narrowed his eyes as he thought about what was happening to him. He was awake but not awake when he attacked the demon. It knew him, and he knew it. His mind his hazy before he met Igneel but he never put any thought into it. He always thought he was too young to remember a time before Igneel.
But it seems there was much more to himself that he didn't know, and that he too had shadows within his past.
He couldn't figure out why Freya was there though. For her to be there it just had to be a nightmare.
Was his mind just mixing up and confusing past memories with current ones? He really didn't know but now more than ever he felt he wasn't really himself anymore. He was changing. More so than just growing up and maturing. He felt like he was losing sight of himself the past couple of months. Everything wasn't completely lost, because every time he would look into Freya's soul through her eyes, it grounded him. Pulled him back.
Now though, now he was more aware of that thing deep within his soul. Sleeping within a fractured part of himself.
Now he understood Freya's dilemma. Was he truly who he thought he was? How exactly did Lullaby know of Freya anyway? The demon seemed to have quite the vendetta for her but he already knew that. How he knew that he wasn't sure, but as it called her name out, it was like something, that thing suddenly clawed its way out and up to the surface.
He wanted to burn it away, and out of him. But that wasn't something he could do exactly. While each time it woke did bring these "memories" to the surface with it, could he truly complain? Each time has always been for Freya. As long as she was safe then he truly couldn't say anything about it. Then again, did this dark piece of him truly have her best interests at heart? After all, it did impale her and crush her heart within those nightmares.
"It" He thought. As if he could call it, an it. It was him after all. He done those horrible things to Freya. Was it the past or was it the future? Was it memories or nightmare? Did it matter since it was him that done that to her?
His darkened green eyes looked at her peaceful sleeping face, her mouth slightly open as she snored lightly. His heart swelled at the sight of her as drool was beginning to run down the corner of her mouth. His eyes softened at the sight and suddenly found he didn't know what to do or think anymore.
Perhaps he should just go with her line of thinking. "As long as I have a future with her and Happy." But maybe that approach was too dangerous considering Freya has been in every single one of the nightmares. However, he knew for now he wouldn't receive any answers. Perhaps when he sees Igneel again he can question him about it. Why was he having these twisted visions, and why did he loose his memory of her as well?
Makarov was already back at the guild before they even arrived. He had heard from Mira Jane that they formed a team and immediately left the local guild meeting fearing the worse to come of it. He expected them to somehow level a town, but it was more than he feared. While they hadn't leveled a town, they did do some extensive damage to a train station while encountering a dark guild and a creation of Zeref's.
None of them expected to see the master arrive before they did. Even if he was meeting other guild masters. However, they were held up for quite some time at the train station before they departed. Freya healed and treated the injured which took some time. That was until the army of Fiore arrived along with the Magic Council.
All of them had even cleaned up before they met back up at the guild hall. With Freya administering medicine to herself that she takes on a monthly basis. With her menstrual cycles, she still bled way too much and it was the only medicine that seemed to replenish her and it was given to her by none other than Porlyusica. Within about a day's time her blood levels would return to normal.
They all sat at the bar, Natsu still lost within his thoughts. He no longer had any interest with his fight he challenged Erza too. His mind was abuzz with questions and doubts.
"To think that a demon from the book of Zeref still wandered the land freely." Makarov lamented.
The name immediately caught Natsu's attention, his eyes darting over to Gramps. He knew that name. A name Dusk had mentioned before. She and him were both descendants of him.
"Zeref?" Freya questioned him. She didn't know why but she felt like she had heard that name before. In a strange way she felt like she even knew him.
Natsu swallowed hard at her question, as he broke out in a cold sweat. He knew the name alone was a toxic poison to her, and her life. How everyone would seek her out if they learned the truth. But there was another disturbing revelation. If that demon was from the book of Zeref, what did that make him exactly? It seemed to know him, and even called him master and my lord. He knew it as well. Though now if he tried to recall what it was exactly he only drew a blank now.
Makarov thought for a brief moment. He decided he would only tell her what was deemed common knowledge since it seemed Natsu still hadn't told her of the truth. While it may have been wise at the time a few years ago, he knew Natsu wouldn't be able to shelter her forever. "Zeref, the black wizard. A powerful wizard within his time, he created many things, forbidden things using living magic. The books of Zeref, they are his dark legacy he left behind to this world."
Freya looked down, her curiosity completed faded away. "Living magic?" "Once it awakened, it was draining all life from the planet life within the station and even from ourselves. We were completely helpless…if it hadn't been for Natsu."
Makarov looked over at Natsu who was still lost within his thoughts. The change within the dragon slayer over the past few weeks was more noticeable. Perhaps from the two of them being mates he was able to dig the strength up to defy the odds, or so that was what he told himself. Makarov then looked back at the eyes of his defeated children.
"Please forgive me Master for acting rashly and for the damage done to the train station." Erza slammed her armored fist upon the wooden bar.
"I'm just relived all of you have returned safely. Don't worry about what those fools within the Magic Council have to say."
Everyone nodded as Makarov got up from the top of the bar walking upstairs to begin the mountains of paperwork.
Freya twirled within the bar stool getting up and walking over to the lonely piano tucked away within a corner of the guild hall. She needed to be alone to her thoughts, and music was the answer to her at the moment. The name of Zeref briefly caused her to briefly shudder, but more importantly it was what the Master said about living magic that distraught her the most. Was her magic classified in such a way? The far and few in-between times, flora has blossomed from her magic. Was it forbidden? Was she forbidden as well? Her blood caused the same reaction. "Maybe…" She was frozen within her footsteps recalling the man's words. Recalling his voice still caused her stomach to churn and her body to recoil. Even after all these years she still had such a reaction to his chilling voice. "No. I have a right to live just like everyone else." She shook the dark thoughts from her mind and continued onward to the piano.
She knew how to play the violin. No one could doubt her skills, and so she within the past year set out to learn the piano. She wasn't as masterful at playing the piano as she was the violin but within a year or so she thought if she practiced every day she could be.
Dusting the stool off she sat down, playing what came to her mind. "Light of the Seven." A beautiful piece that someone else had composed that she had been learning.
Lucy wandered to a seat next to the window as she watched the rain streak down the window pane, listening to Freya's soulful melody. It reminded her of how Lyra's music would sing to one's soul. The beautiful melody that Freya was currently playing filled the guild hall and it seemed it was singing to all of their souls.
It seemed they were all down trodden over the events. They had taken care of Eisenwald easy enough, it was the demon that they were powerless against. Thinking back to it now, how Erza sliced through them as if they were cake to be cut. Freya had danced around them, taking each of them down one by one. Gray had used his ice, forming shapes of hammers and swords, all the while shooting lances made of ice.
Though it seemed from her point of view at least everyone was a little shocked that Natsu had obliterated the demon with ease. All but Freya. Was Natsu always that strong? It seemed like he was godly in her eyes. Though she has just beginning to work for a guild and she had never really been that strong to begin with. Summoning one Celestial Spirit was about all she could manage for now.
For now, she would have to have to move forward. She had rent coming up soon and it needed to pay or she would be forced to sleep within the streets of Magnolia. Not something she was all too keen on doing.
Sighing Natsu got up and went and sat on the empty spot of the bench Freya sat upon as she continued playing. He watched her delicate fingers dance across the white ivory keys, her eyes closed as she almost breathed in rhythm to what she played.
Admittedly he had been curious as of late. Could he learn to play to? She would sometimes play duets with others, particularly men vying for her affections at the venues she played at. Course he kept himself under control for the most part. He knew how important it was to her to play at them. She made good money doing it to, and in her eyes it was completely safe.
For now, he would push his doubts out of his mind, as he just wanted to be near her after everything. "Frey?"
"Hmmm?" She opened her eyes, turning her head slightly.
He seen the dusting of pink upon her cheeks as she continued to play. Music was the only thing outside of himself that soothed her, and seeing her smiling at him so contently made him smile as well.
"You'll just laugh if I told you." Natsu admitted. "But I've been thinking lately about learning how to play."
Freya's smiled turned bigger as she abruptly halted the song mid-way through. "Really?!" She grabbed his hands smiling, hey eyes lightning up. "What instrument do you want to learn?"
Makarov walked around from behind of the upright piano holding out a parchment paper. "This came for you this morning."
Freya thanked the Master as she glanced over it for a moment before informing him she accepted as he walked away and back up the stairs into his office.
"Someone wanting you to play for them, Freya?" Happy sat on top of the mahogany wood piano.
"Yeah…" She mumbled as she looked at the weird request. It seemed normal enough, even if it was asking for extra security to be present. While that wasn't to abnormal as sometimes Natsu "handled" the security aspect of it.
Natsu grabbed it from her hands looking it at it as well. Something about it caught his eyes. Perhaps it was its strange appearance to him. He looked upon it with his green dragon eyes, and there was something odd about it. Some of the letters had letters under it, and it could only see them with his dragon eyes. "Freya Aesir Dragneel." Was written under the letters in that strange language and alphabet that Freya would write in sometimes. Natsu crumpled it before Freya could look at it with her own amber dragon eyes.
"Hey, that had the location." Freya began to protest as she reached for it.
"You're not going." Natsu stood up to inform Gramps that Freya was going nowhere near the venue. Whoever it was, knew of her true name. A name that only a select few knew and he feared for what it would spell out for her. Although if they knew of her, and where she was they could just show up here just as well.
"I just said I accepted, he's probably already sent word. I have to go now." She stood up trying to take it from him.
"No." Natsu was firm and adamant about it and walked upstairs with it in his hands.
Freya huffed as she sat back down crossing her arms and legs. "What was that all about…."
Happy watched Natsu go upstairs, clenching the paper tightly in his hands. "I dunno." He shrugged.
Natsu bust through the door un-crumpling the paper he held in his hands holding it up as Makarov looked up from his desks. "Gramps, I don't know who sent this but there's no way in hell that she's going."
"I just sent…"
Natsu cut him off. "I don't give a damn! When you look at this with dragon eyes, it has her TRUE name is written under the letters wrote on the request."
Makarov motioned him over reaching for the parchment paper. It had been a few years since he heard someone mention her true name. If they knew it, they knew the truth. Were they an friend or foe? He held the parchment, looking closely. He didn't see anything other than requesting for Freya to play at a private venue within two days from now. "What prompted you that there was something strange about it?"
Natsu stuck his hands down into his pockets as he shrugged. "I'm not sure. It just looked strange to me, and Freya noticed it too I think. I took it from her hands and my eyes just changed on their own. It's written with different a different alphabet that Freya sometimes writes in."
"The language of the dragons then I suspect." It was a forgotten language but it wasn't too far of a stretch in his mind for Freya or even Natsu to know it. After all the boy did arrive at Fairy Tail unable to read most English. "I'll look into who it is and what they know. Whatever you do…"
"I already know." Natsu turned walking out.
Freya lay within the bed her chocolate brown hair splayed out in all directions beneath her reading a medical text book. Natsu lay next to her, caressing her face. He knew she was a little agitated at him. She knew he was hiding something from her. After all the time they have been together. They have always been so truthful with one another over everything.
Though while it bothered him, the request with her true name written under the letters. Something else was eating at him. He still felt her hot blood upon his face. He could still see her holding onto him, desperately trying to pull him up. The look of pure agony on her face as the shadow bastard impaled her further. How her arms quaked but somehow through it all she held onto him.
He never thought he would see her again in such a condition. If Freya hadn't reined him in, he would still be burning the corpse at this very hour, cursing him for his existence.
Absent-mindly she ran her free hand across her toned stomach where the glass had pierced her. Natsu watched her, the soft glow of the lacrima light beside their bed illuminating her.
"Frey, I've always let you do whatever you wanted as long as it made you happy." Natsu voice was gruff has he spoke. "I've done whatever you wanted as long as it made you happy. All I ever want to see is for you to be happy."
Freya lay the book down on top of her chest, turning her head slightly to look at him. He almost made it seem she done nothing for him in return. She felt a pang of guilt within her heart. While she knew it was far from the truth, has she has always pushed herself to do what made him happy in return. Learning how to prepare and cook complex food made with the essence of fire magic wasn't an easy task. It was an art form that had to be mastered and finally after all this time she had. She's rode and raced on more transportation than she could name, and pushed herself to last longer just to see his gleeful grin as the wind kissed their cheeks. It was just two of the many things.
"I have no desire to control how you live your life but I just want you to trust me on this."
Freya carefully looked into his pleading eyes. There was guilt within them. "I do trust you, I just wish you would at least give me a reason."
"It just doesn't feel right is all."
The following day Freya still a little annoyed at Natsu's weird and sudden behavior towards the request. She feared it would tarnish her reputation as a violinist but she trusted Natsu and his judgement. She just didn't understand why he wouldn't explain it to her. She couldn't imagine he was keeping a secret from her and she honestly didn't want to think about it. She had revealed all of hers. Even the ones that would occasionally still haunt her to this day.
She just wanted to believe he was just being over protective of her. That perhaps he had a bad feeling about it, especially what had happened yesterday at Oshibana.
Freya sat at the bar with Lucy who was about to go set on a job of her own as she needed the rent money. Nothing was amiss as chaos was spreading from Natsu and Gray.
"Huh? Who's that?" Mira pointed over at the door way. Freya turned to look to see who appeared to be around Natsu's age and build.
He slowly strode over, a smile upon his face. He was kissed by the sun. Along with having black hair and green eyes.
"You must be Freya I presume?" His eyes appeared kind and his voice was deep but soft. He stood next to her with his hands within his pockets of his slacks. He was dressed in a black casual tuxedo.
Freya stood up and bowed her head slightly. "Indeed I am." She didn't think it was to out of the ordinary for a stranger to come up to her, knowing of her face.
"It's quite the pleasure to finally meet you face to face." He bowed his head, his dark green eyes taking in the appearance of the young Life-Binder. "I was hoping I could change your mind about playing at my private venue. I'll even double the reward for you are for the security you bring with you."
Lucy instantly perked up. She didn't mean to eves drop but when it came to all things concerned about money she was ready. While her rent was relatively low, it would be due soon.
Freya held back a sigh as she couldn't believe the Master just let Natsu completely deny her the request.
"I'm afraid I must decline. I have…"
"I'll triple it." He reached out taking Freya's soft delicate hand into his. "I simply cannot disappoint my guest's tomorrow evening."
"We're in!" Lucy stood up, pumped for earning what in her eyes was easy cash. She knew Natsu was embargoing her from going for little to no reason what it seemed.
Freya eyed over at Natsu who was already pushing Gray off of him. "Seems like I have no choice now." Freya looked back over smiling. "It would be my pleasure tomorrow."
"Excellent. If I could talk to you for a moment in private about the arrangements." He turned looking at Natsu shooting him a brief look of victory as he smirked.
"Of course." Freya withdrew her hand and began to walk out of the guild. The man followed his eyes still upon a raging Natsu.
Natsu dashed to Freya grabbing her by the shoulders, stopping her.
"I'll be just right outside." The man continued on.
Freya turned, looking at Natsu who stood seething watching the man. "Natsu…" Freya spoke as she waited for him.
"I told you…you are NOT going and that's final." Natsu placed both of his upon her shoulders, as he looked into her eyes pleading.
"Lucy already agreed, I don't really have a choice anymore. Besides, if I have you what could go wrong? You've always protected me…" The air was knocked out of her lungs for a brief moment as Natsu hugged her tightly, gritting his teeth.
It wasn't all that normal to see Natsu and Freya a little lovey within the guild and most paid it no mind. All expect for Lucy who looked on with longing eyes. She couldn't help but to be a little jealous. Not of Freya, but of the love they shared. She hasn't had any love in her life since her mother died. Watching the two of them felt like salt being poured into a raw wound she didn't even know she had. It was something she knew was missing from her life, but she didn't realize how badly she yearned for it.
What could Natsu possibly say? He couldn't always protect her, but he had always somehow done so in the past. It was what she was betting on, he knew. That he would pull through somehow but that man knew of her and about her. He didn't want her to go, nor did he want her to talk with him. But he couldn't control her, or lock her up. He knew the day was coming when Freya would learn of the truth and it was approaching. He felt it and knew it. Maybe it was wrong of him after all this time to keep and hide the truth from her.
All he has ever wanted was for her to be happy. To finally live and be free, and she finally was. How long had it taken them to get to this point? "I'll be out back. When you're done talking to him, meet me out there." He kissed her forehead before stepping away. As he walked away he pulled out the piece of crumpled paper. If she was just going to go anyway against his wishes, perhaps he should just tell her.
Freya walked out the guild doors, the man leaning against the wall outside. "Where are my manners. I never introduced myself. My name is Edan Ararat." He held out his hand.
"Freya Dragneel." She placed her hand into his, but as their skins touched it shot through her at once. She's felt this presence before. Several years ago, when she was just a little girl on her journey to find Natsu. Her eyes darkened for a moment but she quickly smiled. "It's a pleasure." She didn't know what it meant. All of them were so similar but different in their own ways.
"I fancy myself as a musician and would be delighted if I could have the honor of playing a duet with you tomorrow night?"
Freya nodded. "Of course. When would you like us to arrive so we can practice?"
"As soon as possible. I would like to meet who you bring along with you and have them work with my own security team. Will that be a problem?"
"Not at all." Freya bowed. "I'll go ahead and go pick my team members and we will arrive at the location later on today."
Edan smiled and Freya was taken back by it. It was as if she was looking at Natsu. That smile, but it wasn't quite the same. It was almost wicked in nature. "Then I look forward to your arrival." He waved as he walked away.
Freya walked back into the guild hall, pausing in the door way. She looked into the palm of her hand with her amber eyes. There was no doubt in her mind. She felt it years ago, and it was similar to Natsu. Though it was closer to Lullaby than it was to Natsu himself.
She approached Lucy to let her know so she could go pack and get ready. Freya debated for a moment on who else to bring. Ultimately she decided upon Erza and Gray. For the most part they actually all worked well together yesterday and she knew Natsu would be on his best behavior. Erza was delighted to actually be invited to one of her venues as only Natsu and Happy have only seen her play outside of the guild.
Freya walked outside to the back of the guild and looked around for Natsu but she didn't actually see him. "Odd…" She mumbled as she looked around.
Natsu walked far back enough that the man didn't seem to notice him. He wasn't sure why he felt to do this on an impulse. Though he could imagine Freya would be looking for him now. He ducked into an alley way and ran over to another main street. He was going to get in front of him and then pull him into an alley way out of sight. He had many questions for the man that seemed to know more than he should about Freya.
There was something about him, he couldn't put his finger on. He couldn't shake the feeling that he knew him from somewhere. He smelled familiar.
Natsu leaned against the wall as he waited for him to pass by and as soon as he seen his black hair he reached out pulling him quickly into the alleyway and pinned him against the wall.
Natsu expected to see a stunned expression instead the man held a calm demeanor. "Impulsive as always I see. At least that much hasn't changed."
Natsu was about to quip something back but snapped his mouth shut, instead he reached down into his pocket with his free hand pulling out the parchment with the request for Freya. He held it up in front of the man's face. "How the hell do YOU know her full name?"
The man pushed against Natsu's hand that had him pinned to the dark red brick wall. "I guess you could say we have a similar connection to her."
"Don't give me that bullshit." Though his statement peaked his interest. A similar connection to her? Suddenly Natsu's vision went black as he closed his eyes and put his hand out to the wall as he was disoriented.
When he opened his eyes, they were a deep burning crimson. Curse marks slowly etched across his face. Natsu quickly pinned the man against the wall again.
"How the hell did you break free!?" He demanded as he snarled.
"Ah! I was wondering if I could rouse you from your slumber. I'm surprised you recognized me."
All the questions he had for him would have to wait. He didn't have long, and only emerged to serve a him a grim warning. "I'm warning you." He seethed.
"Neither you nor her have the power, because if you did you would surely kill me right now where I stand." He was amused at the turn of events. "Though to be fair, I don't particular have any power either to deal with either of you. So let's have a bit of fun, shall we?"
Natsu suddenly threw him into the wall behind them, pinning Eden against the wall again with his arm across his neck. "I don't care for your fucking games but you're right. I don't have the power, not at this moment anyway. But you so much as dare to hurt her in anyway, you can be damn sure I'll have the power then to tear you to pieces and burn whatever is left." He knew that his brother still feared him, and rightly so. Especially after what he had done to Freya eons ago. He was honestly surprised he was brazen enough to even show himself to him. He must know that Freya was completely powerless against their kind. At least she was for the moment. Not only that but he knew of his current state as well.
"I wouldn't dream to touch your precious tramp."
Natsu pushed down onto his brother's throat. "I'm sorry, what was that? What did you call her?" But the man couldn't reply as Natsu continued to crush his throat in. His brother began to struggle under him and he realized how weak he grew to become. "I could kill you, right now if I wanted to." But the thing was, as much as he truly wanted it. He couldn't. Not anymore. That wasn't him, not anymore. She changed him in more ways than one. He would only wait for his brother to give him a reason, and he knew that he would eventually. "You know what? I would love to play a game now that I think about it. All I need is one reason." Natsu chuckled darkly. "Speak a single word to her about the past, and I'll slowly char your existence into nothing. Go ahead and think of this as an empty threat if you dare."
Natsu was slowly walking back to the guild, worry wrecked his mind. He completely blacked out and couldn't remember the last five or so minutes. Though he strangely felt the problem surrounding Freya he had taken care of. Maybe he was starting to go insane and at this point he didn't know.
He walked into the guild and seen Lucy. He walked over to the table she was sitting at with Levy. He pulled the chair out plopping down. "Lucy." His voice was low, filled with annoyance. "There was a reason I didn't want Freya to go." He looked around for Freya but didn't see her. She must still be waiting out back for him.
"Well I'm not sure what that reason is but…"
"Lucy…" Natsu inhaled a deep breath. "Not much we can do now since you strong armed her into accepting. Just stay out of it next time." He got up from the chair and walked off.
"Jeez, what's his deal?" Lucy crossed her arms. Wasn't this something they all needed anyway after the disaster they all nearly avoided the other day?
Levy looked down at the table shifting around in her seat. "He only gets like that over Freya, especially when he's being protective of her."
"What's there to worry about? It's easy money and we'll have Fairy Tail's strongest team! Not like we will really need since she'll be playing at a black tie event. What could go wrong?"
Levy could see it just like yesterday. The moment when she looked up from her book all those years ago only to see a defeated Natsu holding a dying bleeding Freya within his arms. She looked so lifeless the way her body was draped within his arms. "It wasn't too long after Freya arrived at Fairy Tail that something unfathomable happened. Since then Natsu, whenever he feels that there might be danger he gets overly protective but no one can really blame him."
"Huh?" Lucy raised her eyebrow. "What exactly happened?"
Levy's eyes darkened. She didn't know all the details herself but the memory and the scars left behind were still visible to this day. Even one of the canals within Magnolia still spring up those mysterious red flowers on the anniversary of that day before Natsu rips them all up before Freya can see them herself. It was as if the horrifying event had seeped into the land itself. "I don't know everything. I just know for a short amount of time Freya and Natsu both disappeared. Apparently Natsu went looking for her and a day later he showed up…" Levy swallowed hard. "He showed up back up at the guild completely defeated holding Freya within his arm who was dying. The truth is actually she did. Twice. But Laxus shocked her back to life each time."
"I didn't know." Lucy looked away. "I thought it was something stupid honestly. I just thought Natsu didn't want to go since it seemed like it wasn't exactly his type of thing."
Wanting to change the subject as Levy didn't want to recall the day Fairy Tail almost lost two of its members. "Actually." Levy giggled. "Freya told me that Natsu does enjoy going especially lately since they both finished their dancing lessons."
"There's no way." Lucy sensed Levy wanted to change the subject. It was hard for her to imagine someone like Natsu dressed in a tuxedo, sitting quietly at a table or chair within a grand hall. Much less him dancing appropriately.
Levy held her finger up to her mouth. "But keep that to yourself." She winked. "I find it sweet Natsu does so much for her. Though the guys might laugh or poke fun at him for admitting he actually enjoys that kind of thing."
Happy flew down onto the table. "It's not a secret since I've told anyone." Happy snickered. "Did you know they learned how to tango?!"
"I'd like to see that." Lucy shook her head in disbelief.
Freya stood within the lake, the waves slowly rolled in and out. Something has been different about Natsu lately to her and she couldn't quite place it but she didn't think Natsu could place it either. Perhaps he was just growing up though if she had to be honest with herself she didn't want that for him. But who was she to say it? After all she couldn't wait until she was more grown so Natsu could see her in a new light.
"Boo." Natsu was leaning over her shoulder, careful not to touch her. As the words left his mouth he could see her jump out of her skin, or so to speak. Quickly turning around, she pushed Natsu into the water, but as he fell he grabbed her hand pulling her down with him.
"Ah shit!" Natsu pushed her off and reached into his pocket for the request. It had the type of attire they were expected to wear on it, as well as the location and the amount that would be paid upon completion.
He caught it just in time as none of the ink was running yet. After finishing straightening out the parchment he handed it over to Freya. "It has everything you need on it." Though he somewhat regretted it upon seeing her amber eyes. "Since your eyes are amber, you should be able to see what I see on it."
"Freya…Aesir Dragneel?" The name Aesir shot a pain through her body. "Is…is this my full name?" She read the Draconic letters.
"Yeah." Natsu rubbed the back of his neck as he continued to watch the emotions run over her.
So many things were going through her head at once. So, if Natsu could see it, then that meant he could read a forgotten language too? If she had to guess maybe Igneel had taught it to him, but that just brought more questions up about her own past. Why would he hide something like this from her? However, there was one thing that was at the forefront of it all. Fear. She was struck with it upon reading Aesir. It hit her, causing her soul to shudder under the weight of it.
Her hands began to tremble, the words caught within her throat. It was as if the name was a poison to her being to cause such a reaction. The man, Edan knew of it. Knew of her. She had felt his presence before. It was unique, different from magic, dark and somehow tied to Natsu.
He had almost come to the decision to finally be truthful with her but seeing her frozen in fear from her name alone he just couldn't. Wading through the water he picked her into his arms. It instantly snapped her out of it, the fear melting away.
Natsu put forth his best smile. "You have a better name now though right? Freya Dragneel?" He seen her trembling had stopped and treaded through the water going deep into the water. When he was waist deep, he stopped. "Frey, I'll be at your side the whole time. We can always go home at time."
"We have each other. Even if he knows who I am. A few years ago I would have jumped at the chance, but not anymore." She wanted those nightmares and shadows to stay exactly where they belonged, in the past.
Suddenly he tossed Freya up into the air causing her to yell out Natsu's name as she failed her arms out. As she started her descend downwards her dress flew up causing her to quickly pull it back down. Taking a deep breath as she impacted the water.
Everyone stepped off of the carriage. It was only a short ride of thirty minutes from the edge of Magnolia to reach the lavish mansion within the forest.
It reminded Lucy a lot of home, something that she didn't particularly want to think about. The painful memories were coming to surface but she quickly pushed them back down.
Freya held onto Natsu's hand tightly. Her stomach churned as her deep green eyes looked upon the mansion. She should have just declined, being this close again she felt apprehensive. Though it seemed Lucy needed the money, while her and Natsu didn't particularly need it. If they truly wished they could probably retire from working for a few years and live quite comfortably. She would just put on a brave face though, since it was for a fellow guild member. In fact, Lucy probably thought she was doing her a favor by accepting the request the way she had done.
Freya turned towards the others who were unpacking their things. "We are going to go on up ahead and let them know we're here." Freya picked up her violin case that Happy sat next to her feet.
The air that surrounded the estate felt cooler than the surrounding area. The sound of the pebbles and gravels crunching beneath their felt seemed to reverberate and echo. Everything about it the estate felt corrupted by an unseen force. The earth crying to her, it was overwhelming.
She didn't understand. The place was beautiful but it seemed so ugly. Almost as if it was all just an illusion. That her being here was simply a farce. She was a piece within a game. A game she wanted no part of.
Natsu sat within the ballroom at an empty undressed table, laying his head upon it not amused with the situation. Freya off to the side with Eden. She played the violin while he played the piano. He had heard better pianist within the past few years, and he wasn't even sure why someone such as him was good enough to play with a world renowned violinist such as Freya.
It was funny in a way. Someone such as himself was able to clearly tell the difference in someone's ability to play an instrument. He did after all for the most part go to something like this once a week sometimes even more than that. He's heard it all, and his ears picked on the subtlety of him playing just a little too fast. He hit the ivory keys to hard as well. He realized most probably didn't realize this key difference, but he hadn't missed it. He had no true talent, he was only imitating.
Erza and the others seemed to enjoy it but Happy appeared to be in the same boat as him.
"He's a little off." Happy finally spoke up, as he sat upon Natsu's head.
"He sounds perfect to me." Lucy's eyes softened as the melody was soothing. She couldn't help but to wonder if he was single? He was certainly easy on the eyes, and appeared to be quite the gentlemen. A prince that she always wished for.
"No, Happy's right." Natsu looked over at Freya. "He's not off by much. Most probably don't notice it, but its quarter of a second to fast."
"When did you become so musically inclined?" Gray smugly smirked.
"How could he not? The three of them do this every week." Erza listened more closely and she could finally hear it as well. It wasn't that noticeable but now that Natsu pointed it out it stuck out like a sore thumb. Erza looked around the open room. It wouldn't be too much trouble to guard the room, or the estate but she couldn't help but wonder why did he need so many of them for such a simple task? Natsu would have sufficed.
Lucy listened but she couldn't still couldn't hear what the two of them spoke of. "Maybe you're a little jealous?" Lucy tried to poke fun at him. "He did seem to be quite taken with her earlier." Lucy thought back to how he personal showed Freya the estate, as most gentlemen of his status would do to ladies they wished to court. "After all, he gave her a personal tour himself."
Erza and Gray immediately stiffened for a moment. Neither of them could deny Natsu had a jealous streak, and Loke especially seemed to bring the worst of it out at times.
"I'm not." Natsu paused. He did wish at times to be more of a part of this life with her. Music was important to her. She sees it as a gift he had given her on their first Christmas. It was precious to her. Maybe playing the piano wasn't quite for him, but he still wanted to play something with her. To be a part of that. To create something together. "Not of him." He chose his words carefully.
Before anyone could say or react to his comment Freya stopped, removing the bow from her strings. Edan continued to play for a brief couple of seconds before stopping as well.
"Your timing is off." Freya held her bow and violin in each hand down to her side.
Natsu looked at the others sitting at the table smiling smugly. He had told them but from where they only seen the side he allowed them to see of himself. They couldn't believe he knew anything about the mastery of the art known as music.
"Excuse me?" Edan stood up, the stool he was sitting upon scooted back by his legs. He blinked a few times unsure of what she spoke of.
"You're playing about a quarter second to fast to the tempo." Freya put her violin and bow into her case, shutting it but not zipping it. She walked over to the grand black piano. "May I?" She motioned towards the white ivory keys.
Edan stepped out of the way, annoyed that she would dare lecture him. She clearly had no idea of who he was, but none the less he was aghast she would even dare criticize him. His eyes landed on Natsu for a brief moment. He could easily just be done with this game, and rip her heart from her chest before she is cursed by Ankhseram. How he would delight in seeing Natsu's face twist in agony, rage and grief.
Freya cleared her throat to get his attention, patting the empty spot upon the bench. For a moment Freya seen the contempt within his eyes towards her. It caused her soul to shudder under his gaze. She was frozen, unable to move. She knew the moment she touched him that he was dangerous to her. Not only to her but her life and her family.
It all quickly melted away into his cool demeanor, as he settled to torture Natsu with the game further. He sat down next to her.
Clenching her fists for a brief moment, her eyes fixated upon the glossy keys. Taking in a deep breath she rested her fingers upon the cool ivory keys.
"You must be a part of it, allowing it to flow through you and out into the audience. You are merely a conduit." Her fingers gracefully danced among the keys, the piano quietly singing the melody she played. She had little room to talk as she could barely focus herself.
During the tour she had earlier, her suspicions of the place was slowly coming true. This place was perverse and unholy.
"Even being just slightly off can throw off the whole performance and bring unease to the audience." Freya spread up the tempo to the pace he had been playing at. "If you listen carefully, you'll hear it as well." Just being this close to him, her skin crawled. Her soul and heart wished to get as far away as possible and yet she chose to sit next to him. "If we are going to play a duet together we must be in sync."
"You're quite right. I will practice tonight before our performance tomorrow." He stood up. "Shall we have dinner?" He held his hand out, and offering to her.
She wanted to be polite. To take his hand. It was only proper as she had learned over the years. Though being next to him, she suddenly only ever wanted to touch Natsu's hand. She could almost see the blood stains upon his hand.
She almost felt desperate to be near Natsu. This dark looming presence was bearing down on her. The corruption of this place was whispering to her. It was maddening.
She regained her composer. While she played at private venues and public, she must play the part of a proper young lady. However, Freya stood up on her own ruffling out the wrinkles within her dress.
"I must say I am famished." Freya turned looking at Natsu for a brief moment.
"Then we shall have a grand feast tonight to celebrate your presence gracing these halls" He held his hands up, his voice echoed throughout the grand hall. "Feel free to explore as you wish. I shall send a servant once the feast has been prepared."
The others were quite happy and ecstatic at the idea. Normally Natsu would be too. A chance to eat all he could. To possibly try new foods, he may not have eaten before. He only stood up with the others. There was something off about this place. It reminded him about something. A time before Igneel. It was familiar and distant to him. There certainly wasn't something right about this place either, he knew that for sure.
Erza couldn't help but observe both Natsu and Freya. She has known the two of them longer than the others. She was certainly close to both, especially Freya. They both seemed unnerved by this place, which put her into high alert. However, she could more easily pull off a simple act of being pleased. The two of them were so distressed they were unraveling.
"Thank you." Freya bowed as Eden walked away. Unconsciously her eyes changed to amber, and as she looked upon the golden marble flooring she was horrified. Her blood curdled within her veins, as her eyes widen and body stiffened. What exactly was she seeing? His reflection upon the marble flooring, was his true self. She was looking at none other than the back side of Natsu. His hair was pitch black. He turned briefly, unaware and she could clearly see his face. The face of a twisted sadistic Natsu. Her body tensed even more to the point it felt like her muscles would snap her bones at the sight of his face. She wanted nothing more than to run away screaming from him.
Freya bit into her lip as he continued walking. Her eyes were able to see through the illusion. But how? Would anyone believe her? Does she even believe herself at what she is seeing?
She finally looked up, a sheen of sweat covering her body.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." Gray nonchalantly commented as he walked towards the balcony, slowly stripping out of his clothes, leaving a trail behind him. If he was to be a guard for tomorrow, he needed to get a better layout of the estate.
"No. Just a case of stage freight." Freya quickly turned and walked in the opposite direction of Edan. She needed to put as much distance as she could between him and her. This place was festering with unholy corruption and to see him with a twisted sadistic look of Natsu she was uncertain at what she saw, and what she was feeling. Was the reflection she seen an illusion to throw her off? What would be the purpose of such a cheap trick? To rattle her? What for? Why did she feel so threaten at seeing something like that?
Natsu and Happy both got up, hot on her trail but she was quicker. "What is she running from?"
Freya stopped, cupping her hands over her mouth as tears threaten to burst from her amber eyes. This painting certainly wasn't what it was before. Before it had been an oil painting of a beautiful maiden surrounded by life. She was a depiction of life itself. Vines, flowers once interwoven in her air, surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna, but now…now the maiden had a striking resemblance to herself. Impaled by thorned vines, and pikes, stripped of her clothing. She was position in such a way it looked like she was being crucified. Her blood was spilling onto the ground as demons danced and cheered. The flesh around her wounds were nothing but rotting festering wounds of infection.
Natsu halted by side and seen the look upon her face and turned to look at the painting but he didn't see anything wrong with it, even with his dragon eyes.
Taking a few steps back Freya's placed her back against the cool marbled wall. The world around her began to swirl has she hadn't taken a breath in a while as it was frozen within her lungs. As her knees wobbled, Natsu stepped in front of her putting his hand under her arm.
"Frey!" He turned and eyed the painting once more but he seen nothing. "Are you alright?" Her skin felt so cold to him, she was far from alright.
There was that look within her eyes. Something he hadn't seen in years, and seeing it now a familiar anger stirred within him. Her once happy, cheerful eyes full of love and life were devoid of it all. Nothing was within them as she stared blankly into his.
The color drained from her face as she heard dark whispering of her given name echoing within the hallways. Was she dreaming? This couldn't possibly be real, could it? When did everything change so suddenly? It had to be a hallucination. She felt Natsu's grip on her arm holding her up but the man she was looking at, was someone else entirely. Someone who appeared to be Natsu but was far from it.
His hair was salmon blowing in the hot wind, his sinister red eyes boring holes into her soul. She had seen his red eyes before on a few occasions but now they were colder and more distant. Before they had been filled with pain and grief, and now she looked into an empty pit of disinterest. Red eyes that held resentment, twisted by a dark rage.
She knew it was him by his warm touch, but those empty eyes would devour her. Looking at her as if she was completely nothing to him.
The whispers that continued to echo through her head was his voice. The voice that once caused it heart to skip a beat but now caused it to freeze in terror as her own screamed echoed through her head. Was she screaming now, or was she just dreaming of it? It was a sensory overlord and she no longer knew what was real and what wasn't.
Natsu watched as Freya slumped her head over, becoming unresponsive to him. Natsu could see Happy's little paws shake as he held them to his mouth, uncertain what to do.
Happy didn't know if she was suddenly having a flash back once more as she used to have or if something else was wrong. "Natsu, I'm going to get the others!"
"No!" Natsu snapped his head to the side. "If to many people get close she might…" Natsu couldn't finish the sentence. She could snap, thinking she was somewhere else entirely and try to fight her way out. Of course if that became the case he would do his best to restrain her but in all honestly she was a strong fighter. Stronger than him in many ways when it came to fighting without magic. In the end it would only cause her to only feel guiltier if she hurt anyone. That wasn't something he wanted. "Just fly back a little bit."
Edan watched the scene upstairs through a lacrima as his plan had worked perfectly. He knew the moment that the two of them looked at the request he sent but still came none the less, their draconic eyes weren't mature enough to see through it. He had hidden more than just her name within the flyer. Yet, here was the Life-Binder trapped within his nightmare. He did after all develop this nightmare curse just for the two of them and perfected it over the seven years since he awoke. However, he wasn't entirely sure if it would still be enough to fool their eyes at the time.
He had learned eons ago that no amount of physical torture he could deal out, the two of them would endure. But their minds were weak, especially as of now. Still he was only a shadow of his form self in terms of power and this was all he could manage. Of course he had no one other than the two of them to thank for that.
Natsu let go of Freya's arm, put his hand under her chin to look into her eyes. Her eyes were a faded light green, filled with pain and confusion. "Frey." He spoke softly and he seen them snap up to look at his but they remained unchanged. "It's okay. I'm here and Happy's here." He held her gaze. "The three of us are both safe." He reassured her.
He couldn't place it but he has felt this before. It was different but familiar. A thick dark air surrounded the two of them. His eyes drifted down as he watched Freya's feet begin to shift. She was taking her stance that he has seen hundreds of times and would at any moment pounce. "Happy, actually it would be a good idea for you to go get the others." He didn't want Happy to be near to watch it. He didn't even want to see it himself, but there was no one else that could restrain her without hurting her. He knew her every move but that wouldn't make it any easier.
"Aye." He quickly turned around and flew off and around the corner.
"Frey." Natsu hugged her tightly. He hoped he could snap her out of it before she snapped but she only continued to shift under him.
"Life-Binder." The cold, toneless voice called to her, and she couldn't look away from his burning red eyes. How he addressed her so suddenly was unsettling. He never called her by that. "I'm going to kill Happy and everyone that you love within Fairy Tail, including your Natsu." He smirked in delight. "Then after I'm done slaughtering them before your eyes, I'm going to slowly tear the flesh from your bones and burn you alive."
If words could kill she could have died a thousand times over. She snapped her eyes shut, unable to take it anymore. The smell of rotting death was sickening, his voice caused her skin to crawl, and his eyes froze her soul. All the reactions she never wanted to have towards him. He was everything to her, and yet she was seeing this hell. Hearing this hell. The whispers of restless tortured souls of the past calling out to her. The whispers of the tortured earth soaked in tainted blood.
The incomplete bite marks on her neck began to throb and ached, a fire burned throughout her numbing body. Slowly she opened her eyes, the dull amber eyes held no fire. "Tranquillus animus." She muttered as a bright crimson magic circle engraved with the runes of her flowers that bloom from her blood and beautiful patterns of vines and draconic runes for soothing of the mind. A wave of warm fire washed over her and Natsu sweeping away the nightmare.
Her vision quickly cleared the maddening whispers and the twisted Natsu born within her nightmare was no longer here.
Natsu held onto Freya as she wrapped her arms around him. Her hands tightly holding onto Natsu's vest. "Flash back?" He mumbled quietly so his voice didn't echo throughout the mansion. He rested one hand on the top of her head, caressing it and causing a mess of her hair.
"I don't know what it was." She murmured into his chest.
"If you want to talk about it I'm here but you know I would never force you."
Freya only nodded.
"Do you want to go home, Frey? To hell with all of this if you're not feeling up to it."
Freya shook her head. She wasn't sure what she witnessed or who was the source of it. There was something about this place, an echo of the past. Edan did remind her of a cold snake ready to strike, but she couldn't quite place what she had just witnessed on him. He did request extra security and this could quite possibly be the reason as to why.
Maybe something else was at play.
Eden stared angrily through the lacrima before placing his hand upon the smooth crystal surface bursting it into shards from the strength of his grip. Now he remembered exactly why the Life-Binder infuriated him so. Her soul purpose of existence in his eyes was to oppose him and his kind. No matter how much the Etherious tried to get a head, she was always a step ahead of them. The only demon that could have opposed her, became chained and enslaved to her.
He had no idea she had such magic to cleanse an illusion, even if her eyes were immature. However, it didn't mean he couldn't set up another nightmare before her.
He delighted at seeing her shake from fear, something he had never seen before. She was pathetically weak in this era. So much so it took her a few moments to finally recognize what the vision before her truly was. He did hope it would go so much better, to permanently ensnare and enslave her mind within it. Perhaps this was just another way to torture her lover, his brother. More importantly, her.
She had brought an end to the era of demons and replaced it with the current era built atop of the bodies of his kin. His brother, Natsu was a traitor who helped bring in the era where the weak rule. Full of petty politics and laws. In his time the only law that was known to the world was the weak would perish or serve as amusement for the strongest.
This current age, as he knew full well would come to an end shortly. He would fully use the advantage of the upcoming death of his brother and absence of the Life-Binder to usher in a new age that would once again be ruled by curses.
He still doesn't know what happened for him to wake up seven years ago, the seal that had been placed upon him was released. He was in dismay upon waking in a world different than the one he had been sealed in. More so only to find the Life-binder nothing more than a mere child and his brother as one as well. The answers didn't matter though; he would only bid his time until the fated day. He knew very little about it, but was able to loosen the Life-binders tongue to gleam what little information he had of it.
Edan stood within his study the hour growing late as he flipped through some pages of a dusty tome of history. Closing the book, he sat it down upon his desk turning to face his brother as he felt the overwhelming heat suddenly enter the room.
He stood there in nothing but shorts, black curse marks across his body his eyes glowing red.
"Not willing to keep it a secret any longer I take, or do you simply just not care at the moment who sees you?" Edan asked amused.
Natsu slammed the door behind him, slowly strolling up to Edan. "I warned you."
Edan only shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure what you speak of as I've been fairly well behaved."
"She told me tonight of the painting and the vision. Slowly, piece by piece I'll fulfill my end of the bargain. I'll char and turn you into nothing but ashes" Natsu reached out grabbing the arm he ripped off long ago. "I see you got a new one. Maybe I should welcome it to a new form of pain."
Edan smile grew into a crazy grin. "Oh, so she…" But the words froze in his mouth as her felt an intense burning pain within a small area deep within his bone where Natsu was gripping him. He quickly withdrew his arm from Natsu's grip, grabbing a hold of his arm. "Learned something new did we? Flames shouldn't have an effect on me."
Natsu turned and walked away. "The black flames will continue to burn slowly, consuming you from the inside until there is nothing left of your arm." It wasn't that he learned something new, just he created something new hundreds of years ago after what Mard Geer, his brother, had done to Freya. He saved it all this time for him and him alone. While normally the black flames he placed within him would had consumed whole, he honestly didn't have the strength. His own body still couldn't handle his own power, not yet. Even this was a great risk to himself. However, he knew it would only consume that arm before the flames whimpered out.
He truly wished he could do more to the bastard, for showing her such things. For showing her his true nature before he met her. He just didn't have the time and was worried Freya would wake up any minute from a night terror.
Edan only chuckled. "You're so busy being consumed by your rage you haven't noticed what's in front of you."
Natsu glanced over his shoulder and seen a sleeping Freya laying on top of the desk. His red demonic eyes revealed the truth of it, that it was only a cursed illusion. A nightmare, and that she truly wasn't there. Even if he was slumbering, the incomplete mark he placed upon her would tell him that she wasn't. "Show Frey something like and it will be your other arm." Natsu walked out slamming the door shut behind him.
Freya stood outside on the balcony to their room waiting for Natsu to finish getting ready. It had been eerily quiet since the nightmarish vision she seen.
Her finger tips rested upon the white stone as she looked upon the fiery sky. The sun was setting upon the horizon in front of the estate. Even with being on the backside, the sky was alight with reds, oranges, and pinks. She needed to keep her mind in a calm tranquil state as she has been.
Her eyes felt drawn to the tree within the gardens below. She had seen it yesterday, but oddly enough it also helped with keeping her mind serene. The unfamiliar tree did pulse with a warm magic, almost as if it had a heartbeat of its own. It was faint but it was certainly there.
Its roots curved around, dipped up and down out of the ground. The deep brown bark had a red tint with swirl patterns. The bright emerald leaves almost glowed as they rustled within the gentle breeze they had been graced with on and off throughout the day.
She knew of every flora across the continent of Ishgal and the tree down below in the center garden was unknown to her. Though she couldn't know everything within the world regarding nature could she?
Freya turned and walked over to a mirror propped up against the wall. It was a formal event, and black was the color of choice.
She decided to leave her hair in her braid to give her more comforts of home as she played tonight. She wore an a-line v neck black satin sheen dress, layered dress. It clung to her waist, but flowed out from her waist down to a few inches before her knees. It was slim, but free flowing enough to allow her to dance if she chose to tonight. Though she wasn't really too happy with the ankle strap open black high heels she was wearing, she would just have to grin and bear it while she stood in one place as she played.
It seemed most formal events such as this would eventually play Tango, and her and Natsu had been practicing, just they've never done it in front of others, other than Happy catching them one day.
Natsu and Happy came out of the bathroom with Natsu buttoning up his with collared shirt. Freya motioned over at the bed, as she had laid out the black jacket. Happy flew over to Freya, struggling with his bow tie.
Natsu quickly put his arms into the jacket and flipping it up onto his shoulders, straightening it out as Freya fixed Happy's tie. He was tired since he didn't sleep to well. How could he after what Freya had told him. It almost fit in with some of the nightmares he has had over the years. She was willing to push it aside as a fluke. Of someone here having a play at a twisted joke at her. Though for him it just casted more doubt upon himself. Not to mention he had another nightmare of his own last night.
He had got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night but blacked out shortly after. The next thing he knew he was frantically running through chambers and hallways within another nightmare. It seemed hours past and he didn't know what he was even looking for but he finally came across it in an open torture chamber.
Freya was chained to the floor passed out with the twin of himself on top of her. He quickly pushed it out of his mind before his vision went red. If he gave anymore thought to it, he would surely go insane. If he even had one more dream seeing someone who looks like him again he would snap.
"What, you didn't think I could do it?" Natsu adjusted the collar of the jacket. He only had to hold out for tonight as they would leave tomorrow morning.
"When you wear one you can never do it." Happy turned his head slightly sticking out his tongue.
Freya smiled at Happy's comment. Whenever the two of them wore one she did always have to fix it but Natsu has gotten better lately at tying one.
"Ready?" Natsu walked over to the two of them.
Freya eyed him for a moment. He was trying to be upbeat but the distance in his voice to her gave it away. She nodded placing her arm through his arm sending her warm flames into him.
Freya had already been playing for an hour solo upon the stage. She slowly opened her eyes as she drew the bow across the strings, her fingers dancing across the strings. Over the years her finger tips have built up callous from playing so much.
She could see Natsu and Happy still sitting at a center table keeping an eye on her and things on the bottom floor of the ballroom. While the others were up and mingling around doing what had been asked about them. To keep an eye on premises, although it seemed Lucy blended in better than the rest of them. She didn't know much about her really as she just joined Fairy Tail but perhaps she grew up in an environment similar to this?
Well technically speaking so did she but this wasn't where she belonged. Not to say she didn't enjoy playing for others, as she did. It brought her joy to know that her music could soothe and relax others. She just wasn't at ease being surrounded by some who thought money brought happiness.
She couldn't help but to wonder how much longer was she going to be playing on her own? Edan hadn't been seen since last night, though he sent one of his servers to them during breakfast mentioning something had come up but would join then later tonight at the event.
Lucy leaned against the railing to the upstairs area of the ballroom as she watched Freya. She couldn't help to think she had quite the endurance to stand there hardly moving in high heels as she played. Her fingers had to be hurting by now, shouldn't they?
Lucy looked down at Natsu and Happy both who were surprisingly just sitting quietly. She didn't expect to see either of them so well behaved or dressed for that matter. Though Natsu might be a little too casual for the evening as he wasn't wearing a complete tuxedo.
Edan sat within his study, holding his aching stump. To think that Natsu would actually go through with his threat. He didn't believe his brother had the balls to do so, not anymore since the Life-binder had tamed him.
He had no other choice than to remove his own arm, as either way he was going to lose it again. He had attempted all day to remove the black flames Natsu had placed within him.
He could simply return to Tartaros to grow a new one but it seemed other demons from the books of Zeref had taken up residence from what he had learned over the past seven years. Even one was bold enough to go by his own name.
Whoever the demon was to take up his mantle could be free to do so. Their vision was short sighted and the Life-Binder saw to his name being completely worthless. Zeref abandoned them, his brother was a traitor, and the Life-Binder as a constant thorn within his side with the power to bring ruin upon his race.
Slipping on his over coat to his tuxedo he would go grace his guests with his appearance. After all he didn't want another visit from his brother tonight for having the Life-binder play all night up on the stage with no reprieve. He would like to keep his other arm until he could replace the one he lost.
Each song she beautifully blended it and lead it into the next song, not taking a moments pause. Happy sat upon the table unsure if he could wait any longer to eat. It's been hours since she began and they always waited for her to be done before they ate.
Erza pulled a chair out sitting down. "Don't you think it's strange how the host of the event hasn't come out to play his duet? His servants keep insisting nothing is wrong, but he is nowhere to be seen."
"How much longer is Frey going to keep playing?" Happy looked up at Natsu. "I'm hungry."
"I can't say." Natsu looked back up to Freya. She had been improvising for the past fifteen minutes, or so he thought. She was playing something he had never heard her play before.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting." Edan strolled up behind Erza who remained seated. "Something came up that I had to see to. I shall see to it that everyone is paid extra, especially Miss Freya for entertaining my guests for so long."
Edan turned walking towards the small stage. Freya seen him out of the corner of her eye and quickly wrapped up the melody she had been improvising. She played the last note, and bowed as the ballroom filled with a light applause for her stunning performance tonight.
Freya only took a few bites of the food before she was done. Edan was now close by and she couldn't particularly focus. She couldn't help but to be weary of him and anyone else within his estate, more so after the vision she seen. To see Natsu like that was terrifying even if she knew it truly wasn't him.
Natsu knew it was still on her mind and he couldn't blame her. The moment Edan showed up, she has been tense. He didn't have proof, more of a feeling that it was him that was behind her haunting nightmare she had bared witness to. It took him so long to burn away her last shadows and nightmares. How long would it take again?
He was also worried about his own nightmares. He suspects being here, made his worse. Much worse. place was polluted with a dark air, but the tree within the gardens behind pulsated with a magic reminiscence of Freya. One thing was for sure neither of them were ever returning to this place.
For now, he would try to make the best of it, and focus on getting Freya back up to her feet once again.
He stood up and held his hand out once he heard the music. They had practiced for so long, why not put it to use? After all it was her favorite dance, and he couldn't deny that it wasn't his either.
"Wanna dance, Frey?"
She smiled softly putting her hand into his. "Are you sure you want everyone to see you dancing?" She lightly elbowed him as she smiled cheekily.
"Sure you won't pass out from embarrassment?" He crooked his head the side as smirked.
Happy light tugged on Lucy's dress as he pointed downwards. "Ooo la la."
Lucy turned and looked down to where Happy was pointing only to see Natsu and Freya dancing across the marbled floor. The music sounded familiar to her. "Tango?"
Gray was leaning against the railing. "Oh? I didn't think Natsu could pull it off."
Happy perked up. They were all about to be in for a surprise. "Natsu said it's a lot like fighting."
"Heh, sounds like something he would say." Gray smirked.
"Well he's not exactly wrong." Erza smiled as she watched their movements. They were both perfectly in sync.
Natsu dipped Freya down and slowly brought her back up. "You're thinking too much about it, Frey." He whispered. "Remember, just go with it." His green eyes peering into hers.
He was right. She was too busy counting her steps. She closed her eyes for a moment as Natsu lead her through the next couple of steps, and when their noses touched she opened them once more, focused entirely upon him.
Her worries and anxieties of being within Edan's estate melted away under his gaze. His fire once again illuminating the darkness that had crept back into her soul.
Their bodies slowly becoming entangled as they continued. Their souls infusing into one.
Lucy couldn't help to not be in a trance because of them. Their bodies melding together, their intense lustful gaze upon the other. No one outside the two of them existed to them. She suddenly felt flushed and embarrassed to look anymore. It was as if she was watching something sacred between the two.
Freya twirled and on the second spin, she stopped. Her and Natsu's lips were touching as their mouths were slightly open, breathing the other in. They stood still for a moment, longer than they should have both of them forgetting what exactly had they been doing.
Natsu snapped out of it quickly as the music continued. He slowly slid his hand that had been resting upon her hip back up to her waist.
Natsu was leading her which surprised Erza. She thought it would be Freya leading him since she was more refined when it came to the finer things in life, but given his fiery personality maybe it wasn't that surprising. Freya hardly took the lead on anything. She was quiet and submissive. Everything Natsu wasn't. Though if she was to look at it in another way Natsu was also submissive, to Freya at least.
"Well whaddaya know?" Gray while he wouldn't admit was fairly impressed. They were both incredibly lucky to have each other, and he did always think Freya was pretty but he never thought of her outside of friendship. But now he seen her in a new light as she danced with Natsu.
He would never admit it because he didn't exactly want to face off with Natsu's wrath. He seen it first hand when they were younger. Him busting her out of the Rune Knight's runes. Something that shouldn't have been possible, but he found a way to make it possible.
When they were little Natsu would get insanely jealous when he would talk to her. The dolt just never realized it and eventually grew out of it. But he certainly didn't want to be at the wrong end of the fire dragon slayer's rage when it came to her.
At first he didn't think it would last between them. He used to think Natsu was pretty dense when it came to love and that eventually Freya would get fed up. Time and time again they only proved how much they belonged together. They gave each other center. It clearly reflected in how they were dancing with one another. For a few steps Freya was the center, and then it would switch to Natsu.
"Told ya." If Happy would have thought of it, he should have bet a few fishes earlier when he had told everyone he could Tango and everyone in the guild laughed it off. He could be rolling in the fishes right now from everyone in the guild. Though they were dancing a little differently than last time he watched the two of them.
Effortlessly Natsu picked Freya up as he brought her into him, and over his shoulder slinging her behind his head and back around. As she came back down and the two in circled coming closer, he dipped her down once again.
She was panting lightly; their rigorous dancing was quite the work out. Her back was arched, her head flung back. Her braid was slowly coming undone, wisps of hair starting to cling to her face and neck. He held her there for a just a few second, longer than he was supposed to. His green dragon eyes waiting for hers to open, and slowly she opened her eyes.
It was then, finally he felt reprieve from the beast; the demon he felt he was becoming. For months it slowly felt like the darkness within his soul was engulfing him. The nightmare from last night almost broke him, but looking at her now he finally could see it. She can see it. This darkness lurking below and buried deep within his heart. She had seen him more than once lash out taking it a little too far at times. She always pulled him back from it, grounding him. No matter what, she could still and would always see him for who he truly was. To love him and accept him if no one else did.
He felt he should know it better than anyone how much she cared for him. How much she truly loved him. Still there were times he had been afraid of showing just how truly powerful he was. Though she had a better clue than anyone else as she has seen glimpse of it.
Though she also had her own demons within. He kept her optimistic he knew. Giving her a future to always look forward too. He also knew what stained a portion of her heart within the darkness. Everyone that sought to hurt her and the ones that actually succeeded. The pain etched within her heart. She resented the world and the everyone within it. For leaving her alone, for her pain. That's why she could be so loving and so kind. She has seen the darkness within other people, and been at the mercy of the worse scum.
He hated her empty green eyes, because that was when she was at her lowest. She buried her resentment simple because she didn't want to be that person. He blamed himself for not being there for her all those years ago and he probably never will forgive himself. The evil within the world may have stained her once pure soul, but she still had the strength to be true to herself.
Why was he suddenly having this epiphany? He knew all of it better than anyone but his heart still raced, pounding against his chest.
There was nothing but love and acceptance within her warm green eyes that glistened.
"I've waited all these years for your forgiveness. Waiting for something I would never deserve. Waiting for you to heal my fractured mind and soul. Looking at your glistening eyes full of nothing but love for me, pains me but brings me immense happiness.
I still see you smiling back with your tear streaked face, before you stepped through the door. You finally called me by my name for the first time in seven years. You couldn't bring yourself to say it, that you loved me when I knew you did. It was too painful for you to be around me, to look at me. I wasn't your Natsu that you knew. But I was selfish, and couldn't be apart from you anymore. When you finally said Natsu, I knew then you finally seen me the man you were fated to be with. Now…now I've watched you grow up from an adorable toddler to the beautiful, wonderful woman you are today.
How can I keep that promise? To let go of you that day? To allow you to go back into the hellfires and ashes of eons ago? Knowing…knowing what awaits you there? To know that you will suffer, withering away unable to die, desiring for nothing more than death to claim you? The thought sickens me to know that I'll even try to kill you. That time is drawing ever closer, Frey. Tell me, how? How could I possibly let you go? I know the date of your returned because of your journal. July seventh, of the year 791, I'll be right here waiting for you. While it brought me comfort in the fact that you wouldn't return to your time to be lonely once more, I have thought more than once just to keep you upon Tenroujima with me. It pains me in a way I didn't even imagine to know what awaits you there. The age of demons. The age where I was a tyrant along with my brother. Maybe that is why I'm not completely asleep with him so near. Though seeing you so badly hurt once again during the train incident hasn't helped either.
How can I keep my vow to you? To not change the past and future?"
The silent thought raced through his mind with only the few seconds that passed, unaware he had the thought in the first place. Instead he only looked into her green eyes, longingly. Slowly he brought her back up, their noses and lips touching once more. The two of their souls both longing for the other. Not out of lust or desire, but to finally be one.
It was hard not to see the cycle. A slow build up, until it reached a fast pace before Natsu dipped her. Only to go once more. Lucy blushed at the thought. Well they were engaged so perhaps they were already at that point in time of their relationship. Not that it was particularly any of her business nor did she really want to think about. But seeing the two of them dance below, so effortlessly as if they had done it a thousand times left her awe struck.
Especially seeing Natsu, someone who she would have never in a million years at first glance would she had thought to see him this way. It just showed how little she knew of everyone within Fairy Tail. But seeing Gray's reaction he was just as surprised as her.
The music was drawing to an end, so their dance was drawing to its conclusion as well.
Edan only watched with disgust, unable to hide his true feelings. Someone such as his brother, the Lord and Master of their kind, brought to his knees over a mere draconic girl. Draconic were in his mind even lower than humans. They thought of themselves so high and mighty, better than humans and even better than demons.
It wasn't a total loss. The people they brought with them, only showed him the ones they trusted and care for the most in their pitiful guild. In due time he would show them true horrors and nightmares born from beyond.
Dictionary:
Edan: Fire/Full of Fire
Ararat: The curse of trembling
Tranquillus animus: Tranquil Mind
Author's Note:
Freya's Dress:
www. .au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/744x1200/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/b/d/bd381-01/a-line-v-neck-short_mini-black-chiffon-formal-dresses(bd381). jpg
Take the space out between the . and jpg. As well as to put this inbetween www. and the .au. 4bridesmaids. com.
How I imagined Freya's and Natsu's dance for the most part:
watch?v=yUdzYaUkXhE
Just paste that after you go to normal youtube. Just be sure to put a slash after the com.
It's been over a month since I've updated and I hope it was worth the wait! So many encounters in this chapter. :) I tried my best to edit it, to the best of my ability. I'm so sorry if you still find mistakes. I hope you enjoyed the super long chapter, it clocks in at almost 35k words. Hence why it took me so long! Please let me know think! I tried to keep it as different as possible from the actual story it self.
I would also like to inform everyone I'm going to do a gaiden of my fanfic. It will be a story of itself, a somewhat collection of one shots that goes along with this story. It will have more family moments of Freya/Natsu/Happy and their adventures together. I wanted to include it all in this fanfic, but it would make it so much longer than its going to be. I will for the most part try to keep the time line in order, instead of jumping around from 784 to 780 to 781 and back to 784. So again, I will try to keep it chronological order. To give you an example of a side story I have planned is some of the missing vacation days from the chapter - The Price. I'll put an update to this story to let you know when the first side story is up.
