Hey guys! Kytrin here with your Wednesday update! A couple of things at the end, but for now enjoy your chapter!
CHAPTER 38
Mutiny
When crew gang up against the Captain of the ship or other authority
Natsu smirked at the guards in front of him, a sort of nervous, frenetic energy bursting through him. He let out a growl and jolted forward, riding a current to meet the guards halfway. Training with the guard had always been a good way for him to kill time when he was living under the sea.
However he was doing this as more a distraction than anything else.
It was the time of renewal as Zeref had warned. Natsu was always a bit excitable during this time, but now that his memories, and consequently his bond with his goddess returned, he was suffering a bit from a one track mind.
An abundance of energy because of the change in the season ran through him. That was how it would normally affect his goddess and bring about a new change to the harvest and fertility of the earth.
He wondered if Lucy would remember it at all, or if she didn't would she affected by it? More than likely not, after all the push and pull of the season was muted to mortal senses.
Natsu grinned as he disarmed the two guards and tapped their swords lightly against the back of their fins, "Nice try fellas!"
Somewhat pleased he had managed to burn off a little bit of energy, he let them go. He was supposed to meet up with the others in Juvia's temple. Now that Lucy and Gray weren't hobbling around like a bunch of baby seals any longer, they could get some work done around the ocean.
Namely helping repair some of Juvia's temples and push back the monsters creeping up from the abyss.
"I see you're in fine spirits brother." Zeref commented in amusement, "More so than usual this time of year." He smirked, "It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact you haven't been back to your bed since you got back would it?"
Natsu flashed his brother a fangy grin, "It may be a contributing factor." He allowed.
And truly it was.
Lucy had refused to let off exploring while she'd gotten used to her new body, a task he'd only been too eager to assist her with over the past few nights despite the frustration it left in him. More than once he'd had to slip from her bed after she'd fallen asleep to deal with the fire burning through him. He only hoped he was able to hold it together until she no longer needed his massages for any reason than because she wanted one.
At least she was more agreeable about it now. A talk with Juvia on their second day had driven home the kind of damage she and Gray could do if they weren't careful. Though he had a sneaking suspicion that Mavis was giving her tips when he wasn't looking. Her touch had been a lot bolder and more confident last night, and the two women had been as thick as thieves.
"Hmmmmm... I thought it might." Zeref chuckled and slung an arm over Natsu's shoulders, "However, I need you to re-direct that energy away from beating up my guards to something more productive."
Natsu raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What did you have in mind?"
Zeref pulled his arm back and regarded his brother seriously, "Something's come up." He replied, "It concerns Juvia, and she's asked we meet at her temple to discuss it."
"Well lucky for you, I was about to head out there myself!" Natsu gave him a crooked grin despite the seriousness on Zeref's face, "Mavis on bed rest?"
"In theory, but I know when I head back here I'm going to find her up and building a pyramid or something," Zeref sighed and shook his head, "Come. The temple isn't that far."
Knowing they had only but so long before The Tempest herself came to get them with a whirlpool, they hurried out of the palace grounds to take a pair of dolphins to the center of the city. There stood Juvia's magnificent temple, just as beautiful as Natsu remembered it. He rubbed his hand along the snout of his dolphin, laughing as it nuzzled him with a series of clicks before darting off.
They went inside, swimming past those praying at the temple and the priests who looked strangely anxious.
Natsu raised an eyebrow at the worried creases on their faces, but chose not to stop and ask. No one stopped them as they headed into the center of the temple where Natsu knew the others were waiting.
He turned the corner with Zeref, his heart arresting in his chest as he caught sight of a beautiful glimmer of golden scales. Lucy was looking at a fabric scroll, embossed with a print woven into the fibers itself so it wouldn't run in the water. She had her back turned towards him, but the very sight of her pushed all thought from his mind.
Heart throbbing with a giddy sort of happiness that hadn't faded in the slightest since the day Lucy kissed him, Natsu practically floated over to them.
"Hey!" Lucy grinned as she looked up from her reading, "Did you have fun beating up the guards?"
"I only gave them a couple slaps on the tail." Natsu grinned, curling his hand around her waist and dropping a kiss on her lips, "They'll get over it."
He peered over her shoulder, ignoring Gray's gagging in the background, "What're you reading?"
"Information on the abyssal creatures." Lucy replied, shifting the scroll so he could look too, "After Charybdis I've been curious what else we might face, but haven't had time to research it yet."
"It's good that you are." Juvia spoke up, her expression grim, "Because you're going to need as much information on my former guards as possible."
Natsu looked up alertly at that, "What's happened?"
"Cultists." Gray growled shortly, his expression one of tightly leashed rage, "We found out about them last night."
"Cultists?" Zeref asked incredulously, "Here?"
"I'm afraid so." Juvia sighed, "Cultists or fanatics. There's little difference. My absence since the gates escaped has been necessary, but it hasn't been without consequences. Some of my children are seeing the attacks from my former guards, and my lack of intervention, as a sign of my wrath. Of those, some are attempting to appease me with offerings, but others are taking a more violent approach."
Gray crossed his arms and scowled, "A group broke in last night. We're not sure what they were after exactly, but they were headed for the library. If I hadn't bumped into them and turned them into blocks of ice there's no telling what they would've done."
"The noise of the fight was enough to wake the priests and the rest of us before things got out of hand." Juvia said, "I've ordered a lockdown of everything but the outer temple as a precaution, but it worries me that the situation has deteriorated so much that they would risk violating my temple."
"Where are these cultists now?" Zeref asked, a faint growl to his voice, "I would very much like to question them."
"Packed in ice in a closet that no one but Juvia can get into." Gray shrugged, "She says they'll stay alive in there until we thaw them out, but we thought it was more important we let everyone know before we started asking questions."
"And now is the time to start asking them since we are all gathered," Juvia said swiftly. She touched Grays shoulder, and lifted her hand.
She flicked her wrist, fingertips curling towards her body. A swirling pool of water funneled before them, and a pair of frozen mermen appeared in the tunnel, dropping down while slowly rotating to the floor.
"Gray, if you would do the honors?" She asked.
"I would really rather not, but since you ask so nicely Lady Juvia," Gray gave her a dry look, and punched his fist into his hand.
A rush of magic was the only indicator that something was happening, and he relaxed his stance when the ice faded away a moment later.
The mermen shook their heads, disoriented by their surroundings and by the audience keeping them hemmed in without escape.
Juvia swam forward, her eyes deep and angry, just as mercurial as the tides.
"You know who I am mortals?" She asked softly, her normally smiling face devoid of all humor.
"The Tempest!" They breathed, sinking into a scraping bow that left their noses touching the floor, "To be graced with your presence! Such an honor!"
"I am not pleased with you." Juvia rumbled, her voice taking on a quality that shook Natsu and Gray down to their cores. A sharp reminder that after the Celestial family, there was no older god than the ancient sea itself.
"You risked coming into my home, defiling my temple to raid my sacred texts. To what purpose? What do you hope to gain by inciting my wrath?" Juvia twitched her finger, a surge of water knocking their heads together and forcing their chins up so they would look her in the eye.
"Those books are not for mortal eyes. Those secrets belong to the gods alone." She said sharply, "Explain."
The first of the men, looked up from where he was kneeling, his eyes slanting from Juvia to where Zeref floated nearby, "It is because of him m'lady!"
"Excuse me?" Zeref asked, his voice quiet.
"The Tempest bestowed your family with the power of the Abyss, but those monsters have been escaping while the royal family does nothing but prepare for the next royal heir that will do nothing like their father," The man snapped.
"So we were coming to the library to get that power for ourselves! To overthrow the monarchy and give the Alvarez kingdom back to the people! We will kill those monsters and banish the royal family into the abyss!" The second barked.
"What?" Natsu snarled, reaching out and hauling the two men up by their hair.
"Natsu, don't." Zeref growled, laying his arm over his brothers and pushing down to get Natsu to lower them.
"Zeref!" Natsu protested with a snarl, but Zeref shook his head, his expression dark.
"Release them Natsu." He repeated, "We will deal with their intended treason later. For now they belong to the Tempest."
Natsu growled but slowly did as his brother asked.
"You are both fools." Juvia informed the mermen frostily, "Had you bothered to investigate the situation even slightly you would have learned that my Guardians have not been sitting idly about." She leaned closer, the blazing fury in her eyes a direct counter to her cold tone, "Or did it not pass your feeble minds to wonder how you were still alive to complain when all my monsters have fled the abyss?"
The two mermen gaped at her in shock, "But... the attacks! Whole villages have been razed!"
The first protested, "While they do nothing!"
Juvia looked up at Zeref who nodded, "It's true. We lost three villages before I could evacuate the outer territories and bring them inside protections. That was shortly after I informed you of the situation. The kings and queens agreed unanimously that since we could not keep the monsters in the abyss we would invoke the protections laid into each city. It's been our hope the protections would hold out until you were able to deal with the demon gates and turn your attention back to the monsters."
"I see." Juvia nodded and sat back, "A fine plan. How fare the people?"
"A little cramped, but mostly fine." Zeref replied, "We've kept up our emergency supplies, so there's enough food to feed everyone for another year." He smiled faintly, "I did want to convey my thanks for the protections you put up around Yukino's city by the way. We were having difficulty working out an array that would allow the rest of us to help power her protections."
Juvia nodded and looked over at the two trembling men, "So it seems your fears and angers are misplaced. Did you really expect to steal my magic to go on a fanciful mission to destroy the guards of the abyss?"
"You planned to steal this magic to harm others and proclaim yourselves heroes when the royal family trains their entire lives to carry this burden." Her eyes narrowed at them, "I should turn you into sea foam for your wretchedness or curse you."
"But I do not lightly do those things, and I recognize that this comes from a place of frustration," Juvia straightened when she glared at the men quelling in fright, "Curses only bring sadness and pain. And there should be none of that in my domain."
"I'm sorry Lady Tempest! Please allow us to make up for our sacrilege!" The first man begged, tears filling his eyes and disappearing as quickly int he water.
"Very well, you wish to make amends?" Juvia's eyes flashed to them, her hand lifting to the pair of mermen who nodded. She lifted two fingers together and her eyes followed a pulsing white.
"To those who seek the embrace of power, let the sea guide blades in this hour, protect the royals whom do good, both now and evermore as you should." Juvia chanted, a curl of magic twisting around the two men, "A burden of magic which is grand, from father to son passed hand from hand."
"I'm sorry, what just happened?" Natsu blinked as the spell settled on the mermen.
"I granted them their desire for power to protect their loved ones," Juvia's eyes narrowed at them, "But with a cost. You, nor any family member of yours, will ever be able to lift a hand against the royal family. You are to serve and protect them as penance, as they have served and protected you."
"This is a generational spell, and so long as the royal family continues to act in my will and do good, then you will be unable to harm them." Juvia said calmly, "In the unlikely event that changes, you will be freed from my spell."
"Lady Tempest," Zeref said in shock, somewhat scandalized by the sudden spell. A sentiment that was mirrored by the two mermen, "I understand forgiveness but they were just planning my demise!"
"That is true, they were," Juvia turned her gaze towards Zeref, "Would you have me kill them to make them martyrs and cause further division? Perhaps divide my worshipers into two branches to create a war state centered around religion? Or lock them away forever while we await retribution or another incursion on my temple?"
"They have the capacity to be great allies to your family Zeref, I encourage you to nurture that connection. They may yet prove to be your closest allies in the future." Juvia smiled.
"It's a smart plan." Lucy spoke up thoughtfully, "As long as these two bear their 'curse' then you can use them as proof that the royal family is acting in the best interest of the people, and in accordance to the goddess's wishes." She smirked, "I rather doubt you'll have any mutiny after that."
Zeref paused and eyed the pair speculatively, "You... have a point." He admitted, and offered Juvia a bow, "I apologize if I caused any offense."
Juvia's smile widened and she shook her head, "There was no offense." She assured him, and shot Lucy a pout, "And it's not a curse."
"Yeah it kinda is." Lucy replied in amusement, "But comparatively speaking, it's a nice one, and everyone gets something out of it."
"Indeed." Zeref agreed, "And one can't ask for much more than that." He eyed the two still shocked mermen, "Though, despite that, I am rather loathe to allow you near my wife and unborn heir so soon all things considered. I may have faith in Lady Juvia's magic, but my faith in you is more than a little lacking. Therefore, until you can prove you're actually worthy, you'll be working with the regular guards. Perhaps in a century or two your merit will earn you direct access to the royal family."
Natsu snorted at that, but swam over to the pair, "C'mon you bottom feeders." He grumbled, "I'll take ya to the guards."
The two mermen scowled a little at the insult, but left with Natsu obediently. It seemed their encounter, and subsequent 'cursing' had knocked all the wind out of their sails. A few moments later Natsu swam back in.
"Zancrow's takin' 'em back to the palace." He reported, "I explained the gist to him. He's gonna find out if they were working with anyone else, and look at their family situation too. See if anything needs to be done on either front."
Lucy nodded approvingly, "So what now?" She asked, "Generally where there's smoke there's fire. And while we dealt with this problem the only permanent fix is dealing with your monsters."
"I never liked calling them monsters," Juvia admitted, "They're as much my children as the merfolk are, perhaps just not as pretty. That's why I gave them names after all. Besides they aren't monsters in the Abyss. Everything is beautiful there." Juvia smiled at them.
"It is?" Natsu asked his brother.
Zeref nodded, a faint smile flickering over his face, "Yes. Although not even you could survive down there to see it unless Juvia was protecting you the entire time. It's not suitable for merfolk, but quite a marvel nonetheless."
"We just need to lure them back to their home," Juvia gave them a hopeful look, "Which means going to the outer villages and guiding them down. They are the ones which will be closest."
"I'm not sure those destroyed villages will be happy to see them saved," Gray pointed out to Juvia.
"I know, but I can't indiscriminately hunt down all of the abyssal creatures and punish them equally. They have a right to life just as anything else does, and being out of the abyss confuses and hurts them too," Juvia murmured
"They should calm down enough to lure them away though," Juvia murmured, "The renewal festival is all about life after all, even they will settle for it to celebrate in their own way."
Lucy blinked and glanced over at Natsu, who was suddenly getting very red in the face.
"Renewal festival? It's already started?" She asked Natsu, who was scratching the back of his head awkwardly, "Why didn't you mention anything?"
"Well It wasn't really relevant?" Natsu questioned back to her.
"How is that not relevant?" Gray demanded, "Pyro, Lucy's the Celestial Princess. I'm pretty sure if anyone should know it's her!"
Behind Natsu Zeref's jaw dropped.
"Gray I'm not anything of the sort yet!" Lucy huffed, her cheeks flaming a bit, "Jeez. You know that won't be a thing until I get all my memories back!"
"And yet you show more of your personality each day." Juvia giggled.
Lucy's cheeks turned redder, "Juvia! There was nothing wrong with my personality before!"
Juvia laughed outright at that, "No. But I can see your old mannerisms starting to awaken." She smiled, "It makes me very happy to see."
Lucy shook her head, obviously giving up on understanding Juvia, and looked at Natsu, "Seriously, though... why didn't you say something?" She grinned, "Even before all this started it was my favorite festival."
Natsu swam close to her and curled around her, his mouth pressing into her ear, "Because I'm bound to you." He growled softly into it, "You chose me to be your partner for the renewal every year for over a decade."
He nipped lightly at her earlobe, "I feel the season Luce. It burns in me as hot as my fire. I long for the hunt. The dance. The ecstasy. The feel of your power under my skin. I want it as much as I want you."
He pulled back slightly, enjoying the flushed look on her face, "But this is a little more important than that." He shrugged, "So yeah, I didn't say anything." He smirked, "Besides, the festival proper hasn't started yet, and won't for another week."
Lucy's jaw dropped open, her cheeks burning red and a flicker of heat that seared through her body seemed to set her nerves aflame.
His rough words, growled in her ear and said with such a firm hold left her shivering, an aching throb pressing into her core and almost making her whimper with desire. The flame, once lit, stubbornly refused to go away, even as he put some distance between them. Smiling from one side of his face to the other, Natsu looked absolutely oblivious.
Juvia had her face hidden in her hands, "I feel like I just saw something indecent."
"Yeah me too," Gray muttered, his face completely red.
"Yeah yeah, whatever. This is coming from the guy that regularly walks around the deck with his bits flopping around," Natsu barked back at Gray.
Zeref cleared his throat and looked at everyone, "Clearly I am missing a few details my brother neglected to mention."
"So why don't we finish our plan with the Abyss and then tackle the new issue with the Renewal festival, hmm?" Zeref asked.
Natsu smiled and nodded, hanging back a bit as everyone filed from the room. He snuck closer to Lucy, who was still sporting a beautiful rosy hue across her cheeks.
He slid his hand down across her back, stopping his fingertips just at the small of her waist. She didn't have a backfin like him, but he found the little tender spot he was looking for anyway.
He lightly pressed his thumb against that spot and Lucy let out a sharp gasp, a sound that seemed to strangle on a whimper and a hiss. Her eyes flashed up to his, and he could see a blush traveling down across her full chest.
"You are certainly worth the wait Luce," He growled and swam on ahead with a backwards grin to her.
If there was one thing he had loved doing around this time, it was teasing his goddess until the time of the Renewal. It always amused him to see how increasingly frustrated and wound up she became until they began the ritual.
And with his pirate queen, Natsu was certain he would suffer for it.
And that's the chapter! I hope you all enjoyed thoroughly! I would like to give a huge shout out to all of our reviewers for your wonderful reviews of last chapter! You guys rocked it really well and have more than earned your preview! As a side note though, there will be no mer-sex in this story lol. We invite you all to use your very active imaginations to work out the logistics of how that would work! Also, if you missed the announcement, Mslead and I are in a Voltron fan contest, so if you're a fan of Voltron I invite everyone to read our assorted one-shots for it.
And that's it! Love you guys, and we'll see you Sunday! :)
He yelped when the darkness encroached on him next. Grays eyes widened as they parted to look around one another.
Curling her hands forward in a wave that spilled out from her wrists beyond to her fingertips, he watched bio-luminescent algae and flora glow.
It illuminated the cavern they inhabited, filling every crack and crevice with a light that Gray found enchanting.
"Welcome to the Abyss Gray," Juvia encouraged him with a smile, "You are one of the few mortals to ever find your way down here. An impressive task."
"This is... not what I was expecting." Gray admitted, watching in fascination as an entire coral tree lit up in bright blue, illuminating the dark around it.
"This is only the beginning." Juvia smiled as she led him forward, "Most believe the abyss to be a place of cold darkness, bereft of life and able to contain only the most bizarre and twisted of my children." She smiled, "As you can see they're only partially right."