A/N: This got a bit darker than I intended, but there is a war brewing, so... anyway, this is your heads up.
Chapter 33:Fire in the Kingdom of Seven
Riku,
I was pleased to hear about your last encounter with Acnologia, though not surprised you were not able to defeat him with such a technique. To take down such a beast requires planning and multiple players. Master Rikyu has continued to inform me of your progress and I am more sure than ever that you show great promise in being one of the moving pieces that will bring the downfall to Acnologia and save the future.
I am headed back to the capital of the Kingdom of Alvarez. Though it has almost been a year since we last met, it would be an honor to meet again to discuss developments in your powers and the weaknesses you may yet need to face in order to defeat the black dragon of the apocalypse. Do not worry about responding. I have told my underlings to expect you any day you are able to arrive. Should I be out, they will treat you as an honored guest until I return.
Sincerely,
Emperor Spriggan
Riku put the letter down on the table and looked up at Master Rikyu, who was drinking his tea innocently.
"You've been keeping him up to date on my training," Riku asked as Gabriel picked up the letter and read it.
"The Emperor and I have known one another my whole life," Master Rikyu nodded. "His interest in you is flattering, is it not?"
"I guess," Riku said. "He talks as if I'm some pawn in his scheme." He couldn't help remembering their fight and how he had felt Emperor Spriggan's magic shifting, the irises of his eyes becoming red with a black ring around the pupil. There had been an immense power radiating from Emperor Spriggan, an energy that was different from any magic Riku had ever seen. And that attack... Emperor Spriggan had created a black orb in his hand and that ball had not had any dark energy, even though all magic was suppose to be made of energy- dark and light. Riku remembered leaping away just as Emperor Spriggan threw the orb. It had hit the tree and in an instant the tree had withered and died, leaves browning and falling away in decay.
"Perhaps you are a piece of a bigger plan," Master Rikyu said. "He is the only on who knows the full capacity of Acnologia and the possible ways to defeat him. He seems to feel time is of the essence and that you are a key component to victory."
Riku made a noise of understanding, but wasn't convinced.
"Think about it on your way to get supplies," Master Rikyu said, holding out the supply list for Riku to take. He pushed himself from the table, excusing himself to collect his things before he began his trek down the mountain again.
...
"Last time I made this journey was with Ezra," Riku said aloud to himself. He fell quiet looking up at the clouds in thought. He wondered what Ezra was doing right now on her covert mission.
"Of course she's fine," Riku said, shaking his head to rid himself of the concern. She had proven herself more than capable countless times, most recently by clobbering him senseless. Riku let a smile flit across his face as he entered the capital's market. He moved through the crowds, hood drawn. He was getting better and better at not being seen by those he didn't want to notice him. He was feeling especially triumphant as he turned down the alley between the cloth and metalworking sections, spotting the small store. He reached for the doorknob and paused. There was a sign on the door.
Daughter's wedding today.
Come back tomorrow. We open at sunrise!
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Riku sighed, moving his hand away from the knob and continuing his way to the metalwork section of the market. Here the smell of melting and burning brass and iron tickled his nose unpleasantly. Riku fell into a lazy fluidiness with the crowd, not paying much attention to where he was being pushed and pulled to. What to do, what to do. He had a whole day to kill. He would need to find a place to stay. Was there anything he wanted to do while he was in the capital? Not really. He was perfectly content without much involvement in this kingdom's affairs.
The waves of people Riku had been following absentmindedly following came to a sudden stop. Riku looked around. They were at the edge of the market, the side nearest the castle's base. Despite the distance from the market center the crowds' noises were as loud as ever, with calls of merchants selling their goods and soldiers demanding identification and the smell of something burning and the heat of a fire.
Heat of fire, Riku thought. He tried to push forward, but found himself perfectly stuck between a grumbling muscular woman and a stout stern man. Pushing back wasn't going to work either, thanks to the the two children who let out a howl of pain when Riku steppe don their toes by mistake. Time to get creative then. Riku dropped to his hands and knees and, as quickly as he could, moved through the legs of the people around him. The closer he got to the commotion, the more and more sure he was that something about this smell and this heat was familiar.
He finally reached the opening, hood falling off his head as he leaped up in surprise. Soldiers were holding the crowds back, creating an empty space around a tall man with luxuriously long raven hair, pulled into a low ponytail. He faced a young man whose back was to Riku. However, Riku didn't need to see the young man's face. The pink hair and fists engulfed in fire was enough to convince Riku that Natsu Dragneel was causing this scene.
"You threw off our soldiers and managed to dodge my attack," observed the man. "Come at me then, intruder. I'll show you how the Kingdom of Seven trains their mages."
"I'l show you some-" Natsu began, but he stopped, standing up straight and looking about the crowd suddenly. "Wait a second. I know that smell..." His eyes met with Riku's just as a blue exceed leaped at Riku, wrapping his arms around his head.
Natsu beamed. "Hey Riku, what are you doing here?"
The people next to Riku in the crowd jostled about as a soldier closest to Riku grabbed his arm and tugged him into the center of the circle as well. "You know this man," demanded the soldier.
"Of course we know each other," Natsu cried happily moving over to the soldier. With a quick punch to the face, the soldier hit the floor. Natsu let his hand fall onto Riku's shoulder. "Don't try and distract me, I called dibs on these guys first. You can fight whoever is left." Before Riku could respond, Natsu's flames reappeared, increasing ten fold as he turned back to the man. "I'm all fired up now," Natsu called, bringing his hands together preparing to attack.
"That's some heat you've got there," the man across the way chuckled. "I haven't gotten to use my heat spells for a while."
Riku didn't like how confident he looked and widened his own stance, preparing to attack.
"Less talking," Natsu demanded. "More fighting!"
"The visions we see reveal a lot about a person. Do you see someone you love or your worst fears? A premonition of the future or a memory from the past?"
"Don't even think of using that attack, Kotkin" called a familiar voice. Riku saw Solita holding back the crowd just behind the man. "If you use that, we'll all be effected."
The man Kotkin either didn't hear or didn't care because at that moment Natsu grew impatient and attacked with a dragon roar, sending heat rolling back across the crowd as Kotkin dodged the flames. Even standing behind Natsu, Riku felt his brow start to sweat. Kotkin smirked, raising his hand into the heat waves above his head and hissed, "Mirage."
The magic hit the crowd with another wave of heat, throwing them each into their own minds and visions.
Riku was sweating profusely and he suddenly felt dehydrated, as if it were the hottest day of summer on record and he hadn't had water for a week. He moved his gaze up from his hands to the scene around him. Something was wrong, he could sense it more than see as his heart began pounding in his chest. He took a step forward and felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach.
Before him were the ruins of Fairy Tail's guild, just as he'd seen them in Magnolia, but that's not what made him gasp for air. On the ruins lay bodies sprawled in unnatural positions and covered in blood and wounds. Slowly their forms and faces came into focus: Cana, Lucy, Gray, Natsu, Levy, Gajeel, Juvia, Mira, Elfman, Lisanna, Laxus, and more. They were all there, faces blank and expressionless. Riku heard a sound on top of the ruins and moved his eyes up, fear pumping through his veins. Riku knew he would be there, that he would be responsible. Sure enough, he stood triumphantly above them all: Acnologia, king of the dragons. He spotted Riku and opened his mouth, releasing a roar that only missed because Riku threw himself to the left.
Riku paused with his eyes closed, heart beating even faster. He could sense Acnologia's next attack gathering power, but he also knew that if he opened his eyes he'd see what he landed on and it was much too soft to be the ground. Slowly he pushed himself up and opened his eyes, but the sight that met him made him turn to the side and vomit. Erza's armor was almost completely shattered revealing every bruise and wound across her stomach, shoulder, and neck. Her scarlet hair was spread around her and her eyes were open, staring at the sky, all twinkle of life gone from her eyes.
Riku was so distressed by this image that he forgot about Acnologia, until he felt Acnologia's roar hit him head on. Riku let out a cry of surprise and pain as the roar moved over him, swirling about before dissipating again. It felt like being thrown into a fire and prodded with hot coals. It felt like Natsu's flames but stronger and...
Riku looked back at Acnologia, then to himself again. If Acnologia hit him head on, he would be dead. But this Acnologia's roar felt like Natsu because... it was Natsu. Riku leaped up, facing the Acnologia.
"Natsu," Riku called. "Natsu, you idiot! Can you hear me?"
Acnologia seemed confused, shaking his head as if trying to clear it.
"Remember what Kotkin said," Riku called. "he hadn't used his heat illusions for a while. He's using your heat to make these mirages, Natsu!"
Again, Acnologia seemed to shake his head, ridding himself of thoughts, but now he seemed much less like Acnologia. Still, the dragon readied himself for another attack. Riku knew he had to get rid of Natsu's heat. Riku exhaled as much air as he could. This time, when the roar came his way, Riku steeled himself and began to suck up the flames like a plate of spaghetti. It burned his tongue and set his face on fire and made him feel like he was going to throw up, but he continued to slurp.
The heat began to dissipate and with it, the ruins of Fairy Tail and it's many casualties. Through the clearing mirage, Riku could see Natsu stagger slightly, looking around confused. A few soldiers near by moved forward, including Kotkin who appeared caught off guard by this development.
Riku wasn't going to risk another mirage. He leaped forward and he grabbed Natsu with one hand. With the other hand he sent a dark energy blast at the soldiers with the other. Then, he ran as fast as he could away from the scene, practically dragging Natsu and Happy behind him along the way.
...
Riku decided they could stop when they were two villages away from the capital. He dragged Natsu and Happy into the alley way to catch his breath.
"Did you eat my fire," Natsu asked, astounded. "But, you're not a fire dragon-slayer."
"It was disgusting," Riku snapped, digging into his bag and pulling out an ink well. "I hate spicy foods." In a swift movement he poured the contents across Natsu's hair.
"Hey," Natsu said in surprise. "I said I was sorry for attacking you!"
"Rub it in and don't burn it off until you leave the Kingdom of Seven," Riku snarled. "And you," he turned to Happy, who shrank away slightly at his anger. "No wings unless absolutely necessary and no talking. Right now you are a normal cat."
Happy nodded, but Natsu scowled, eyes narrowing at Riku.
"Why would we do all that, anyway?"
"You idiots are wandering through a hostile environment with no regard for your own safety and it's pissing me off!" Riku snarled.
Natsu looked ready to argue, but when he opened his mouth, his stomach growling replaced any words he was about to say.
"Coming this far might be too much of a bother for those soldiers, especially with the damages we left behind, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," Riku said, smirking knowingly. "If you promise to follow the rules I just gave you, then I'll pay for our dinner and inn tonight."
"You will," Happy said excitedly, but Riku shot him a look. "I mean, meow?"
Riku nodded for them to follow him out of the alley way into the inn next door. Natsu finished spreading the ink around his hair, completely blanketing out the pink as they reached the counter.
"I need one room with two beds or one bed and a couch for one night," Riku said in a gravely tone. Natsu shot him a surprised look, but (astonishingly) had the common sense not to ask Riku what was wrong with his voice.
"Sure thing, sir," the inn keeper said smiling. "And will you be dining with us tonight as well? Customers get a reduced price on dinner."
"Is there alcohol," asked Riku, quieting Natsu's squeal of delight before it left his mouth.
"Of course," the inn keeper smiled. "We boast the top selection of sake in the whole Kingdom of Seven."
"Then yes," Riku said.
"Take a seat over there and we'll send someone right over!"
They sat were they were instructed and Riku was happy to see that he would be able to watch the door from his seat in the sparsely occupied dining room. Looking around, Riku noted the characters in the room were less than polished. That was good too, they wouldn't stand out as much. The waitress came over to take their order. Her smile wavered as Riku gave a resigned sigh and ordered one of each sake on the list along with about half the food menu for Natsu and Happy.
"Wow, Riku," Natsu breathed leaning forward. "I don't know how we'll pay you back."
"It's been a long day so just forget about it," Riku said and waved him away as the first sake came. " Besides, Erza would kill me if I sent you off starving. So thank her instead." He took a sip of the sake and felt a slight burn on his tongue from the fire he'd eaten earlier. Riku rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off the annoyance building in his mind. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"We went off to train," Natsu said
"Yeah I heard from Lucy."
"Lucy?"
"Yeah, blonde hair, celestial mage, use to be your partner?"
"I know who Lucy is," Natsu snapped. "She's still my partner! I just didn't know you two knew each other like that."
"Like what?"
Natsu shrugged. "Well enough to share news."
"Isn't that why you gave her that note," Riku asked, narrowing his eyes as he finished his glass and began to refill. "You burned my tongue and now I can't taste this sake. It's suppose to be the best in the whole kingdom."
"That's from training," Natsu said proudly holding up his arm as if to flex his bandaged bicep. "Now we're stronger than ever."
"What's with the bandage," Riku asked, refilling his cup again. He saw Natsu lick his lips. With another sigh (and a wonder if Erza would really ask him to be this nice), Riku poured Natsu a glass as well.
"It's a secret," Natsu said after finishing his glass. "I missed sake."
Riku made a sound of agreement, refilling their cups and placing the finished bottle at the edge of the table. "At least tell me how you got all the way over here when you were supposedly training in Fiore."
"We were wandering around pretty well after visiting Tenrou Island. Then we ran into Gildart," Natsu said counting on his fingers. "Then I had some bad mushrooms and Happy lost our map. Next thing we knew we were here. I guess we crossed the border without realizing it."
"Of course you did," Riku sighed as the first food came out, including a roasted fish which Riku pushed towards Happy's spot on the table. Happy looked as if he were about to say something to Riku, but after a sharp look he simply released a purr before digging in. They fell into silence as they ate. Natsu and Happy were eating as if they hadn't seen food in seven months, while Riku ate slower, his eyes watching the door and the room around them carefully. In a flash the first course was decimated and Riku used his napkin to wipe down some stray food from the wall behind him.
"I would have thought hanging around Lucy would have made you two a bit neater, but I guess it didn't take long for your home training to disappear," Riku sighed.
A flash of something passed over Natsu's face. It was gone before Riku had a chance to analyze it, replaced by Natsu's hundred watt grin. "Nope!"
They fell into silence again as the next course arrived, though Natsu and Happy were eating slower this time, even a bit pensively. Riku finished his meal and pushed away the plate, watching his old guild-mate pause in his own eating to glance at Riku. Happy found a comfy place on the cushioned seat next to him and began to snore slightly. But, Natsu obviously had something on his mind.
"That guy said the visions you see reveal something about you," said Natsu seriously. "Do you think... do you think that's true?"
"That's how mind magic works, right? It plays off of your existing ideas and illusions?"
"I guess. What did you see?"
Riku looked Natsu over, sizing him up. "What did you see?"
"I saw Igneel die again and... some more people," Natsu gulped. "Then I was all alone. Did you see something like that?"
"I saw something similar," Riku agreed.
Natsu shifted in his seat, a somber look on his face.
"I won't let it happen, Natsu. I would die before anyone took away our family and friends like that," Riku said, Erza's lifeless face flashed across his mind.
"Agreed," Natsu nodded, holding his bandaged arm up in triumph, "But you won't need to. We'll beat them together."
"Together?"
"Sure, you couldn't beat Acnologia before, right? I already told you, we have to do it all together," Natsu said. Then he added, "Except Zeref. Zeref and E.N.D. are mine!"
"Please have some more sake and learn how to whisper," Riku said, pouring them both some more.
After dinner (and the sake), they headed to their room. Riku offering the bed to Natsu & Happy, who looked as if they were about to cry from his generosity. On the couch, Riku stared at the ceiling in thought at the mirage he had seen. The guildhall in ruins. Erza and the others thrown about like broken rag dolls. Acnologia at the top of the pile, triumphant. If he was going to face that threat, even with his friends by his side, he would need to get stronger.
Riku gulped, knowing what he'd need to do. He would go to see Emperor Spriggan. He would have to start by facing this immense power and find any secrets he could to protect the ones he loved.
Thanks to all those following, favorite-ing(?), & reviewing, and to Arkham Knight22 for sharing ideas. Most of all (to everyone) thanks for reading & review if you like!