Chapter 1: Runic Tomb
"IGNEEL!" A small boy with a yellow shirt, brown shorts, black sandals and a white scarf screamed as he was searching for his father.
"IGNEEL! WHERE ARE YOU IGNEEL!"
"Will you shut up already?" The boy stopped and looked behind him and there it was a tall man, covered in a dark-red armor, a helmet with two horns, a cape that looked to be made out of red scales. In his hands, he had a shield and a spear. (A/N: For better description, look for Pantheon Dragon Slayer)
Natsu couldn't tell, but he was sure the man was glaring at him, suddenly, he felt more afraid than ever "I-I..."
"Speak up! If you have something to say, Say it!" The man ordered and Natsu gulped.
"I-I am looking for my father..." He said quickly and the man nodded.
"Hm... I see. Tell me how is your father. I might be able to help."
"Well... he is a dragon."
The man looked at him in silence making Natsu even more nervous. He had already told some few people about his father and all laughed at him.
"A dragonslayer I see..." The man said and Natsu eyes widened and grinned.
"You know what that is? Do you believe me!?" Natsu exclaimed and the man nodded.
"Yes. Let me introduce myself child. My name is Athreus, from the Rabdesh. A dragonborn." Natsu stared at Athreus after receiving the information.
"Dragonborn?"
Athreus nodded "Yes. Thanks to a ritual, I got the blood of a dragon inside of me. The power of a fire dragon lies within me." Athreus explained and Natsu grinned.
"Me too! Igneel trained me, y'know?!"
Athreus removed his helmet, showing a black beard, and a mohawk. "Igneel? It's been a while since I last met him." He said as he sat on the ground, leaving his helmet on his side.
Natsu sat on front of him with curious eyes "You met Igneel?"
Athreus nodded "Many years ago. He was a formidable opponent turned into a great friend." Athreus smiled nostalgically making Natsu grin.
"So you know where he is?!"
Athreus lost his smile and closed his eyes. "I am afraid that I don't. They send me to investigate some disturbance. I see now what it was."
"They? Who is they?" Natsu asked and Athreus smiled.
"The master of my guild. The old man knows a lot and can feel how magic can change thanks to some runes." He laughed loudly before he got an idea. "Why don't you come with me boy? If someone knows about the whereabouts of that dragon."
"Really!? Thank you!"
"Not so loud boy! Now let's go. We can arrive in a couple of days if we go now."
*5 Days Later, Runic Tomb Guild Hall*
Natsu was starring with wide eyes at the gigantic building made of a dark stone as Athreus pushed the dark oak doors open. "I'm back! Where is Master!?" Athreus demanded as the guild came into sight.
An albino kid, with blue eyes, with white hair made into dreads, a tail and a pair of cat ears pointed at a room upstairs. "In his office like usual. Who's the brat?"
Athreus laughed as he patted Natsu on the back. He removed his helmet and placed it on a table "This is Natsu, Rengar! I am helping him find his father!"
Rengar grunted and continued drinking a glass of milk. "That right there is Rengar Kalseki. He is from a race called vastaya." Athreus explained and Natsu nodded.
"Vastaya?" Natsu asked and Rengar gave him a sidelook.
"Half human, half animal." Rengar explained and Natsu nodded.
Athreus then guided Natsu to the office of the master. "Master! Are you there!?"
"Yes! And don't scream so much!" A grumpy voice came from inside the office. Athreus opened the door and Natsu saw that the office was full of books. Igneel once mentioned that a place like that is called a library. There was a desk where behind it, there was a bald, blue man with purple tattoos all over his body. He had a black beard in a goatee and was shirtless.
"Athreus. How did the mission I send you went?"
"I am afraid I didn't find anything Master. The only clue that I found was this boy, Natsu." Athreus explained and the Master narrowed his eyes at Natsu making him gulp.
"Natsu... it had been a while..."
Athreus raised a brow "Had you met him?"
Natsu shook his head "I haven't..."
The master stood up and walked towards Natsu "So, today was the day, huh? Tell me Natsu, are you the son of Igneel?"
Natsu forgot he was slightly terrified of this blue man and nodded "Yes! You know him!?"
The master nodded and Athreus grinned "Master, we were hoping that you might know where he is."
"I do know." The master said making Natsu hope grow "But, you can't see him right now."
"What!? Why!?" Natsu whined and the master frowned.
"Watch your tone boy. Igneel left, like the rest of the dragons in Fiore. But, there was a purpose for that."
"What pu-pur-pupr-" The master groaned.
"Purpose! One day you'll find out. In the meantime, I think you should stay here." The master said and Natsu blinked.
"Why?"
"I am afraid that Igneel, like the rest of the dragons are in trouble. A trouble that might affect all of Fiore, if not the world as we know it. If you want to help your father, you need to grow strong. A strength we are willing to teach you." The master explained and Athreus placed his hand on Natsu's shoulder.
"I think you should agree Natsu. There was a reason I found you. I think this is destiny."
Natsu looked behind the two men before asking "You promise you'll help me find my dad?"
The master nodded "I promise."
Natsu nodded "Then I will. I will join your guild."
The master smiled "Excellent! I, Ryze, Master of the Dark Guild Runic Tomb, welcome you, Natsu Dragneel!"
"Wait how you know my name?"
Ryze chuckled "I know a lot of things my boy. Now both of you leave! I am busy!"
Athreus and Natsu left the office and Athreus exclaimed "Attention everyone! We have a new member! Time to party!"
As the whole guild started to scream, Ryze frowned in his office. "So... the time had arrived... We need to double our efforts then."
"The world runes might be the only thing to stop you, Zeref."
*Years Later, Hargeon*
"C'mon Flame Brain! I can't be dragging you around everywhere!" Rengar, now wearing an eye patch screamed as he dragged Natsu out of the train.
"I can't help it..."
Rengar sighed "Whatever. Are you sure your dragon dad is here?"
"That's what I was told..."
"So, he is inside this small town, where nothing is happening. Not at all."
"When you say it like that, you make me feel dumb." Natsu said standing up and Rengar growled.
Natsu stumbled a bit and bumped against a red-haired girl in an armor. "Agk! Sorry miss."
"Don't worry, it was partially my fault." The girl apologized and both continued their way.
They walked a bit more when Rengar saw a mob of girls surrounding a man. "Look everyone! It's Salamander."
"Natsu..."
"Yeah, someone is using my name." Natsu said and Rengar smirked.
"I think our trip won't be useless after all."
Natsu grinned "Oh no. He is mine."
*Hours Later*
"Are you really going to take me to Fairy Tail!?" Lucy Heartfilia asked Erza Scarlet that nodded with a smile.
"Yes. After all, Bora is now in jail, the real salamander isn't here. And I don't see the problem with you coming."
"Thank you! This is my dream come true! You don't know how much I wanted to-"
*BOOM*
An explosion rocked them and turned to see a fire come out of the jail. Erza ignored Lucy and rushed to the place. Once she arrived, she saw the decapitated and burnt body of Bora. On the wall, a blue symbol of a sand clock.
The mark of Runic Tomb.
Next Chapter: Obsession
