Fiore Academy
Chapter 30 - Stark Contrasts
Authors' Note - Well this will be the first chapter in like a year or two... I hope you guys enjoy it. It's about average sized in terms of what I used to upload, a little under 4000 words, but I just gotta get the rust off first. It's also all expositional mostly, but the next 10 or so chapters are going to be a bit more exciting.
But aside from that you guys, I hope you enjoy :)
Natsu followed Acnologia down the many hallways of the Elysium Palace; the whole layout reminded Natsu of a maze.
In his head he couldn't help but commend the architects and engineers of this Palace; it was definetely designed to confuse those who were not familiar with it, whether they be attackers or escaping prisoners.
For the most part the hallways all looked the same; cold grey stone bricks, as well as lit torch sconces every dozen yards or so, and the occasional tapestry depicting a random battle in the past... Natsu wondered if they would make one for the upcoming Battle... but he hoped they didn't.
If they didn't make one it would mean the Demon's didn't win.
"Are you nervous?" Acnologia snickered as they walked.
"Why should I be?" Natsu asked with a frown; he saw no reason to fear for his life.
"You would be mistaken if you think you're safe just because we need you" Acnologia continued, "There are worse things than death you know".
"Such as?" Natsu asked him; he did not doubt there were worse things... but he also wanted to hear Acnologia's definition to give himself an idea on what to expect.
"If you know what is coming, you'd be more prepared for it" Acnologia smiled, "So my advice? Don't do anything to antagonise the Demon King".
"I wasn't planning on it" Natsu muttered as they reached a wooden door; nothing about it seemed any different than the dozens of other doors Natsu had so far walked past.
"If you were expecting to meet him in the Throne Room" Acnologia explained, "You were mistaken; these are his chambers".
"So I take it this isn't exactly official then?" Natsu asked.
"Everything that the Demon King does and orders is official" Acnologia retorted, "But as for whether this is meant to be common knowledge amongst the other Demon Lords? No... it's not meant to be known" Acnologia gave Natsu a sidelong glance, "But I suppose we can't exactly stop you from telling Lilith".
Natsu nodded, "Well... he's waiting for me".
Acnologia nodded, "Yes... I won't be coming in with you; you're on your own".
With that Acnologia opened the door and Natsu walked in, ready to meet and face the Demon King... his Uncle.
...
Ultear sank into an armchair by the blazing fireplace of her fathers' chambers; for some reason she already felt exhausted.
Kronos took the chair opposite to her, "Servants will be around shortly with your meal".
Ultear frowned, "Yeah... and I'm sure Lilith will be returning to Natsu soon with enough food to give him all the energy he'll need for tonight".
"I suppose you must be curious as to Lilith and her connection to Natsu?" Kronos asked Ultear and she nodded.
"First of all, are you aware of who Natsu's parents are?" Kronos asked his daughter.
"I heard a few things here and there" Ultear replied, "Natsu's father is the head of the Dragneel Clan and his mother's name was Elizabeth or something".
Kronos nodded, "First off, his father is Igneel Dragneel; as you said he is the head of the Dragneel Clan" Kronos sighed tiredly, "He's also known as the Scarlet Dragon, and that name holds fear in the hearts of the Demon Race".
"Based on how strong Natsu is" Ultear ventured, "I'm guessing Igneel is quite powerful".
"The only Demon who can fight him and not lose is the Demon King himself" Kronos confirmed.
"I fail to see what this has to do with Lilith and Natsu" Ultear remarked; she couldn't see where this was going.
"Many years ago, the Demon Lord that Lilith replaced went missing" Kronos began, "She was a member of the Royal Line, the older sister to our current King".
"It only came out recently" Kronos continued, "The details as to why she went missing... she fled the Blight".
"She fled the Blight?" Ultear questioned, "Based on what we learn from school, she wouldn't have been able to live in the Mortal Plain".
Kronos nodded, "Indeed... she would've lasted five years before she perished" he looked at his daughter to see if she could put any pieces together, but Ultear was missing that one piece of crucial information.
"The reason she fled" Kronos said as he stood up, walking up to his pitcher of wine on a nearby table, "Was because she was to give birth to a child".
As Kronos poured himself a cup, Ultear spoke up, "Since she wanted her child out of the Blight... I can only assume they were a half breed".
Kronos nodded, "Lilith aided in her escape; in return the mother promised Lilith that she could marry her child, should it be a boy and if the boy were to fall in love with her".
Ultear began to put the pieces together.
"Her name was Elizabeth, also known as the Demon Lord of Temptation, The Blighted Temptress" Kronos revealed, "She fell in love with Igneel Dragneel, the Scarlet Dragon, and from their union they sired a son; Natsu Dragneel".
"So now Lilith wants to convince Natsu to fall in love with her?" Ultear asked with a raised eyebrow to which Kronos nodded.
"She admired Elizabeth, they were basically sisters in a way" Kronos replied, "Any remnant of Elizabeth was bound to be grabbed on to by Lilith" he sighed, "However, that's not to say her feelings for Natsu aren't genuine; I believe she truly loves him, as she is risking her life to help him escape".
He looked up at Ultear, "Normally she'd be as loyal as a dog to our King and to our kind... but she's choosing to disregard all of that to ensure his safety".
"So her claims of wanting to help him are true?" Ultear asked.
"Even if he rejects her, even if he vows to despise her for the remainder of their lives" Kronos answered, "Her loyalties are entirely changed".
"I suppose the only thing left now is... will Natsu fall victim to her temptations?" Ultear asked mostly to herself, but her father chose to answer.
"I feel as though he won't act on anything unless he's genuinely attracted to her" he replied, "Based on my intelligence, if that is the case... that doesn't exactly change your situation on the Mortal Plain now does it?"
Ultear looked up at that; I guess this was his way of letting her know he knew about the whole 'Harem' situation.
"You're still in contact with the woman who birthed me" Ultear replied.
"No doubt that is how that Jellal fellow found out about your parentage, I'm sure" Kronos replied with a nod, "If it had gotten out you were half demon... you would've been persecuted".
"She still could have told me" Ultear countered to which Kronos nodded agreement.
"I agree, she should've told you; you're old enough to understand" Kronos agreed with her.
"So... what's the plan for now?" Ultear asked her father.
Kronos gave her a dry smile, "What was it you said when you first woke up? Something about going for a walk and me giving you life lessons?"
Ultear rolled her eyes, "Whatever old man, I hope you guys have decent parks around here".
...
Natsu entered the chamber of the Demon King.
In every detail, the room was identical to Lilith's, so he assumed it was just a uniform method of furnishing rooms in this keep.
A large four poster bed, tables and chairs, as well as a bookshelf filled with old tomes and a large marble fireplace, blazing with flame.
And sitting, with his side exposed to Natsu and facing the fire... was him.
He had salmon hair, much like Natsu, but he had blue eyes instead of onyx, and his face seemed a lot more refined than Natsu's; the jawline and cheekbones were very prominent.
He turned to face Natsu as Natsu closed the door; his blue eyes seemed tired and sad.
"I was hoping you would look more like Elizabeth" he sighed.
Natsu recalled back to what Lilith had told him; he had begun to believe who his mother really was... he also remembered Lilith saying something about the King having been a 'sis-con'.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you" Natsu replied back, trying to clear himself of all emotion. He stepped forward to get closer to his 'Uncle'.
His Uncle nodded in reply, "True; it's not fair of me to hope you'd look like Liz-nee" he sighed, "But all the same one could only hope; the only trace of her is your hair".
"I suppose salmon hair runs in the family?" Natsu nodded to him, to which he chuckled.
"Yes well, it's one of our more dominant genes for sure... though Acnologia's mother had particularly dominant genes of her own, so I fear he doesn't resemble myself very much" he turned to Natsu, "I have two members of my family and neither of them look very much like me at all; he looks like his mother... and you're almost the spitting image of your father".
"This conversation isn't exactly what I was expecting" Natsu remarked as he took a seat, to which his 'Uncle' smiled wryly.
"I suppose not; we are blood even if we are enemies" he turned to Natsu, "Eventually we'll clash, whether I fight you or your father... whether I'll win or not is up to debate" he looked down sadly, "But permit me at least an hour... to feel like an Uncle".
Natsu couldn't believe this; he had expected a few things about his 'Uncle', but this wasn't one of them. Despite being the Demon King... he seemed very sentimental...
"If that's what you want to do then so be it" Natsu replied, "But I can't guarantee you I can reciprocate how you're feeling".
He nodded, "For now then, I am Lucifer... you can call me Uncle Lucifer if you'd permit it".
"I'll stick with Lucifer" Natsu replied quickly, earning a respectful nod from Lucifer.
"Very well" Lucifer accepted Natsu's decision, "I trust you are finding the Elysium Palace accomodating so far?"
Natsu frowned, "I'm guessing Acnologia didn't tell you".
Lucifer looked at Natsu in surprise, "Tell me what?"
"He had me hung up in chains for three days to 'placate' me" Natsu replied dryly.
His face didn't change, but Natsu noticed those blue eyes go dark briefly.
"I see" Lucifer replied in a tone of voice that was obviously strained to remain even, "I will have to speak with him later then... for now please accept my apologies".
Natsu shrugged his shoulders, "I'm staying with Lilith for now anyway".
Lucifer raised an eyebrow, "So uhh... has anything... happened?"
It was Natsu's turn to raise an eyebrow, "If she has her way, something will be happening all night tonight".
Lucifer let out a snort of laughter surprising Natsu; the Demon King... seemed so human... it was disconcerting for Natsu.
"Do you disapprive of her or something?" Lucifer asked Natsu.
Natsu didn't say anything for a moment... he didn't even move... but he ended up sighing and shaking his head, "I don't know what to make of her... she's so ready to devote herself to me, yet we hardly know each other".
"I can understand where she's coming from" Lucifer inputted, "You're the last piece of Liz-nee left in all three worlds... you're her legacy... and there are many things where Lilith and I differ on... but our love for Liz-nee was a common trait between the two of us".
Natsu nodded; he had pretty much already surmsed as much.
"Be sure to let her know where you stand; perhaps you'd be interested in getting to know her?" Lucifer asked, but did not wait for an answer, "If so, then feel free to by all means; we are enemies, but love is totally seperate from all of that" Lucifer stood up and stared into the fire, "Even if that love will force Lilith to one day oppose me".
"Speaking of" Natsu ventured, forcing Lucifer to turn towards Natsu once again, "Your plan is to have Ultear and I perform in a ritual is it not?".
Lucifer nodded, "That would be correct".
"But in doing so Ultear will lose her ability to use magic, and I will be drained of magic power... and die" Natsu continued, "That seems pretty contradictory to what you've been saying".
Lucifer stared at Natsu wide-eyed... shocked...
"Is that what Lilith and Kronos are telling the two of you?" Lucifer asked him, "No need to answer... it's besides the point..."
"What would the point be then?" Natsu asked dubiously.
"Those are lies" Lucifer answered, "The Ultear girl will lose her ability to wield magic but only for a brief time until she recovers her strength; and your reserves of magic are too vast to be so eaily drained".
"Why would they lie to us then?" Natsu asked, not sure who to believe at this point.
"You need not confirm or deny this, but no doubt the two of them are planning an escape for the two of you" Lucifer began, earning a blank expression from Natsu who had to furiously control his shock, "It's only natural they would be after all; but I guess they simply wanted to instill a sense of urgency between you two... a sense of urgency to get the two of you proactively seeking escape".
"Then why not death for both of us?" Natsu asked him.
"You would fear death more than losing your magic" Lucifer replied, "No doubt as a Dragneel, you can still fight with a blade" Natsu nodded confirmation, "So death would mean you'd lose your only ability to fight back".
"Then what about Ultear-" Natsu began to ask more about Ultear but Lucifer interrupted.
"She likely only knows strength through her magic; without it she would feel weak and helpless... and would likely end her own life... so losing magic to her is far more fearful than death" Lucifer explained to Natsu's shocked expression.
Natsu looked down at the ground; even if what Lucifer said was true... it didn't change the fact that they needed to escape.
"This of course wouldn't change your mind about wanting to escape" Lucifer continued, surprising Natsu, "After all we are enemies; why would you want to help your enemy?"
"Precisely" Natsu replied, "So I fail to see-"
"Why I'm saying all of this?" Lucifer finished, earning a nod from Natsu, "To get it all out of the way; the fact that I know you're planning to escape with the help of Kronos and Lilith".
"So why aren't you trying to stop us?" Natsu asked, earning a deviant smile from Lucifer.
"You act as though that is a question I have to answer, and not yourself" Lucifer countered, turning his back to Natsu.
Natsu felt he knew the answer; Lucifer was confident 'escape' was impossible.
"Instead of worrying about all of that however and causing a rift in my ranks before the Eve of a Great Battle however" Lucifer continued, "I would rather spend that time with my nephew".
Although he had been pretty much saying it since Natsu stepped into the room, this declaration still surprised Natsu.
"I want to know things" Lucifer continued, facing Natsu, "What your life was like until now, about your friends and family" Lucifer looked to the side sadly, "What... my sister was like... before she died..."
For the first time Natsu understood Lucifer, if but a little; he knew Natsu was his enemy, but they shared the same blood.
They both shared loving memories of the same woman... and Natsu was with her in the last few years of her life.
Taking a deep breath, Natsu exhaled as he made his decision.
"Very well" Natsu said, making the decision to indulge the Demon King Lucifer, "About my mother..."
...
For hours Natsu and Lucifer had talked; they had soon began to lose track of time.
Throughout their conversations, Natsu soon forgot he was talking to an enemy; the entire time Natsu felt as though he spoke with Lucifer as Uncle and Nephew, reminiscing about Natsu's mother, Lucifer telling Natsu what she was like before she fell in love with Igneel.
Natsu and Lucifer were happy to hear that the Elizabeth they knew, was the same Elizabeth that the other knew... she was no different before or after she met Igneel Dragneel.
Natsu now walked the hallways with Lucifer, after Lucifer offering to escort him back to Lilith's chambers.
Natsu did not oppose this, seeing as how he didn't know the Palace layout, and the only other escort would be Acnologia... and between Lucifer and Acnologia, Natsu decided he preferred Lucifer.
The two of them stopped in front of Lilith's door, and turned to face one another.
"No doubt you're about to have your own battle" Lucifer implied, looking at the door.
Natsu could only sigh at what he was going to have to resist, "You can say that again".
"If you're hesitant because you feel Lilith has some ulterior motives" Lucifer began, "I can assure you as someone who has know her for thousands of years... that is not the case".
"Well now" Natsu remarked, "I suppose I can trust my enemy then?"
Lucifer smiled at that, "No you don't have to trust me; but there's no reason for me to lie... if I decided I wanted to kill you right now... without a doubt Lilith would immediately turn against me".
Natsu nodded; despite all the advantages this kind of lie could give Lucifer, he did not seem like the kind of man who was favorable towards deception.
"Alas, I should be going" Lucifer said, walking past Natsu with a pat to his shoulder, "I may call you to my chambers again for more conversation, so I hope you won't be opposed to it".
Natsu turned around to look at Lucifer, "No... it's a good way to pass the time... and I would like to hear more stories about my mother".
Lucifer stopped walking and turned around to face Natsu; he had a kind smile on his face. It was at moments like these, that Natsu felt disconcerted with Lucifer; his very existence made him Natsu's enemy... but by all appearances he was nothing but a caring Uncle.
The stark contrast was almost too great for Natsu to bear.
With that, Natsu opened the door and walked inside. Once inside, he was greeted by the sight of Lilith, naked as the day she was born, swirling wine in her goblet; based on her flushed cheeks, she was quite intoxicated.
"Evening Natsu" Lilith greeted Natsu in a slow and slurred voice, "I heard you met Lucy Goosey".
Natsu raised an eyebrow at her and walked towards her; stretching a hand out, he grabbed the goblet out of Lilith's hands, "I see you've met wine".
Lilith gave off a chuckle, "I'm sorry... I just had to wait for you is all".
Natsu nodded, "Sorry... how did you hear I met Lucifer?"
"I saw Acnologia on my way back from the kitchens" Lilith answered, "Can you believe I had to eat all that food? I couldn't very well let it go cold..."
"You're drunk" Natsu stated the obvious, earning him a laugh from Lilith.
"And you're hot" Lilith replied back laughing at her 'joke'.
Natsu smiled; she was kind of endearing like this, without her cool head, letting loose.
"Well, I think maybe it's time for you to go to bed" Natsu suggested.
Lilith held her arms out to him, "Only if you carry me".
Natsu rolled his eyes; speaking of contrasts, the contrast was even greater with Lilith and drunk Lilith than it was with Lucifer and his own internal image of the Demon King.
Natsu picked Lilith up, Princess style and laid her on her bed. He pulled the sheets up to her chin, then moved away to turn off the lights in the room.
"Is it time for you to ravish me?" Lilith laughed as he began to undress himself, leaving himself in his underwear.
"If I want to have sex with you, it'll be after I feel genuine attraction to you" Natsu replied, sliding into the bed, "Also... when you're not so drunk".
Lilith reached over to Natsu and placed her lips on Natsu's, "I know you have your doubts" Natsu was shocked to see her eyes welling up with tears, "But I really do love you".
Natsu used his hand to close her eyes and wrap his arms around her, holding her close to him, "I know".
It was from this moment on that Natsu finally decided to accept everything; his mother was the older sister of the current Demon King... his Uncle, despite being his greatest enemy, was also a kind man... and Lilith...
He decided to accept Lilith's proclaimed feelings were true; whether he would or could return them, Natsu did not know... but given her devotion and beauty... he was not opposed to finding out.
...
It had now been a full day since Hades and Acnologia attacked the Dragneel Estate; Zeref and the girls were now fully recovered, Zeref from his injuries and the girls from the awakening of their second origins.
The group of them were surrounded by the members of the Spriggan Twelve... and behind them, were entire squadrons of the Fourth Legion lined up.
To their sides were similar setups; the other legions, with their Captains and Lieutenants leading the front.
In front of them all was Arias, with Igneel shadowing him.
"To all of you who have gathered here... this is the situation" Arias began, "Twenty-Four hours ago, two individuals were captured by Hades, Lord of Death and Acnologia, Lord of Apocolypse... the two captured were Natsu Dragneel and Ultear Milkovic".
This earned mutterings amongst the knights.
"It is our belief" Arias continued, "That they plan to use Natsu and Ultear in some kind of ritual, based on what Hades said to the survivors of his attack".
"And so our mission is clear" Arias stood firmly, "We are to enter the Blight... we are to cross over the Blighted Pits... and storm the Elysium Palace, retrieving Natsu Dragneel and Ultear Milkovic by any means necessary".
Mirajane, Erza, Hisui, Virgo, Kagura and Karen and looked forward, determined to succeed.
Zeref and Katherine continued looking at Arias, calm but also determined to reach Natsu.
With those words spoken, a large portal opened up behind Arias, large enough to fit the entire army that had gathered.
"Beyond this portal is the closest point we can get to the Elysium Palace" Arias informed all of them, "It'll be a two day march through the Blighted Pits, followed by another day's march to the Elysium Palace... our attack will begin in four days from now".
Arias drew his sword, "Without a doubt the ritual won't bode well for humanity, so for the sake of humanity I plead with all of you; draw your blades, not for yourselves but for your families... for your friends... and for humanity" Arias did not yell this, he said it all calmly, which somehow gave his words even more impact than yelling them would.
Regardless, it was met with a cheer from the Knights of the Red Cross.
Arias waved his sword at the portal, "Into the Blight we go... you all better be ready".
Authors' Note - So that was the first chapter I'd written in like... a year... I hope it was okay everyone, if not be sure to let me know. Other than that, I'll try to aim for weekly uploads from now on. I'll also make a social media, like Twitter, in order to keep you guys updated if need be. Until next time, Auf Wierdeshen.