Chapter 31 enjoy
sorry for the long wait time
I took a much needed extended break from writing
I'm also for how much longer I don't know am re-editing publish chapters
for this fic. I just have proofread each of the 30 re-edited previous chapters
It's been one month since the tenrou group disappeared. During the period, the whole guild not only finished processing this revelation.
It sparked everyone to get stronger to keep this from happening again, hopefully.
Wendy and her teammates took this desire to heart.
They upped their training to close the gap between them and their guildmates, hopefully.
As for Natsu and Ultear, both are contemplating whether they should start their family soon or wait a little while.
It's a very uncomfortable topic. That sadly goes nowhere since neither doesn't know how to proceed.
That was enough for one day. After that, Natsu shifted the topic toward Jellal. On his way back to fairy tail, he found grimoire's heart's airship.
He silently prayed he could find something to help Jellal gain his freedom and not be held down by his alias Seigrain anymore.
Unfortunately, it wasn't a lot to go on. If he wants to free Jellal from his demon, he is gonna need large amounts of evidence.
If he doesn't have enough, Then jellal will be forced to go by Seigrain for the rest of his life.
Meredy trained alongside Wendy and her teammates, gradually getting more control over her magic.
As for the married couple relax at home in bed, Natsu laying flat on his back with Ultear using his chest as a pillow.
He predictably has his arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her close to him.
They've been in this position for several hours, not wanting to compromise this intimate position.
Then they heard a knock from their bedroom door, causing the two to glare.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Niichan, there is some urgent business from the magic council!" Wendy said.
"Thank you, Wendy!"
"Your welcome, Niichan" they could hear her footsteps fade into the background.
With a sigh, Natsu requiped his communication lacrima. A few seconds later, he's greeted by the voice of Org.
"Hello, Natsu. Are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here Org, what does the magic council need from me?"
"We've received some troubling reports from the Devil lands south of Fiore!"
"The devil lands. That's a long journey. What does that have to do with me?"
"We would have picked someone else, but the other wizard saints are busy with other Commitments. So it was the ruling government of the devil lands who sent the request!"
"Ok, but what is the reward?"
"Unfortunately, that is something you'll have asked the client when the job is done."
"Fine, I accept. So I assume I'll have to leave immediately?"
"Preferably yes"
"I have a few errands to take care of. Shouldn't take more than two days."
"That's acceptable" Org cut the connection,
Natsu let out a massive sigh as he tightened his hold on his wife.
"The devil lands, that a week-long journey by boat, will you be able to hold out that long on the high seas?"
"I won't have a choice. But, still, that's very far away."
"Yeah, directly south from Fiore." She said with a yawn as she snuggled up to Natsu.
The following two days, Natsu filled the guild in on the council's request.
They all had disgusted looks in their eyes since Natsu filled them in on the council's desire to disband their guild.
They didn't worry about it too much since they have Gildarts to back them until the lost ones return.
Speaking of Gildarts, he and Natsu agreed to take turns watching over the guild when facing external threats.
Gildarts takes his turn, and when Natsu returns, he'll take a quest switch out once he's finished. Natsu takes his turn.
X785 January 20th
Husband and wife plus Happy just got off the train in Hargeon port.
They stopped by the 8 islands to get a meal before leaving the country.
"Ah Natsu, Ultear, what brings you here today?" Yajima asks as he cooks up their meals.
"Another job from the council. There have been some troubling reports from the devil lands. They decided I was the best choice for the job!"
"The devil lands, you say. That is a long journey, at least a week-long boat ride from this port."
"Don't remind me!" He deadpanned.
They ate and paid for their meals and left, heading towards the docs to see their ship.
A modest size boat with several levels pointed out by all the windows from one end to the other.
They boarded the boat showing their tickets, only to be greeted by a member of the staff.
"Ah, Natsu Dragneel, we were alerted you were taking our ship to the devil lands," a young man with blonde hair said.
"Sho!" He couldn't believe it. The blonde boy from the tower stands before him in black dress pants, shoes, and a white button-up shirt with a black sleeveless vest.
Natsu would have continued, but sho stopped him, pointing to the line of people behind him waiting impatiently for him to move.
"Sorry!" The trio followed the sho's lead, leading to a significantly more excellent section on the ship.
"These are your quarters" he pointed to the door before opening it to let them in. "Being a wizard, the captain felt you deserve the most elegant room at our disposal.
"Thank you, and can you hold up a second to fill us in on what you've been up to?" Natsu asked.
"I knew this would happen when I learned you three were taking our ship, so the captain gave me a break period after I showed you to your room."
Natsu and Ultear found a spot at the foot of the bed with Happy on Natsu's shoulder.
Sho took a seat at a nearby chair across from the trio.
He took in one deep breath, then exhaled, "First, let's start with Wally and Milliana aren't with me!"
"I figured that word from Jellal Milliana joined a guild but not sure which one?" Natsu silently groaned at telling yet another in an ever-growing list of white lies.
"An all-female guild called…."
"Mermaid Heel?" Ultear finished.
"Yes, as for Wally, Jellal told us about his brother. He actually works under Jellal. He visits him whenever the chance arrives." He said with a small smile with a distant look in his eyes.
Natsu gave him a minute to collect his thoughts, "Now, how did you land a job here?"
"Right lost track there for a second," he said with a nervous chuckle.
"Please continue," Ultear asked.
"I joined the crew when Wally left with Jellal. Me Milliana headed towards the nearest town. The town in question is where the Mermaid heel guild is located. The moment Milliana saw the guildhall with a mermaid on it, she sprinted ahead, leaving me in the dust. When I finally caught up to her, she was chatting with many of her new guildmates. Their" sho stopped to let them process what he said so far.
"No need to continue about Milliana. We have a good idea of what happened next," Ultear said.
"Funny thing it was the guild master of Mermaid heel set me up with a job aboard this ship!"
"You don't say!" Natsu responded with a sly grin.
"What about Simon? Have you heard from him?" Ultear added.
"No, unfortunately, but from Herd in the winds, he's wandering all over Fiore."
"That sounds about right, not having a clue to start looking for his sister."
"True, I'd love to continue this conversation, but I have work to do."
"Not a problem. To be honest, I was getting concerned we were holding you up."
Within the hour, all passengers were aboard the ship, evident when the boat started moving.
"Great, now we have to wait seven days before we reach our destination," Natsu said with a yawn as he laid down in bed.
Ultear always crawled in the bed, cuddling up to her husband. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist.
As for Happy, he found his place at the foot of the bed dreaming of fish.
Throughout the week-long journey, the trio chatted with sho. With a communication lacrima, they got updates on Wally and Milliana.
The trio more or less got the pictures of what they have been up since the tower.
They brought the topic of Simon and what he's been up to. To the trio's satisfaction, he made contact with his sister Kagura through Mermaid Heel.
He stayed with them for two weeks catching up with his sister before departing.
The story goes, he wants to see the world at his own pace. But, of course, there's nothing wrong with that.
The trio hopes he doesn't mistakenly waste the life they sought to protect by altering time.
It's the last day of the trip they refreshed themselves of the devil lands.
Going over a map of the region, the devil lands is about 20% the size of Fiore.
However, only 70% is untamed wilderness, thanks to its rugged and highly varied terrain.
And if the myth is believed to be accurate, the devil land is said to be the birthplace of the demon race.
The trio stood at the bow of the ship, getting their first glance at the devil lands.
Off in the distance, they can barely make out the port town since it is overshadowed by a thick fog rolling from the dark forest surrounding it.
The land could best be described as ancient, if not monolithic going off the distant mountain peak at the horizon's edge.
As they kept closer and closer, Natsu is getting more and more on edge. He can feel his demon half grow more and more restless.
"Calm down, E.N.D!"
"I feel more alive than ever here...can you blame me" he sneered.
Then a loud huff was heard, "do you have to ruin my fun, Igneel!"
"YES!"
"Fine!"
Natsu took a deep inhale then exhaled, calming him down.
He focused his mind as they slowly closed the distance.
Then he felt a weight on his side. He looked to see Ultear sending him a comforting smile, relaxing him furth.
He sends her smile right back to her. A tap on his head forced him to glance at happy with a smile of his own.
"What else is there to know about the devil lands, Natsu?"
"The population is a mix of humans and demons like those on Galuna Island, Happy," Ultear answered for Natsu.
A few minutes later, they reached the port, Including the trio, and about a dozen passengers got off.
The rest stayed on, waiting for the ship to depart.
A quick look around proved Ultear's word on the population.
Some demons were humanoid in shape, others large, others skinny.
"So, where is Natsu?" Happy asked.
"We need to meet up with the client at the local chamber of commerce,"
"Aye, Sir!"
After chatting with a few locals and getting some directions, they stood at a large building boarding the market stalls.
Natsu carefully opened the door. Ultear and Happy were right behind him.
A man in dress clothes walked up to the trio. "Hello, what can you do for you, sir?"
"I'm Natsu, Or the flames prince. This is my wife, Ultear, and best friend Happy on my shoulder. We're here because someone sent a request to the magic council?"
"Ah yes, now I remember. Please sit down over here."
Over an hour, the trio is told the details of what the job demanded.
They were given a quick history lesson of the region.
First, the inhabitants didn't Establish a quote-unquote civilization with humans till a hundred years ago.
Not all the demons were on board with that. They relocated themselves deep within the heart of the island nation.
For the past century, things were pretty quiet from then. The only time the citizens crossed paths with them was through trading.
The ones who sent the jobs live on the coastlines. The others live inland.
One has reliable food thanks to the ocean. The other has lumber and ores like iron.
That all changed last year when one of many crews who went inland to get building materials to expand several cities never returned….they were humans.
When they sent in several demons to learn their fate, that's when things went from bad to worse.
The sudden cut-off from untamed wilderness resources virtually crippled the local economy.
Fortunately, the cities along the coastline can get by fishing, but they have no idea how long this will last.
"Unfortunately, that's all the information we have!"
"Hmm, one more thing….Zane, is it?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Is there anyone here who knows the land, so we're not wandering around in the dark?" A glance to Ultear and Happy told Zane agreed with his reasoning.
With his hand in his chin, "Hmm, the only one who comes to mind is a young lad named Lucien."
A glance at the trio told Zane to continue. "Zane lives near the forest edge. He is one of the few people here who can freely head inland and return unharmed. Here are some directions" he wrote them down on a piece of paper only to hand it to Natsu.
"Thank you if that all will head out now."
"Good luck" was all he said as the trio went out the door.
After 20 minutes, the trio found themselves on the outskirts of the city, standing before what looks to be a house carved out of a giant tree-like Porlyusica's.
Natsu knocked on the door three times, only for the door to open shortly after.
The man in question was the same height and built as Natsu.
He has brushed back medium-length crimson red hair. His muscle shirt matched his hair color.
He wore a black open sleeveless jacket, brown pants, black combat boots, and black fingerless gloves.
On his right arm is an almost tribal marking on his forearm and Bicep, and on top is a black 4 point star.
Suddenly Natsu felt a mild pain surging from his godsend mark. A glance towards the man revealed the same expression.
Only to lock eyes with each other "You're a godsend Too?" They shouted in unison.
After 10 minute conversation, Natsu got a basic rundown of his godsend status and his magic types.
To his surprise, Lucien is a shadow devil slayer godsend of Erebus, the god of shadows and darkness.
The four-pointed star of his shoulder is his godsend mark.
"Erebus mentioned something about there being other wizards like me, but I didn't expect godsends!"
"Anyway, the magic council sent us to look into the unrest in the devil lands. We need someone who knows the land. That's how we ended up at your doorstep."
"I see we'll it's getting late meets me back here tomorrow then will head inland."
The trio headed to a nearby inn getting their room key before heading out on the town to see what the devil lands have to offer.
Lucien decided to guide them through the city, telling them what shops they have before ending the night at a favorite local restaurant.
Of course, word of why they came to the devil lands spread across town.
They didn't stay out very late since they have a job to do the next day.
Their accommodation for the night was one bedroom.
Happy found his spot at the edge of the bed while Ultear quickly snuggled up to Natsu with his arm wrapped firmly around her waist.
She's quickly lulled to sleep thanks to his warmth.
But Natsu's mind was too preoccupied even to feel drowsy.
He thought about all the comments he heard about him and Ultear, not only from the people of the devil lands and their trip here.
But from the start, they joined the fairy tail.
It has to do with why as the consensus Natsu formed in his head is Ultear being stuck to him like glue.
This was escalated when they tied the knot a couple of years ago.
He looks down to see Ultear sleeping peacefully, resting her head on his right pectoral.
They didn't say it out loud, but that didn't mean their expressions gave it away.
And those who didn't know of his enhanced hearing often said things under their breath.
By the very nature of time travel, they, unfortunately, have no idea of the struggles she has been through.
When you've spent years part of a dark guild where any sign of weakness is a death sentence.
You learn very quickly to NEVER let your guard down around others.
And when that guild is no more, and you're now on the run, that burden only increases.
Never allowed a moment of rest, always keeping an eye on your back. There were days this burden nearly crippled her.
Natsu learned of this shortly after they rejoined fairy tail. So he promised her that burden is his now.
Since that day, Ultear was noticeably happier, carefree, and willing to get more involved with the guild.
That day also amplified Natsu's protective nature. When he talked to Igneel about it, he learned his protective side came more from his human side.
But the dragon side amplifies all his desires, so he and his fellow slayer get a double whammy when it comes to protecting what there's.
Drowsiness was finally starting to catch up to Natsu. He lightly kissed Ultear on her forehead before letting out a yawn.
When morning came, sunlight managed to pass through the windows, shining down on Ultear, causing her to stir awake.
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes to see she was being held flush against Natsu.
She quickly snuggled up to him, wanting to enjoy his warmth a little longer.
While her body is enjoying his embrace, her mind is another story.
She is overly aware she can be clingy, to put it lightly, hardly ever away from him for more than a day.
Not to mention her desire to be a mother only complicates the matter even more.
Only Natsu is aware of the steady progress of trying to break this habit of hers.
She is making progress. Her record is two days when she is by herself.
The only time she can go longer is when it's that time. So she always stayed with Kianna and Levy before the fairy sphere.
Those thoughts will have to wait since they have a job to do, but her body doesn't want to give up this comforting warmth Natsu gives off.
"Just one more hour, then I'll wake him up" with another yawn, she continues to emerge herself in Natsu's warmth.
Less than an hour later, Happy woke up to see the two sleeping peacefully.
He contemplates waking them then and there or leaving them a bit longer.
The last time he woke them up, when they were like this, didn't end well.
He's never gone that long without fish before.
"I'll give them 10 more minutes if they don't wake up on their own." Then, he flew off to get ready and eat a fish just in case.
After five minutes, Natsu stirred awake with Ultear not far behind him.
They got dressed before getting some food in their bellies.
Natsu ate steak and eggs, Ultear ate simple toast and scrambled eggs, and Happy ate fish.
After another half hour, most of the sleep was out of their system. They did one last check to make sure they have everything before heading off.
On their way to Lucien's place, a quick look at the time reveals it's eight in the morning.
They silently hoped not to keep Lucien waiting on them. It would be an awful start on the first day.
The trio now stands at Lucien's front door. Natsu knocked three times before stepping back.
Moments later, the door opens to see Lucien in essentially the same outfit as yesterday.
"Hope we didn't keep you are waiting," Ultear said.
"You're here earlier than I thought," he said with a smug grin.
It took a few seconds to register his tone before the couple blushed, knowing what he's getting at.
None more so than Ultear, who glared at him only for him to chuckle.
"I saw an opportunity to pull a joke, and I took it. Can you blame me?"
Ultear glared at him before stomping on his foot before walking away.
"Ow, you didn't have to do that?"
Natsu brought him aside "do yourself a favor and keep your jokes to yourself."
"Aye, sir"
Seeing another chance, "I didn't know you were into that kinky shit," he said with a grin for a second.
He suddenly collapsed to the ground holding his shin to see Ultear's Lacrima floating a few feet away from him.
He looked up and received an even more powerful glare from Ultear.
"I warned you," Natsu said, walking past him.
"worth it"
Lucien took the lead of their little group. He pointed out various plants and what they can do.
The trio didn't need a brain to know this is in case they get separated.
It's a logical conclusion since most of the island is untamed wilderness.
And most of the trails they see are from deer.
The trio concluded that most of the paths into the island are being reclaimed by nature since no one is going inland.
Lucian suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
"What's wrong?" Ultear asked
"Natsu!"
"I heard and smelled them a few minutes ago."
"Someone mind filling us in?" Happy asked.
"You can't tell, but someone's watching us right now. So I shouldn't have to tell you to keep your guard up from this point forward." The trio nodded in response.
They continued walking for another hour before coming across a small clearing.
Lucien signaled for them to stop. Both slayers took a few moments to observe their surroundings.
"We're clear to take a moment of rest for now, but let's not push out luck more than necessary" the trio nodded.
Ultear took a seek on a nearby rock large enough to act as a seat.
Happy flew around high in the sky to look at any landmarks before landing on Ultear's shoulder.
Natsu stood guard paying attention to every detail his heightened senses picked up.
The last thing he needs is getting cough off guard in a foreign land.
As for Lucien, he's rummaging through grass and trees only to return with what they assume are wild edibles.
"I recommend we live off the land to make the food you brought with the last longer." he hands them a handful of berries each and few apples.
"No offense, but how do we know you aren't trying to poison us?" Happy stated
"What reason do I have? I want to stop the inland demons from cripply the town as much as you!"
Natsu and Happy shared a reluctant look in their eyes before looking to ultear, who ate a few berries.
"Not bad, actually," Natsu and Happy sweat drop before taking a few bites themself only to share her thoughts.
"So Lucien, what else can you tell us about the area?" Natsu asked
"Where to begin, well for starters, we're not the far from a demon settlement."
"As in the ones we're tasked to stop or…."
"Not them. They're much farther inland. The ones I'm talking about are your standard demon colony living regular lives."
"Really, why would they live all the way out here?"
"Long before I was born, the devil was a thriving nation. Then, according to legend, a massive storm hit the island, killing off a majority of the population. The ones that survived moved to the coast. The ones in the village want to reclaim the island."
"That strange we were told most of the island is untamed wilderness?" Ultear states
"Technically, yes, it is untamed, but that's because the last eruption effectively reset a majority of the devil lands."
"How long ago was that eruption?" this time its Natsu speak up.
"Hmm, 400 years ago, give or take" Natsu is left speechless, and the familiar feeling he has on this island is starting to make sense considering his time before Igneel.
that it for this chapter
Credit to LordLuciferTheMaou for his OC godsend Lucien
also, if you want to know which stories I have finished re-editing
it will say RE-EDITED in the description
go back and reread them if you want