Chapter 73:

The claw slowly traced down the flesh, leaving behind a deep, long gash and parted skin and muscle that slowly coiled and flaked, rotting in front of the black and red eyes that followed the movement of the claw. A gurgled scream came out of the sinner's mouth, his tongue long ago cut out. Another claw pierced the skin, just below the ribs, the skin turning a sickly shade of green as the poison seeped in. Sinner's eyes looked in pure terror at the demon that stood above him, dark blood flowing from his own tongueless mouth and pooling beneath dark black vest that hugged his torso.

A new demon, who hadn't lost all that once made him human grimaced in pain as he cut off sinner's finger, his own finger falling to the ground, turning to ash before it touched the blackened earth of the seventh circle. He had come to know a few things about his torturer since he came down to the seventh circle several cycles ago. His torturers changed over the time he was down here and he had come to know many demons. Variations in them were many, though rarely any stood out as much as his new torturer. Seventh circle's guardians seemed wary of him which was one of the more surprising qualities of this demon. Snakes were rarely weary of anyone.

The sinner released a pained grunt as another finger was cut off. He had been in Hell for a long time – so long he forgot his name, forgot how he died, forgot what exactly he did that lead him here, pain and misery dominated his memory. The cycles were a way he counted the passing of times. Thousand upon thousand of cycles has passed for him. He would be cut to pieces, defiled, disintegrated, rotten and clawed until nothing reminded and after a while he would reform, become whole again so the demons could do it again. That was the cycle. The thing he loathed and loved.

The demon sat down beside him, unable to stand through the pain anymore and the sinner had to admit he had rarely seen anyone last so long. His emotions were running wild behind the red eyes, showing just how young he was. But he would go far in the Castle Hell, the sinner could see that. He had this... aura of power. He was powerful, dreadful and elegant in a way not many demons were.

He was watching him now, for the moment not cutting him to pieces and the sinner looked more carefully at him, careful not to make eye contact – many demons didn't like that – and traced his eyes down the long claws, dark scales and large wings. Souleater – that's what Lilith called him. Another scream escaped them both as Souleater cut off his arm.

Torturing was not something you choose to do. You weren't even asked if you wanted to do it. You had to do it. Natsu lacked the revulsion humans usually had to these practices having done horrible things while he was growing up. Once upon a time, he wouldn't hesitate walking into the Seventh Circle where his first cycle waited. Now, however, his childhood seemed like a lifetime ago and lessons Acnologia drilled into him faded away. He cursed and praised Mirajane and Ultear, Arthur and Annie, Wendy, the Slayers, Fairy Tail – 'Family', his mind supplied traitorously. They made him soft. They made him feel. And now it was killing him – 'No, not killing him, he is already dead'. Without choice, he cut a soul to pieces, his anger – his emotions causing every wound to appear on his own flesh. The Supreme never said it with words but it was to be expected. When you are a demon you do what they want, not because you want to but because you have to. The curse inside you burn until you do what they want.

You are a slave to your own powers and if you dare to oppose they can make you gone – truly gone, not dead for you are already dead. You cease to be. And Natsu, while not truly afraid of nothingness, much preferred to stay. And as he said before; he had tortured in his life. Why would it be any different in death?

Because of them, Natsu knew, the people in his life that made him feel –and who would have thought he would hate them for it.

So, hating the hate he felt, the burning anger that still clouded his vision, Natsu stuck his fist into the soul's eye and pulled it out viciously, painfully aware his own eye dropped out of his skull.

Ultear spent hours reading the books Mirajane got from mysterious Z.D. As much as she hates to admit it the book is captivating, interesting and she can easily see the certain appeal that drives you towards it.

But then she would see the words that made her sick and she wanted to puke before she regained her composure and forced herself to continue.

How will they do this and stay sane was beyond her. Jellal seemed to share her thoughts, staying as far away from the cursed books as he could. Not that he wasn't making himself useful. Jellal and Wendy took it upon themselves to find the dragons for it would be far easier getting into Hell if they had Acnologia to take them to the gates – which was another reason that made their little group uneasy and tense. No one really wanted to deal with Acnologia, both for what happened on Tenrou Island and the dragon king seemed generally unpleasant person to speak to.

Lucy and Gray were scouring through the guild's library, searching for any mention on means and ways to talk to the dead – or at least learn of their location – needless to say they were having little success. The remaining two dragon slayers were gathering things and ingredients needed for the ritual though it proved to be far more complicated than simply reviving a rat. Far more complicated and far darker. And how does someone acquire beating hearth of a horse without the horse and without arousing questions?

Erza, Arthur and Annie were keeping the guild from finding out along with the cats, using their magic to create illusions of others as they left for missions, seemingly in large groups while in reality only the six of them ever left. Most of the guild stayed oblivious and the few who asked more pointed questions were quickly turned in the wrong direction.

They were making progress. Towards what.. that reminded to be seen but none felt good about it.

''Where exactly are you going?'' Igneel inquired, red snout turning towards him, red eyes watching him cautiously.

Acnologia snorted, not turning his head but rolling his eyes to look at him sidelong, ''Where do you think I'm going?''

Igneel shrugged, as best as he could while flying. ''Well you've been circling around the Island for the better part of an hour so I first thought nowhere but you keep looking like you'll leave so... I don't really know''

Acnologia's blue eyes turned to look in front of him and suddenly he tucked his wings close to his body, diving through the air and beside the island making several dragons that flew beneath him scatter in haste. Igneel rolled his eyes at the behavior of his king before following suit, making the dragons beneath once again move in haste.

''You should really talk to me. I know that Natsu dying hit you hard –''

''Don't!'' Acnologia hissed. ''You know nothing, Igneel! He died with me behind his back!''

Igneel winced but he pressed on. ''It's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for this. You were attacked right before him''

Acnologia stayed silent, giving a strong beat with his wings and steadying himself in the air as he slowly moved beneath the clouds, Igneel close at his heels.

''Would you stop following me?''

''No''

''Why are you such a pain in the ass?''

Igneel blinked before giving a small chuckle. ''Someone has to make sure you don't do anything stupid''

Like last time.

Acnologia scowled, hearing the unfinished sentence. ''I'm not going mad Igneel... once was enough''

Igneel stayed silent, memories of the war long passed surfacing. Acnologia was more than mad during the years that followed the death of Irene – or whatever happened to her – going toppling over the edge he so often trudged. Igneel remembered those days, before Acnologia went on his killing spree, when Havoc still flew through the sky along with Belsarion and when Gallifrey still made sparse appearances. Now two of the Orginal Three were dead and the last one had not been seen since Havoc died.

''It all started with one death last time''

''Last time I was half insane from the war, to begin with. And it was my mate who died, not my son''

''I can't imagine the pain is any easier to bare''

Acnologia stayed silent for a long time after that, his wings steadily beating through the air as the two flew over the ocean. ''It isn't''

Igneel nodded solemnly turning to look in front of himself, pretending he did not see the wetness in the king's eyes.

''You've been awfully quiet'' Jellal noted. Wendy looked up at him and blinked, somewhat startled at the blunt start of the subject. ''We are on an important task'' Wendy said after a moment of silence, ''Not to mention there's not really much to talk about at the moment... Do you want to talk about something?''

Wendy twisted her fingers nervously, looking away when Jellal's piercing gaze landed on her, his eyes suspiciously searching her face. ''Actually yes'' he spoke at length.

''What is it?''

''Why have you been avoiding everyone since Natsu died?''

Wendy swallowed and Jellal's eyes narrowed, knowing he asked the right question.

''I'm not avoiding anyone''

''You're avoiding me right now''

''I'm standing barely a foot away from you. How exactly does that classify as avoiding?''

Jellal sighed, rolling his eyes and turning to look at the sky, legs rooting into place. Wendy stopped next to him, brown eyes looking at him accusingly. The blue haired mage wasn't sure what to say next. She obviously didn't want to talk about it. That didn't mean she wouldn't have to eventually. Secrets are dangerous in their world, especially with the type of things they started digging through.

''Secrets are dangerous. They can get people killed,'' he didn't particularly care if his voice came out a bit too harsh. He didn't expect the flinch his words received nor the sudden waterworks they caused. Wendy looked like someone punched her in the stomach, a gasp leaving her lips as she suddenly looked breathless and her eyes welled with tears. The younger girl's lower lip trembled next, pushing out briefly before she managed to bit it. ''It's all our fault''

Her voice was weak, pitiful and full of self-loathing. It made Jellal freeze, eyes widening in shock yet not truly comprehending the severity of that statement. ''Wha-what? Whose fault?''

Wendy shook her head and furiously wiped her eyes and nose with the back of her head. Her hands curled into fists and she sobbed heavily, large gulps of air entering her mouth but not reaching her lungs, forced out and unable to pass the lump that lodged in her throat. Jellal stood beside her, half horrified of what could bring this on, half worried out of his mind. The silence stretched, broken only by Wendy's sobs while even the forest animals seemed to have scattered. Another sob wrecked Wendy's body and without thinking further Jellal took a step towards her and wrapped the girl in a hug.

Wendy went rigid before jumping away as if his touch burned her. Jellal stayed in the same position, face clearly showing his confusion.

''Don't touch me!'' Wendy wailed. ''Don't! You should hate me! You should all hate me! I am so sorry. So sorry. I didn't know this would happen. W- we thought it wouldn't be him! It never even crossed our minds!''

''You're freaking me out here, Wendy,'' Jellal said shakily. ''Tell me what's going on. Please, Wendy. I'm sure we can work this out. I could never hate you''

There was something very cliché about that sentence. Wendy looked at him, shaking her head. Begging him to not make her say it. ''I tried to stay quiet because we were only doing what we thought was best for everyone. We couldn't have known''

Jellal opened his mouth but quickly closed them with a snap. Better to let her ramble now. If he stopped her she might just stop talking altogether.

''We were so sure we had it all figured out. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Who would care about it? All he did was bring pain. We were sure he was nothing but evil. He had to pay for what he did. And when Carla saw it.. We decided to stay quiet''

Wendy sniffed and collapsed to her knees, burying her face into his hand. ''But it wasn't him Carla saw... It wasn't his...''

Jellal swallowed, feeling horrible because he didn't know what to do. He wanted to make the poor girl feel better. But a part of him just wanted to shake her and demand answers. ''Acnologia's eyes are blue. Did you know that?''

The question was so far off that Jellal at first thought he imagined it. ''What does that have to do with anything?''

Wendy sobbed, ''Gods... Everything. It has everything to do with this. Carla saw it... Carla saw the death of a dragon almost at the beginning of the games. Oh, how could've we been so stupid?! We could've stopped this!''

Jellal's mouth opened in horror. ''You... You knew?! You knew Natsu would die?!''

Jellal rose to his feet and grabbed Wendy by her shoulders, yanking her up to her feet and glaring at her with all the fury he felt while Wendy stared up at him, eyes terrified but guilty. ''You knew! You fucking knew and you let it happen!''

''Carla only saw the eyes,'' Wendy whispered, shaking in his grasp. ''She only saw the red eyes. We never – There was no way that it was Natsu. We were so sure it was Acnologia''

Something she said earlier rang through his mind and Jellal released her shoulders quickly, taking a step back just to make sure he wouldn't do something he would regret later. ''You wanted Acnologia to die. You wanted him to pay for what happened on Tenrou''

Wendy's voice was broken, tiny as she hung her head in shame. ''Yes''

Jellal screamed and punched the nearest tree. The bark splintered and broke, a large creak appearing in the wood as the tall oak groaned and shook under the magically-induced punch. Jellal panted from the sudden adrenaline, rubbing his split knuckles and looking at Wendy underneath his bangs. ''Who else?''

Wendy started at the question, shaking his head. ''It doesn't ma –''

''Like hell, it doesn't!'', Jellal growled, pointing accusingly at her. ''Look where we are, Wendy! Look at what we're doing! And it could've been avoided. If only you said something!''

''Carla, Porlyusica and...''

''Spit it out''

''Makarov''

Jellal gritted his teeth and shot to his feet, his feet carrying him quickly and decidedly down the way they came from.

''Jellal, wha- where are you going?'', Wendy called after him, rising to her own feet unsteadily, still shaking and crying. She wanted to talk to someone so much about this. She needed to tell someone but the rest agreed it would do no one no good. Wendy sniffed. She didn't want to lie. But she knew this would happen. She knew they would hate her. Her jaw clenched as she looked at Jellal's retreating back. She deserved it.

Natsu growled as he gradually moved from passed out to awake. Everything hurt. But it also made him aware he once again had everything. The last time he was awake he was missing both his legs and one arm along with... Never mind. Not going there. He frowned, inspecting the previously missing arm. He wasn't sure how long he was dead now. He lost track of time even before Supreme turned him into a demon. It could've been year or months since he last saw them. But he knew he should stop thinking like that. He should forget. It would make things better. Simpler.

A part of him wondered if Acnologia knew what waited in store for him when he died. If that was why his childhood was the way it was. Maybe...

Waking up in the complete darkness, not knowing where exactly he was, became normal worryingly quick. How long was he dead anyway? Nothing betrayed the passage of time. The windows covered by heavy black curtains hid only the glow of the white moon, round and unmoving.

The only way to truly guess at how much time passed was cycles but even they allowed only vague guesses.

Had it been a month? A year? Natsu swallowed, his throat unexplainably dry as he slowly pushed himself into a crouch before finally to his full height.

The floor was the black obsidian colder than ice he now knew to associate with Eight Circle. His eyes allowed him to see in the darkness, pupils widening until red was almost gone and turning a faint glowing white.

Lilith was somewhere around, he could still smell her distinctive scent in the air - snake skin and wet feathers.

The pain of the wounds he inflicted on the soul and consequently to himself still lingered and he rolled his shoulder, flexing his fist that was previously missing. His sight in one eye was still muddled much to his chagrin but the damage was obviously there to stay.

Acnologia thought him how to meditate, how to enter your own head and control it to such degree you could lock away anything you wished from bad memories to emotions. He forgot just how hard that was. Natsu never even noticed just how much Fairy Tail changed him.

'Curse them', he thought bitterly, looking around the seemingly empty room around him but only a fool would think the place was empty. There was not much he could do about it now though so he settled back on the ground, his wings wrapping around him partially. Meditation until he had to return to the Seventh circle might do some good for a change.

'Curse them all'

Makarov jumped in his seat, almost falling out of his chair when doors of his office banged open, slamming against the wall and very nearly falling off of their hinges.

Jellal stormed in, face flushed with anger and fists clenched at his side.

"How. Dare. You?!", the words were uttered through gritted teeth, a mix of a scream and whisper.

Makarov blinked, startled and quickly standing up, palms up in hopes to pacify the furious mage. "Jellal? What are you talking about?"

Jellal's eyes narrowed. "Oh, don't you dare", he spat the words, "You don't get to play dumb"

"I seriously don't know wha-", the old master stopped, his stomach tying into a tight knot when Wendy's pale and shaking form appeared in the doorway.

"Shut up!", Jellal screamed, slamming his fist into the table and Makarov knew every person in the guild hall heard that. "When did you plan to tell us? To tell Mira and Ultear? What about Annie and Arthur?"

Makarov swallowed, squeezing his eyes shut for a brief second as tears welled up. "You think I didn't want to?", he finally spoke, raising a tired gaze to meet Jellal's furious eyes. "You think I don't feel guilty? You think I don't hate myself?"

Makarov bit his lower lip almost drawing blood when Mira and Ultear appeared in the doorway, no doubt coming to see what caused the yelling. "What's going on in here?", Ultear finally asked when the room reminded silent. Wendy moved away as subtly as possible, quickly aware that it only turned the attention of the two women on her. Jellal bared his teeth in a sneer and crossed his arms over his chest. "Enlighten them", he hissed at Makarov and the girls started at the animosity in his tone.

Makarov shook his head, more out of the need to clear it than denying Jellal who continued to glare.

"Wait, Ultear, Mira!", Makarov called desperately, running after the two girls that dragged their confused team and a handful of books and boxes in a way that would make their furious exit look almost comical if the situation was any less serious. "Oh, no!", Mira informed him, "I'm not waiting for a second longer! Or should I wait for a knife in the back like Natsu did?!''

Makarov's face twisted painfully, old eyes bright red with tears that welled in the corners. ''I couldn't have known''

''You didn't have to,'' Ultear spoke, her voice frighteningly calm. ''You just had to say something''

''We were all furious at what he did. You can't deny it. Acnologia is a monster. He deserved to die. He still does''

It is a well-known fact that desperate and angry say things they don't truly mean or want to in the heat of the argument. Makarov was easily both in that very moment. It must have shown on his face in that brief moment, old eyes lost and wet while eyebrows knitted togheter in a furious scowl. The group stopped underneath the arch of the open doors. Best mages of Fairy Tail stood there, all at one point changed because of something Natsu did. It was uncanny, how much someone who so much detested people managed to inspire so much loyalty.

Makarov hung his head after a moment of silent staring, shaking his head. Ultear and Mira stood at the front, Jellal to their right and the Smith siblings to their left. Lucy, Erza and Gray were there as well, the two dragon slayers and the exceeds. Wendy was behind Makarov, still staring at the wooden planks underneath their feet, unable to look anyone in the eye and Carla was positioned on her shoulder, trying to soothe the girl with her presence. ''Will you... are you going to come back...?'' Makarov finally uttered.

''Yes, of course,'' Laxus said without pause. ''You'll have to apologize to Natsu after all''

Makarov's eyes widened, dread draining the color from his face. ''What?''

''Goodbye, master Makarov,'' Mira said softly, anger gone from her voice. The group turned with that and slowly started walking away.

''No...'' Makarov fell to his knees, the full weight of what Laxus implied feeling like a physical blow.

''Humans are so predictable,'' Morrigan spoke, her voice idle as she waved her hand through the air, a tendril of smoke dancing between her fingers in the shape of a raven. Her bird-like eyes moved to look at Ankhseram who didn't bother to move from his spot where he sat in the plush chair of red velvet. Anubis scrunched his nose in distaste, one clawed finger drawing circles in the armrest of his chair.

Ankhseram shrugged after a moment, his tone of voice betraying dark amusement. ''What makes you say that? If I were completely honest I'd say they are anything but. It's what makes them so interesting''

Morrigan rolled her eyes and clenched her hand, the raven disappearing in a puff of black smoke and red spark. ''Don't patronize me, Ankhseram. You know what I mean. Can you honestly say that you didn't suspect those two women wouldn't go after their Prince Charming? 'Tis rather funny really. How many times can you bring one person to life?''

Berstuk clicked his tongue, his face twisting into a mockery of a smile, skull-like face showing far more agility than should be possible for the bone-like material it was made of. ''If I remember correctly there was that guy... what was his name.. Berris, Baris? He was revived seven times''

''Beric?'', Hades supplied after a moment before nodding. Satan raised his head from his chin, a wide grin stretching his lips and showing the row of teeth sharp as a razor in the horned head. ''It was a few millennia back when humans worshiped me as a god of fire'', he sighed wistfully, resting his chin back into the palm. ''Those were the days. I'd get a demon for my own use every few years. Beric had been an amazing little pet before he... expired''

''You killed him yourself'', Osiris stated dryly.

Satan nodded, ''That I did''

''What I wonder is why humans go to Ankhseram now'', Morrigan gave the demon a suspicious look. ''Any one of us could do it''

Ankhseram stared at them, the shadowy face not moving for a brief moment before the eyes turned to slits in what could only be interpreted as a grin. ''Why, because I made sure humans know who I am. Unlike you, I still from time to time go there to make my presence known. It isn't like the Old Days. Humans are forgetful little shits''

''So you cursed Zeref to make sure people still know you''

''Quite true''

''What will you do with those that are going after Natsu now? Plan to curse them the same as you did Zeref?''

Ankhseram stood up and grinned again before his eyes blinked and he straightened his robes. ''Now where is the fun in that?''

The fire crackled loudly, sparks flying high in the night air. Magnolia was far from the group but not far from their minds. The two-hours long train trip and good three hours of walking made sure the group of Fairy Tail mages was as deep in the woods as one could get before night fell.

They were silent, none truly certain what to say. It felt surreal. They left Fairy Tail... maybe not permanently but it felt final. Gajeel rubbed his left shoulder absently, red eyes trailing over the group that sat around him. Mirajane was furious and he couldn't blame her. He was angry as well. Arthur and Annie were silent. The blond-haired boy hasn't spoken a word since they left, moving from shadows and forms almost constantly. Annie tried to start a conversation with him a few times but when her brother stayed silent she gave up, choosing to exchange a few quiet words with Lucy and Erza. Gray and Laxus had whispered a few words as well some time ago. Mira had destroyed a fair number of fallen and rotten trunks on their way to the camp, growling and muttering along the way while taking out her anger as best as she could without making too much damage and Ultear walked behind her, eyes distant as she absently repaired anything of importance that Mira destroyed. There were nine of them in the camp along with two exceeds and Gajeel couldn't help but see the gap where Wendy and Carla should've been.

The fire cracked again, bringing him out of his thoughts and shifting them to where they were going. They were on the train that should've taken them to the side of the continent where dragons were last seen after the funeral. The trip was cut short when one of the conductor on the train mentioned two dragons flew above town barely a day before and headed to the forest. It was closest they were probably going to get to any dragon anytime soon. They needed Acnologia to find the gates to the Underworld and the dragon king might also be willing to help them out further than that.

''What do those books say we need to make this work?'', Jellal asked, his voice seemed surprisingly loud in the silence of the camp. It was a question that didn't truly need an answer since all of them knew more or less what was needed.

Mira sighed, blue eyes shadowed as she turned her eyes from her lap to look at the fire. ''A large source of power, insane amount truth to be told but not unachievable. The body or the soul but with how much time has passed I doubt Natsu would appreciate being revived in a half-rotten corpse so the soul is the best option. An object that can be used as a tie to the Living, something that was important to him while he was alive...''

''It almost sounds simple'' Laxus muttered. ''For a source of power, we will need to get our hands on one of those special crystals used for powering cities if not regions. We could maybe power them ourselves though I doubt that would be possible in any time worth mentioning so we would have to find someone to power it or get one already powered up though I doubt that would be possible. Getting the soul is something we are working on already. An object would be Natsu's scarf if I had to guess but that.. I guess we will get that when we find Acnologia''

''Getting an empty crystal should prove far easier than you think, Laxus'', Jellal spoke up and Ultear nodded, picking up his thoughts. ''A certain king owes us a favor or two''

''It makes me uneasy'', Erza said, lifting her eyes from the sword she was polishing. ''Necromancy shouldn't be this easy. Why aren't people doing it all the time then? It can't be all. The books don't mention paying any sort of price''

''Maybe there isn't any...?'' Happy muttered and Erza sighed, shaking her head. ''No way. A price is there. So horrible the writer doesn't want or dare to mention it. And we will pay for it. There will be no avoiding it''

''Magic is dangerous'', Lucy agreed. ''But I doubt any of us will back down now. We knew what we were getting ourselves into even before we learned what exactly happened the night Natsu died''

Gajeel nodded. ''Agreed. No use scaring us off Erza, no one is going anywhere''

Erza rolled her eyes, the sword in her hand disappearing. ''I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just stating the facts. I know we are all in until the end. We are all far too stubborn for our own good''

Mira gave a bitter smirk. ''That's how it should be''

Igneel released another sigh, his nostrils flaring when Acnologia once more turned and went in the other direction of the Floating Island, now good two days of flying away from them. This was getting them nowhere.

''Do you plan to fly aimlessly until your wings fall off?''

Acnologia snorted. ''I told you yesterday you are free to go back. I need to clear my head''

Igneel rolled his eyes and swung his wings with intent, speeding to fly to Acnologia's right. Acnologia's blue eyes turned to look at him for a brief moment before turning back to look in front of him. ''This is getting old'', Igneel stated dryly before flying in front of him, forcing Acnologia to stop. ''Let's go down, land into the forest and sing the worst off-key song we can think of. I'm sure I can jump to a town and get enough drink to get us at least buzzed and then in the morning we can get back''

Acnologia frowned but before he could respond Igneel continued. ''You are a king in case you've forgotten and we did leave quite suddenly. Poor Himmel is probably losing his mind by now''

A trace of a smile stretched Acnologia's lips at Igneel's words and the red dragon grinned before diving, Acnologia close behind. Igneel passed the clouds with a spin, sparks of fire flying around him as he glided down just in time for Acnologia to pass through them, swapping the hot tendrils of magic with a bat of his wings and a huff of annoyance. ''You know I killed my subjects for less''

''All in the past. And let's be honest, you can't call someone your subject if the only reason you have for that is a self-proclaimed title''

''It's not self-proclaimed. I am the High King''

''Now. Before it was your imagination and only that''

Igneel's eyes swept over the dark forest underneath them, slitted eyes catching the sight of a tendril of smoke that was rising from beneath the trees.

''Humans... this deep in the forest?'' Acnologia spoke, confirming Igneel's thought on whatever he noticed.

''We should turn around'' Igneel muttered, already doing just that when the wind turned direction, blowing towards them and the two dragons stopped. Igneel looked at the king who looked back. It couldn't be a coincidence.

Gajeel tossed a branch into the dying fire. Only he, Laxus and Gray were awake now, the rest sleeping around the fire.

''You think we can do it?'', Gray whispered, dark eye looking curiously at the two dragon slayers.

Laxus nodded with conviction. ''I know we can''

''It will leave a lot of questions to answer, a lot can go wrong but these. We owe him too much to let him go like these. Especially if he's really in Hell''

Gray nodded, turning to look at the fire before looking down at his bare chest, his shirt lost a good while back. Fairy Tail symbol stood proud on his chest. ''It will be worth it'', the ice-mage said adding another branch to the fire. The dragon slayers stayed silent and it took Gray a moment to realize it was because of something else other than not knowing what to say.

Both of them were staring at the sky above them, to their right with a look of pure shock and Gray followed their line of sight but saw nothing. He heard it before he saw them. A sound of clapping thunder, a roar he would remember anywhere, anytime and a moment later the braking of the tree trunks and branches, snapping beneath the weight of two giants. The whole camp was awake now, all standing ready to attack or flee. The gust of wind from the sudden descent put out the campfire leaving them all in the dark. Gajeel and Laxus the only two still capable of seeing precisely who it was that landed in front of them. Long claws gripped the earth, and fangs glistened in the moonlight before tendrils of fire escaped one's mouth making the mages tense to the breaking point.

But no attack came, only light as the dragon light the fallen trees around and underneath the two dragons.

''My, my, my. Of all the humans we could run into'', Igneel started, a smirk playing on his lips. ''What could you possibly be looking for this far into the wilderness?''

The Fairy Tail mages blinked and gaped, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.

''You think we broke them?'', Acnologia asked dryly, staring at the gathered mages before them and when none moved he sighed and in a swirl of black and blue energy his form shrunk and twisted, Igneel following suit quickly. Acnologia in his human form stepped through the remnants of chaos energy and flames, a grin the group reminded far too much of Natsu during more sadistic moments playing on his face and an amused Igneel close behind, stepping next to him.

''Well then, Fairy Tail. A pleasant night, don't you think?''

The end of chapter 73.

It's been a loooong time since I published anything. Loooooooong. In any case, for those wondering; I'M ALIVE. That being said I apologize for the wait but I hope it was worth it. If any of you are not happy with anything, if I wrote something wrong or if unclear do ask because it's been a long time since I wrote this and I'm afraid I might've forgotten some facts. That being said I know this chapter is kind of slow but the next one should get into the thick of things, probably already with the group getting into Underworld and maybe even finding Natsu. I don't have much more to say about this. I hope you all liked the chapter and thank you all for still reading and following these despite the long wait. And as always I wrote this late and any mistakes you point out will be fixed at my earliest convenience. Also, let's see how many of you can guess where I got the name Gallifrey?

Please review and thanks for reading :)

P.s.

About the voting. The story I'll publish next will be SkyrimXWitcher crossover. Mind you it won't be for quite some time and to all those worried about me not writing this because of the other story I can say no need to worry because I'll be writing that only when I don't know what to write here.