Chapter 75:
The sky was a murky gray color, one just dark enough to be considered as a possible sign of rain but light enough to not draw too many eyes up in worry of a storm. Sun was hidden behind the thick curtain of cumulonimbus, not even a ray poking through to break the monotony of the gray nothingness that stretched as far as the eye could see.
And when you were flying on a dragon you could see particularly far. Not that anyone was truly paying attention to the gray sky above. The one or two miles that parted them from the surface was high enough for most mages to only stare in awe-filled silence as they swallowed mile after mile of the forest beneath them in a matter of seconds.
Acnologia shifted his wings, spreading the tips further and rising his left wing and moving to the right, gliding through the sky and doing his best to ignore the sudden shriek as Lucy and Gray almost fell off of their position. This, right here, was probably the most embarrassing situation he ever found himself in. He was Acnologia, the dragon, the black dragon from the book of the apocalypse, the High King of all dragonkind, King of chaos dragons, apprentice to the one of the Original Three. He was freaking Acnologia, the scariest dragon in the last four hundred years. He was not a horse. He was not to be used as over-glorified transportation. Especially not for dozen or so wizards he tried to kill seven years ago – to most of them it had been less than a year. Another gust of wind and the beat of his wings made Ultear almost fell off, another scream loud enough to make his ears hurt even through the rushing wind.
Acnologia released a huff of air through his nose, his eyebrows drawing together. He understood that it was rather uncomfortable for so many people to sit on his back with no way to tie them in spot and the only insurance being the little flying cats who would do their best to catch them before they become pancakes on the forest floor. He understood that but that also made him wish for some understanding from the mages on him. It was not easy to fly this way.
''Can't you be more careful?!'', it would appear that a threat of a painful death erased any sign of politeness from the humans. As if that would actually make him pay attention to their constant complaining the angry purple-haired mage punched his scales. It did not hurt, truth to be told – he barely felt it. It did, however, make him scowl even harder and, in a fit of childish anger someone only as old as he was would find funny, he took a sudden dive.
''My apologies, turbulences are such a terrible thing,'' Acnologia said dryly when he finally steadied his flying, noting to his immense displeasure that every last one of the blasted humans managed to hold on. He had no wish to kill them – and there was a silent yet added to that thought when Ultear slammed another punch into his scales – but they were testing his patience.
''Are you trying to kill us?!'', Erza screamed at him, half looking at the forest bellow them and half trying to see his face.
''If I was trying to kill you you'd know that by now,'' Acnologia informed them and before anyone had thought to complain or even do more then open their mouths the king continued. ''Now cease your needless shrieking and screaming and punching and complaining. Are you under the impression I'm not careful? It is not as easy as you seem to think to fly as evenly as I've been doing. Another complaint about it and you'll need another dragon willing to play horse with you''
That actually seemed to silence them. Acnologia blinked and with a smirk just shy of evil retreated the magic he released back into his core, feeling a smug smile stretch his lips across his teeth.
''What do you want?'', to say the giant in front of him was intimidating would be an understatement as his voice echoed around the cavern louder than it should be possible. Than again Natsu was not all that easily intimidated and it never made him stop in his tracks.
''Nothing,'' Natsu simply responded, knowing as he looked up at the giant in the half-dark of the cavern his eyes would glint red. The giant saw it, and he huffed through his nose, moving his tail restlessly. ''Demons don't just come here to look at the Gates of Hell for nothing. I'll ask again, what do you want? Or do I have to send your tiny arse flying back to your Circle?''
Natsu crossed his arms over his chest and raised his chin, piercing eyes settling on the Gatekeeper. The grey-skinned demon was easily taller than Fairy Tail's old guildhall and the long lion tail held the odd spark under a certain angle, like the tuft at the end would catch on fire in any second. Blue eyes looked at Natsu's red and the dead dragon prince couldn't help but notice the similarity in the shade of blue of the larger demon's eyes. ''You're contracted under Hades?''
The Gatekeeper snorted, ''What if I am? You're contracted under Ankhseram. It changes nothing. Go away''
''Are we not allowed to be here? I haven't been dead all that long – I think – but I was under the impression we can go anywhere we want from First to Eighth Circle''
The Giant scowled, glaring at him as his tail once again moved and he moved his hooved feet before sitting down, back facing the gate. ''You are allowed to be here. I will not tolerate any shenanigans though. You'll fly to the Eight Circle so fast you won't know what hit you''
Natsu resisted the urge to roll his eyes, settling on just giving the giant an unimpressed stare. ''Sure I will''
The Gatekeeper jutted out his chin. ''You don't think I could do it?''
''Sure you could,'' and really, there was something surprisingly unsettling in a smile of the red-eyed demon.
''Why are you here?''
''Honestly,'' Natsu spoke, eyes turning to the gate behind the demon who tensed. He wasn't sure how to explain it. He couldn't get away from his thoughts. What Lilith said, what Ankhseram said. The whole point of being a dragon, how much it hurt to get to that point and what did he have to show for it? He wondered if Acnologia even knew he killed him, how much did he know, how much did Zeref know? How far he went the first time he died just to bring him back and now he was dead again. Will Zeref do something? He wasn't sure he wanted to know. It felt odd, being so out of the loop of a world that wasn't truly his own anymore. But watching the Gates, he felt closer to it so maybe, when the time comes for the people he knew to die, maybe some of them will walk through those doors and he will be able to catch a glimpse or scent of someone out there who once cared about him. Why was he here? ''It felt right''
The Gatekeeper stared at him for what felt like a long time but couldn't have been more than a few seconds. And he must have seen something because he leaned back, resting his spine on the walls of the cavern, relaxed in the presence of a demon. The Gatekeeper looked back at Natsu, eyeing the long tail, the horns, and the wings clasped on his back. The white skin and the red eyes and black scales and underneath, through to the black core, Curse stronger than anything he felt before. The Gatekeeper relaxed, he knew the young demon was honest, he wouldn't try anything. But he also wondered if the demonized dragon tried something would he have enough time to banish him before he was rendered unconscious.
The doors were a most impressive sight indeed. The heavy frame, two-foot thick, stood in the air perfectly still, no wall around it nor a room behind it. Skeletal figures joined hands around the handle, chains binding the morbid doors. Skulls stared down at them, skulls larger than Acnologia's head, the black macabre holes seemed to stare at them. That feeling of being watched so profound it made Arthur's hair raise, covering his skin in goosebumps. He remembered once when he and Annie managed to talk Natsu into describing the doors and he remembered his father's disgruntled face as he retrieved a sheet of paper and made a crude drawing of the doors, explaining the feeling and the colors in a way that made Arthur think he was exaggerating. But he wasn't. He wasn't even telling everything. Natsu made no mention of the fog that seemed to enter his lungs like poison, thick and heavy in a way that made his clothes damp and his hair limp just by staying there.
Something moved in the corner of his eye and he jumped, turning widely only to see nothing. The others were just as edgy as he was and his jump made everyone turn. Only Acnologia reminded calm or at least appeared calm, his head lowering through the fog and appearing like a phantom. ''Where are we?'', Gray finally asked, licking his dry lips as he glanced back at the doors.
''In the forest,'' came Acnologia's dry reply and the mages frowned. ''That's not what I mean. Are this the gates to hell?''
Acnologia raised his head, once again only leaving the dark outline as it disappeared in the fog. ''No, these are the gates to the place between mortal plane and Ausul''
''Lurioa,'' Gajeel muttered looking at the doors and uttering the word slowly, letting it roll down his tongue as heavy as lead and sour something fierce. It seemed like a lifetime ago when Natsu spoke of this place. ''Ah,'' Acnologia almost sounded pleased but it could've just as well been annoyance without his face in clear sight to gauge. ''The little slayer knows''
Gajeel's eye thicked, not appreciating the patronizing tone. ''Does this means we're close?'', Mira decided to speak, turning the attention to the important. Everyone was on edge, and she had no wish to stay in this place any longer than it was needed.
''Fairy close... sure''
Another shadow caught Laxus' eye and the wizard jumped staring widely at the empty space. Someone was there. Or something. Again Acnologia's head lowered closer to the ground, his teeth sharp and glinting in a dangerous grin. ''You won't find anything so don't bother,'' he looked around before finally moving towards the doors. The chains binding the doors together groaned and squealed and with each step closer loosened and the doors slowly moved. ''Pick up your spine from the floor and move,'' the dragon king instructed and entered the darkness that seemed to reach out of the doors, whisps mixing with the white fog and within seconds the dragon king was out of their sights. ''Today!'', his voice boomed and the group scrambled after him, ignoring everything inside them that told them to run the other way and never look back.
The interior was no less appealing than the outside, Arthur concluded. It was even worse and a part of him wanted to crawl into the shadows and stay there. A warm hand sneaked into his own and he almost shrieked, looking quickly down to look at Annie's apologetic face as she gave a reassuring squeeze. ''Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you... this place just – ''
''Try to keep it down. Many ears are on us,'' Acnologia spoke, his usually booming voice abandoned for a softer tone that still seemed to echo around them. ''Who will hear us?'', Ultear looked around, her eyes turning to Annie and Arthur, not for the first time dismayed she let them come along despite knowing there was little she could've done to make them stay in Magnolia other than outright tying them down. Laughter echoed around them, shrill and loud and mad. ''My, my, my!'', one voice shrieked. ''A long time, dragon king, it has been!''
''Still, remember us, do you?'', another asked.
''Let's hurry,'' Acnologia growled, glaring into the darkness as the laughter continued and the group moved towards the center of the Nest.
''Whisperers?'', Lucy wondered out loud as eyes watched them from the darkness, blinking and laughing. Acnologia paused, looking behind. ''Yes... How do you know that?''
''Heard of us, these humans have!'', A voice joined in delight and Lucy grimaced. ''Natsu... mentioned them''
''Should've known'', Acnologia muttered, looking around the cavern and the eyes blinking at them from the darkness. His stomach twisted as it always had when walking through this place, a sense of foreboding and something-bad-is-about-to-happen screaming in his mind that despite his efforts went back to the times past, a situation so similar yet so different. A twisted sense of déjà vu that followed after him like bad smell ever since landing into the fog and he couldn't decide whether it was because of this place or the fact that it truly was hitting too close to home.
Lurioa was endless, Acnologia knew that, large caverns and hallways that lead to new caverns that twisted and turned, not always following common sense. The rooms that were sometimes there and sometimes not, some seemingly appearing and disappearing as it struck their fancy while others appeared only on special dates and days. Nothing really made sense despite the fact it followed rules written eons ago. The center of Lurioa was the center only in name for it was far too large for anyone but maybe gods to know of the true center but it did lead down to the gates of Hell. Despite its reputation, Acnologia doubted any of the smaller demons and wraiths would make any move other than occasional comment or laughter. As long as he was there anyway. They had nothing to worry about until they reached Castle Hell and the Underworld.
A shriek so loud it left Arthur's ears ringing and his hearth racing echoed in the cavern and every last mage jumped at the horrific noise that was followed by the clanking of iron and stone, laughter and maddened giggling while the pained shriek was followed by gleeful howls and more shrieking. Arthur looked around widely, hands already half-turned to shadows as he tried to find the source of the noise. Acnologia grunted above them, the only one who didn't so much as twitch at the sudden noise. ''Don't worry. They won't attack you while I'm here. Just don't stray far. I won't be turning back for someone's corpse''
And if those words were meant to reassure them then they did a very poor job and Arthur rubbed his hand along his other forearm, wondering if his skin will get stuck in the permanent goosebumps. His heart beat loudly in his ears, sounding ready to jump out of his throat at another sudden noise. His eyes strayed up towards Acnologia, the dragon's steps were slow and surprisingly silent for someone so large, the claws scraping along the rocks below them, pressing into the rocks that were twisting in place to adjust to his feet. The feathered wings wore loosely closed, not truly pressed against the body but slightly raised in a way he recalled Natsu doing when he wanted to appear bigger and more threatening.
''Why are you raising your wings like that when you're in your dragon form?'', Arthur remembered asking curiously a while after seeing the dragon hiding inside the skin of a human for the first time. Natsu had paused in his answering, obviously thinking how to approach it in order to make it understandable to someone who never truly experienced having wings.
''It's instinctual,'' he had answered, his voice slightly distant in a way it always was when talking about things he hadn't really considered before or hadn't thought about in a long time. ''Why does a cat bristle? Why do you puff out your chest? It's a way of intimidation. A way to present yourself as a threat''
Arthur had stared at him somewhat shocked he actually received a real answer, a one so far from what he expected as well. It took him a moment to register what Natsu had told him and he remembered when a laugh escaped his lips before he could stop it and the way Natsu looked at him after it. That twitch of the eyebrow he had when someone dear to him annoyed him and the half-hearted glare of someone who knew he could stop the act but didn't care enough. ''You... You just – you just compared yourself to a house cat?!''
Arthur shooked his head, feeling sad despite the happy memory. He and Annie brought him a cat a few days later, teasing him that now he won't be the only one bristling in the house. The cat ran out of the house before it truly managed to get in and Arthur and Annie walked around Magnolia for a month without eyebrows but it was worth it. To see that incredulous face, completely surprised someone dared to actually do that. Arthur liked to think moments like that were as dear to Natsu as they were to him.
He sighed, eyes searching the cursed place for any sign of their destination or that they were coming closer. It was growing hotter, to the point where his back was drenched in sweat and his already damn hair was now dripping. That could be a sign, Arthur reasoned. And so could be the giant archway that was standing between two marble pillars. A silvery cloth covered the archway, waving in a breeze no one else could feel.
''Is this it?'', Gajeel asked, drawing a hand over his forehead, trying to stop the sweat from falling into his eyes.
''This is it,'' Acnologia acknowledged, his own skin showing no sign of the heat that felt like it was boiling them from inside out. ''Anyone having second thoughts?'', there was a slight undertone to the the question, the edge that showed that that was not really a question.
''Wouldn't be here if we had them,'' Gray said, his voice surprisingly steady despite the circumstances. He seemed to be the only one not bothered by the heat aside from Acnologia, his own magic likely cooling him. Arthur licked his dry lips, wishing they still had some water left and realizing how unprepared he felt despite everything. Acnologia looked at them one more time before his form twisted and shrunk, followed by the horrible noise of breaking bones and tearing skin. A minute later he ran his hand through his white hair before scratching his blue-marked cheek. His icy blue eyes didn't turn towards them nor did he offer any piece of wisdom or word of advice before he promptly jumped through the archway, once again disappearing in a second of passing through.
Arthur swallowed and gave a weak smile to Annie who was still clutching his hand. ''On three?'', he asked her and the younger Smith sibling responded with a nervous giggle of her own and a shaky nod.
''Three!'', the two jumped after Acnologia without another thought, not witnessing the struck and dumbfounded expressions of their companions or the sudden thickening of the shadows as the king of dragons left the mages on their own.
''Alone they are!'', a voice screamed gleefully and a skeletal hand reached out from the shadows followed by another, and another. ''At least! At least!''
Ultear jumped away from one hand, tearing out the edge of her pants out of the grasp of another. ''Go!'' There was no time to think. No time to argue. No time to go back. The eyes that watched them from the distance disappeared, with each blink appearing several feet closer, closing in quickly as the noise intensified and the laughing and shrieking and howling became unbearable. The ground shock underneath their feet when Ultear jumped through, the rock breaking and shattering as something moved underneath it. Erza and Jellal stayed behind the last, pushing back the reaching horrors as the others jumped through the archway. Something large and black broke through the rock, the skin looking like made of oil as it dripped above them but neither of the two remaining mages stood around to truly see what it was before Jellal jumped through pulling Erza after him painfully aware of how close the gaping jaws of the monster behind them came to closing around them.
The two crashed hard into another rocky floor, the silence of the place deafening after the uproar in Lurioa. Erza scrambled to sit up, clutching in white-knuckled grip her sword as her breathing refused to steady itself and her heart thumped in her ears. A hand came in front of her and she lashed out, mouth open and eyes wide as she moved the sword towards the body only to stop a moment later when her eyes met with Lucy's startled expression. She fell back on the ground with a thump, the sword falling from her suddenly limp fingers.
''Are you alright?'', Lucy asked quietly resting a hand on Titania's shoulder. Erza nodded after a moment, eyes turning to Jellal who was already standing, his dark eyes searching over her for any sign of injury. ''I.. I am. Just... It was...''
''Yea...'', Ultear agreed in understanding, saving the other woman from talking further. Erza gave a weak smile, climbing to her own feat. ''Yea''
''What happened?'', Arthur asked, eyes searching over the group that seemed surprisingly shaken. They weren't apart for more than a minute.
''Those.. things jumped at us when Acnologia left,'' Mira elaborated and as if only now remembering the dragon king she turned around, eyes locking on his bored expression. ''We almost died! How could you just leave us there?!''
Acnologia raised an eyebrow, gesturing towards the archway they went through that was now several feet of the ground, floating above everything. ''I did tell you to stay close''
Mira huffed, mouth opening to respond but Laxus jumped into the conversation before she could say anything. ''Are those...?''
The rest followed his finger to the doors standing behind Acnologia and the dragon king nodded, not even turning around. He obviously knew it was there. ''Mortals, welcome to Hell'', Acnologia spoke, his voice mocking as he took a step to the side and gestured to the black door just as heavily decorated as those that led to Lurioa though missing the skeletons and chains. The tension in the air rose sharply, almost unnaturally so. ''Well... that was one of the most cliché sentences I have ever heard,'' Gray spoke, his voice a quiet chuckle. Jellal saw what the ice mage tried to do and he let himself smirk despite how much effort he needed to put to pull his lips up. Behind those doors was the most horrible place in... anywhere. Hell was the definition of bad. It slammed into him again, as he stood in front of those doors. They were the first living, breathing people that ever walked these... caverns? The heat was unbearable here, making his already jumpy nerves even worse. He couldn't imagine how Natsu must feel. Is the heat as unbearable to dead as it is to the living? Is it worse? Better? Dear lord... they were entering Hell. How big is it? How will they find Natsu? Is there someone they could... ask? Like a reception? Maybe a doorman? Jellal pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting back the headache. Now he was being ridiculous. They were not entering a bloody hotel!
Acnologia was moving, Jellal realized, and so were the rest of their group. He hurried after them, not willing to repeat the episode from earlier. One oily, nightmare snake was enough, thank you very much. And it once again made him remember where exactly they were going.
Acnologia was the first to reach the doors, standing in front of them, eyes searching over the surface before he looked up and down their length.
''They are not opening,'' Happy felt the need to point out the obvious and was glared at for his trouble. Acnologia sighed, shaking his head and looking back at the doors again. He was never this deep in the Underworld, the archway they passed was the last familiar thing in this plane. It felt unnatural to be here. In a way that made every instinct he had as a dragon telling him to leave. Not out of fear. He didn't feel fear from being here. There was nothing to fear for him. But it didn't feel right. ''Well...'', Acnologia spoke at length when the silence became unbearable and the buzzing in his ears deafening. ''We haven't knocked''
''Wha -?'', the other exceed started only to stop as Acnologia sent a fist-sized ball of chaos energy into the doors. The looks of pure shock and horror weren't even half-formed before it connected, the explosion sending gusts of wind rising and the eons-old dust rose, washing over them like a curtain. The sound of squealing metal made them look up despite the dust still rising and stinging their eyes. The doors were not even dented but were, in fact, glowing a subtle red, runes showing over the metal even as the doors opened. ''Huh...'', Laxus muttered in wonder, ''It worked. That actually worked''
Acnologia stared at the doors as well, a slight quirk in his lips. 'Who would've thought?'
The explosion on the other side of the doors made the Gatekeeper jump to his hooved feet. The dark beady eyes went wide as he turned to look at the doors in utter shock. That was... what was that?! His clawed hand rose to the key around his neck as the red runes sprung to life over the doors. Someone was actually trying to force an entry into Hell. Who in Nine Hells would do that?! He had dealt with demons trying to get out, sure, but to actually try to get in. A deafening wail sounded around them a sound the Gatekeeper never heard before but knew exactly what it was. Every demon and soul in Hell now knew someone was trying to come in. ''Has this happened before?'', Natsu's voice made the Gatekeeper spun around even as the doors behind him started opening.
''No,'' the older demon spoke slowly, unsure what to make of the opening doors and the screeching metal. The gusts of wind rose the dust around them and the Gatekeeper's eyes widened at the small group of people standing there. With the force behind that blast, he expected a small army. This was only a handful of humans. What did they hope to gain in attacking Hell? Natsu seemed the have an inkling of an idea because his stoic face twitched, eyes widening a fraction and his mouth opening. For a moment no sound came out but as the white-haired man stepped forward and towards the open archway he found his voice. The next thing that left his mouth made the Gatekeeper freeze.
''Father?''
Blue eyes snapped up towards the figure draped in shadows, towards the familiar shape of the eyes that were wide in shock and wonder. The color was wrong, the shape odd and different but the stance and his shoulders were set the same, the size the same, and Acnologia knew, despite barely seeing more than an outline.
''Natsu?!''
The Gatekeeper moved quickly, his hand rising and his fingers twisting in a sign, a growl escaping his lips. Whatever this was the demon behind him was the reason and he will not tolerate this intrusion into his domain. ''You don't belong here!'', he proclaimed and whether he was talking to the dead dragon prince or to the group that was moving towards the gate no one knew as Natsu's form burst into flames. The Gatekeeper snarled at the tiny forms beneath his feet that now stopped, every last one looking at him as if only now noticing him, which was ridiculous considering his size. Natsu disappeared, a startled denial echoing behind him and the vicious snarl of the Gatekeeper stopped the Fairy Tail mages in their tracks.
Arthur stared at the spot in shock, unable to move as the devastation hit him like a ton of bricks. His hopes soared when Acnologia spoke to the shape behind the giant. He dared to hope it would be this easy. But now Natsu was nowhere to be found and Acnologia looked ready to burn the giant to the ground.
''Where is he?!'', Acnologia shouted at the giant who lowered his head closer to the ground, obviously preparing for the attack. ''What did you do?!''
Something warm and wet slipped down Arthur's cheek and he realized with a start he was crying. Natsu was here. They saw him. He was dead yet they saw him. He spoke. He was right there. And now he was not. It made him feel crushed inside.
''I sent him back to his Circle,'' the Gatekeeper responded, his booming voice made Arthur look up. ''You are not dead. Yet''
Arthur frowned at the obvious threat. ''I will give you one chance to walk out of here! Walk out or abandon all hope of ever leaving! One cha –''
A flash of lightning was all the warning he got before Laxus' fist slammed into the side of his head, the force behind the blow enough to make him stumble to the side, more out of shock than actual pain. ''Save your breath. We're not leaving without Natsu''
The Gatekeeper stared in shock at the disrespect, eyes narrowing a second later into a dangerous glare as his lips pulled back, showing sharp fangs. ''So be it''
Natsu stumbled as the fire around him disappeared, the burned on his skin healing in seconds. He looked up, eyes still wide and a second later his knees gave out and he gasped. Why? Why? Why? The question spun in circles in his head. Why are they here?! Who else was there, how many? He saw dozen people behind Acnologia but he didn't manage to name them all before the Gatekeeper sent him away. He forced his thoughts to calm down feeling as if he was pushing against a train for a brief moment before the worlds stopped spinning and snapped back into focus.
'Concentrate Natsu', he told himself, pulling his legs beneath himself before stumbling to his feet. He felt dazed, like he got hit in the head. 'They are here because of you. There's no use telling myself otherwise. The fools', a smirk stretched his lips as he looked around, pausing as his eyes met with Lilith's own red ones. ''You know what's going on,'' Lilith spoke, her voice stern as she watched as his expression changed to a stoic, emotionless mask, perfect and deadly. She knew that face, having seen it every time he entered the Torture chambers and exited them. Seeing it now, it spelled trouble. She wasn't asking, she knew as well what was going on. ''You know I can't let you leave with them. No one will let you. The Supreme know, and they will interfere if they deem it necessary. You won't get far''
Natsu's face didn't so much as twitch, his eyes blank as he cocked his head to the side. ''You seem to be under the impression you can stop me from reaching them''
''You can't use your Void,'' Lilith said, her voice rising slightly as she realized just how quickly this could escalate. She could feel the twisting power around them, the waking of the demons in this circle the moving. The Hell was in this moment like a giant beehive someone poked with a stick. Those mages had no idea what they did. But Natsu didn't seem concerned. Then again this was one of those moments when he didn't seem anything. ''I know,'' his voice was cold and clipping. ''You think I can't feel the way the dimensions locked when those doors opened?''
Lilith sighed, glancing around. Natsu likely knew how dangerous this was. He probably couldn't care less about what happened to him. What he did care about were the humans that entered into the plane of the dead. With that thought Lilith knew not much will be able to stop him from reaching them and making sure they leave safe and alive. But a demon should not help the living and whether or not Natsu actually planned to try and escape did not matter. Others will not look kindly on an insult like that. Blood will be spilled and no matter how powerful Natsu is, Hell was a large place and it had many demons. ''You are not getting any further than this. I draw the line here, Natsu. If you stay down you might avoid the torture and punishment''
Her replay came in a form of a sinister, fanged smile and in a second Natsu crossed the distance between them, claws raised and ready to strike. Lilith's eyes widened at the speed, her own reflexes saving her from losing a limb as she dived to the side, Natsu's claws cutting through the floor and leaving a long mark as he jumped back and flipped around, sending a ball of swirling black and red at Lilith. ''You truly think I will just stand by and let them die? Besides, Lilith, you seem to underestimate the group. My Father's not going down easily''
Lilith's eyes widened in shock. Acnologia was here as well? This was... she wasn't sure what to think of this. No one probably was. A dragon attacking Hell? King at that... could this mean another war?!
And in the Ninth circle, watching everything as they always did, the Gods of Hell laughed in joy at the chaos.
End of chapter 75.
This was more difficult to write than I thought it would be. Since the last time I published a chapter the number of views passed one million! I can't even begin to tell you how amazing that is to me. Thank you. One giant thank you. Thank you all for your reviews, thank you for all the favorites, followers. Everything, you guys are amazing, I read the reviews and I try to answer them to the best of my ability. To see such a large number in a story I never thought I would even write for this long.. It makes me smile every time I think of this. I can't express my gratitude through these words. One giant THANK YOU, all of you. That being said I hope you liked the chapter. Any mistake you notice feel free to point out. It's been a while since I wrote about some of this stuff so I'm sorry if there are some holes in the story and I would greatly appreciate you pointing them out. Some of you asked me if I planned on continuing the rewrite I started some time ago, the answer is yes. I'm writing several chapters to make sure they all make sense once I publish the rewritten chapters. I'll try to update before Christmas this time so hold your fingers crossed, but don't hope too much. I have a tendency to think how I'll update real soon and then I barely touch my keyboard for months.
Please review and thanks for reading : )
P.s.
Any of you played Dishonored? I think you might like this story:
Diplomatic Gestures written by Aicosu
(She didn't have need for an assassin, but she couldn't very well reject the gift without angering the Serkonos regency. They were a traditional people with a traditional mind. She'd have to work around it. (A take on how Corvo Attano came to be the Royal Protector and the object of Jessamine's heart.) CorvoXJessamine mute!Corvo)