The sun was beginning to set, but the sky was no bright scene of orange and red; it was dark. The stars, that were normally bright enough to see around this time, were obscured by dark low hanging clouds. Cold gusts of wind came in as it began to drizzle.
"Man, it's getting cold," Lucy shivered. She looked further to their scarlet leader whose pace had not slowed since they left.
"There'll be a storm tonight," Mirajane commented. A bolt of lightning rolled overhead, lighting the dark cloud from the inside.
"We should move faster," Erza said without looking back. She understood that they were behind of Ifrit. Her talk with Happy took a lot more time than she expected, though it didn't feel like it. But this trot they were moving at was killing her patience, and she was never one to falter around. It was more than probable that the group was slowing her down, accommodating for everyone's speed.
She tightened her sword to her waist, readying herself when she heard rustling ahead. Her hand shot back, stopping her entourage. They crept forward slowly, approaching the noise when Levi let out a cry.
"Gajeel!" she sprung forth from the group.
Gajeel looked miserable. His clothes were torn up, and his lip had a cut that bled down his face carelessly. He propped himself up against a tree with one arm, and seemed to be heading in the same direction as them.
Levi froze. He didn't even glance back at her. She strolled around him cautiously to look at his face.
Blank. He looked nearly unconscious, save for his dimly open eyes and ragged breathing.
Erza looked to the side, finding a long clearing of trees that were snapped at its base. They all seemed to be broken at the same height so she assumed something had thrown him through them.
Gajeel attempted to shuffle forward but crashed against the stump. Levi immediately went to assist him, her emotions welling up in gasps. She thought he began to reach for her, stretching out desperately, but it clasped onto the earth and proceeded to drag his limp body forward.
"Sala-" he choked, "mander…." Erza's mind snapped alert. Before she realized it, she was sliding to his side next to Levi.
Levi began to sob, "Gajeel! What happened?" She tried to shake him to his senses but he was already beginning to fall unconscious again.
"Gajeel, focus! You said Salamander?!" Erza interrogated.
Gajeel's dim eyes took one look at Erza, "Sala-" A large exhale came out as his struggle ended; his sleeping body resting in Levi's arms.
Erza stared at his face grasped in Levi's arms for a moment, processing what he was trying to say. Maybe he was just delusional.
"Why did he just call Natsu?" Lucy asked softly, sliding down to her knees beside them. She sat with her hands in her lap, watching Levi pour her emotions out over the iron dragon slayer. Mirajane was now near as well, surveying Gajeel and his injuries.
"It doesn't seem he was wounded that badly, save for a serious bruise on his cheek and this cut on his lip. He'll be fine, Levi, he's strong. Stay with him until someone comes for you." Mirajane said. Levi simply nodded in agreement.
Erza's eyes finally focused as she turned to look at Lucy who was still searching for some answer to her question. She rose to her feet, staring off into the thickening forest. It was only another five minutes to Province if she was alone.
"I'll be back, Levi. I'll return with help," Mirajane assured.
"Lucy, go with Mirajane in case any trouble arrives," Erza said to her directly. "I'll find Gray and the others."
Lucy could see how much trust Erza was offering and obeyed without question. "Be safe, Erza," she said softly as she took off with Mirajane.
After she watched them leave, Erza turned back towards Province. She fastened her sword-
"Erza."
She spun back to Levi. Gajeel had awoken and his large hand was latched onto her ankle.
"Salamander," his low voice dipped, "he's… alive."
Her heart leapt outward, increasing its pace to an almost unbearable speed. She kneeled once again, "Are you sure?" her words falling out of her mouth. She felt as if she was scrambling to breath, and was drowning in the anticipation, "It could have been Ifrit. He left for Province this morning."
His eyes fell to the side. She could see he was questioning himself. His memory must be foggy after taking such a beating. But why had he fought Ifrit at all?
Erza sighed, sounding sourly disappointed, as she lifted herself back to her feet. "Take care."
Without another word she disappeared through the trees, leaving Levi with Gajeel in her arms. His dull eyes looking past Levi's face at the dark clouds and its rolling lights.
"I fought him… around noon… what time is it?" he asked.
Levi considered stroking his hair, but he would have taken that offensively. "It's almost six," she replied, waiting for his eyes to acknowledge her. He grunted softly before she felt his weight shift off her.
"What're you doing?" she protested, her hands taking hold of his large shoulders.
"Are you gonna help me or not?" He growled, struggling to his feet. "Salamander- he needs my help."
"How do you know that?"
"I just do," he said under his breath. His foot moved forward, but his body fell to the side. Instantly Levi was supporting him.
"Alright," she replied. "If this is what you want… I'll help you." She finally felt content as he was looking directly down at her. His eyes traced the contour of her face before nodding.
"You believe me?" Gajeel asked in disbelief.
Levi's logical mind began to turn, thinking back to when she collapsed in Magnolia. "This morning was the first time I saw Ifrit, well kinda. He was wearing a hoodie, so I couldn't really see his face only his jawline. It sounds ridiculous, but he did resemble Natsu. There's no way he could have learned my name and be able to recognize me."
Gajeel seemed to be following along, nodding occasionally as they traversed.
"Is it possible Natsu has been with us all along?" Levi wondered.
He grunted softly, "This Ifrit guy, is he the spiky red head?"
"Yup. From what I've heard," she smiled, "he's an average height guy with the said description. But he does have a strong taste for destruction and dreadful fighting styles, coming from Province."
"Hmph. I ran into him once. Smells like Salamander."
She giggled lightly. Finding Gajeel lightened her mind, and having a deep discussion with her made her heart flutter. "It's like Ifrit is a duplicate of Na-"
"Ugh, what's wrong?" He peered down at her.
"I think I've read something like this somewhere… Ifrit has Natsu's chaotic nature and the ability to use fire-based magic, but he hasn't demonstrated Natsu's humor or energy. I heard he's really dull and apathetic, but he has some soft spot for Fairy Tail and our friends."
"What does that mean?"
"Ifrit could be Natsu… Or the other way around, I'm not positive."
Earlier…
The sound of shattering glass went off as an ice spear shot through the window beside Natsu. Things were not going as Natsu had planned, finding that his magic levels were lowered from his encounter with Gajeel. Their battle had not been as climatic as some may expect, but it had drained quite a bit of energy to keep up with his fellow dragon slayer mage.
He rolled out of his cover and made a beeline for the other side of the room. He flipped away a table that caught a spear in its center. Lucky for him because that one would have planted into his shoulder or neck. More spears whizzed by, one nearly clipping him as he approached the wall and smashed through with a tight fist and streak of flames. A cloud of dirt arose and the spears stopped soaring.
"Lizard boy is a coward," Gray mocked, smacking his fist against a palm.
"Nah, just wearing you down," Natsu replied cockily. He was now right beside Gray and snagged one of his elbows, dragging him to face.
Natsu's arm began to encase in ice, creeping up to his shoulder then neck. One of his fists planted against Gray's ribcage, knocking out his wind. Natsu pivoted and threw a wild kick that landed square in his chest. He enjoyed this combo a little too much.
Gray flew thirty meters, unable to recover without his breath. He was stopped by the wall of the spire, smashing into it the shape of his body on impact.
The ice on Natsu's arm melted as his fire encircled him. A much weaker fire than he usually generates, but he was already nearing his limit and was on 'conserve mode.'
Kicking himself out of his crevice, Gray's eyebrows twitched irritably. "Ice-make: ice swords!" Two long swords as long as he was tall rose from his hands. Made entirely of ice, it was sharp enough to destroy the building behind Natsu as his strike missed its mark. Natsu dodged under two more swings, inches away from decapitation. He had never fought Gray like this before. He retreated back, jumping to a rooftop. 'Conserve mode' was not going to help him here. Gray, like Gajeel, seemed intent on killing him.
"Ah, I found it! Your weakness, Natsu!" Gray proudly announced. "You're not comfortable with this fighting style are you? As long as I keep things fresh," An evil grin split from ear to ear, "You can't keep up."
"You insult me, Gray…" Natsu replied cockily, though Gray was right. When it came to fighting, Natsu was the quickest and most detailed learner there ever was. But he never expected to fight Gray like this. "Underestimating me after all these years? Hah! I invite you to test your little idea, first hand!" He rolled one shoulder while he waved Gray in with his other hand. Nothing happened. Gray hadn't moved and seemed to have a rigid, frozen look in his eyes…
"Icebringer!"
Natsu sprung upwards with a blast of fire. The roof caved in as he departed, revealing Gray's position behind him. He had created an ice dummy and ambushed him. A cheap trick.
Gray tossed his swords aside and prepared again, "Ice Geyser!" A tower shot up to Natsu with Gray atop.
Natsu flipped back, "Fire Dragon: Roar!" The fire rolled over and out his mouth, blasting the top of the tower. As it cleared, Gray released the shield of ice he created. In his hand was a great long bow.
"Scared, yet?" he asked. Drawing back the bow, a bright blue light shined from his hand. "Ice-make: Super freeze arrow."
Natsu had just used his fire breath, and could feel the fire inside him begin to lower but he had no choice, "Fire Dragon: Roar!" The weak fire met the arrow, slowing it down tremendously, but it shot through and exploded into a beaming ray of light. The flash blinded Gray temporarily, though he raised an arm against it, and faded away after a period of time.
Below, there was a large rupture in the street where Natsu lay in the rubble. He was shaking as he swayed to his feet. Blood now dripped from his scalp to his ear. His chest was covered in shards of ice. Mixed in with the scraps and marks he received from Gajeel, he was a total wreck but didn't have any serious wounds yet; just a tremendous drop in magic levels.
"We're friends… Gray," Natsu mumbled. "We're brothers!"
Gray looked sternly upon him. He raised one fist to his ear and stretched an arm outward. In a low voice he whispered, "Ice-make: ice cannon." The new weapon generated on his shoulder as he took aim at Natsu once again.
"It's because you're my brother… that I'm not going to hold back!" Red fires surrounded Natsu, "You can't stay here any longer! We're going home!" The flame built to nearly thirteen feet, taking the shape of a dragon's head before he took a deep inhale, "Fire Dragon: Roar!"
His fire breath was now nearly three times as large, swelling in an exponential fashion towards Gray as he fired his arm cannon. The cannonball hurled into the fires, but they only grew stronger. A sharp pitch went off as it was sent back twice as strong. It blasted through his tower where he stood.
Gray leapt off the peak, "Ice-make: Death Scythe!" A long handle shot out from his hand, angled sideways and continued until it formed a huge blade. He was dropping quickly above Natsu and cocked back to swing.
Natsu knelt low and sprung directly into Gray, "Fire Dragon: Crushing Fang!" His fiery fists clashed against Gray's massive swing. The sheer noise of their competing magic made their ears ring to the point of pain. There was a moment where Gray seemed to be looking at Natsu satisfied, then displayed a peaceful smile. A second after, Gray's ice-make crumbled in his hands.
Natsu was stunned when Gray's guard lowered. As both elements faded away, they were sustained in midair. He took this opening, flipped over and mounted Gray. He wrapped his legs around his upper body and planted one hand on his chest, supported by his other.
"I will save you Gray! I promise you!" Natsu cried as his fiery emotions fueled his energy. Gray's eyes widened as they found the golden slits of a dragon's gaze, "Fire Dragon: Grip Strike!" This explosion at a distance could decimate a building, but point-blank could finish nearly anybody. If one thing was for certain in Natsu's mind then, it was Gray could pull through. Yet, he still held back. It was a low-moan explosion that created its own blast wave, shattering windows of the buildings below.
As the blast dissipated Gray's body went limp; his arms and head fell back, surrendering to gravity's pull. Natsu took Gray's limp body from his legs and swept him onto his side. They landed back on the ground as the ice geyser shattered into bits of ice and water.
Natsu lowered his exhausted comrade. Gray was out cold. His body was painted red from the burns but his neck-up was unscathed.
In the same instant he realized his own condition. He collapsed to one knee, his breath coming in heaves. The fire in him felt like nothing more than the kindling of a campfire. Much different than the inferno that lived inside him.
He rested his neck as his blood trickled towards his chin and dripped onto the cobble stone road. It was a diluted red from the sweat that covered his body. It was slightly comforting though. Ignoring the pain, the strong winds that were building soothed his heated body and calmed his mind.
"This is not the time to sleep, Salamander!" a voice boomed.
Natsu, like scraping the bottom of the bowl for food, scraped for energy as he rose to his feet to see his possibly next opponent. To his relief, it was George. He crashed back to a sit, and fell back.
Dark clouds had begun to conceal the sky and seemed to be off its natural course, circling the spire he had fought to reach. The sun was hidden, but it's light revealed its position, now nearing the horizon.
"Why am I Salamander now?" Natsu asked meekly. Irritated by the fact that George wasn't calling him by his name. The only thing that stopped him from telling George was the voice. Constantly screaming warnings, and ushering him refrain George from reaching Loneila.
"Your friend, Gajeel you called him, named you Salamander." George replied in his husky tone.
"How the hell did you get here without a single scratch?" Natsu voiced, clearly upset from all the trouble he had gone through. And now, George was complaining about Natsu's fatigue. Unbelievable. "You couldn't help me?" He was now sitting up, an arm under him.
"I just got here, lad. Plus, you seem to be doing just fine without me." George shifted his weight to one hip, taking a good look at the spire. "It's much larger in person. Anything I should know before we enter?"
"You think I know something about this place?" Natsu snapped, "I just got here myself! I've only come here once, and that's all… dark."
"Well, whatever the case, we must enter and find Loneila." He strode the distance to the door and took hold of one of the large doorknobs. Immediately, Natsu felt a cautious, and uncomfortable wave pass over.
"hm?…" Natsu mumbled to himself. Don't let him go in!
"Get out of my head!" he yelled loud enough to attract George's attention for a moment before he entered, leaving the door open.
Look what you did dumbass! Go stop him!
Natsu shook his head violently, "Stop it!" he slugged himself once in the face, practically throwing himself unconscious for a moment before silence pursued. He took a deep breath, happy to be rid of the voice. Taking a minute to regain some strength, he looked back to the darkening sky. He hadn't been this exhausted since the night of Fair of Fairies. The memories of that night soon were preceded by the image of Erza's sleeping face.
Natsu frowned slightly, how could she be okay with him dying? He would never accept her death, and would throw a fit at her funeral, not plan it! Where had his life ended, and begun again? There was no obvious answer, and he was a simple-minded thinker. He couldn't begin to express the frustration, anger, hatred that budded from the notion of his friends forsaking him to the delusional idea of his passing. Say if he did die, who was he now?
You're me, idiot.
That voice…. "Shut! up!" Natsu screamed.
Listen up, Natsu!
Natsu froze, hearing his name in his own head. Sounds crazy, maybe he is crazy for deciding to comply.
It's me, Ifrit.
For a moment, Natsu was silent. Not because he was thinking, but because he couldn't remember what Ifrit looked like. Suddenly, there was an image in his head of a man, identical to Natsu in nearly every way, but with red hair.
"Oh, yeah…" Natsu faintly remembered the night he met Ifrit.
You died, Natsu. You died in front of me, and now for some odd reason, you manifested yourself inside of my body.
"That's ridiculous," Natsu scoffed, trying to shake away the voice again.
Stop pushin' me away, damn it! Check your left ear!
Hesitantly, Natsu moved his hand up to find two rings along his helix. "What the-"
See! Now focus, you're in my body!
Natsu's heart sank to his stomach. He really did die… There was no way… "How… How did it happen?" His voice shook.
… You kinda just… faded away. You closed your eyes, and you were gone.
"I thought… I was just tired…" Natsu voice cracked.
Long nap.
"Yeah, seriously…" Natsu replied sourly.
Well, now we both have nothing. At least you have my body.
"Sorry, I'll be borrowing it to help my friends, then I'm gone if that's even possible."
Then do me a solid and help Loneila too. That man, don't trust him. Loneila told me her mother passed giving birth to her younger brother. Her father was a good man, but he didn't believe in the good of the Magic Council. She told me that he was taken under arrest and then executed when he and his partner-
"Eh, you lost me." Natsu sighed. Ifrit was beginning to lose his cool, building a headache in his mind.
Baka! That guy is not her father. He's using you to get to her.
The sense of urgency and danger swept over, "Alright then," Natsu tried to climb to his feet but ended up a struggle, "let's go."
"Natsu?"
"What now?!" Natsu yelled, looking upwards as to see Ifrit himself.
"Natsu…"
Finally, Natsu's eyes focused as he realized, Gray was awake but immobile. He hadn't moved an inch but was looking up at him.
"Gray," he knelt down beside him. "Sorry 'bout that Popsicle, you weren't holding back."
Tears formed around Gray's eyes, "I thought you were dead." His voice dipped using his strength not to cry.
"Not yet ice-cube," Natsu frowned, "I'm going to finish this so you can go home."
"So… we can go home," Gray corrected. He raised his fist up to him.
Natsu softly fist bumped it then it lowered. Gray was out again and the tear he held back fell. He made sure Gray was still breathing, listening to his breathing before moving him into the spire. He didn't plan to leave him in the rain when it came.
Natsu rested Gray against the pillar closest to the door before examining the room. George wasn't around.
"George?" Natsu called.
"In here," a soft reply called. "You should get down here."
Natsu walked down the hall, constantly flicking his gaze around for enemies and found an open door leading downwards just a few feet away from the main staircase.
"Down here?" he called down. There was no reply. He took his first step down and a chill rolled up his spine. It was very familiar. He proceeded down to the bottom and turned through the door into a very dark environment. A single torch lit the back, where a figure rested on its knees. Another man, clearly George from his sheer size, stood cross-armed and watching Natsu.
"What is this?" Natsu asked, more so to himself. His eyes moved around: Cold, mossy cobblestone, chains on the wall, a strong stench lingering… A dungeon… his dungeon. As he moved forward his legs were shaking in a state not-so familiar to him: fear. His attention focused on the silhouette that was in the same spot Natsu had been in. "Who… are you?"
"Me?" the man replied in a warm tone, "I am a proud rebel against my own sister."
His voice was so soft it was barely audible. "Katsugi," Natsu called, disgusted by the scene he could now see with the light of a small fire on his finger.
Katsugi had gone through hell, like Natsu, but probably worse. One of his arms was gone entirely. It wasn't even in the same room! Closer examination revealed the loss of his eyes, and one of his feet.
"Katsugi…" was all he could choke out as he lowered to his height. George excused himself and found his way up the stairs to the hall.
"Why are you here, Ifrit?" Katsugi asked. The blood had seemed to stop flowing out from his wounds. It was a wonder how he was still alive.
"I… I… I'm getting… I'm getting you out." Natsu's hands shook as they searched for the chains but couldn't find any restraints. "There… There aren't any chains!" Natsu was clearly panicking but Katsugi remained still with a content expression.
"I've been looking for them for awhile now," Katsugi replied with a short chuckle, probably at his own terrible joke.
"Come on," Natsu wrapped his shaking arm around his back and lifted him to his feet. Or… foot.
Katsugi was hopping along with him, "Where are the guards?"
"I don't know…"
Katsugi went silent. He was totally oblivious to the state of emergency Province had been in since Natsu and George broke in. But that wouldn't explain the sudden disappearance of people.
"Funny," Katsugi broke into his thoughts, "I can't see it, but I took Natsu up these very steps…"
Natsu felt soft jolting coming from him outside of his hops. Katsugi was trying to cry. Natsu hardened his expression as they climbed the final steps into the hall.
"Rest me here, Ifrit." Katsugi said softly.
Natsu walked him over to the pillar Gray rested on and set him down a quarter turn away.
"Who is this other man?" Katsugi asked, though he hadn't touched Gray nor acknowledged him.
"His name is Gray, Gray Fullbuster." Natsu answered in a volume only he could hear. George was standing in front of the main staircase, awaiting Natsu.
Katsugi gasped softly, "Gray? What is he doing here?"
"You know Gray?"
"Yes, I put a mental barrier on his memory as well as Natsu's friend Erza." Katsugi lifted his only hand and placed it on Gray's head. It became clear to Natsu now; it was Katsugi, this bastard, who aided his kidnapping.
A small yellow light arose from their contact and faded a second later. "I hope these memories clear Natsu's reputation so he can rest easy."
Natsu sighed and nodded, "I'm sure he'd appreciate it." He took one good look over Katsugi's wounds, and rested one hand on his arm. He was cold. His body temperature was extremely low, and could tell he was not going to be here for long.
"I don't know why Gray is here, but I'm glad he was. A miracle from the heavens…" Katsugi said softly, choking slightly on his own words, "Maybe my next miracle… I could apologize to Natsu... In the next life, maybe…" His head lowered with a smile and his bangs concealed his face.
Natsu choked on his reply as the sobs came in and fell to his hands and knees. His hands formed fists as blood and tears dripped from his face. "I… I forgive you…"
George approached and placed one hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry for your loss."
Natsu cried softly for a minute before he recollected himself, wiping his face, smearing blood in the process. He rose to his feet, looking once more upon his friends, both alive and deceased.
"Let's get this over with," Natsu growled. His stride returned to its strong glide. He took a short detour, jogging back down into the dungeon. He entered for the last time, and took the torch at the back of the room. As he returned to the stairs he checked for any other prisoners. There were none. Just lifeless bodies of those he couldn't identify. Back at the stairs he took a deep breath, pulling the torch's fire into his mouth before swallowing. To him, it tasted repulsive and putrid; he would have puked if he hadn't needed it. He tossed the dead torch back in and crashed his fists together.
"Fire Dragon: Roar!" The fires set ablaze the room, blowing around and torching everything like a dragon destroying everything in its path. Half-satisfied, he made his way back up to the hall where George awaited him.
Thinking back, it occurred to him that if Loneila was his daughter, Katsugi was his son. But he had no reaction or recognition of him, even as he passed. This was finally proof enough for him. George was not the man he said he was.
Finally, you can see he's a liar.
Natsu stood ready to call George on his lies with the strength he received from that torch when Ifrit broke in.
Don't rush it Natsu! We've seen his strength! You don't even know what kind of powers he has built in that sword of his!
He clenched his teeth, jaw tightening in frustration. Was he supposed to stop him now or allow him upstairs? Could there be any downsides to this? Natsu awaited a reply from Ifrit but nothing.
"Now you're silent?!" Natsu yelled.
George had been watching dragon slayer's change of emotions and his absurd cry. He was absolutely lost. "If you're ready, we can take the elevator now." He pointed to the metal frame that emitted a yellow glow.
Natsu waited a second for Ifrit to no avail so he entered the elevator, catching one last glimpse of Katsugi and Gray as the doors closed.
A moment passed, and nothing happened.
"You know which floor she'll be on?" George asked, sounding slightly impatient.
Natsu's eyebrows furrowed, "Yeah," his hand stretched out in a familiar motion but froze when he saw the normal control panel was no longer there. A new button was added above Loneila's room, well it would be. All the buttons were gone except for this one. It had an image of a chair. More like, a throne. His finger pressed against the addition and the doors opened as if he pressed the open button.
"What the hell?!" Natsu screamed. There was a railing in the elevator; the one Ifrit had crushed in anger. Without winding back he punched the railing clear out of its post, clattering as it hit the ground. He repeatedly smashed the 'throne' but nothing happened.
"Salamander," George said.
He looked up at the large man before looking forward. The doors had not opened to the entrance hall, but an entirely different place.
The roof was more than fifty feet up, and the width seemed to only grow further as he looked side to side. There were large white pillars, inlayed with gold trims and Province symbols, surrounding a green carpet leading forward. It had a rich look, very palatial, as nearly everything was white except for the carpet.
"Where the hell are we?" Natsu asked, clearly agitated. They took a few steps in, "Loneila! Where are you!? Come out!"
No response.
They looked back to the elevator, which now looked like it was miles away, a simple grey slit against the large white wall. They had barely entered in ten paces! But when they turned back, they were shocked to find a wall stretching both ways endlessly. There were two arching white doors that touched the roof; each had a handle made of pure gold and a small keyhole.
Natsu reached forward and took one of them.
"You go," George began, "I'll be there in a second."
"After all this, you're staying behind?" Natsu asked, now slightly offended and agitated.
"I'm just going to think what to say, give me a moment. I've given you plenty."
"Whatever," Natsu said. His eyes were locked onto George's, knowing not to trust him or show him his back. He twisted the handle and peeked open the door just enough to squeeze through and shut it behind him.
A soft female voice greeted him, "You've returned. Welcome back If- Natsu?"
Present…
Erza arrived on the scene sooner than planned since she traveled alone. She could see the walls of Province as she burst into the clearing; her pace erupted into a full sprint. Her gear felt lighter than normal and her legs felt a numbing sensation, maybe from cold atmosphere around this structure, or the adrenaline running through her veins; she didn't know. She sped along the wall to the large doors she had seen during her recon with Gray and Nat-
Her feet slid to a stop and her mouth fell agape. The doors were no longer there, just a large gaping hole and scars along the lining. She took a moment to look around. Where were the doors? They had completely vanished. The scars around its frame looked like claw marks… If the nails were the size of an elephant! The ground in front of her had a deep slit in the ground in a diamond shape. She drew her sword and held its tip over the slit. It was the exact shape, but more than thrice its size. Further ahead, there was a black circle drawn on the dirt. It was too dark to make out its details, but she knew what it was. She had seen it back at Fairy Tail in Mirajane's book as she flipped its pages. It was the stigma of another unheard magic type. Seeing its capability first hand sent a shiver up her spine. With one spell, it had made the large doors pop of its hinges and disappear.
She was now uncomfortable with the situation. High-alert rung through her head as she passed through the large opening. Her eyes flicked around, seeing that every house and shop lining the street was untouched. It was far too quiet for a welcoming entrance. She considered running, but that would prone her to traps so she made her way slowly down the road, always observing and expecting. Her patience took a toll, as it seemed the path went on for forever. The spire, too far away to believe, was just a slightly lighter shade than the sky but was conveniently lit up by the rolling lightning above.
Her attention was up at the spire when her foot stuck something soft but sturdy. There was a man lying face down in front of her. She gave him a soft kick but there was no reply or cry of pain. Past him, the street was cluttered with unconscious guild members. Some were stacked; others seemed to have been heading towards the spire.
She let no time pass, stepping over the people and made her way past at a slow creep. After seeing everyone in their condition, it was safe to assume that Ifrit had gotten past and there weren't any traps. She took off into a run as soon as the body count lowered. Only once or twice did she step on a man's chest with no response.
Turning the corner, there was a building whose roof had entirely dipped inside out. Beside it, a small corner store had many holes along its side and was missing a wall entirely. It was amazing how the structure still held.
Finally, she had arrived at the spires doors. A deep sigh exited her mouth. Suddenly, the ground seemed to be shaking as a deafening crash could be heard from above. Her eyes shot up, seeing no threat.
A blast of blue light covered the sky, and crystalized into a triangle shaped roof. There were soft clinking noises above her followed by the loud shattering of glass.
"Whew…" Gray sighed from the doorway. "Barely made it."
Erza realized now, the dark sky had concealed the falling glass. One of the large shards could have severely injured her, if not killed her.
At first she was stunned, believing it was a trap. But if so, it was horribly aimed. "G-Gray?"
He nodded with a weak smile, "Erza…"
She fled the safety of her ice-roof and ran to meet him in the doorway, supporting his weak state. "Why're you smiling?"
Gray's eyes flicked from side to side, trying to find a way to put it. "It's really shameful to admit, but I lost…"
"Lost against who? Why did you even-"
"Natsu," he stopped her with a content smile. "He's not dead."
There it was again; the turning of her stomach, the numbing in her muscles, the stuttered communicating. "H-how? Where is he?" She immediately turned into the spire, searching the hall until it rested on the strange corpse in the corner of her o[. Her hand covered her mouth, looking over the butchery.
"It's Katsugi…" Gray uttered. Something sparked in his mind, suddenly pulling Erza about face. "Erza, do you remember the day we checked this place out?!"
"Yes," she replied, taking another glance at the gruesome view, "We went back to the city and fell asleep waiting for Natsu."
"No we didn't!"
She awaited further explanation. Normally in this type of situation, she would knock out several people but Gray seemed really antsy and eager to explain. When he opened his mouth, it was a machine gun of words.
"We headed back that night and were ambushed by those same goddamn bastards as last time! With only us three, there was no chance. They backed us into a corner after you passed out and-"
She couldn't believe her ears, "I passed out?"
"Yeah, some guy flicked you in the head."
"Flicked me? In the head?"
"Never mind that!" He shook her, "Natsu took a fatal wound saving us, and they forced him to go with them!"
"So…" A massive headache took over, excruciating pain stretching over her brain, "He… He's alive?"
He smiled brightly. "Yes," a cheerful reply.
Her heart was set as well as her mind. She wasn't there for revenge anymore, and she had clearly forgotten about Ifrit. She was there for Natsu and whatever mix of emotions she had at the moment. Erza was going to do what her guild does best, if need be. Destroy.
She spun around in a burst of light, changing into her purgatory armor. Pulling away from Gray, he fell to his face and released a moan of pain.
"What's wrong Gray?!" She turned back, "We have to find Natsu!"
"Remember, Flame brain did a good job… He didn't hold back." He scrounged to one foot and leaned against a pillar. He stuck out one hand as an ice crutch formed. "I'm ready."
"How long ago did you see him?" Erza wondered, worried now of Natsu's whereabouts. It was an intangible idea in Erza's mind to have Natsu alive, let alone be in the same building! To have everything back to normal, Magnolia's fire dragon roaming its grounds. This was a dream she was willing to fight for! Her hopes rose and she was almost too anxious to stay with Gray. The idea of tearing apart this building for Natsu seemed to be getting better by the second. She would smash every last brick, strike down every opponent, face any odds! If only she could have him back.
"Hm…" Gray hummed, looking out into the dark city of Province, "It was still light out when we fought."
Erza was now insanely worried. If they had done such a brutal job to Katsugi, what could they do to Natsu? Her worry became a slight panic, and Gray could see that.
"Go, Erza. I'll just slow you down."
"But Gray-"
"Matchstick can take care of himself," he pointed to the glass with a thumb. Obviously the explosion upstairs, or any form of destruction thereof was Natsu's specialty. "He's doing just fine, I know it. Go find him." Gray finished.
"I will." She took off down the hall and clicked the elevator button, seeing no other way up.
Gray stood there and remembered how Natsu had spoken to him, like he knew he was doomed. Natsu sounded like he had lost all hope in himself and had no plans of returning. "Erza!"
She held the doors at the last moment.
"Free him from this place! Bring him home!" His fists were clenched as well as his eyes.
She nodded, thinking of Natsu's confident grin as the doors began to close, "Aye."
Gray raised one hand, his forefinger and thumb aimed to the sky, "Save Natsu!"
She copied his example, raising Natsu's signature as the doors shut and the yellow glow cut off from the dark hall.
