Fiore Academy
Chapter 23 – Death on the Horizon
Authors' Note – First, I need to apologise on two counts. One, this Chapter is still only an average sized chapter, not a super long one like I was thinking it might end up being. Second… I stuffed up. This chapter was actually done a while ago, and I thought I posted it up, but only recently have I realised it never went up; I was wondering why I hadn't had a single review yet. But at least now, I'm making sure it goes up, so please enjoy!
The Dragneel Family Kendo Hall, a building that had stood proud on the grounds of the Estate for dozens of generations, was the place where Natsu had called home since he returned to the Estate but a few days ago, finishing his first year at the Fiore Academy of Magic.
When he wasn't here training, he was sleeping in his room; he even had his meals just outside of the Hall, and bathed in the conjoining bathroom.
After his battle with Jellal, Natsu had secretly felt frustrated; he was unable to do anything as himself, and had to rely upon powers that were not his own. He was determined to become stronger as Natsu Dragneel, and not as the Demon dwelling within him.
As such, he had taken to practicing Kendo once again, having been inspired by one of his friends at Fiore Academy, Kagura.
Natsu smiled to himself at that thought whilst he wielded his Shinai over his head, preparing for another Men-uchi strike.
'Kagura… Ultear… Virgo… Hisui… Erza… Mirajane… they'll be here later today, right?" Natsu thought to himself as he began the downward cuts once again.
This time last year, he would have laughed in the face of the person who would tell him, that in twelve months he'll have four girlfriends and two close friends who were girls. Now that he thought about it, he didn't really have any male friends at Fiore Academy.
He got along with Elfman, Mirajane's brother, but he wouldn't say they were friends. Most of the other guys he's interacted with were… to put it nicely… misogynistic pigs or just plain abusive. The other boys of the school would usually avoid him, not wanting anything to do with him out of fear, though Natsu saw no reason for them to be afraid.
Then he thought back to his entrance ceremony, where he met Erza for the first time on less than friendly terms, and realised… there might be some good reason why a lot of the students were afraid of him.
Natsu was so caught up in his thoughts and Men-uchi that he didn't notice an individual walk inside the Hall. It wasn't until Natsu's battle senses cried alarm, that Natsu was able to bring himself out of his thoughts and block an attack from another Shinai from behind.
Holding his Shinai steady against his foes' own Shinai, Natsu turned his head to see the smirking face of Zeref staring right back at him.
"I must be getting rusty; I swore I hid my presence perfectly" Zeref laughs, pulling away and facing Natsu in a casual position.
Natsu sighs, "I didn't hear you come in, but… I sensed the danger".
Zeref shrugged, "No helping it then, I'll never be able to catch a freak of nature like you off-guard".
"Who're you calling a freak of nature?" Natsu asks rhetorically with a raised brow.
Zeref decided to answer anyway, "My thick-headed brother".
Natsu swung his Shinai lightning fast, seizing it the moment it came into contact with Zeref's skin; it rested on Zeref's cheek, unharming but most threatening.
"I see your training is bearing fruit; you've got more control of your blade nowadays" Zeref comments, pushing the Shinai off his cheek with a finger.
"It's not enough; I need to become stronger" Natsu says, almost depressed.
"You may be right; in about a year, even students will be called to the battlefield, especially if he or she is a member of the Royal Clans".
"Even more so if they have been to the Blight" Natsu adds in.
Zeref nods; all members of the Dragneel Clan go to the Blight when they turn thirteen, to prepare them… to baptise them.
"When that time comes, I'll arrange for you and the others to join the Fourth Legion, where I can watch over you" Zeref assures Natsu.
"And so you can activate the Gates if need be?" Natsu asks his brother pointedly.
Zeref laughs, "That too, I suppose; I know we'll need that Demon in this upcoming war".
"I hate to admit it, but I think you're right" Natsu replies, feeling anxious. It felt strange to have the first gate opened, like his nature was evil, like he was capable of doing horrible atrocities without a thought of doubt or regret… that feeling amplified tenfold when the second gate opened, and he just didn't feel like himself.
He hoped it never came to but… he sometimes wondered, what the third gate….
"Natsu?" Zeref yelled louder this time, finally drawing Natsu away from his thoughts.
Natsu looked straight at Zeref, "Yes, what is it?"
Zeref sighed, "I swear, your mind has been wandering a lot lately".
Natsu laughed, "Maybe it's a side effect of having been asleep for so long".
Zeref shrugs his shoulders in all seriousness, "Perhaps… but I was just asking you if you wanted to spar and help me practice as well; I have to return for duty soon enough after all".
Natsu smiled and readied his Shinai, "You want me to wait while you put on some Bogu?"
Zeref readied his Shinai, "Don't patronise me, let's get this over with little brother".
Natsu smiled along with Zeref; this was going to be fun.
"San" Natsu began.
"Ni" Zeref continued.
"Ichi" Natsu continued the count down.
"Hajime!" Both Natsu and Zeref shout, to begin their spar.
…
The Blight, a stretching land of barren rock and fire with no real sky to speak of; dark and menacing.
In the distance loomed the towering palace of Elysium, the Capital stronghold of the Demon Race.
Battles, numerous and various, played before her eyes.
Knights of the Red Cross, bearing the banner of the fourth legion, battled fiercely against a horde of Demons; blood, fire and ice, traded between the foes, the earth surging beneath and the winds howling.
Closer to the palace she could see them; faces she knew, those she knew fighting one another.
She saw them… the six Demon Lords and the circle of Natsu Dragneel, fighting.
The friends, lovers and family of Natsu, were bloodied, all but defeated, their Demon Lord opponents, smiling in victory.
Then a bright light, consuming the scene before her, and Mavis Vermillion could not help, but fear this light, fear this power.
At that moment, she awoke from her nap; Mavis woke quickly, eyes widened and frightened, her body soaking her dress in a cold sweat. Fear gripped her heart and her senses and her reasoning.
She knew this was no mere dream, but a vision given to her by a Goddess she was well familiar with; Delphi.
Standing up and walking to her window, where she could watch the sun in the Sky slowly slip behind the horizon, her legs shook.
"Something bad is going to happen; I just know it" Mavis' voice trembled as she confirmed her thoughts to herself aloud.
…
After their meeting within the Lesser Dining Hall, Katherine led the girls through the maze-like hallways of the Estate.
It took some minutes, but Katherine was finally able to lead the girls through the rear doors of the Estate, showing the girls to the rear courtyard.
In the centre was a fountain identical to the one at the of the Estate, spewing water forth merrily in the darkening sky; the sun was beginning to set.
Around the fountain, were glorious flower beds, bearing flowers that shouldn't be blooming this time of year and creating a mirage of beautiful and numerous colours as bright as any light.
Upon this sight, Hisui couldn't help but sigh happily with nostalgia.
"What's going on with you, Hisui?" Erza asked the emerald haired girl.
"This place, holds so many memories for me" Hisui answers simply, "Where I first met Natsu… where we spent countless hours playing… where we… where we shared our first kiss".
Little did Hisui know, but some of the girls were now glaring daggers at her behind her back, as she blushed at the memory.
"I'm rather fond of this place myself; it's where Liz and I often had our tea parties" Katherine remarked with a fond smile of her own.
"Liz? Was she a friend of yours?" Mirajane asked Katherine.
Katherine blinked at Mirajane in shock, before turning to the other girls, shocked to see their curious faces as well. The only ones who knew it seemed, were Hisui and Karen.
"Liz is short for Elizabeth" Katherine began, "And she was Natsu's mother".
The other girls couldn't help but feel shocked; they had only just realised for the first time, that they never knew the name of the woman who was Natsu's birth mother.
"So you and Natsu's mother… were friends, before…" Kagura began to ask, before embarrassment ceased her words.
"Indeed we were… Liz didn't exactly have the best luck in making friends, but despite the reasons for it, I still accepted her" Katherine continued.
"Reasons?" Virgo asked, her curiosity peaked.
Katherine smiled, "I've said too much… and I'm certain we should not delay much longer in seeing Natsu, wouldn't you agree?"
Though the girls' curiosity was peaked regarding Natsu's mother, their impatience won over in that moment to see Natsu; you would think it had been months, not days, since they had last seen him.
"I agree; I cannot wait to look at Natsu's surprised face when he sees us earlier than he thought he would" Mirajane smiled.
"I just can't wait to see him in general" Hisui blushed.
Katherine began walking toward the Kendo Hall at the back of the courtyard, "Then why aren't your feet moving?"
With those words, the girls followed Katherine through the garden around them; despite their eagerness to see Natsu, they still couldn't help but take in its beauty as they walked… how clean it felt within, how refreshing it made them feel. They were beginning to wonder if magic were somehow involved.
Then the girls reached the Kendo Hall, and from outside they gazed upon it.
It was made in the traditional Japanese style, with a high pitched roof of red tiles, and the walls appeared to be made of paper to the untrained eye in large panels supported by frames of hardwood. It looked like most traditional buildings; structurally inept, however they were anything but.
Katherine led the girls through the front door, which led to a small room with a lot of alcoves. Two of the alcoves, were currently occupied.
"Natsu isn't alone?" Virgo asked Katherine.
Katherine raised an eyebrow at the occupied alcoves, and said, "Those shoes belong to Zeref I believe… I guess he must be wanting to get some training in".
"I thought he was wounded in the battle with Jellal" Kagura asked with a frown, already beginning to take off her shoes; the rest of the girls began to follow suit.
"Not long ago, he was cleared for active duty; he leave in just two weeks" Katherine answered.
"So naturally he wants to use this time to clear out any rust he gathered these past few months" Erza finished off; she already understood the whole situation, and how Zeref must be thinking.
"Why are we talking about Zeref, when Natsu is just one door away?" Ultear asked, a little annoyed as her shoes refused to come off easily, "And why must I take my shoes off?"
"In the main house, we excuse the use of shoes; we are not so traditional as all of that" Katherine answered, "But in the Kendo Hall, you must uphold tradition; this hall has stood longer than the main house after all… besides…" Katherine smiled at Ultear, "Natsu would be annoyed with anyone who chooses to wear shoes within the hall, just ask Zeref".
The girls had all finished taking off their shoes and socks and placing them in alcoves. With that step complete, Katherine was about to walk to the door leading to the sparring floor, when the distinct smack of bamboo against bamboo was heard.
"They're… sparring?" Kagura asked in a whisper to herself.
Kagura then led the way and opened the door… this opened up a sight to the girls that shocked them to no end.
They were only a blur, their Bokken invisible due to the sheer speed of their strikes. In most Kendo matches, the competitors remained within a certain circumference the entire match, not by rule, but simply because it wasn't often needed. The two they saw now, Natsu and Zeref, used the entire floor. The girls could barely trace them, even harder to determine which one was Natsu and which one was Zeref, despite neither wearing helmets… they were simply moving too fast.
This match continued like this, with blurring speed, with continuous sounds of smacking bamboo, for well over five minutes… before it suddenly stopped, giving the girls a sense of whiplash.
With everything stopped, they could now see Natsu, grinning with is Bokken pointed at Zeref chest, whilst Zeref laughed a little embarrassed, whilst laying on the hardwood floor.
"Today's count is nine victories for me…" Natsu began.
"And zero for me…" Zeref finished with a laugh as he held up his hand, which Natsu clasped as he pulled up his brother.
Zeref was clearly breathless, gasping for air, whilst Natsu sweated, but showed no other signs of fatigue.
"What say we take a ten minute break before our next spar?" Natsu asked his brother.
Zeref raised an eyebrow and laughed, "You may have me beat in Kendo, but at least I know when training is done for the day".
Natsu frowned at his brother, "What do you mean? You've had enough?"
Zeref shook his head, "No… but you have…" with that he pointed behind Natsu, in the direction of the entrance, where upon turning, Natsu saw a sight that immediately made any fight within him, flee.
Dropping his Bokken to the floor, Natsu ran to the girls who now crowded the entrance; most of them were still in shock over what they had seen. The first one to react was Mirajane, who detached herself from the group and ran towards Natsu as he ran to her. Meeting in the middle, the tow immediately embraced.
"I though you guys weren't going to be here for another few hours or so" Natsu gasped,
"Sorry, I would've showered if I had known".
"Sweaty or not, I'll still take you into my arms, Natsu" Mirajane sighed, drawing back slightly and looking into Natsu's face.
Natsu sensed her need and smiled, as he drew his face closer to hers, where their lips met and the two shared a passionate kiss.
Using their tongue, lips and unrestrained passion for one another, the two shared a long, passionate kiss, containing all their feelings for one another. It left them feeling light headed when they separated.
"I take it you missed me?" Mirajane giggled.
"Say that like you didn't miss me?" Natsu smiled back.
The two stopped teasing each other, when a certain redhead performed the greatest fake cough imaginable behind Mirajane.
"I guess we're doing this in order no?" Erza asked, "Sadly we agreed to share Natsu, Mirajane… so it's uncourteous of you to hog him all to yourself, you know?"
Mirajane laughed; she had almost forgotten she had to share Natsu.
Separating from Natsu and turning back to the entrance, Mirajane whispered in Erza's ear as she walked past her, "Enjoy yourself".
Erza just frowned, and continued to frown at Natsu long after.
"Hey, um Erza?" Natsu asked her feeling a little nervous; he wanted to know what was wrong.
"I'm waiting Natsu" Erza said with the barest hint of a smile, which made Natsu laugh in return.
Walking up to her, he gazed at her face, stern as it was… he could see the longing in her eyes, and began to berate himself inwardly at how terrible of a boyfriend he was.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled Erza closer to him. Angling his face as he drew it down towards hers, he closed lips with Erza, showing just as much love and passion in their kiss as he did with Mirajane.
Returning the kiss with equal passion, Erza let down her stern demeanour, ad wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening their kiss.
As the two of them withdrew, Erza couldn't help but nuzzle her nose against Natus's nose, before giving him a last peck on the lips before separating from him entirely.
"It's your turn Hisui" Erza declared as she walked back.
With that, Natsu showed as much passion to Hisui as the other two, followed by Virgo. When the greetings were done, Natsu turned toward Zeref to apologise and postpone the training, when his face fell.
Zeref was currently just about to die from all the laughter he was holding in; from his lips and shaking body, as well as his tearing eyes… it was clear he was holding back an uproar of laughter.
"What do you think you're doing?" Natsu glared at Zeref.
With those words, Zeref let it out, and began to laugh without restraint. Never before had Natsu, or anyone else in the room heard someone laugh so hard. After a few minutes, Zeref calmed down enough to explain.
"You guys… are so lovey-dovey!" Zeref said with an encore of laughter.
With those words, a second voice could be hear laughing… this time from Katherine.
"If this is how you guys are when you're kissing, then how I wonder, do I suppose you guys are when you're… together…" Katherine laughed out loud.
Natsu and all the girls except for Virgo and Ultear, sweat-dropped at the older pair, who were clearly acting far too immature for their ages.
"Now that awkward affair is over with" Zeref joined back in, calming down, "I believe dinner will be almost ready… I suppose that at least for tonight, you'll be joining us Natsu?"
Natsu smiled at this, "Of course".
…
Just outside of the Dragneel Family Estate boundaries.
"It won't be long now!" a child-like figure laughed at the setting sun.
The child appeared to be around ten years old, with platinum blonde hair and for some reason, had red eyes. His face was soft and immature. He seemed innocent, like a statue of Cupid.
But he was anything but a God of Love.
"When darkness sets upon the sky and land, my power is ultimately more… powerful" the boy laughed, "That is when I'll strike!"
"I'm counting you" a deep voice spoke behind the boy.
The boy turned around, where a projection of a man who couldn't be seen clearly was present.
"Fear not my King; I will not fail in my mission" the boy laughed, acting like all of this was but a mere joke.
"Don't underestimate them; I have confidence you will come back to Elysium successful, but this is the Dragneel Clan, a Clan dedicated to fighting our kind… you would be wise to take this more seriously" the boy's 'King' replied.
The boy smiled, but this smile was different; this smile was more… sinister… more bloodthirsty.
"As the Lord of Death, I will not fail… I promise you, my Demon King" the boy replied, his eyes turning sinister as well.
"I look forward to your success then, Hades" with those words, the projection left.
The boy, now named Hades, turned back to the Dragneel Estate and resumed his usual smile.
"Won't be long now… Natsu… Ultear… until I bring your world, to ashes" Hades smirked.
Authors' Note – It was a last minute decision to make Hades appear to be a child, even though he's like a thousand years old. What do you guys think of this sudden decision? Was it a good one? Also, I've been really busy lately, since I'm working and studying at the same time, so it's been difficult for me to post regular updates like I used to once upon a time. The next update could be next week or next month and I apologise in advance for all the waiting. I hope you enjoyed Chapter 23, and be sure to let me know what you thought of it in a review, because your reviews are actually good motivation. Before I start writing I actually read a bunch of past reviews to pump me up! Haha. Anyway, enough of that, Auf Wiedesehen!