Greetings, everyone! One Half here again!
I guess you didn't expect it, did you?! New chapter just one week after the previous one! And not just some chapter, but probably the second biggest chapter I've ever wrote! Oh, I've almost forgot how much easier it is to write social/explanation/exploration chapters than ones packed with battles…
Well, despite its name, this chapter marks only the beginning of the story!
Here's a lot of different things, and a cameo OCs appearance, though they here only for entertainment. Readers usually not fond of OCs, so it's just a brief scene.
Answers for the reviewers:
erasenpai946: I disagree about GrayxUltear, I think they actually isn't a bad match. As for my story – I'm not sure about anything yet – lets' just see how it'll work out. And of course, Eidolas ark will be here, why not?
RKingQway: Thanks a lot man, but that chapter wasn't a finish – this one is ;-)
Rajo: I've said everything I wanted via PM, here I'll just say 'thanks' again. Oh, and just for you – a few 'over-the-top' names here xD
Goal be Quick: Many thanks. Glad you like it – usually the greatest number of complains I receive are about grammar =)
albertocervantes569: No, you're right – the FT's world is darker in my story, as is Natsu. Here he's more like 'antihero' type, with some 'antivillain' traits. Besides, I don't really like 'guy who is always there for anyone' characters, because it also means 'everyone is useless without that guy'… All spotlighted characters must have uses.
AdstrumXIV: Thanks a lot for the review, however, I'd like you to elaborate that remark about slight drop in quality – is it about grammar or something else?
One last thing before we proceed – such a long chapter is a real challenge for the fingers, so if there's some misprints… please overlook it xD. Now, let's go!
Chapter XXXIII – The Aftermath
…
December 11, X784, 22:25, Northwestern mountain ridge.
Standing on his sword, with his familiar sitting on his shoulder, Natsu descended from the skies. As she was looking at him, Erza's emotions were overflowing. Right now, she wanted to embrace him, to kiss him, to yell at him, to just bury her face into his chest and start crying… Those emotions were reflections of her deep and sincere love… And exactly because of that she didn't do any of those things she wanted to do. Her beloved one have just returned from the cruel and exhausting battle, wounded and extremely tired – last thing he needs right now is that flow of emotions. This situation was not even close to what it was after battle against Phantom Lord has ended, when Erza didn't even try to hold back her feelings. As such, when Natsu stepped on the ground and put his huge sword behind his back, Erza approached him, gently took his right hand, and quietly asked, "How are you?"
Natsu never doubted that probably he's one of the luckiest beings in this world – to have such a wonderful woman as his wife – usually so passionate, but very sensible and calm when needed. Her battle wasn't easier than his… no, it actually was more difficult – her enemy wasn't just Zero – her true enemy was an uncertainty about the fate of a man who was her everything in this world. Mentally she definitely is much more exhausted than Natsu right now. And yet, she's caring over him here. "Thanks, I'm alright," He replied with slight smile as he softly squeezed Erza's palm.
Still holding his arm, Erza looked over Natsu's shoulder. No, not at his sword – at improvised shoulder-belt that Natsu made for Magna Ruina, using scraps of his own coat while he was flying down. Together with his cursed seal, Natsu lost his magical space where he was storing his old sword. Though, that doesn't matter – Magna Ruina doesn't want to be stored in magical space. Sacred artifacts have their own consciousnesses, which means that they also may have some quirks, especially saint-grade artifacts. And Magna Ruina has a claustrophobia of sort, which means – no magical spaces. As such, if Natsu wishes to use this sword's power – he should begin to adapt to carry a sword like the most other people do. "I'll buy you a good shoulder-belt when we get home," Erza smiled slightly. She didn't know what happened with Natsu's old sword, where he got this one or the reason why Natsu's carrying this sword like this – right now she just said a trivial thing to ease the atmosphere a bit. Natsu smiled in reply – he appreciated her gesture. But he was the only one…
"AHEM!" Someone coughed very loudly from behind. "It really pains me to interrupt your touching reunion, but don't any of you three wants to explain what's going on here?" Mirajane asked with pretty annoyed expression as she was moving her sight between Erza, Natsu and Sin, who was still sitting on Natsu's shoulder. Seemingly, Mirajane regained her state of mind, more or less, at least her boldness returned almost completely. While Natsu was flying down, all of the alliance's team members gathered together again (they retreated in different directions, escaping from the shockwave from Natsu's last spell). Luciferona also brought back Wendy and Carla (seemingly it is not too difficult for her to carry smaller passengers), though Wendy's eyes were still spinning.
"Natsu-dono, who was that?" Jura also seemed very interested.
"Please explain, against what we've been fighting here?" Hibiki also expressed his concerns. Most of the people here got reasons to believe that Natsu and his wife knows much more about what happened today than the rest of the team. Besides, despite it's a bad tone to dig to deeply about other guilds' mages and magic, they also were quite concerned about that little creature on Natsu's shoulder, which, apparently, can turn into some sort of an undead dragon…
In reply, Natsu just turned his head slightly and looked at his familiar. "Oh, c'mon man, not this again…" Sin replied, and if he could, he would've definitely rolled his eyes "…and now you want me to do that?! I'm completely dry!" Little boney creature protested.
"You don't need much, here – I have some leftovers in these runes, take it," Natsu replied calmly as runes on his left arm flashed and then ceased to glow completely, while cursed flame on Sin's bones became slightly more intense.
"Great, after everything I've done today, this is the thanks I've got – the leftovers? Of my own power?" Sin continued to complain as Natsu slightly nodded to his wife and she released his hand.
"Stop it. Those people fought against unimaginable odds today, we must thank them," Natsu asked him to stop whining as he approached the rest of the alliance team.
"Fine, fine, but your concept of comradeship is really twisted…" Sin sighed heavily as he would've again rolled his eyes if he could. 'But you do know that it won't work on non-humans, right?' Sin added via his and Natsu's mental link.
'It's fine, exactly because they are like that – they have no right for my gift,' God of ruin replied, also via link as now they were just several feet away from others.
"So, can you please enlighten us – into what we've been dragged here?" Silver-haired girl asked as she dropped her insolent behavior – she really was shocked with several things that she saw tonight.
In response to her request, as she and all other mages from alliance team, aside from his wife (thirteen in total), were looking at him, Natsu made a deep breath, smiled leniently and replied, "No."
Mirajane and few other mages blinked. And while they were stomaching Natsu's rude and unreasonable behavior, Sin's little skeletal body suddenly elicited a bright blue flash as dark-blue wave of power suddenly struck the entire alliance team, catching everyone completely off-guard. Even one of Ten Wizards Saints can't defend in such situation.
"Augh!" Luciferona screamed as she grabbed her head with both hands.
"What the fuck!?" Nelliel swore off loudly as she quickly cowered her eyes.
However, only two of them showed this kind of reactions, the rest of the team, including Jura, Mirajane and Wendy, were standing with their eyes wide-open, as if all of them were stunned.
And while Lucy was holding to her head and Nelliel was rubbing her eyes, Natsu looked into the eyes of the rest of alliance's team as his own eyes began to glow with bright crimson light. In a moment, eyes of the others turned into crimson, pupil-less circles. That scene lasted for about ten seconds, after which all the affected mages closed their eyes and fell on the ground.
"Just so you'd know – I am against such a treatment of our comrades," Erza criticized her husband's methods.
"What the hell have you done?!" Nelliel asked in shock as her vision have been restored, more or less, "You knocked them all out?!"
"No," Natsu calmly denied her accusations, "I mean, yes, but that's only the side effect. I've wiped their memories," He explained as if it was nothing special.
"WHAT?!" Dream dragon slayer almost jumped in fury, "What's the meaning of this!? We fought the entire horde of enemies while you were fooling around hell knows where, and this is your thankfulness!?" She asked angrily, and, let's say it honestly – her anger was quite justified.
"Yes," Natsu replied seriously. God of ruin also knew that her anger is justified, so he didn't get angry due to her provocative words, but remained calm and kept serious expression on his face. "In this situation – this is the best I can do for them," He added.
Nelliel blinked. Exactly because she recognized that his words weren't sarcasm, but he actually believed that what he's doing now is for the best, she was taken aback. Dream dragon slayer helplessly looked at Erza, probably looking for support in dealing with her seemingly inadequate husband. But scarlet-haired lady just spread her arms and sighed heavily – she was too exhausted mentally to argue with Natsu.
"Nelliel-san, please, don't worry, my former self been through this for a couple of times – that's not dangerous," Luciferona noted as her headache seemingly quelled a little. Natsu's method of wiping memory is a foolproof, as it disrupts the brain cells' organization. However, it seems that due to her magically induced personality split, those memories were also stored in the brain area that spell usually doesn't affect. As such, Luciferona's substitute self (Lucy) lost her memories after spell's usage as intended, but the real she remembered everything, despite she wasn't even self-aware back then. Natsu made a note to himself that he probably should look into this matter more attentively, if he'll got some free time.
"A couple of times?! So you actually doing this on regular basis?!" Nelliel exclaimed as Luciferona's input only made things worse.
"A word 'regular' sound somehow inappropriate," Natsu frowned. "Just a few times when it was really necessary," He added, still not displaying any signs that he may think that what he is doing is wrong.
"Have you used that on me?" Nelliel asked with narrowed eyes.
"Hah, you think I could do something inappropriate to you after I've kicked your ass?" Natsu rolled his eyes, "You're overestimating yourself…"
"You…" Nelliel growled, she was so enraged that earth trembled beneath her feet.
"Okay, listen," Erza interfered as she stepped in between Natsu and Nelliel and addressed the latter, "My husband here really likes to do two things – making troubles and exasperate people to the limit. Don't succumb to his provocations, we already have had more than enough troubles for one evening."
Nelliel definitely had more things to say, but for the sake of ending this mess – she just sighed and remained silent.
"And, by the way, the answer for your question is 'no'," Natsu added. "As we all just saw – this spell doesn't work on the likes of us," Natsu waved his hand around, pointing at that he means all five of them, including Sin and himself. "Spell's specifically targets a certain area of the brain, but our brain structure is different. In your case, that area seemingly incorporates additional structures, responsible for an optical recognition, which are needed due to your enhanced vision," God of ruin explained. And despite she was still angry, Nelliel couldn't disagree that this man is very clever and knowledgeable, his explanation seemed quite convincing – when blue wave hit her – her vision was completely disrupted.
By the way, Wendy was affected despite she was a dragon slayer because she was too young and she was at the very beginning of that path.
"Anyway, we went off-topic," Sin inquired as he tried to get everyone back on track. "I've only wiped last twelve minutes of their memories," He explained.
"Yeah," Natsu nodded. "Last thing they'll remember – Zero's death. They'll remember that when Erza's spell turned him to dust, Nirvana suffered a lot of damage, that allowed me to break free and finish off that left of the city," Natsu explained. He actually used his blood order ability to tweak his teammates' memories slightly, to avoid abrupt changes, but he had no desire to explain that. "When Nirvana crumbled, they've lost orientation just for a few seconds due to the resulting shockwave. You will be a star of that showdown while I only got some leftovers," Natsu winked to his wife.
"I didn't ask for that!" Erza stomped indignantly, Natsu's words sounded like it was her desire to get all the honor. Though she didn't fool anyone as she couldn't hide that she was flattered when Natsu called her a 'star of this showdown'.
"Why are you doing this?" Nelliel asked seriously. She calmed down a bit as she realized that what's done is done and here's no profit in causing a ruckus now.
"Most importantly, I want to prevent weird gossips. In the eyes of general public, the Oración Seis were menacing enough – just imagine what will happen if people will learn about 'mysterious powerful force behind them'. And you know who will be blamed in spreading panic and all other unsightly consequences, right?" Natsu replied as if it was obvious. "If too many people know something – gossips and speculations are inevitable, and I don't need those, especially because me, my wife and my familiar will be parts of those speculations."
Natsu continued, "On the other hand, that's actually my gift for them – a world without demonic goddess of madness… I'll explain that later, just listen to me now," He added as he saw Nelliel and Luciferona's reactions when he mentioned Amentiana. "It is usually easier to live without knowledge about menace, against which you're completely helpless to do anything. Take those four for example, and a girl over there," Natsu meant four men from Blue Pegasus team and Shelly, of course he forgot their names. "I'm sorry to say that, but they have no real perspectives as mages, and I'm saying that despite usually I try to encourage people to become mages. Mediocre talent, small ethernano capacity, primitive magic. In the days to come – they are support characters at best, just let them live their lives without looming darkness over their heads."
God of ruin pointed at Gray and Mirajane, "These two, on the other hand, have a lot of perspectives, they just need to stop fooling around. Both experienced near-death situations today, due to lack of strength, I believe this can be a good motivation for them to start work harder. But after they've witnessed just now, they may think that the gap between us is impossible to shorten, which may result in desperation that won't do any good for them. In future we may need their help, not their envy," He concluded.
"Now, this one," Natsu looked at Wendy, ignoring Carla, "There's no need to tell anything about her potential, just let her stay a kid for a couple more months. One step at a time – let her learn some self-confidence before telling her about the true nature of horror… Besides, I'm a bit concerned about her guild – even I know too little about them, as such – I'm not sure how much we actually can tell her…"
Finally, Natsu looked at Lyon and Jura, "And here… well, I admit – my actions won't help any of those two in any way, I simply don't want them to know too much, because this guy…" He meant Lyon "…admires Jura-san too much, and Jura-san has too close ties with magic council, he's too dutiful, I'm afraid."
Natsu turned back to Nelliel and Luciferona, "As such, it leaves only us here. I'm sorry, but you two have no right for being ignorant, just us the three of us," He concluded, meaning Erza, Sin and Himself.
"I understand, Bloodfallen-sama, thank you for explaining your reasons to us," Three-tailed girl bowed slightly. She seemed pleased because Natsu de facto included her into a circle of 'chosen'.
But Nelliel still seemed unconvinced, "I know that you think that what you're doing is right and I admit that your actions even can be considered justified to some degree… but the fact that you truly believe that you know what's good for these people better then they themselves is immensely annoying…"
"Hah, that's my every day's life!" Erza snorted, making Natsu to look at her with narrowed eyes.
"What shall we do next?" Luciferona wondered.
"Well, there's still about ten minutes until they'll wake up," Natsu replied as he again glanced at his wife, before he switched his sight to unconscious mages. Among them – only Hibike was wearing a wristwatch. Blue spark flashed under the watch's glass and clock hands jumped half an hour back.
"You're a pro at hiding all traces… like a real criminal…" Nelliel snapped.
Natsu ignored her, "After they'll wake up, we probably should escort Wendy and her cat back to their guild… and to make sure that they didn't see what they shouldn't have…" Natsu made a meaningful pause. When Erza destroyed Nirvana, the city leaned to the north and crumbled, and when disk appeared, it flew further to the north, so the line of sight from Cait Shelter was blocked off by relatively high mountain ridge, but Natsu wanted to make sure that there were no insane enough people from the guild to actually climb a mountain and take a look. Though that is unlikely, but what if?
Natsu's last phrase earned him quite disapproving sights from Erza and Nelliel, but he continued as if he didn't notice, "But first, since we still have time, we have to tie up a few loose ends, right?" He noted as he turned to his wife, "Cara mea, you still keeping those lacrima crystals we found on the mission last month?"
"Huh? Yes, why?" She asked. During one of their missions, they found a stockpile of uncharged lacrima crystals, as Natsu took a dozen of small ones and asked Erza to keep them in her magical space, 'just in case' as he said. Lacrima crystals are capable of storing magic, and used to make various magical items, but until charged with magic those crystals are mostly useless.
"Give me three, please," He replied. And as Erza summoned three small (half an inch in diameter) crystals and gave them to Natsu, he added, "Aside from making low-grade magical items, these crystals have several alternative usages. I'll show you one of them," He said as three small (and different-looking) seals appeared over those crystals, which Natsu was holding in his palm. Few moments later all three began to glow, as each seal 'submerged' into corresponding crystal. As crystals began to glow, Natsu threw all three on the ground, and they fell about twenty feet away from him and about ten from each other. Erza, Luciferona, Nelliel and even Sin were watching at this strange process, confused with Natsu's actions.
For about ten seconds, glowing crystals were simply lying on the ground. But then, suddenly, one of the crystals flew into the air and turned into a multiple-colored magical vortex, about seven feet in diameter, which was floating one foot above the ground. And in the next moment, someone actually came out of the vortex, which appeared to be a portal.
That was a young-looking, voluptuous woman of medium height, with waist long, straight, jet-black hair. She had very attractive face with large, jade-colored eyes. She was wearing dark gray clothes, and a samurai-like armor. She also had a leather shoulder-belt with a katana-like sword attached to it, and that sword was bigger than girl herself (it was a so-called Long Ôdachi). There was an angelic halo floating over her head, made of some catchy, red metal (the so-called blood gold). But her most distinct feature was a pair of large, black, angelic wings, each being at least nine feet long in unfolded state.
As black-winged lady appeared, and portal behind her vanished, for several moments she was looking at her new surroundings and people around in confusion, but few seconds later her sight focused on Natsu. She blinked several times, as if doubting her eyes, but then she hurriedly knelt and exclaimed, "Ōji-sama! Please, forgive rudeness of this unworthy servant!"
Sin and all three girls were stunned by lady's strange appearance and even more strange behavior, but Natsu was acting as if he was expecting this. "Raise up, Reishena, number three of Shinryō no Setsuma, it's been a while, isn't it?" He waved his arm, ordering her to stand up.
"Y…yes…" Black-winged lady replied uncertainly, though she still was kneeling, looking into the ground.
"I said stand up!" Natsu raised his voice and made two steps towards her.
"I'm… I'm sorry…" Lady, apparently named Reishena, mumbled and slowly stood up, though she still was looking straight at her own boots.
"You do realize that you're putting me in a bad light with your behavior?" Natsu asked as he came closer, grabbed her chin and forced her to look into his face, "I have a job for you, look into my eyes!" God's eyes flashed with blood-crimson light and that light reflected in Reishena's eyes. Natsu used his blood order to project some visual information right into her mind. Black-winged lady seemed taken aback, but before Natsu could explain what he wants her to do with that information, another one of glowing crystals turned into multi-colored vortex, and another person appeared from it.
Relatively tall lady, with slender but curvaceous figure, came out of the portal. Her slightly curly, purple hair were covering her shoulder blades and upper half of her back. Her face was very pretty, and her eyes were glowing with bright orange light, leaving trails each time she was looking around. She was wearing a lilac-colored kimono and blue obi belt, which held two katanas. Behind her back were three pairs of white angelic wings, each individual wing was about three times smaller than Reishena's wings, but all six together looked really gorgeous. She definitely could be described as a high-ranked angel, if not for a little detail – instead of halo, there were two black horns growing on her head. She was an asmodian – a member of a proud devil's tribe that inherited the bloodline of purple witch, Asmodeus, herself.
"Ah, Reishena, it seems you're still making troubles for Natsu-sama?" Six-winged lady asked after she examined her surroundings for a few moments and recognized Natsu, who now held Reishena's chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. Unlike black-winged woman's voice, which was pretty common, this lady's voice sounded very sweet and gentle.
Natsu released Reishena's head and looked at the newcomer. "Welcome to our humble realm, Lakshmee, number two of Shinryō no Setsuma, I hope you're doing well…"
"Ah, Natsu-sama! Onee-san was missing you so much!" Natsu couldn't even finish his phrase as six-winged woman almost pounced at him in excitement, "Oh my, you've grown up so much since the last time we've seen each other!"
However, just before she could embrace Natsu, black-winged lady blocked Lakshmee's way with her huge sword. No one even noticed when that sword, which was behind her back all that time, appeared in her arms. "Among all of us, you are the one who always messes around and makes trouble!" Reishena said sternly, "Behave yourself in front of our master!" Except for Natsu, all spectators were stunned due to abrupt change in black-winged girl's behavior.
"Sweetie, it's been a while since the last time I've mentioned how much of a pain in the ass you are, was it?" Six-winged devil narrowed her eyes as she grabbed both swords on her belt.
"Enough!" Natsu demanded, and a peal of thunder resounded within his words. Both girls looked at him in surprise, but Natsu's thunderous voice made them to settle down. "I have important missions for the two of you," Natsu turned to black-winged lady. "Reishena, the man I've showed you, together with the approximate location of where he fell – you must find his corpse. There's a lacrima crystal implanted into his body – I must have it. Take his head – I'll need it to get reward for him, but the crystal is of utmost importance to me – failure isn't an option."
"Yes, Ōji-sama!" Reishena saluted immediately.
"Lakshmee," Natsu looked at six-winged devil, "This is my familiar, Sin," Natsu pointed at skeletal dragon, who relocated himself on Luciferona's shoulder when first portal appeared.
""Greetings, Sin-sama!"" Both girls simultaneously bowed to Natsu's familiar.
"Um… hello…" Sin replied uncertainly – he was surprised with unexpectedly polite treatment.
"Sin, go with Lakshmee, you two should look for the remaining corpses of Oración Seis members – they worth a lot of money. Also, look for some remnants of wicked aura in the forest – consuming it should help Sin to recover a bit," Natsu ordered and his eyes again flashed with blood-crimson light, which reflected in six-winged devil's eyes. Sin suffered a lot of damage during today's battle, so if there was a chance to accelerate his recovery – Natsu wanted to use it.
"Sin-sama, I'm looking forward to be able to work with you," Lakshmee said with her sweet voice as she smiled, she quickly realized why Natsu gave her some visual info. Sin seemed uncertain, but since Natsu trusts that girl, Sin decided to do as he asked – it was about his own recovery, after all, so he flew over to Lakshmee's shoulder while latter was examining him with unconcealed curiosity.
'Don't worry, these two are loyal to me to the death,' Natsu's voice sounded in Sin's head. Lil skeletal creature was surprised, but decided to postpone his curiosity and didn't ask anything.
"Now, listen carefully, you two," Natsu addressed his servants, "I'm sorry to say that, but for now, I can only support your presence in this realm for one hour at best, so be swift, and don't use any unnecessary magic as it will reduce your time in this realm drastically. Reishena, after you're done – join Lakshmee and help Sin. When all of you are done with your tasks – don't come back here, return to Pandemonium, I'll summon you again later. Am I clear?" He asked.
"Yes, Ōji-sama!" Reishena saluted.
"As you wish, Natsu-sama," Lakshmee bowed slightly.
"Sin, I don't expect any more troubles here, so after you'll recover – you can go back to Magnolia, just make sure that none will see what shouldn't be seen, okay?" Natsu addressed his familiar.
"Don't worry," Sin snorted. He's seen enough of this damned forest, so of course he agreed to go back home.
"And one last thing," Natsu addressed all three, "If you'll find some degenerates, marauding at the place where Nirvana was sealed – kill them," Natsu ordered, "Now, go!"
""Yes!"" Both girls swung their wings, soared into the air and quickly flew away.
With that, whilst other alliance mages were still unconscious, Natsu was here with Erza, Nelliel and Luciferona. Latter didn't say anything – she was just curiously observing situation. Erza also was silent. Actually, she didn't utter a single word or made a single move since Reishena's appearance. She stood quietly with her eyes covered with her hair.
Nelliel, on the other hand, had something to say. "You do realize that number of things you'll have to explain is rapidly piling up?" She wondered with sweet smile on her face. "If you want my help in the future – you have to explain what the hell is going on here…"
"I know," Natsu replied, "Don't worry, I'll tell you everything you need to know, and even some extra." Then he turned to the last of three lacrima crystals that he enchanted with summoning magic. It was still lying on the ground, emitting mysterious glow. "And again you're making me wait…" Natsu narrowed his eyes, looking at that crystal.
However, just as he finished his phrase, the crystal turned into a portal, and the last summoned person appeared from it. And once again that was a young-looking woman with a shapely hourglass figure and gorgeous, knee-long, sky-blue hair. Her face was beautiful, but there was a trace of haughtiness in her large, sky-blue eyes. Unlike two other girls, this one was wearing south-western styled clothes, which seemed complex but elegant, fitting a high-ranked priest. She was holding to a staff with wooden handle and silvery wings-shaped finial. She also had a pair of light pink angelic wings, which were almost as big as Reishena's. And there was an angelic halo made of gold, floating over her head, with a symbol 'V' (roman five) inscribed nine times over the halo's surface with equal intervals. That means that she's a Virtue, 5th rank of nine angelic ranks.
"Good evening to you, my lord," Girl bowed deeply as she recognized Natsu immediately. "Please, forgive the delay with which I've answered your summon, I needed some time to prepare myself – I could not allow you to see anything unsightly after we have not meet each other for so long. Ah, it really pains me that I was unable to assist you on your journey through these barbaric lands… I hope you're doing well?" Her manner of speech was well set, voice was nice, but loud and clear, however, that phrase alone demonstrated that this girl is talkative and arrogant.
"I'm fine, thank you, virtue Elizasleyn, number five of Shinryō no Setsuma," Natsu replied, masterfully keeping his calm, "And I'm gladly tell you about my adventures in these savage lands, however, right now I have a job for you, just the kind you like..."
"Oh, a task, just for me?" Elizasleyn smiled sweetly, "What is it I can do for you?"
"A platoon of so-called 'rune knights' is approaching from that direction," Natsu pointed at south-east, "You'll easily recognize them – an organized group of soldiers, wearing white clothes with green cloaks. Those mortal fools shall not interfere into my affairs – sing to them, make them take a walk around here…" Natsu smiled eerily.
"They dare?!" Elizasleyn suddenly raised her voice, her indignation seemed genuine.
"Don't do anything excessive, just make sure that they won't show their stupid faces here," Natsu elaborated. "Don't hurt them and make sure they won't understand what's going on, in any other way – they all yours…"
"Thank you, my lord," Elizasleyn displayed quite a sadistic smile.
"Go," Natsu ordered. Virtue bowed to him, swung her wings and flew away. As God of Ruin watched her departure, he mumbled, "What a troublesome person…"
"Hey, wait, wait, wait!" Nelliel called for Natsu worriedly, "Did you just order her to attack the rune knights!?" She actually didn't like that idea at all – due to her being the key member of the Phantom Lord guild, she already got troubles with the authorities. Actually, the main reason why she joined the Aurora Présage was that its guildmaster, the former Rune Knights commander, helped her to deal with consequences. The council was disbanded, yes, but the idea of messing with rune knights was far outside of Nelliel's zone of comfort.
"Relax," Natsu waved her off, "Elizasleyn's power, angelic hymn, is a set of mind-affecting songs. The one I've ordered her to use just dulls a sense of direction. Even though she can stay here just for an hour, the aftereffects of her song will make those poor fools to wander around this forest for entire night and half of the next day, in fruitless attempts to get here. And they'll never understand what happened, and even if they'll get some suspicions – they'll never get any proofs…" Natsu explained. He actually wanted to explain further, but small and gentle palm touched his shoulder as horribly nice and sweet voice called for him from behind.
"Natsu-san, can we talk for a moment?" Erza asked.
"What is it?" Natsu turned around and looked at his wife in surprise. Fact that she used honorific addressing him doesn't foreshadows anything good. Can it be that she also wants to denounce him for messing with the rune knights?
"Who were those three?" Star dragon slayer wondered, still with the same sweet voice as her eyes were still hidden with her hair.
"Hmm? They were my servants when I've lived with my mother in Arx Tenebris," Natsu replied, "You see, when I was…" He tried to explain that, because he acquired his domain, he finally got the ability to summon his servants into this world, but Erza didn't let him.
"Your servants? I see… and how is that happened that they are all women, and all of them are beauties as if they were chosen via beauty contests?!" Erza expressed her real concern, finally revealing her eyes, full of jealousy and rage.
'Hah, not this again…' Natsu rolled his eyes as he remembered about his wife's yanderish traits. "Okay, listen, can't you just feel flattered because, despite I've grew up among beauties, I've married you, since you are most beautiful of all?"
Erza didn't reply as she still was looking at her husband furiously, but Natsu noticed that her back relaxed a little, and since his words caused the effect, he continued his counterattack, "And just so you'd know, they are your servants as well. The Seal of God I've placed on you – it is also called a Seal of First Apostle, all my contractors must obey seal owner's orders as my own… However," Natsu suddenly thought about something, "If you'll try to abuse that power due to jealousy, I'll be very displeased…"
"In our family, abusing everything that can be abused is your role!" Erza didn't back down, in contrary, she got even closer to Natsu, and their faces now were just an inch away from each other. From that situation they only had two possible ways out – start kissing or start a fight. However…
"Umm…" "Ugh…" "Gha…" Several moans could be heard from aside – those with wiped memories were about to regain consciousness. Due to that, all that (pretty intimate) tension between Natsu and Erza crumbled.
"Oh, right," Nutsu suddenly thought of something as he quickly stepped away from Erza.
"This talk isn't over," She-dragon hissed, narrowing her eyes, yet she didn't try to stop him now.
Dark blue lightning-like energy engulfed about a dozen of metallic shards, each about 150-200 pounds, and launched them into the air. Though, those shards weren't thrown too high, just for about 150 feet into the air. And then, they again fell on the ground, rising a large cloud of dust. With that, he wanted to feign an image of that battle just ended and Nirvana crumbled only a few moments ago.
'What a slippery guy…' Nelliel shook her head as she was watching Natsu's actions. Luciferona just nodded to herself, which probably means that she understood Natsu's idea. "Are you sure that those are skills you have to learn?" Dream dragon slayer rolled her eyes, but Lucuferona ignored her.
"Ugh…" "Cough…" "Cough…" Members of alliance's team began to open their eyes, grunting and coughing due to dust in the air.
"Umm… Erza-diono? What happened?" Jura Neekis was first to raise up und recognize his surroundings, but he seemed confused. Since Natsu didn't only wiped team's memories but also tampered with it a little, everyone has 'seen' that, after Erza's spell incinerated Zero, it also heavily damaged Nirvana, Natsu broke free and finished what's left of the walking city. However, neither Jura nor others could remember anything that could cause them to pass out.
"Cough… What happened to us?" Gray also seemed confused as he slowly stood up. Others were looking at each other questioningly as well. By the way, Luciferona somehow also appeared among them, skillfully pretending that she's also just regained consciousness, making Nelliel to roll her eyes. Then the group turned to Natsu and two girls near him, as they seemed unaffected by whatever knocked everyone else out.
"What was that?" Lyon was first to ask.
"I'm not really sure…" Natsu shrugged, feigning uncertainty. "When that damned city finally crumbled, I felt some sort of a ripple elicited by it. Probably, with that Nirvana's control over its own power was disrupted, and remnants of its power 'detonated', causing a neural shock to those still affected by its influence…" God of ruin explained. "Well, it's just a theory, but, sadly, that's the best explanation I can offer, you all fell unconscious simultaneously, for about thirty seconds…" He sighed.
All mages began to look over their own bodies. "Well, whatever that was, I really feel myself a bit better now," Mirajane admitted.
"Yes, me neither," Wendy agreed, looking at her arms, "Carla?" Sky maiden asked and white cat nodded in reply. Actually, they were feeling themselves better because they all slept for about twenty minutes, but that fits Natsu's ruse just fine.
"What a creepy thing…" Gray spat, looking at Nirvana's remains. "But that's finally it? You think here is no more surprises?" Ice mage wondered.
"We're pretty sure that that's it," Erza nodded with slight smile.
"And since we're at it…" Natsu bowed, "I'm deeply sorry about that happened an hour ago. I've let myself to become careless and was captured, so all I could do during this final battle is to handle some leftovers…" He apologized.
"It was still much more than some of us did…" Ren grunted. Shelly tried to comfort him, though she also didn't seem to be full of joy. Lyon, Gray and Mirajane also looked dissatisfied with their performance.
"Do not belittle your contribution," Erza tried to reassure her comrades. "If you would've not stopped those creeps from reaching Nirvana, I'm not sure I could've put up a fight the way I did!"
"Even if they were weak, hundreds of dark mages aren't a joke," Nelliel added, though she didn't say anything more because she noticed that her words are not reassuring, probably because she and Jura were the ones who carried the heaviest part of that battle's burden, but one of Ten Wizards Saints knew his real contribution well and had no need for reassurance – he was protecting almost entire team during entire battle…
"Anyway," Erza decided to change topic, "I see no more reasons for us to wander around here, Wendy, Carla," She-dragon addressed the Cait Shelter members with friendly smile, "Can you please introduce us to your guild? The rain is coming and we won't mind a roof over our heads…"
"Of… of course!" Wendy exclaimed excitedly as her eyes shone, "Let's go! Master definitely will want to personally thank you all for saving our guild!"
"Yeah, I hope you like speeches from old men with heads full of nonsense…" Carla mumbled, seemingly she was shy of their guildmaster, not without reason.
And since there really were no more reasons to stay here, alliance team headed towards the Cait Shelter village and guildhall.
December 11, X784, 23:05, Cait Shelter village.
Since they were walking on foot, without spells and magical vehicles, it took about twenty minutes for alliance team to reach Cait Shelter village and guildhall in the middle of it. And while they were walking, Nelliel actually began to think that Natsu's reasons to change some of team members' memories were not so far-fetched. Aside from Jura, Wendy and Carla, those people still seemed gloomy, considering their performance not good enough, even Ichiya and trimens were unusually quiet. If they would've been allowed to remember the real scale of final battle, their contribution would've looked even more insignificant, thus making them feel even worse. Though, she'll never learn – was that theory right or wrong.
When alliance team approached – all citizens of the village were already waiting for them on the village's central square.
"Master!" Wendy cheerfully ran forth and embraced the old man. Carla followed her but refrained from explicit demonstration of her emotions. Other members of alliance's team dropped their gloominess a bit and also approached the crowd of Cait Shelter mages… All but Natsu, Luciferona, and two dragon slayer girls. They were walking slower and slower, until stopped completely in about fifty yards away from the Cait Shelter's guildmembers.
"Alright…" Natsu said slowly, "I think we have a problem here…"
"Yeah…" Erza nodded uncertainly.
"So, I'm not the only one seeing this?" Nelliel rubbed her eyes.
"As if I'm looking at card deck…" Luciferona pronounced, as she was not sure how to describe what she's seeing right now "…their emotions are… like a picture… bright but flat…"
"Not one of them has a heat signature," Nelliel said.
"And I can't hear their hearts beating," Erza added.
"They're all probably just high-quality illusions – none of them have a soul, aside from that old man, but soul is the only thing he has – probably that's an ethereal body, he's not alive…" Natsu assumed.
"Etherial body!?" Nelliel suddenly retreated and appeared behind everyone's backs, "You mean that's a… a ghost!?"
"Seriously?" Erza rolled her eyes as she looked at fellow dragon slayer's actions, "You're fine when fighting against a clockwork monstrosity, but afraid of mere ghosts?"
"I'm… I'm not afraid of them!" Nelliel tried to justify herself, "I'm just not happy about their existence…"
"Anyway, what we're going to do?" Natsu thought aloud, "Should we confront the old man now and ask for explanation?…"
"No," Erza shook her head, "All of our people are wounded and exhausted, we shall let them get some rest – I doubt that those illusions are dangerous…"
"Their emotions are artificial, but I see no patterns of aggressiveness," Luciferona nodded.
"Alright," Natsu shrugged. After all – those illusions don't pose any threat to his team, besides, Wendy lived among them for years.
"Natsu-san! Everyone! Come here please!" Wendy's cheerful voice called for them as she waved her small arm. Natsu and Erza smiled as they looked at each other one more time and went forth. Only Nelliel seemed a bit reluctant – she was a bit uncomfortable to go into the village, 'ruled' by a ghost…
December 12, X784, 00:30, Cait Shelter village.
Due to late hour and strong rain, which started shortly after team's arrival into the village, all festivities were postponed until tomorrow's morning. Several village houses were given for alliance's mages so they could rest properly. From outside it looked like the entire village went into a sleepy state, however, one of the houses was simply enchanted to prevent any light or sound to came out. People inside of it were in no mood to sleep at all.
Firstly, Natsu made both Nelliel and Luciferona to went through a complex magical ritual, which will prevent them from telling anyone about those things God of Ruin was about to say to them. Luciferona agreed immediately while Nelliel was reluctant, but in the end, both have signed the pact of non-disclosure. After all the formalities were settled, Natsu proceeded to explain the situation.
Though he didn't say where it is and how to find it, he disclosed the existence of Tower of Din itself and gave general information about it. Also he omitted the details about his adventures inside the tower, but told to the girls almost everything he knew about seven guardians, which are called like that despite there are actually eight of them. He also shortly (and without unnecessary details of personal involvement) described the incident with Procellion, and also mentioned that he saw the traces of Venena's relatively recent activity (as Natsu found out in Nexus Temple that she secretly participated in a war 400 years ago, also known as a Dragon King Festival). Considering that, including today's incident, there were three incidents with Tower's guardians within three last months – that's hardly a coincidence. Something is going to happen, and time to prepare is precious.
December 12, X784, 01:20, Cait Shelter village.
"Alright…" Nelliel mumbled, rubbing her temples. She seemed overwhelmed, which is understandable because the relatively normal world where she lived until tonight suddenly became ten times bigger and hundred times more chaotic. "…Let me hear this once again – those… guardians, they were all defeated during that…"
"…War of Saints," Natsu nodded.
"…Yeah, okay, so… where are they now?" She asked again.
"Six were killed, one's whereabouts are unknown but presumably its body also been destroyed, and last one didn't participate in the war and defected," Natsu confirmed.
"And that last one you've mentioned – that is Sin-sama?" Luciferona inquired.
"Yes, Lord of the Damned, Sinalledion," Natsu nodded.
"Okay…" Nelliel nodded, "Then another question… Are you nuts!? Bringing a terrible creature of potentially immeasurable power, created using some horrific means, into heavily populated country, and carefreely walking with it around!? Seriously, are you completely insane!?"
"Oh, he definitely is, that's not even a question…" Erza readily confirmed Nelliel's 'suspicions'.
"And the one who married him doesn't?" Luciferona made a caustic remark. Erza blinked, she still couldn't get used to the fact that polite and somewhat timid Lucy is no more, and that three-tailed girl is still polite, but quick-witted and sharp-tongued. And before Erza could gather her thoughts, Natsu resumed his speech, not giving her a chance to respond.
"Me and Sin have a master-familiar contract, questioning his loyalty is pointless," God of Ruin stated in a strict manner. He can quarrel with his familiar in any way he wants, but others aren't allowed to badmouth Sin. "Besides, nor you neither any of us here can comprehend the deepness of a grudge that Sin holds against Tower of Din inhabitants. He was a member of a royal linage of Heavenly Thundercloud Kirin tribe, but was kidnapped and stripped of his title, his legacy and his very flesh and blood. And, as if all of that was not enough, they were intending to replace his memories to ensure his loyalty, just didn't get enough time to prepare due to start of the war. Can something like that be forgiven?"
After Natsu's words, an awkward silence hung in the air. Of course, girls couldn't really imagine a fate worse than one that was just described, nor could they realize the deepness of Sin's hatred towards that tower and its inhabitants.
"Bloodfallen-sama?" Luciferona decided to interrupt that silence as she still had some questions.
"Please don't call me like that, there are two of us with such last name," Natsu noted, he actually wanted to ask her to change the way she addresses him for some time.
"Oh, my deepest apologies!" Luciferona realized her mistake and elegantly bowed to both Natsu and Erza, asking for forgiveness. "Shall I call you Magister-sama then?"
"Too long and too formal for the guildmates," Natsu shook his head.
"Just 'magister' then?" Three-tailed tiger-girl suggested.
"Oh, alright," Natsu sighed as if not wishing to waste time on such a trifle. Of course he didn't fool Erza who easily noticed that he actually liked to be addressed that way, though she held back all possible remarks. "Anyway, what it is you've wanted to ask?" Natsu looked at Luciferona.
"Yes, I wanted to ask – aside from the guardians, are there more enemies we should take note of?" Black-haired girl wondered.
"Oh well…" Natsu sighed, "I'd wish to say 'yes', but…"
"Wait, what?" Erza looked at Natsu in surprise, "You've never told that there are more!" True to her words – even when they were alone, when he was telling her countless stories about Tower of Din and its guardians, Natsu never mentioned that there could be other demons.
"Because I don't know myself," Natsu sighed again. "Aside from a few scraps of information I've uncovered myself, almost all my knowledge about Tower of Din I've got from Sin, but since he was more like a prisoner there, who never became an actual guardian (this is why they are seven guardians), his knowledges about Tower of Din are far from complete… You know how I feel about completely unprovable rumors…"
"Sometimes that's all we have…" Nelliel noted quietly.
"True, it's still better than nothing," Erza agreed with fellow dragon slayer and all three girls looked at Natsu, asking him to share those rumors, no matter how unprovable they are.
"Very well," Natsu agreed, he actually had no reasons to refuse. "Aside from Tower's Master, the Seven Guardians apparently were the most famous and influential group of tower's inhabitants, however, there also was a group of at least three similarly powerful, but more mysterious beings – the Gatekeepers. Those three gates are the Gates of Sovereigns, Gates of Reincarnation and Gates of Infinity. Sadly, but I have no idea what those gates actually are and what role those Gatekeepers have. Also, I don't know if those three are also demon gods like guardians, or they are something else."
Natsu looked over three girls, making sure that he still has their full attention. "And the last group of which I've learned some rumors – Sentinels of the Valley. As far as I was able to understand – they are ranked one step below the guardians and gatekeepers, but their total number is unknown. I've learned about two of so-called valleys, though I have no idea what those actually are, but each one has multiple sentinels – Valley of the Fallen Spirits and Valley of Monochrome Rainbows… yes, I know that's a weird name, but everything regarding the Tower of Din is weird." As he said that, Natsu spread his arms and added, "And I'm afraid that's all I can say for now…"
December 12, X784, 01:20, Cait Shelter village.
Another couple of minutes went by in silence as girls were stomaching the information that Natsu just poured onto their already tired minds.
"Alright…" Nelliel sighed, "Thanks for the info, but I'm afraid all I've learned today actually was that there's a lot of very powerful bad guys, lurking somewhere out there in this world and wanting to make lives of all beings in the world miserable…"
"That's pretty much the gist of it, yes," Natsu nodded, seemingly satisfied with Nelliel's understanding. "I believe you know what to do from here on. We have only two choices – prepare ourselves and fight, or do nothing and spend the rest of our lives in misery… And even if you're unwilling to fight for yourself, against such odds, there's still a curious and lively kid that is waiting for your return, so you don't really have a choice, am I right?" Natsu asked with disgusting smile.
"…I hate you…" Dream dragon slayer smiled sweetly in reply.
And with that, this discussion seemed to be over, however, just as Natsu, Luciferona and Nelliel were about to begin their preparations to go to sleep, Erza called for her husband, gaining attention, "Wait a minute, my dear, now when we're done with important things – please inform me about your relationships with those three girls we've met earlier today…" She smiled slightly.
"Sigh…" Natsu sighed tiredly, rolling his eyes.
"Don't 'sigh' me here, you were well aware about my quirks when married me, so don't complain!" Erza demanded, folding her arms. She knew that her behavior is unwise, but she couldn't do anything about that.
As Nelliel and Luciferona heard Erza's request, they quickly refocused their attention at Natsu. They may be special, but they're still women, and women like spicy bits of scandals.
"You will be disappointed," Natsu shrugged as if he knew what's going on in girls' heads. "Despite I never saw my father in person, I was getting some gifts from him, from time to time. Reishena was one of them – she was a gift for me at my fifth birthday…" All three girls blinked in slight shock, but Natsu pretended that he didn't noticed and continued. "In angelic order – ranks from nine to four have their rank inscribed on golden halo, however, three highest ranks actually have halos made of different materials. You all saw her scarlet halo – it is so called 'blood gold' – that means she once was a throne – the 3rd rank angel. This is why she asked to be number three of Shinryō no Setsuma, when I created it later."
Natsu continued, "Reishena's once very powerful clan was in decline since the War of Saints due to loss of almost all elite members. However, due to her having some issues with accepting new reality, despite her high position in the order, she was kicked out from her clan and thrown down from nine heavens. Weakened and desperate, she was found by my father, and accepted his offer to join. Since then, she became a fallen angel – thus her black wings. When she was given to me, Reishena became my swordsmanship teacher – after all, mother was too busy to personally teach me everything, and Reishena, on the other hand, is a great swordswoman. Jūrokuya Kenjutsu [Sixteen Nights Sword Art] once was a greatest secret art developed by Reishena's clan, and I believe I don't need to describe reasons why she readily taught me everything about that art?"
Without making a pause, Natsu continued his story, "As for Lakshmee, well… When my mother has learned about father's gift, she said, quote: 'So, that old jerk wants to show off, huh?! Well, I can't lose to him!' – end of quote. And she gave me Lakshmee, who served as my personal bodyguard, also she taught me Raikō Madōken [Thunderglow Magic Sword] style. Since Reishena wanted to be number three, Lakshmee became number two of Shinryō no Setsuma."
"And here I thought that I did grow up in wealthy and extravagant family…" Luciferona noted as all three girls seemed astonished a bit. To think that those two girls actually were birthday gifts…
"Common sense in Pandemonium has a bit different meaning," Natsu agreed. "Anyway, about the last one – Elizasleyn – she was my own acquisition. A year prior to the moment when I've left Arx Tenebris, I found her, all alone, jobless a homeless. Her clan failed an important mission, she was made a scapegoat and punished for clan's failure. Clans' policy, in realms of gods, is quite cruel, as you can see. Since she never associated with other fallen angels and became my servant directly – her wings didn't turn black. After she joined me, she served as my adjutant of sorts, and since she's a virtue, she's number five."
Natsu turned to Erza, "And before you ask – number one of Shinryō no Setsuma is you, as number one in elite guardian forces, in realms of gods, is traditionally reserved for the bearer of the Seal of the First Apostle."
Erza almost jumped in surprise, but then she suddenly remembered that back then, on Galuna Island, Natsu informed her that their team will be called Shinryō no Setsuma, and now she finally realized the meaning behind this. She actually got a few words to say about this to her husband, but decided to wait until they will be tête-à-tête.
"And one last thing," Natsu decided to add, "Reishena and Lakshmee are absolutely loyal to me, especially since that idiotic incident with demonic ape king, since which they both owes me their lives, and Elizasleyn… her motives still a bit vague, but she's definitely not brave enough to betray me and die for it," God of Ruin smiled to himself. "Any more questions?" He asked.
"No, my head is already hurting too much, let's just sleep," Nelliel waved her arms.
And since no one objected, everyone began to prepare for a sleep. Natsu thoughtfully looked at his huge sword, Magna Ruina, that stood leaning on the wall, and then at his quite tattered coat, which was lying on the stool nearby. Locals, despite being illusions, promised to give them some spare clothes tomorrow, but of course Natsu wanted his coat repaired.
"I'll be sleeping here," Nelliel announced, pointing at the spot between Luciferona on one side and Natsu and Erza on the other side.
"Seriously, you need to stop that…" Natsu shook her head, but no one was in the mood to discuss this, so they just let Nelliel to do whatever, since she definitely wanted to sleep in between her comrades to be better 'protected' from the 'ghost' (i.e Rōbaul ).
December 12, X784, 10:05, Cait Shelter village.
Despite all the villagers were illusions, the clothes they gave for the team were quite real, and they brought quite a lot for the alliance team to dress up, especially for the girls.
"Now that is really cute," Luciferona nodded in satisfaction as she looked over herself, now she was wearing clothes of the same traditional style as Wendy's dress. She had some troubles adjusting her clothes so it won't hinder her tails, but other than that – she liked that style.
"Mine is cuter," Shelly noted, as now she was watching in the big mirror. All of the girls from the alliance team now were trying these 'traditional' clothes.
"Everyone in this settlement is a part of the guild, and they're famous for their woven clothes!" Wendy informed cheerfully.
"A weaving method handed down from the Nirvit clan, huh?" Mirajane noted, after good sleep her mood brightened a lot.
"Come to think of it, I guess… it would have to be, huh?" Wendy replied as she seemed a bit puzzled.
"So, you didn't know that your entire guild consists of descendants of Nirvits?" Shelly asked, looking at skymaiden.
"I entered after everybody else," Wendy shrugged.
"Hey, you there, start dressing up already," Erza addressed the turquoise-haired girl, who still was in her underwear. Nelliel seemingly was reluctant to wear clothes made by ghosts.
"I'm… I'm going to… I'm just still choosing!" Dream dragon slayer tried to justify herself.
"By the way, Wendy, do you know when Cait Shelter joined up with the allied guilds?" Mirajane asked, adjusting her skirt.
"I'm embarrassed to admit it, but before this mission, I've never heard the name of this guild before," Shelly admitted.
"To be honest, me neither," Mirajane shook her head.
"Is that right? Wow… I guess our guild really is obscure, huh?" Wendy smiled shyly.
Erza, Nelliel and Luciferona just remained silent – they knew the answer but decided to not ruin the mood. "Nelliel-san, you're either dress up, or you will make that creep Ichiya overexcited," Luciferona noted, addressing a still half-naked Nelliel.
"Come on, hurry up!" Another girl's voice urged everyone as Carla entered the hut where girls were dressing up, "Everyone's waiting outside!"
December 12, X784, 10:15, Cait Shelter village's central square.
The weather was still cloudy, but rain has stopped, so everyone gathered on the square in the middle of the village.
"Fairy Tail, Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, Aurora Présage… and Wendy and Carla… I commend you all for bringing down the Oración Seis and stopping Nirvana!" Cait Shelter guildmaster announced solemnly, as he was standing in the middle of the square, surrounded with about fifty guildmembers, "Speaking for the alliance of all the regional guilds, I, Rōbaul, express our gratitude! Thank you all! A Nabura thank you!"
"You're quite welcome, master Rōbaul!" A sparkling Ichiya suddenly jumped forth and shouted, "We admit that defeating the Oración Seis meant battle after battle, and it was not what any would call an easy win! But our bonds of intimate friendship led us through to victory!"
"That's sensei for you!" All three trimens shouted joyfully, supporting their leader.
"There he goes stealing the scene with clever words," Gray grunted.
"That fool didn't fight anybody!" Mirajane growled. First, Ichiya was ambushed and knocked out in the bathroom, and then captured by the dark guild, and then he was hanging on one of Nirvana's buildings… and that was all.
Lamia Scale mages ignored Blue Pegasus fools. "It's all over, huh?" Shelly let out a sigh of relief.
"You both did very well," Jura placed his arms on Lyon and Shelly's shoulders, encouraging them.
"Jura-san…" Lyon smiled slightly. He was still dissatisfied with his performance yesterday, but decided to not argue with his sempai.
"Now, how about an after-mission party?" Mirajane asked, she wouldn't mind to relax a bit.
"Now, Ichiya…" Blue Pegasus 'leader' turned around dramatically, holding a carrot, as if it's a microphone.
"Now, Ichiya?" "Struts his stuff!" "Struts his stuff!" Blue Pegasus' 'mages' began to perform a weird dance, "Wa-hooo!" "Wa-hooo!" "Wa-hooo!" "Wa-hooo!" By the way, since they fought much less than others, their clothes remained intact, so they were still wearing their default clothing.
"A party, huh?" Gray smiled to himself, and he, by the way, was wearing only his boxers.
"Don't go stripping!" Carla yelled at ice mage, "You neither!" She added as Lyon also appeared in his underpants only.
"Now, friends of the Cait Shelter, will you join in?!" Ichiya called as he and his teammates were still playing the apes. However, in response for trimens actions they got only deafening silence. After a few moments, all alliance's team members noticed the strangely tense expression of Cait Shelter's guildmaster. Even trimens settled down as Wendy looked at her guildmaster in confusion.
"Everyone, we hid the truth about the Nirvit clan from you… and for that I truly must apologize," Rōbaul began to speak.
"He's bringing down the mood with something like that!?" Gray exclaimed.
"Because we don't care about that at all, see?" Lyon supported his former co-pupil.
"Master, I don't mind either!" Wendy confirmed.
However, Rōbaul was looking at Natsu and his group – Erza, Luciferona and Nelliel, which stood a bit aside. He knew who are those people, more or less, and realized that they probably already saw through his disguise. Thus, he decided to let everyone know the truth before he'll be asked about it.
"I would like you all to listen very closely to what I'm about to say," Rōbaul began his tale. "To start with, we are not the descendants of the Nirvit Clan. We are that very Nirvit Clan. The man who built Nirvana 400 years ago… was me."
"Oh?" Natsu tilted his head. Erza and two other girls that stood near him physically felt as ground jolted beneath his feet. However, God of Ruin held himself back, not showing any emotions, despite he just learned that that 'ghost' in front of him is the one responsible for Amentiana's release and inevitable revival.
For others, it took a few breaths time to realize what they've just heard. "What?!" "400 years ago!?" "How?!" And other questions like that. Wendy just trembled as she heard that.
"Four hundred years ago… to stop the wars spreading out throughout the continent… I've built Nirvana with magic to reverse evil to good," Old man continued his tale, "Nirvana became our nation, and for period of time it became a symbol of peace. However, any enormous power will always give birth to its opposite power. Every bit of darkness that Nirvana turned into light ended up wrapped around Nirvana itself. It was simply restoring the balance – Nirvana wasn't able to change an unlimited number of people from darkness to light. Just as darkness gives birth to light, light also gives birth to darkness. The darkness that was made to vanish from the people around the continent came to rest in the hearts of Nirvit Clan…" Rōbaul sighed heavily.
"You're kidding…" Wendy stood trembling all over.
"Don't listen to that old imbecile," Natsu said quietly, so only three girls nearby could hear him. "He was under Amentiana's influence for too long, her madness permanently damaged his consciousness…" Girls' eyes widened slightly, but all of them remained silent.
"It was a living hell. We fell to murdering each other, and that wiped us out," Rōbaul explained to the shocked alliance team, "There was only one left alive – me." Wendy jerked back as she heard those words, while old man continued, "Well… Now those words aren't quite correct anymore. My body rotted away long ago, and now I'm little more than a projection of my former self. I had to atone for my crimes… Also, until the day when someone powerful enough to destroy Nirvana for me would come, I remained here as a powerless ghost. I had to watch over it for four hundred years… and now that duty had finally drawn to an end," Rōbaul concluded his story with bitter smile.
"That… that story…" Wendy, who was close to tears, tried to ask something, but suddenly, her guildmates, which stood around and also were smiling bitterly, began to vanish without a trace.
"Magna! Pepel! What is this?! Everybody's…" Young girl screamed in shock.
"Come on, people?!" Carla also seemed quite shocked.
"What's going on?!" Eve exclaimed.
"All those people are vanishing!" Hibike couldn't realize what's happening.
"I'm sorry to have tricked you, Wendy…" Rōbaul said as his smile became even more bitter. "All the guild members… are simple mirages that I made…"
"What did you say?!" Gray screamed in shock.
"Mirages with personalities?!" Lyon couldn't believe his ears.
"That must take enormous magic power!" Mirajane exclaimed.
"I was one man alone in a deserted village here to keep an eye on Nirvana," Old man explained as illusive guildmembers continued to vanish. "But seven years ago, a young man came to me. With himself he brought a very young girl and asked me to take her in. The young man had such straightforward, determined eyes that I've agreed before I knew it… so much for being alone for the rest om my existence. When the girl woke up and asked where she is, she said that young man promised to lead her to the guild. She was about to cry, so I just couldn't say the truth. I told her that there's a wizard guild right there, and all of her new guildmates are outside, waiting for her. And that's when I made mirages of your comrades, Wendy," Old man concluded.
"Told you, he's an accomplished idiot," Natsu noted as he heard the story of Cait Shelter's creation. "Instead of telling this girl the truth and escorting her to the closest legal, real guild, he made… this…"
"How would you handle a six years-old girl who was about to cry?" Nelliel wondered.
"Somehow," Nutsu shrugged. "Sometimes even six years-old kids should hear a 'no'. Besides, when I was six years-old I was saving my foolish servants from demonic ape king…"
"Yes, but you're an insane psycho, but this girl seems pretty normal," Erza commented.
In the meantime, the rest of the alliance team seemed even more shocked than after they've heard the history of Nirvana. "A whole guild just for Wendy!?" Mirajane's eyes were saucer-wide.
"I can't believe it…" Gray seemed awestruck.
"I don't want to hear this!" Wendy closed her tear-stained eyes and clumped her ears, "Come on! Bask! Naoki! Don't vanish!"
Rōbaul placed his left palm on Wendy's head and pronounced, "Wendy, Carla… you have no need for false friends anymore! Not when you have real ones standing right there!" Old man exclaimed cheerfully, pointing at alliance's team with his right arm. To that moment, all illusive 'mages' from Cait Shelter guild have disappeared. "Your new future has just begun!" Giving a last smile, Rōbaul also began to become transparent as he soared into the air and began to fly upward, fading away.
"Master!" Wendy cried as she rushed towards old man, but until she could reach him, he already disappeared.
"I want to thank all of you again," Rōbaul's fading voice sounded on deserted square, "Please look for Wendy and Carla for me…"
"MASTER!" Wendy let out a desperate scream as she fell on knees and started to sob, as the Cait Shelter guildmark on her shoulder dissipated. And while she was sobbing, alliance's mages were looking at each other in embarrassment and confusion. Having no idea what to do with the crying girl.
"Fools…" Nelliel growled, looking at others', especially trimens', helplessness, as she made a step forward.
"Want to invite her to your guild?" Natsu asked. "Good idea, colonel Jiraiya will definitely like a younger muse for his next book…"
As she heard that, for a moment, Nelliel froze like paralyzed, but then she turned back to Natsu and smiled, "Have I mentioned recently how much I hate you?"
"You two giving me a headache," Erza snorted as she went forth with confident gait. As she approached Wendy, she also knelt and gently placed her palms on girl's shoulders. "It's a painful thing to part with those who you've loved," Scarlet-haird dragon slayer said softly, "But your friends can fill that hole." In response to Erza's soft voice Wendy stopped sobbing and slowly turned around. "Come… to Fairy Tail."
And while everyone was distracted with sobbing Wendy end Erza, who managed to soothe her, no one noticed how Natsu hid his left arm behind his back and snapped his fingers. Small dark-blue flash in the clouds over the square also remained unnoticed.
December 12, X784, 12:30, Christina.
Since they had no need for a bomber during mission, Blue Pegasus offered it as a transportation to bring everyone home. "Damn, how could I allow you to steal such a useful girl from me?!" Nelliel grunted resentfully. Just as they've boarded the magical airship, Erza, Nelliel (and, for some reason, Luciferona) felt themselves sick, but it appeared that Wendy actually has a spell to counter the seasickness. Nelliel seemed very sad that owner of such a spell is going to join another guild. Even though that spell's effect is time-limited and has diminishing returns, it is still very useful for a dragon slayer.
"You seem very enthusiastic…" Carla noted as she noticed that Wendy's mood greatly improved.
"I'm looking forward to it!" Skymaiden clenched her small fists in excitement, "It's Fairy Tail, Carla!"
Seeing this, Nelliel just shook her head, giving up.
Battle has ended, and alliance's team began to split up, returning to their own guilds. Blue Pegasus team was first to disembark, thought they let others to use Cristina to get home.
"Let us enjoy beautiful perfume again, Lucy-san, Mirajane-san, Erza-san," Ichiya announced with immeasurable pathos. By the way, aside from Wendy, Carla, Nelliel, Natsu and Erza, no one knew about Lucy's new name, and three-tailed-girl decided to let it to remain as such for now. Hair color is one thing but changing her name as well will look suspicious. This can be handled later.
"Next time, come visit us at our guild!" Eve said as he struck a cool pose.
"When you do, we'll give you a present of your best evening ever!" Hibike made a welcoming gesture with his arm. And though Hibiki and Eve were addressing Mirajane and Luciferona, for some reason, Erza appeared to be the most irritated.
"Oh I'll do…" She hissed, "Just wait until I'll become a full-fledged dragon – I'll visit your guild and you'll experience un unforgettable evening…
There also was a weird goodbye scene between two tsunderes, Ren and Shelly, but Natsu ignored it completely.
December 12, X784, 13:15, Christina.
As blue Pegasus Team left, the airship was approaching Shirotsume town, where Nelliel's new guild, the Aurora Présage, was founded just a few weeks ago. As she was about to disembark, Natsu approached her. "I've forgot to tell you – I've got a message from Sin earlier this morning. It seems that he and my servants were unable to find bodies of two members of Oración Seis – codenames 'Hot Eye' and 'Angel'," He informed.
"They've survived?!" Nelliel's eyes widened a bit.
"Not sure," Natsu shrugged. "I'm pretty sure that they won't try to seek revenge against any of our alliance's team members, however, with that, I'm afraid we can't get bounty for them, so you won't be getting your share for Hot Eye, I'm sorry," He apologized. Mirajane slew Cobra and Erza killed Racer, their corpses were recovered. A lot of people witnessed Midnight and Zero's (aka Brain) deaths. Natsu and Jura's words will be enough to mark their bounties as completed. However, without 100% confirmation of Angel and Hot Eye's deaths, Natsu ain't going to risk his name, claiming bounty for them. If he'll get money, but later they'll be found alive – his reputation will be done for.
"However, you'll get full bounty for Midnight, and don't even think about refusing," Natsu stated. "I'll visit you several days later – you'll need those, if not for yourself then for Luminel. Besides, your contribution actually was more than just killing Midnight, so you've earned an additional bonus…" Natsu added mysteriously. Nelliel looked at him questioningly but he didn't say anything else. "See you soon," Natsu waved his hand.
Nelliel looked at him for a few more moments, but as the airship was almost over the Shirotsume town, she stepped on deck's fence and disappeared with emerald flash of light.
December 12, X784, 14:55, Christina.
Next stop will be Magnolia. Lamia scale team approached to bid their goodbyes. "Give my best regards to master Makarov," Jura asked.
"Gray, fix that stripping habit of yours," Lyon said to his former co-pupil.
"Try to use a bit less of makeup," Shelly wished to Mirajane.
""I don't want to hear that from you!"" She-devil and Ice mage shouted in reply, simultaneously.
Since the Fairy Tail's group, including two newcomers, was pretty big, Christina landed in Magnolia's outskirts and let the Fairy Tail's team to disembark normally. As the airship took off and headed further to the south-west, to deliver Lamia Scale team to their guild, Gray let out a sigh of relief. "Finally, home!" He exclaimed.
"Yeah… but Gray-san, why have you taken of your clothes?" Luciferona wondered.
"Gah!" Gray jumped in shock, "When did I?!"
And while Gray was running around to find his clothes, Natsu addressed she-devil, "Jane, we both know you'll come to me eventually… don't make me wait for too long. It's in your best interests…"
Mirajane looked at him with narrowed eyes but didn't say anything and went towards the town, together with the ice mage, who finally found all of his clothes. It seems that they have some things to sort out.
"Natsu, I'm taking Wendy and Carla to Fairy Hills, we have to get her a roof over her head until night," Erza informed her spouse.
"Alright," Natsu nodded. Erza was dormitory's former head girl, so there should be no issues despite Wendy and Carla are not official guild members yet.
Wendy's eyes sparkled as she heard about Fairy Tail's dormitory. "Natsu-san, Luciferona-san, bye!" She waved her arm cheerfully and went after scarlet-haired lady. Carla followed Wendy and Erza, though not showing her enthusiasm so explicitly.
Natsu turned to Luciferona, who, in the meantime, was thoughtfully looking at golden keys in her hands. In addition to six she already had, Nelliel gave her those keys she confiscated from Angel, as a thanks for help in bringing down Midnight. Now Luciferona got nine Golden Keys of Zodiac, which were completely useless for her. "And what should I do with it?" She thought aloud.
"Keep these keys for now," Natsu suggested. "You may find another celestial spirit mage and sell these to him or her, but even if you don't – these keys still have a value as collector's items. Who knows, maybe one day I'll decide to start my own collection of rare magical items…" Natsu shrugged.
"Yes, you're right, magister, I'll keep them for now," Girl nodded.
"However, Rona, can you please do me a favor?" Natsu asked.
"Whatever you wish, magister," Luciferona readily agreed – she actually owes Natsu her existence, if you think of it carefully.
"Yeah, right…" Natsu was slightly taken aback with her willingness, but only for a moment. "Please, refrain from going to the guildhall until tomorrow's noon. You and I need to discuss a few things, but first I need to check on something."
"Ah, of course," Luciferona bowed slightly, "I've had no intentions to go to the guild until tomorrow anyway. Until that, I must sort out my wardrobe…"
"It's high time," Natsu agreed. "Well, until tomorrow then," Natsu said and headed to his house.
"Good day to you, magister," Luciferona slightly bowed and went towards Magnolia's channel.
December 12, X784, 15:30, Natsu and Erza's house.
When Natsu finally made it to his home, Sin was waiting for him.
"Now that was quick," Little skeletal creature noted, "I didn't expect you to return until night." Natsu didn't informed him about developments in Cait Shelter village, because he wanted to talk in person, so Sin wasn't aware that team's going to return via airship. By the way, little boney creature seemed much better than yesterday, he recovered quite a bit.
As they entered the house and were walking up the stairs (well, Natsu was walking), God of ruin explained to his familiar the overall situation about Cait Shelter's effective disbandment and the chain of events that led to it.
"That weak-minded imbecile…" Sin swore off as he was in complete agreement with Natsu about Rōbaul, who launched a chain of events that led to Amentiana's inevitable revival. As they entered the cabinet, Natsu noticed two 'items', which definitely doesn't belong here – there were heads of Cobra and Racer, frozen solid, seemingly with Sin's cursed power. "Those servants of yours are interesting fellows," Sin noted as he saw that Natsu spotted the heads, "They follow your orders to the letter, especially the black-winged girl…"
"You know, I have a special room for trophies," Natsu noted as those two things definitely were out of place here, in his cabinet.
"It's on third floor and these two things are heavy," Sin waved him off. "By the way, here," Little creature put his claw into his own skeletal belly and took out a bole-colored, glowing crystal.
"Ah, my most important trophy," Natsu smiled as he took the crystal. "A dragon slayer in your pocket. I'll find much better use for it than a second-rate mage…"
"By the way, Natsu, about that Nirvana's story," Sin remembered something, "Have you learned how exactly that old fool managed to find the prison itself? All of them are supposedly buried several miles beneath the surface, to prevent such situations…"
"Oh, that's a good question," Natsu smiled eerily, "Because you can ask that old fool yourself." God of ruin clapped his palms and, with majestic resound of peal of thunder, a dark blue energy orb appeared right from thin air, in the middle of the room. There were eight chains, made of lighting-like energy, organized in circles, each one had a diameter of 5 feet. Those eight lightning circles were organized to make a sphere. And inside of that sphere, was someone…
That someone was no one else than Rōbaul. When he bid his farewells and was about to depart from this world (as he hoped), he was captured by Natsu, without anyone noticing it. "Only yesterday I've got my new powers, yet, just within several hours, I've managed to master it to the point when I was able to create these Raikō no Kusari [Thunderglow Chains]. I'm quite a genius, am I?" Natsu praised himself, addressing both Sin and imprisoned old man. "And it's not some cheap trick, as thunder-derived powers are especially effective against ethereal bodies, ghosts in particular." Sin would've definitely rolled his eyes if he could, as Rōbaul seemed confused as he couldn't understand what's going on and what Natsu wants from him.
"However, no matter how much it is tempting to speak about me, let's talk about you instead," Natsu pronounced. "Sorry that I'm not offering you a coffee or something, but since you're the one of the most horrible criminals in the history of this continent, I guess the lack of hospitality on my side should be understandable. Oh, and I'm not meaning your Nirvit Clan, I couldn't care less about it," Natsu clarified as he saw a bitter smile on old man's face. "Let's talk about you releasing an almost invincible demon, which slew four god-level beings until she finally has been neutralized," God of ruin elaborated.
Old man's eyes widened in shock as he couldn't comprehend what Natsu is saying, but latter had no desire to explain, besides, Rōbaul probably won't realize it anyway – he was under Amentiana's influence for too long and his consciousness was damaged permanently. Natsu looked into old man's eyes as his own eyes began to glow with crimson light. His blood order was effective even against ethereal bodies, or especially effective, to be more precise. And as Rōbaul's eyes also became crimson and pupil-less, Natsu demanded some answers, "How did you find that metallic disk? What have you done to it? Tell me everything!"
And, unable to resist the power of Natsu's eyes, Rōbaul told him everything the former wanted to know. However, old man's answers only brought disappointment to Natsu and Sin. Seemingly, when he was still young, Rōbaul was simply very (un)lucky and found that prison by accident. Apparently, when ancients decided to bury the prison down there, they overestimated the stability of local underground geology. Within several thousands of years, the prison was brought very close to the surface – close enough for someone to find it due to a sheer accident. And as he found it, being young, curious and irresponsible, Rōbaul decided to try and look what's inside.
It is not really important how exactly he managed to break prison's casing, but from that moment, everything went awry. As he tampered with the prison, Amentiana's influence began to spread outside and Rōbaul himself was first to fall under it. Demon goddess made him strong enough to make a name for himself among his clansmen, and she made him to look wise enough, so later he was made the clan's leader. Amentiana needed victims, sacrificial lambs. And at that point, Rōbaul was so tightly clenched between her clutches, that convincing him to build a city, and make her the heart of this city, was just a child's play. That was an entire nation of potential sacrifices. And that nation, with Rōbaul as its leader, was enthusiastically preparing the sacrificial ritual by itself. Nirvana actually never turned anyone to light on purpose, it was just a side effect due to Nirvana draining darkness and madness from its surroundings. That doesn't have anything to do with 'balance' between darkness and light, or other vague philosophy. That was Amentiana's plan, and everything was raffled like a clockwork. When time has come – madness flowed out like a flood and wiped Nirvits out. However, even despite all of that, when he tried to re-seal Nirvana, Rōbaul didn't realized what was the root of it, as he couldn't realize it even now, when Natsu was questioning him.
"Useless trash…" Natsu said in disappointment. Since Rōbaul found Amentiana's prison accidentally, that means that there's no definite signs of prisons' locations. That means that there's no way to find other prisons and establish some surveillance over them. But Amentiana definitely knows where her other shards are – as such, there are no chances to stop her from restoring herself to original state. "Damn!" Natsu swore off.
Blood order's power wore off and Rōbaul came back to his senses, and now he seemed completely confused, but God of Ruin already lost all interest towards him. There was only one thing left. Due to weight of his sins, and because he was under Amentiana's influence for too long – that 'ghost' of an old man actually became an accursed soul. He will never be able to leave this world – Samsara's wheel won't accept him. He will be either foredoomed to roam this world till the end of times, or… "Since we are the ones who will have to deal with the mess made by you and the likes of you, make yourself useful for the last time and help my familiar to recover a bit of his ancient power," Natsu said indifferently as he headed to the library. "He's all yours," God of Ruin said to his familiar.
December 12, X784, 21:40, Natsu and Erza's house.
Natsu spent several hours in his library, checking some ancient scriptures. That was about Luciferona. Initially he decided that she became a Waima – warped devil, as all the signs ware pointing at it. However, as he was observing her further, he actually got a feeling that those signs aren't so univocal – that's why he asked her to not go to the guild and instead visit him tomorrow. And now Natsu found quite an interesting lead, however, to check it further he needed Luciferona's physical presence, so he decided to postpone his searches, besides, his wife finally returned home.
Since Wendy came to the guild without anything at all, she needed some necessary stuff to live, so first she, Carla and Erza went for some shopping, and only after it they've headed to Fairy Hills. When all the formalities were settled, it was already almost 9 PM.
"So, is it done?" Natsu wondered as he met his wife in the yard.
"Yea… a… a… ah," Erza was unable to suppress a yawn. "I promised to introduce her to the guild tomorrow, after 10 in the morning," She added.
"Very well," Natsu nodded, "Come on then, sweety, dinner is ready, today's your favorite," Natsu said as he gently kissed the tip of her nose. They were finally alone, as Sin went to 'see what's going on in the guildhall', so Natsu no longer needed to hold back his affection.
"Oh, someone feels himself guiltily?" Erza asked with cunning smile. "You won't get away with just a di… i… i.. nner…" She yawned again.
"My dear, are you okay?" Natsu asked a bit worriedly, "You're yawning since the very morning…"
"Didn't get enough sleep last tonight," Erza admitted as she headed to the dinning room. She was acting normally, but of course Natsu noticed that she's a bit distracted and feels more tired than she wanted to look like. "Barely slept for four hours, I think," She added.
"I… didn't notice…" Natsu admitted as he felt another prick of conscience. Usually he always notices when Erza can't sleep – she frequently had nightmares about R-System, until it was dealt with. But last night Natsu fell asleep almost instantly, and slept until almost half a ten AM.
"Well, those magazines were warning me about that…" She-dragon sighed. "As soon as man puts a ring on your finger – their attention vanishes…" Erza feigned disappointment.
"Not funny!" Natsu scolded her, "So, what's bothering you?"
"I… don't know…" Erza thought how to properly describe her condition. "It was okay after the battle and when we were talking in the village later. But when we went to sleep… as soon as I was closing my eyes my head was becoming filled with strange thoughts about magic, runes, spells… It all settled down a bit closer to the morning and I've barely managed to fall asleep then."
Natsu scratched his head, "Well, during the battle you've truly awakened your Ryū no Chikara [Dragon Force], not that forced state as it was back then, but the real Dragon Force. Maybe now your mind is trying to comprehend that?" He wondered. Also, there was that last spell Erza used, which had nothing to do with Erza's Dragon Slayer magic. Natsu also observed it through Sin's eyes, but just as Erza herself – he had no idea what was it, so he decided to avoid that topic for now.
"I also thought so," Erza nodded as she proceeded to eat her favorite roasted pig. "However, can we go to sleep right after dinner?" She asked, and that question sounded more like a plea. Honestly, right after battle, her emotions were boiling. She was so angry at Natsu that she let himself be captured, so happy that he came out unharmed, and so on and so forth. However, she was holding back, planning to pour it all onto him when they'll be alone. However, right now, all she could think of is to get under blanket, put her head on her pillow, grab her husband's arm and get some sleep.
"Of course," Natsu nodded. Despite he, apparently, slept much more than his wife, Natsu also didn't feel himself rested enough.
"I guess you don't want to make love before sleep?" Natsu asked as he undressed and got to the bed, where his beautiful wife was already waiting for him.
"Oh, you can't imagine how much I want to," Erza replied in a voice that made it clear how much she's longing for pleasures of love, "But I… I… I… I'm afraid I can fall asleep right in the middle of the process…" Shew yawned again.
"Wow, you're really tired," Natsu sound surprised. If even a pervert of Erza's scale feels like she can fall asleep during lovemaking – she's definitely on edge.
"Sorry," Erza smiled guiltily, "Good night," She pronounced as she embraced Natsu's arm and closed her eyes.
'Hah, and just when I wanted to put this new left arm of mine into good use…' Natsu thought, but seriously, if she's so tired then it will be just a torture, and not of the type she likes. "Good night, my dear," He said quietly.
December 12, X784, 23:35, Natsu and Erza's house.
It's been more than an hour and half since Natsu and Erza went to sleep. "Still awake?" Natsu asked quietly as he felt his wife moving slightly. Unlike last night – he knew that she was awake all that time.
"Yeah…" Erza replied reluctantly, "Sorry to keep you awake as well…"
"Thoughts about magic again?" Natsu guessed.
"This is just ridiculous!" Erza snorted. "As soon as I close my eyes – my head is full of thoughts about magic, runes, spells and other stuff like that. But when I'm trying to think about it – those thoughts as if slip through fingers…" She complained. "I can't be sleepy and distracted tomorrow, I've promised to introduce Wendy to the guild!"
"I also have plans for tomorrow, but I can do that instead of you, or we can ask other dormitory girls, Cana or that small girl… Levy, for example – they've already met Wendy anyway," Natsu suggested.
"No," Erza sighed, "I can't skimp my S-class mage's duty just because I've contracted the insane obsession with magic from you…"
"Well, since you're still capable of making caustic remarks – you're probably okay, more or less," Natsu snorted.
"Maybe," Erza sighed, "But I'm afraid it can't continue like that. I think I need to seclude myself from everything and think those thoughts through…" In other words, Erza said that she has to meditate.
She didn't like meditations – Erza thought that that's just a waste of time, and there's better methods to improve one's magic, like training with sparring partner. But, from time to time, even she had to let her magic to wash over her body from inside in calm atmosphere. Natsu wasn't so categorical, so when he was planning this house, he ordered a special, secluded room for meditations in the basement, with special platform, incenses and other necessary stuff.
Erza got out from the bed, and, without dressing up, headed to room's exit. "Need any help?" Natsu asked as he involuntarily licked his lips, looking at his wife's perfect and completely naked body. Though he already knew the answer – she needs to fully focus her mind, and he will only be distracting factor for her.
"No, thanks," Erza replied as expected, "Just sleep, I'll try to be done with it fast," She added and left the room. 'If I won't get enough of sleep, I'll got circles under the eyes…' She shivered just from the thought, 'Need to deal with these weird thoughts quickly, I have a lot of things to do tomorrow…'
Natsu looked as his wife closing the bedroom's door, shrugged, and closed his eyes.
December 13, X784, 9:40, Natsu and Erza's house.
Natsu opened his eyes and stretched his limbs. Now he really felt himself rested and ready to work. He had a lot of things to take care of – to develop a new set of spells for himself, get bounty for Oración Seis, and a lot of other things. However, just when he was about to stand up, he realized that he actually still alone in the bed. He looked at the clock, "Wow, I've overslept…" He said to himself. 'Erza already went to meet Wendy?' Natsu thought as he stood up. Maybe she was reluctant to wake him up and quietly left to let him sleep a bit more? No, Natsu still could feel her presence in the house. 'She's still meditating? Or she just fell asleep in meditation chamber?' Natsu was asking himself while he was dressing up and walking down the stairs, to the basement.
However, just as he touched the meditation chamber's door and opened it… he froze like paralyzed. The entire room was illuminated with mysterious, white-golden, 'divine' light. On the meditation platform, where Erza supposed to be, was a half-transparent, egg-like like cocoon, seven feet in diameter, floating over platform, almost touching the ceiling. Entire cocoon's surface was covered with glowing runes, which were eliciting ripples of ancient power. When Natsu ran to the cocoon and looked inside, his astonishment grew even further. Inside of that cocoon were a golden vortex of ethernano, swirling at supersonic speed. And inside of that vortex was Erza, sitting legs crossed and her eyes were closed. However, that wasn't her body… that was her very soul! "Is this… Re-origination!?" Natsu exclaimed in shock.
It's not a common knowledge, but also not a rare one – when human accepts dragon's inheritance (i.e. when he becomes a dragon slayer), eventually he'll become a dragon, himself. That happens due to so-called Dragon Seed – a plant-like organism that simply forms inside one's body and begins their process of dragonization, starting with their bodies producing dragon-like features such as scales. No matter how exactly a human obtained dragon's inheritance – a book, lacrima, real dragon's teachings – the dragon seed will form and grow, turning the host into a dragon. The more dragon slayer uses his magic – the faster he or she transforms. However, that transformation is incomplete, defective. Lifespan increases not as much, strength will be slightly inferior, comparing to the original dragon, some features of original human's body will remain. And of course, both real dragons and other dragon slayers will notice those differences.
However, since the Dragon Seed counts as the wrong way to accept the dragon's inheritance, then there should be a right way, is it? And right now, Natsu was looking exactly at it – the right way to accept dragon's inheritance, or inheritance from any other magical beast or even a god – the Re-origination. This complex and dangerous process will allow the dragon slayer to completely re-arrange her flesh, magic conducting system (meridians) and even adjust her very soul. Re-origination is split into three stages, and after all three will be completed the dragon slayer will become a genuine dragon, without dragon seed method's flaws.
Apparently, Erza began her first Re-origination. On that stage she has to re-create her skin, muscles, internal organs and bones on cellular level – through complete reconstruction of her DNA. Natsu again looked at Erza's image inside of cocoon – he could see two transformation points – Mahōhenkō [Magic Change] and Mahōton [Magic Release], multiple glowing lines and a glowing sphere – those were her meridians and her Mahōsui [Magic Sleep] – magical container (sometimes called manapool). But her body turned into that swirling vortex of ethernano…
Natsu shook his head in disbelief, 'How such a thing could happen?!' No, of course he knew that this will happen, but usually preparations before first phase take years! Even though Erza had a head start (in form of Dragon Queen's soul residing within her), that alone shouldn't have been enough. Natsu thought that there are still at least three years before her first Re-origination. Yet, his wife's body already has been disassembled. Seemingly, those weird thoughts and severe need to rest were signs, her mind and body were telling her that she's ready for re-origination, urging her to begin. Of course, Natsu had no chances to recognize those signs, he didn't even think about this possibility, let alone he never saw the process by himself. And when she began meditating her subconsciousness started the process.
Natsu had no idea what to do – to cry or rejoice. On one hand – now, when he acquired his domain and became a god (and got his left, main hand back) – he surpassed Erza significantly in terms of magical power, but especially, in physical strength and endurance. If she'll succeed in first re-origination, she'll quickly catch up to him, and that definitely is great. On the other hand – she's a fleshless soul now, who needs to construct a new DNA for herself from the scratch. If she'll make a mistake – she'll be crippled. And since Natsu didn't expect that to happen – he didn't even explain the basics to her. She dislikes being called a 'village girl', but she is a village girl, after all – she probably doesn't even know what DNA is… Natsu only hoped that Andromeda can help her somehow. Besides, there's a second drawback – re-origination can take several weeks. And considering that Andromeda was a pure-blooded, primordial dragon – this can take up to two full months…
'So out of time…' Natsu sighed. 'Sin, come back quickly, we have a… situation here…' God of Ruin sent a message to his familiar. It seems that Natsu will have to introduce Wendy to the guild in Erza's stead, after all.
A/N: About the route team took to return – Fiore's map from chapter 165 contradicts heavily with the map published after GMG ark was released. I'll use later variant as reference.
A/N: No spells here so nothing to translate!
And that's it for now! See you soon people, don't forget a review!