Natsu the grand Runesmith
Chapter two
Letters
shout out to Natsu is awesome for being awesome and wise beyond his years.
Aged eyes flickered open as a rough hand rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Removing himself from the sheets, he rose before he found his way to a mirror. His aged face was kept clean from any facial hair, a lesson his father had taught him for his safety. His broad shoulders and chiseled chest appeared to belong to someone half his age if that. Spending his entire life in the forge had turned his body into a modern marvel of physical appearance.
After taking care of his morning routine, the large man stepped into a hallway and approached the door that was slightly open with a dim light escaping from the crack. As he pushed the door open he found his apprentice had fallen asleep at his desk with his strange runes scattered across the multitude of papers on the desk. He looked out the window to see dawn was still some time away so he pulled the chair slightly and picked up the boy in his arms before settling him into the bed. The boy rearranged himself before he fell back into a deeper sleep. The old man smiled as he looked at the boy.
Three years had passed since he met the smug brat on the side of the road. He was rather skeptical of the boy but he was so glad he followed his instincts and offered the pink haired a position under his teachings. He didn't believe in the higher powers, or in fate. That was something he always had believed in. But after meeting the kid, he would find himself questioning those morals. His father always said that the best thing in life was watching him grow into a man.
And as his condition worsened, he knew it would be a matter of time before he would leave Natsu behind. He knew the boy could handle it. He was strong. He was meant for greatness. And one of the few regrets Milson had was that he wouldn't be there to see Natsu achieve it.
Milson paused as he passed the room of the other person that lived in the upper part of the Hur forge. Slowly opening the door he had caught the green haired child crawling back into the room from the window. She froze as she saw she had been found out. Milson eyed the bag over her shoulder before he straightened his form and sent a mild glare at the girl. Bisca, who had prayed they were asleep, finished stepping into the room before she lowered her head.
"I didn't steel these." she said in a low whisper. They both knew Natsu had inhuman hearing. And the last thing they needed was Natsu finding out about these talks.
"I know you didn't. Aldre has told me all about your little adventures to the docks. You didn't forget that I have ears all over the place, did you?" Milson asked as he pulled up a chair from the desk and motioned for her to take a seat on the bed. She did as instructed after she shoved the bag under the bed. They both sat in silence before Milson saw she wouldn't start. "I have a pretty good understanding on what's going on with you. And I want you to know this,"
He paused as Bisca lowered her head and prepared for it again. She knew he knew something was up. Milson Hur was a man in his own league. He had a sixth sense when it came to the affairs of the two children that plagued his home. She knew he was getting ready to get rid of her. She was almost ready to beat him to the punch, it was just a few days away after all. She could rough it for a few days, she had before meeting them-
"You are always welcome here." He said as she looked up at him. "I know I can't make you stay, and I hope you know what your doing, but you are free to come and go as much as you please. Natsu and I will always welcome you with open arms. I do need to ask you one thing, however...If you decide to leave us, you need to explain to Natsu. We both know how much you mean to him...to us." Milson said before rising from the chair and ruffled her green hair. "Sleep tight kiddo." he said with a small smile before leaving the green haired pick-pocket. He knew for a while that she wouldn't to be free from the walls. That she wanted to experience the world. He knew that. He just wished Natsu did.
He could tell that Natsu had come to expect that Bisca would always be beside him. He had left his father to complete his quest. But he had yet to be on the receiving end of that ordeal. He hated that it had to be this way but if Bisca chose to leave than..maybe...maybe it would repair him for when Milson would leave this world.
Shaking his head of those forbidden thoughts, he sat himself down at his work station, which had several envelopes with several seals from different families, tribes, kings, rulers and so on. As he swapped through the envelopes he came across a familiar symbol causing him to pause before taking a pen and opening the letter before he read it.
To my old friend Milson, I regret that I haven't made time to visit you in the last some odd years. I know you are a rather to the point person so I'll do just that. It has become known that you have been training a successor who shows great promise. I know your condition must be starting to take it's tole and I also know that your successor has become acquainted with one of my guild members, Levy. I have recently promoted an upcoming wizard to S class that is their age and would like to have your successor craft her a weapon to suit her tastes. If your student chooses to accept this task simply send a letter to my guild and I'll do the rest.
You have my best wishes.
Makarov Dreyar
Milson sat the letter down before picking up his quill just before he began to write his reply, his eyes caught a symbol that plagued his very existence. Slowly he pulled the gray letter from the stack as he looked at the wicked green crown that sat at the center of the envelope.
"So what's been your problem old man?" Natsu asked as he working on his order. Over the last three years, Natsu could honestly say he enjoyed his time under the watchful eye of Milson Hur. The old man did as he promised and helped Natsu become an up and coming blacksmith. He had even started to make a name for himself. Sure most of that was from Milson saying it would be cheaper for him to make it so people would start asking for Natsu to forge them. Sure, Natsu had still thought about the Codex, it was still his top priority.
He kept telling himself that he would leave soon. But the mere thought of leaving Milson and Bisca hurt him much deeper than he thought it would. It almost hurt him as much as when he took Bisca to meet Igneel only to find his old home abandoned. He never really thought about Igneel just up and leaving him behind. It drove him crazy. If Bisca hadn't talked him into staying, he would probably still be out there looking for him.
Speaking of his partner in crime, she seemed to be off her center lately. And while it drove him mad to have the green ball of sass comment on everything he did, when she was silent was by far worse. He expected to see the fire in her purple eyes, not the rainy day that had found it's way into them recently.
"This shipment Natsu. With this shipment comes something very important." Milson explained as he took the wedge and popped the top of the large cargo crate. Natsu peered into the box to find...black steel?
"What the hell is this stuff?" Natsu asked as he pulled the slick metal out from the box. Natsu sat it across the anvil before striking it with a sword he had been working on. To his shock, the blade snapped upon contact.
"I have a few very important orders that came in and I want you to fill them." He said as he took the metal out before taking the slab of metal in his hand and rested it on the now crowning achievement in his forge.
The Runeforge.
Natsu had presented it as a gift to the blacksmith at the start of the second year together. Natsu told him that it was safe and after getting use to the runic power that the anvil had generated he could honestly say he was impressed. He didn't really understand the symbols but Natsu assured him that it would never fail him. He paused as he watched the rune for 'heat' glow red before he took his father's forging hammer, the same one that had existed for seven generations in the Hur family, and delivered a powerful blast after the metal had began to glow. The metal reacted almost instantly to the savage blast before another on was delivered.
Natsu watched as his master began to shape the first of the seven blades to grace the world. Natsu was surprised when Milson had stopped and handed him his hammer. He knew how much the hammer had meant to Milson. Milson instructed Natsu on how the first few blades were to be shaped before he left Natsu to his own devices.
Milson quickly left the forge before rushing to his room and closing the door. He had known that the first few signs of his ailment would show. And low and behold, when he lowered his lower eye-lid, a sliver of black could be seen. Milson placed a hand over his heart to find nothing had changed, and to that he was grateful. If hewas do for an episode, then he could not be at sea for three days it took to meet the drop-off, he would have to send Natsu.
Natsu wiped his brow as he sat his master's hammer down. Five of the six blades were finished after four days of forging and enchanting. He had to admit. He had truly outdone himself. His first blade with the 'black steel' was a masterpiece. It's two handed curved handle led into the most gorgeous guard that he had ever laid his eyes on. The heavy blade was perhaps the second sharpest he had ever made. To make it even better, he took Igneel's gift and fastened the gauntlet around his arm. He had nearly grown into it. And as he began to carve the first rune he found that the engraving tool cut through the blade like a knife through butter. It took him around two hours for the six runes that graced the blade. They were 'harden', 'Swiftness', 'air' and to top them off were three runes of 'weight'. After all, a heavy blade needed mass in order to be more effective. The other two weren't as special first one. The "Blacksword", he could come up with a better name later, was by far his favorite.
The close second was a massive katana which had a red tent thanks to the heat and the crushed lacrima he used to sharpen the blade even further. He had decided that if Blacksword was the best looking, then Crimson rush would be the sharpest. The massive blade carried a total of nine runes of which were split between 'swiftness' and 'harden'. Anymore runes and the blade would crack from the energy. That was another thing about the metal. The draconic runes would normally break from the pressure of three runes while this black steel could hold almost triple that.
After showing Milson the results of his labor he was very pleased that his master was just as impressed as he was with himself. It was than that Milson had informed Natsu that he would be the one to deliver the blades to the drop off point. When he was questioned about the choice to send him in his stead, Milson had explained it was concerning personal matters. Natsu trusted his teacher's word and awaited for the day for the ship to come to take him to some island off to the west part of the world.
He had asked Bisca if would want to come with him but she denied him claiming that she had a fear of the ocean. While Natsu found it odd that she had never expressed such a fear, he would trust his best friend and made a promise to fill her in on everything when he got back. And now we see him as he prepares to leave for the docks.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with?" He asked as Bisca one last time which would make it the twelfth time today.
"I told you already, me and boats don't mix well. Now get out of here before you miss your boat you stupid twit." Bisca shooed him off before Natsu glanced at the ground while scratching his neck.
"hehe sorry for being such a bother. I guess I better get going before Milson throws a fit and drags by behind the wagon. Cya when I get back." He said as he turned to leave when he felt two arms wrap around his waist and pulled him into a hug. "B-Bisca!? What-whatareyoudoing?" Asked a very red faced rune smith. Bisca ignored his babbling while she avoided his gaze and decided to keep her head in his scarf.
"J-Just shut up for a second in your life..." She muttered before she slowly released him from her hold and said "Goodbye Natsu." She said before she felt a tug at her arm. Natsu had unraveled his scarf and handed it to Bisca.
"I'll only be gone for a few days, so hold on to this for me until I get back okay?" Natsu asked while showing her his smile.
"Get your ass out here Natsu!" Milson called causing Natsu to scramble out the door and hoped into the carriage and the two left for the docks leaving the green haired girl alone.
'What should I do?'
Bisca felt her face soften as she gazed down at the white fabric in her hands. She chose to ignore the small stain that had appeared. And the next one..and the next one. She chose to ignore the wetness on her face as the tears continued to fall.
Natsu had found he hated few things in his life.
The strongest hate was to himself for not being able to use magic like he should be able to. He didn't hate knowing the runes, far from it. But that didn't stop him from questioning himself. If he was good enough to be called Igneel's son, Milson's apprentice, Bisca's friend and so on.
Next was letting Milson or Bisca down. He tried to be perfect in everything he did. That of course would be impossible. Perfection was an unattainable thing but that didn't stop him from trying. Milson rarely showed disappointment but when he did it felt like a ton of bricks was dropped on Natsu's shoulders. Bisca was much easier to upset. Her pride often got in the way as she refused to be second to him in anything they did together. She would never blame Natsu for her losing, however. She mainly blamed herself which caused an entire new feeling of despair to wash over him.
And lastly, his new found hatred, one that must have risen from the very depths of hell itself. Transportation. As he stumbled off that death trap he would have to remember to avoid boats and the ocean all together. Finally recovering from the sickness, Natsu stumbled from the ship with the the package wrapped firmly on his his back as he looked around the small island's dock before he began walking down the path towards the central hub. While he had gotten use to all the chatter from a busy city environment something seemed off about the people here. They seemed to be on edge.
From what he could gather from the small talk, a rather large ship carrying a ton of troops had docked on the west side of the island. He didn't recognize the name of the banner that they bore but it did match the request so Natsu could only assume that Milson's client was some noble or king from some far away land. He stopped walking when he heard someone bring up pink hair and the handles that protruded from his back. Natsu turned his gaze towards the voice to find two of the foot soldiers from the governing empire.
Realizing that they had been heard they approached the boy before looking down at him. Natsu felt a tic of annoyance at being looked down at but he held his tongue, for a change. It didn't matter if he was thirteen or ninety, he would normally try to lash out at his silent adversary. But this wasn't a normal situation. He was here with the Hur name, with Milson's name.
"Do you have your documents?" the first man asked with a rough tone in his voice. Natsu pulled the envelope from his notes and watched as the soldier's eyes widened before he straightened his back and looked back at Natsu before turning. "Right this way, sorry for the trouble. Where is you escort? Did they leave you alone?" Natsu rolled his eyes at the lackie before adjusting the gauntlet on his hand. He was just ready to be home.
Irene Belserion was many things. One of the strongest people on the planet, a literal dragon in human's skin, an almost immortal being, a irked woman that August had asked to pick up a sword for one of his trainees, having to babysit the brat that would receive it, and lastly, the old man that was late to the meeting. She was familiar with the family name, The Hur family had been around when she was in power as a queen after all. Oh yes, she did recall gifting her husband a sword from the Hur forge. It has been some time since that happened. August had promised that she would be in for a surprise when saw who was delivering them. Perhaps Corln had been cursed with immortality as well? She couldn't quite remember the blacksmith's name. Not that it mattered all that much, still-
"Milady, the Hur package has arrived." Came a voice from the other side of the door. Irene took a sip from her cup that might has well been filled with air and replied "Enter."
well...this was quite the surprise. August you have out down yourself. Before her stood a boy in his early years, with a mob of pink hair. The dragon energy was almost comically low. If it weren't for the draconic seals the Etherious would be quite the adversary should she decide to break them. And oh how tempted she was. But alas, the boy in front of her was indeed her emperors brother. She knew of his grand plan, as did August. But she couldn't reveal that yet, not yet, that is.
"I was under the impression that the master himself would be joining us. Would you mind taking a seat?" She asked with a calm voice. Her cold eyes watched as he approached the the table and her world seemed to freeze as she watched the armor clad hand reach for the package and displayed them to the woman for to inspect. She could care less about the blades before, but now they might as well be none existent. Rising from her chair the woman flared her abyssal magic power causing the entire island to freeze from the pressure. The boy was frozen in place as Irene walked over to his side of the table and reached out and softly grasped the gauntlet and ran her delicate finger across it's surface.
"I'll be completely honest, I couldn't care less about any of these blades," She paused before she placed a hand on the boys cheek, oh how this moment was a gift from all the gods that had forsaken her so long ago. "Tell me child, what is your name?" She asked in a soft voice as the boy swallowed hard.
"N-Natsu." he whispered out. Irene smiled at her potential salvation. She just had to make sure she was right.
"That's a nice name Natsu. Now Natsu, I'm sure what ever dragon raised you taught you about picking your fights right? Well I want you to know that if you don't answer every question honestly I will erase you. Understand?" She took his petrified look for a yes.
"Excellent, now tell me do you recognize this?" She asked as she summoned a rather large book that seemed to have been torn from the rest of it. A pleased smile found it's way onto her beautiful face as the boy completely forgot about the mind blowing powered she had briefly shown when he reached for the book and grasped it in his hands.
"The sixth chapter, life and death. These are extremely dangerous runes that reside in the following pages. Above all else, you must not take these runes for granted as they mock the very gods themselves. To start-"
Just as soon as the book came into view it disappeared just as fast. Natsu turned to the goddess in front of him before asking out loud.
"Where did you find that!?" He demanded. Irene simply smiled at the boy. It was amazing how fast something could become so important to you in such a short time. And unlike her first mistake, this one will be what she needed.
"It was a gift from my friend, a dragon. Since I showed you mine could you show me yours?" she asked while she batted her long eye lashes. Natsu gulped before opening his pocket dimension and held out the Codex for her. Just as she thought, after she had completely turned she had lost the ability to read from her Codex. But by then it was to late. She could copy the sixth chapter backwards off the top of her head at any given time. She never would have dreamed that she would get to see the cover.
"In order to understand you must know a bit of history which will undoubtedly take some time to learn. We have much to discuss, I'll send word to your master that you will be a few days off of your return, is that okay?" The boy nodded before she left the room after promising to be back shortly. Natsu waited until he was alone to release the breath he held.
This woman was dangerous. Incredibly so. She did have a piece of the Codex. He had to find out how to get it. He knew she didn't want to take his parts of the Codex. She would have killed him on the spot the moment he summoned it. It was a gamble, but now he knows she won't take lethal action against him. He had to get his hands on that Codex. At any costs.
"Now than, my little rune smith, lets talk about some history."
Natsu sat at the table wide eyed at the woman's story. This was something entirely different from what he could ever expect to hear. The dragon thing he could kinda wrap his head around but leaving your daughter alone? That paired with trying to absorb a newborn proved a rapid growing hypothesis that this woman was insane. Strong as all hell, but insane just the same. Still...he needed that chapter. So he made a deal with a crimson haired devil.
"So, you want to be human again and since you can't do it on your own you want me to help so," He paused before looking at the woman who had crossed her legs as waited for Natsu to continue. "Once I find the other four chapters I'll come to find you and with your help, we can turn you back into a human. Deal?" Natsu asked hoping she would take it. She looked to the upper corner of her vision as though she was considering it,
he knew she wasn't.
"I like the basic Idea but what's to stop you from taking my part of the codex and running?" She asked while flashing her perfect teeth.
"You would kill me and everyone I ever loved?" Natsu said dryly as she released a chuckle. Not because she found it cute, but because the boy was a fast learner. She liked that quality in people.
"You are not wrong, but how about this instead. You find the missing parts between ours and when you do," She paused to grab one of the identical swords he had brought to her. She concentrated on the blade before a small speck of the metal gave way before she handed the blade to Natsu. Natsu looked at the blade to find small scratches engraved into the weapon.
"When I come back you have to teach me how to do that." Natsu said with complete honesty. For being a near four hundred year old sky dragon he could expect her to be an expert at her craft but to be able to replicate runes from the mere thought was insane. That paired with her increased vision and hearing, it was hard to imagine anything being able to beat Irene.
"this blade will activate when you have completed the other tomes and it will signal me that you have done so. And if you should fail, well, you know what happens." She said with a dangerous smile. Seeing that if he didn't agree she would force him to, he nodded before a knock had disrupted them. She cut hers eyes to the door before rolling them at who was behind it.
"Enter." She snapped as a small girl with blonde hair, around Natsu's age opened the door before her eyes cut towards Natsu.
"Who are you?!" she snapped causing Natsu to glare at her.
"Natsu, what's your problem!?" Natsu said snapping back.
"Why would a weakling like you be with lady Irene? You shouldn't even be here!" She said as she pulled out a sword.
"You wanna start a fight Blondie!?" Natsu asked when the girl charged at Natsu. Natsu brought up his fists and awaited her to get into striking distance when a crimson blur impacted his aggressor and sent her crashing into a cabinet causing an explosion of glass.
Natsu stood frozen as he saw Irene standing over the blonde haired girl while her form leaked malice. He looked to the girl to find her face filled with fear. The tips of Irene's hair began to rise as she looked down at the child.
"You dare attack my guest? I could have you turned to dust, god or no god. You would be nothing but a blemish. Do you think August would care if he lost a trainee? We have hundreds of other recruits lining up for your position. What's wrong? You can't even speak? Pathetic." She said before she sent a foot crashing down onto her chest causing her to cry out in pain. "I've made up my mind. You don't deserve the title of the twelve. Disappea-"
she was silenced when a ball of fire exploded onto the back of her head causing fire to spread across her back and shoulders. The fire flashed out of existence as she turned he gaze to Natsu who had an outstretched burned hand.
"I-I said that's enough!" Natsu ordered before he felt his world blur and found himself dangling from Irene's grasp above the blond haired girl who was still frozen in fear.
"You dare strike me?" She hissed as her eyes turned into slits. Natsu croaked his fear down before meeting Irene in the eye. Defiance screamed in his eyes as he spoke out.
"You can't harm her. Got it? Not now and not after I leave. When I return to fulfill my part I want to see her okay." Natsu wheezed out before just as soon as she snapped, Irene was back to normal. She dropped Natsu to the floor where he grasped for breaths.
"Very well, I made my demands and these are yours," She paused before looking down at the blonde.
"Remember this Dimaria, if it weren't for Natsu here you would be dead. He is also the blacksmith that made your weapon. See to it that he makes his ship in the morning." She said as she left the two children in the floor as she left the room.
Natsu, after checking to make sure he had the rest of him, looked over to Dimaria to see tears in her eyes. Natsu looked at the cuts she along her back at reached out with the gauntlet and slightly scratched her skin causing her to flinch. "Sorry, but just give me a sec and I can heal the cuts." She relaxed in his company before she felt a blissful feeling slowly appear after Natsu's hand left for another cut. The two sat in silence before Natsu finished and sat with his back against the wall.
"Why..." Natsu turned to see the girl had tears in her eyes as she looked across the room. "Why did you save me?" Natsu sat back with his head against the wall before he spoke.
"You remind me of a friend back at home. She kinda acts like you. All mouth and no brains. But she means well. Can I ask why you were so angry when you came in?" Natsu asked as Dimaria wiped some of her tears away.
"I look up to her, lady Irene. She is the strongest person I know. Even August would be beat by her. I just know it. When I felt her magic spike I thought she was in danger. But when I got there the guards were telling me about you. I thought you were my replacement so I figured if I challenged you and won, then she wouldn't think I was weak."
Natsu could kinda understand it. He always wanted to prove himself to Igneel and Milson. And if Milson just brought someone else in one day Natsu would feel a little betrayed. But to look up to that monster? He worried for the girl beside him. He turned his head to see fresh tears had taken the others place so he had an idea.
"hey, wanna see the sword I made you?" Dimaria looked at Natsu before clearing her face once more before Natsu rose from the ground and offered her a hand which she took before the two went towards the table where Blacksword laid. The two talked more about their pasts and conversed well into the night and early morning. As dawn approached the two had fallen asleep before one of Dimaria's guards woke them telling them that their respective ships were soon departing. The two walked into the street as Natsu turned to Dimaria and her personal guards.
"Well this looks goodbye." Natsu said with feeling a tweng of pain at leaving his new friend behind.
"I'll find you again. After all I will need an updated rune set from the grand rune smith." Dimaria said with a chester grin. Natsu gave her a grin back before Dimaria turned to leave. She paused when she felt a hand grab hers before she turned to see Natsu with a serious expression.
"It's okay to strive to be better than Irene, just make sure it doesn't make you like her in the process. I really like the happy Dimaria. Cya around." Natsu said before releasing her and turning on his heels. His face felt like fire. Dimaria watched as the pink mop of hair disappeared in the crowd before she held her own hand. 'We'll diffidently see each other again Natsu Dragneel.
unbeknownst to the two below, miles above in the sky one could see a lone figure talking to a floating glowing orb. "You were right about this kid August. I have a feeling our plan will work out wonderfully." Irene said as she watched the runesmith walk towards the ship.
"Yes, I just wish you weren't so violent when it came to young Dimaria." the voice said with a displeased tone.
"They are but pawns, Natsu just happens to be a more important piece is all." Irene spoke with a calculating expression.
Aged eyes flickered open as a rough hand rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Removing himself from the sheets, he rose before he found his way to a mirror. A black spot could still be found as Milson checked his eyes. He was preparing himself for today. He knew it would be tough for the both of them. He just hoped he could explain to Natsu before-
BANG
A single blow could be heard from the forge below. Milson felt his heart sink as he left his room and began walking towards his student's room. He shouldn't have made it back yet. The letter said he would return tomorrow morning.
BANG
As he approached the room, he found things just as he had when he returned from dropping Natsu off. His room still as messy as always, his desk had his scarf neatly folded with a letter resting on top of it. Out of respect for the two, he didn't pry into it. Now that it was open however,
BANG
'Dear Natsu,
BANG
I didn't know of a way to say this to your face.
BANG
So I decided to leave a letter. I know you will grow up to do great things. You are already starting to get recognized by several people.
BANG
I'm sorry but I can't just watch from the side lines as you become such a great person and experience life. I want to experience the world and I don't think I can do that just following you around like a lost dog.
BANG
You'll always be special to me. Don't ever forget that.
BANG
But I have to say goodbye for now.
BANG
BANG
BANG
Bisca
The banging from down Natsu's strikes helped mask his approach as Milson stood behind Natsu. The boy had completely obliterated the steel beneath his savage blows. Milson laid a hand on his shoulder causing the boy to stop. They stood together for what seemed like an eternity before Natsu turned and leaned his head into Milson's midsection and began to shed all the tears he had stored from venting his pain. Milson put a hand on the boy's head as he apologized over and over again to the boy.
He knew Natsu would come to know grief, everyone has to. He just wished he could ease it. After all, it's all a parent can to do is to ease their child's pain.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
AU: Here's chapter two. Good news for the thirty people who read this story. I've decided to devot my time to this story. as in legit time. Don't expect weekly updates, but know something good is bound to pop up every not and then
And as always, have a goodone.
-Justaguy35