So here is the sixth chapter of the story. I decided to change Natsu's relationship with Zeref to match it with the current history of the Manga. Meaning Zeref is Natsu's brother. Read, enjoy and review!
(With Ultear)
"D-did you see that Siegrain-sama?" Ultear asked in a stuttered voice. She could not believe what she had just witnessed. A single human mage had completely overpowered one of Zeref's demons. And the person did with such ease while at the same time showing a tremendous amount of power.
"Hmmm, this could cause problems for my plans." Siegrain's voice said through Ultear's orb, which was really a communication lacrima. Despite his powers, the young Wizard Saint would not deny that what Natsu had just done was downright incredible. But the blue haired man remained composed as a small smile formed on his face. "Or, it could prove useful." He added. "You can return now Ultear, there is nothing on the island for us now."
"Understood Siegrain-sama." Ultear said as she cut the link. Though still shaken a bit from what she just seen, Ultear couldn't help but think of this event. 'To be able to defeat a demon of Zeref such as Deliora is indeed something to inform Lord Hades of. But it's not just that; the power that Natsu used, along with those markings on his body and those flames, they felt so much like that portion of Zeref's powers Lord Hades gave me back at the Tower of Heaven. Natsu could very well prove as an important key to the Grand Magical World!' Ultear thought with glee as a large smile form on her face.
"You really are quite the interesting person…Natsu-kun." Ultear whispered to herself before vanishing.
(With the Fairy Tail Mages)
They just stood there, all of them. Lucy, Gray, Happy and Erza couldn't do anything but look up in amazement at Natsu, who was still floating in the air, the red flame wings on his back. The power he just showed was incredible, easily S-class if not Wizard Saint level. The fact of how easily he did away with Deliora only increased the shock of the Fairy Tail Mages.
"Y-you got to be kidding…N-Natsu just…" Gray stuttered, unable to fully comprehend what he witnessed. Deliora, the demon that took Gray's parents, the demon that his master gave her life to seal ten years ago, was finally dead, at the hands of his rival, if he could call Natsu that now. On one hand, Gray was a bit envious of the power the Dragon Slayer showed. But the majority of him was glad that a dark chapter of his past was now closed, and his parents and mentor were finally avenged.
Erza was speechless at the spectacle. Granted, she always knew that Natsu was strong, perhaps even stronger than her. But the power he demonstrated was on a level equal to Makarov and Gildarts, perhaps even greater. Even they would have trouble defeated something like the demon Deliora, and yet Natsu made it look like child play. And the large flame-like arms and wings Natsu summoned, Erza had never seen anything like those before. 'Were those some form of Dragon Slayer Magic that Natsu never told us about?' Erza wondered, making a note to ask Natsu that later.
"Amazing…" Lucy muttered. She knew that Natsu was strong, seeing how he destroyed Lullaby so easily. But the display just now put him leagues above her. However Lucy's thoughts were broken when Natsu's form began to wobble in the air. Before they knew it, his wings dispersed. Without them keeping him up in the air, Natsu began plummeting down to the ground. "Natsu!" Lucy cried as she raced towards the falling Dragon Slayer. The others followed behind her.
A three minutes later, the Fairy Tail mages arrived to a clearing where Natsu had landed. Said person was lying back first in a small crater and was unmoving. The black markings on his body had already faded by then, and Dyrnwyn was now strapped to Natsu's back. Fearing the worse, Lucy ran towards the Dragon Slayer's prone form, Happy right behind her.
"Natsu! Natsu, are you okay!?" Lucy cried, getting to her knees and shaking the Dragon Slayer frantically.
A second later she got a response from Natsu in the form of a groan. Soon after Natsu's eyes began to flutter open slowly. "Jeez Luce, keep your voice down. You're giving me a headache." Natsu complained weakly.
Lucy let out a small gasp before smiling softly, relieved to see the Dragon Slayer okay. "You idiot. Then next time don't make us so worried." She replied at the same time as Happy latched himself to Natsu's uncovered chest, relieved to see his best friend okay.
Gray and Erza both let out air that they didn't know were holding. "You should be use to it by now Lucy. This flame brain can't do anything without driving us mad." Gray commented half-heartedly.
Natsu snorted as he tried to get up. He wobbled a bit but Lucy was there by his side. Putting one of his arms around her, the buxom blonde helped the Dragon Slayer to his feet. "Says the pervert whose about to take off his pants." Natsu retorted.
Gray let out a yelp as he looked down and saw he had one leg out of his pants. As the ice mage hurriedly put his pants back on, ignoring the snickering from Happy, Erza walked towards Natsu and Lucy. There was a small smile on the scarlet beauty's face, happy to see her friends unharmed. Still, there was one question nagging at the back of her mind, slowly reaching its way forward.
"Natsu" Erza said, catching said person's attention. "What were those arms and wings you made? I've never seen you do that before." Erza asked.
Natsu hesitated for a moment. While the event was still fuzzy, Natsu recalled how he used two spells of his fire curse, Hellfire. The Dragon Slayer was trying to think of a cover story when fortune smiled upon him. The sound of a branch snapping caught the attention of the Fairy Tail Mages. Turning around, they saw Lyon approach them. The white-haired mage was dirtied up, cuts and bruises on his body, but none of that seemed to register any of that. He had an empty look in his eyes, staring straight forward where Deliora's body had fallen into the water, as if waiting for the demon to rise.
"How?" Lyon muttered, still looking ahead. "I've waited so long, three years of unsealing Ice Shell. To defeat the demon Ur couldn't…to finally surpass her. And now…" Lyon continued as he looked at his hands.
"Lyon…" Gray said, seeing the distraught look on his fellow student's face.
Lyon raised his head before finally taking notice of Natsu. His face soon changed from one of disbelief to anger. "You!" Lyon shouted as he marched towards the limping Dragon Slayer, completely ignoring Gray, Erza and Lucy. "How?! How the hell did you defeat Deliora?! What did you do it?!" Lyon demanded as he rudely pushed Lucy off of Natsu, before grabbing the latter by the scarf. "Tell me damn it! Was it that sword?!" Eyeing Dyrnwyn briefly.
Natsu gave no reply at first. In fact, if one looked closely, you could see that the Dragon Slayer had an empty look in his eyes. A minute later, Natsu spoke, "I-!" But he was cut off as his body stiffened and he suddenly coughed up what looked like black blood.
This caused his friends to cry out in alarm as Lyon let go of his scarf in shock. "Natsu!" Lucy screamed as Natsu collapsed on the ground, black liquid running down his chin and staining the ground. The rest of the world went mute to Natsu as he soon lost conscious.
(Natsu's Mind)
"Well I had planned to drag you in here sooner or later. But I guess this way draws off less suspicion." The voice commented as it looked down at Natsu's lying form,
Groaning, Naatsu slowly got sat up, rubbing the back of his head. He was use to ending up in his mindscape, but never from having lost conscious from coughing up blood. With bleary eyes, he looked up at the flame replica of himself, that was standing before him with his arms crossed. "Ugh, what happened?" He asked.
"You used your curse too much, that's what." The voice said in a scolding tone. "The Purgatory Curse, your original curse of flames that can burn anything, even death. Using it just after awakening before you could even look at your memories, overwhelmed your body and made you lose conscious, putting you in a coma." It finished explaining.
"I…see." Natsu replied as he rubbed his forehead. The images were a bit blurry, all he remembered was Lucy's crying his name before what could best be described as an inferno of rage overtook him. After that everything went black.
"Though this does work out. I've finished sorting out your old memories, meaning you can now look through them." The voice said, catching Natsu's attention. "I've put your body in a coma, to help it recover and to go through your memories. Reliving them is crucial, not just for you to understand who you are, but also to regain your old powers. And before you ask, we only need to go through the important parts from beginning to end. How you handle them is your own responsibility. You ready?"
Natsu let out a sigh. To be honest, the Dragon Slayer was nervous as hell about this. To relive the memories of a life you just learned of recently was not something he wished to experience. However, Natus knew that there was no avoiding this and prolonging it would only cause trouble in the future. So, getting to his feet, Natsu sent the flame-like replica of himself a determined stare. "Let's do it" Natsu said.
The voice nodded before snapping his fingers. And just like that, the scene around them changed. No longer were they in a pitch-black space, but now what looked to be the inside of a stone castle. Judging from the strong breeze coming from outside a nearby window, Natsu could only conclude that the castle was a top of a mountain. And the only sources of light were candles, aligned in even rows on the walls.
"What is this place?" Natsu asked as his flame doppelganger appeared beside him. The being's feet were slightly off the ground, thus it was hovering as the flames on its body moved around.
"We are in the place where you were born." The voice replied, before adding, "However as for when, we are roughly over 400 years in the past. During the time the One Magic was still branching out, not even Lost Magic was invented yet."
The voice finished its sentence as it pointed at a door in front of them. A door Natsu had not noticed before. It was a simple brown, wooden door, with a grey doorknob. And yet, Natsu couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity as he gazed at it. In fact, ever since the castle came, Natsu felt like he had been here before.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Natsu slowly opened the door. As he did, a foreboding feeling grew in him, almost making him pause for a moment. But Natsu pushed forward and finally opened the door. Devoid of windows, the only sources of lights in the moderate size room were several torches hanging from the walls. But that small amount of light still helped to show something surprising.
Written all over the walls were thousands, maybe even more, of black diagrams and runic symbols. They were all different languages that made Natsu's head hurt just looking at them all. The markings seemed to have been etched into the wall from what Natsu could assume was chalk. However, the Dragon Slayer did notice something that all they all shared a distinct similarity: an upside down five-pointed star.
Turning his gaze away from the walls, Natsu looked at the other end of the room. Standing there was a pedestal of plain design, with a basket on top of it. Around it was a larger version of the pentagram, with five candlesticks, one on each corner of the star that seemed to give the pedestal a mysterious aura. On the wall behind the pedestal was another large pentagram, except this one had what looked like vertical eye, a black dot-like pupil in the center.
"The mythical Third Eye. Also called Ajna." The voice explained.
Natsu said nothing, his attention on something else in the room.
In the center of the star on the floor, was an assortment of different ingredients, most likely to be used for whatever ritual was going to take place. Natsu didn't recognize many of them but he had a feeling that a lot of those materials were valuable, like a king's ransom. Though Natsu had a feeling that the person did not really care for them that way.
CLICK
The sound of a door opening and closing caught Natsu's attention. Turning around, Natsu watched a person enter the room. It was a man, around his late teens or early twenties. He had fair skin, short black hair and dark eyes. He wore a high-collared black robe with golden trims, with a large, flowing white toga draped around his torso. In the man's hands was a small object hidden securely in a red blanket. The man held the bundle with a care one would see when someone was holding the most precious thing in the universe.
Though he could not tell what was wrapped around the blanket. But Natsu, despite never seeing this person, could automatically tell who this person was. It was as if something inside of him was being pulled to this man. And at that moment a single word escaped his lips, "Zeref…"
"Yes, your creator, and the creator of all Etherious." The voice replied, now floating in mid air, sitting Indian style. It watched Zeref along with Natsu.
When the black-haired man was close enough, Natsu reached out to him. But instead of touching his shoulder, Natsu's fingers just slipped right through Zeref. Said person didn't even seem to notice the Dragon Slayer, as he continued towards the pedestal.
"This is a memory Natsu. That includes Zeref, he doesn't even know we're here so anything you do won't get his attention." The voice said. "Just watch what's happening. This is a big moment in your life."
Natsu didn't say anything, just merely watched as Zeref placed the wrapped bundle into the basket, with extreme care, the Dragon Slayer noticed. Once the bundle was set securely, the black haired man walked back a few steps, until he was out of the pentagram. Then, eyes closed, Zeref raised both his head and arms up, with the latter spread out wide, almost like he was going to do a prayer. Instead what happened was that magic began to pick up around Zeref, swirling around him like a vortex. It was moving so fast and strong that it created a miniature hurricane inside the room. In fact, despite being a memory, even Natsu could feel the power being emitted by Zeref.
"Dracones interfecti ossibus, carnibus, lapsae gigantes, et lucem tenebras luna, et inimicus per portas inferi, legibus repugnet diis inferis resurrexit, et ingredietur." Zeref said, chanting the incantation. The language was ancient for sure, yet somehow Natsu could understand it, or at least the meaning to it.
As he finished those words, the vortex of magic around Zeref began to die down, though the wind in the room still blew heavily. Slowly, two orbs began to appear, one in each of Zeref's hands. In the right hand was an orb of pure white, while the orb in his left hand was pitch black. Somehow, Natsu recognized them as Living Magic and Death Magic, the forms of Magic that Zeref was infamous for.
Zeref gave both spheres a glance, before bringing his hands together in front of him. As they got closer the spheres touched, margining with one another. As they did, the orbs began to shift violently, changing from one color to another. First came black, then white, grey, yellow, blue, red, purple, orange, green, and finally stopped at a small sphere of an assortment of those colors, swirling within the sphere in a hypnotic dance.
The dark mage stared at the sphere for a few seconds, a look of hope and determination in his eyes. Than, without warning, Zeref flung the orb outward, where it floated in mid air, directly above the basket and covered bundle.
With that, Zeref began another chant, staring up at the ceiling and arms spread out more. "Ego sum, qui timet provocare domini caeli et inferni, quod etiam nunc possit repetere quaerentibus! Erit anima domini mei fratris dimittere illigatque torques consopiri sempiterno!"
During his chanting, all the pentagram markings in the room began to glow an unholy light. First it started with the ones on the wall, followed by the one on the floor. The candles around that one began to burn fiercely, burning the ingredients around the pedestal. As that happened, the smoke from both the burnt materials and candles began to rise towards the sphere, coiling and surrounding the floating orb.
Natsu watched with wide eyes as the smoke covered sphere began to expand. It grew bigger until it consumed the basket and its occupants, taking on a slightly larger form this time. Then the pentagrams on the walls began to release black tendrils from them, which began to cover the smoke-filled sphere until it was now a pure black sphere. Then the large pentagram directly behind the pedestal glowed, with the eye within following after. However, Natsu saw that the eye was not glowing black like the upside down five-pointed stars, but instead a crimson red. The light shined directly onto the orb, as if trying to look within the orb. After a few moments, the crimson light died down, as a similar light could be seen within the sphere, glowing weakly, but there.
Zeref saw this, and it seemed to only increase his resolve. To defy the laws of creation and the will of gods as he began the final steps to create his first living, breathing, being. As he started another chant, Zeref's eyes had changed. The turned from black to red with a black ring around the pupils, giving him a menacing appearance, like an angered god amongst man.
"Veni! Veni, dicam! Viventium saeculum! Huic corpori, ut ad vitam ingredi terras! Aperi oculos tuos, et excitate aura aetheria iterum frater!" He cried, as the crimson light within the sphere grew brighter within. Soon the black sphere began to crack, revealing bits of the crimson glow in it. Burst of energies could be felt from each crack, threatening to bring the room down on top of Zeref, if shaking walls and ceilings were any indication. But none of that faze Zeref, only the completion of experiment mattered to him.
The orb began to crack, like an egg ready to hatch, as crimson light began to seep out of the small openings. And after what felt like an eternity, the entire orb broke apart, releasing the light at full power, like a miniature sun going super nova. Even if it was a memory, Natsu had to cover his eyes as the entire room was engulfed in a bright unholy light. He could still hear Zeref's words through the light, his chanting reaching the end but still echoing within Natsu's ears.
Eventually, the light died down, and all that was left to illuminate the room were the torches and candles lit beforehand. Natsu looked back towards Zeref, who was now staring at the pedestal, and its new occupants. Gone was the basket and blanket, replaced by a small figure. Said person was slightly hidden by the smoke left from the small explosion. But in a few seconds, said smoke cleared to reveal…
…A boy.
A boy, Natsu saw to his shock, a child who couldn't be anymore than five years old. The child had a tuft of spiky crimson hair, and eyes that seemed to shift from onyx to crimson. On his forehead was a black marking matching the eye on the wall. It had two lines, one protruding from it and going down, like upside down L's, over the boy's eyes. Covering the rest of his body, plus the sides of his face, were black, flame-like tendril markings that seemed to converge where his heart would be, forming a flame circle. The boy was also stark naked, sitting on his rear as bleary eyes blinked, looking around the room, confused and tired. Zeref however, slowly made his way towards the child, a joyful smile forming on his face as tears slowly began to fall down his cheeks.
"I did it…" Zeref murmured to himself. "I did it, I did it, I did it!" He kept chanting, keeping his voice low as to not startle the child once he finally reached him.
Said child stared up at his creator, though that was unknown to him at the time. With a yawn, the boy asked, "W-who are you? Who am I?" He questioned the Black Mage with childlike curiosity.
Wiping the tears away and calming himself down a bit, Zeref spoke in a kind tone. "My name is Zeref, I created…brought you back from the dead." He said as he took off his white toga, wrapping it around the child's naked form. The next few words the Dark Mage said blew Natsu's mind away. "And you're name is Natsu. Natsu Dragneel, my little brother."
(Real World, Team Natsu)
The trek from Galuna Island back to Magnolia was a quiet one, well not at first. After Natsu had fainted, and coughed up what looked like black blood, the Fairy Tail Mages, with Lyon and his group trailing behind, took the unconscious Dragon Slayer back to the village. It had taken a while, but Erza, Lucy, and Gray managed to confirm that Natsu was okay, but in a coma.
The rest of the night was also a hassle. Erzs had gone into a long-winded explanation about how the villagers were not transforming into demons, but were already demons from the beginning. The purple moon, which had returned to normal, was actually caused by a layer of crystallized gas from Moon Drip over the island, affected the memories of the villagers, making them think they turned into demons a night. But when Deliora was sent flying by Natsu's attack, the giant body shattered the layer and restored everyone's memories.
Following a heartwarming reunion between Bobo, the sailor, and his father Moka, a celebration/thank you party for Fairy Tail mages, and Gray leaving on good terms with Lyon, the mages of Fairy Tail quickly sailed for home in order to get Natsu help. Using a pirate ship that Erza had 'borrowed' the group landed at Hargeon at good time. They had just exit train at Magnolia Station. Erza had put Natsu's unconscious form in a comfortable position on her cart, pulling it along with her.
As they walked towards the guild, the Fairy Tail mages noticed that the townsfolk were giving them looks. They were all of pity while a few people were talking quietly to one another. The mages could make out stuff along the lines of, "Do you think they know?" or "I feel sorry for them." They had no idea what the townsfolk were talking about, but the answer soon became clear once they reached the guild.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE GUILD?!" Gray roared, his face one of shock and anger.
Before the mages, was the ruin site of the once guild building of Fairy Tail. Sticking out of the nigh destroyed building were several large iron pillars. One pillar had been impaled into the sign, removing the word "Fairy" from it and leaving only "Tail"
"W-who could've done this…?" Lucy muttered, horrified by the sight before them.
"I…don't know." Erza muttered, trying to control her rage. "But this complicates things. Lucy, can you and Happy take Natsu back to your apartment? Seeing how the guild hall is unusable at the moment that's our only option."
"Got it!" Lucy said as she carefully lifted up Natsu's prone form. With some help from Happy, the Celestial Spirit Mage managed slung one of Natsu's arms over her shoulder. Once she steady him, Lucy began to carry the Dragon Slayer back to her place, the blue cat flying behind her.
"Gray, we're going to check the basement." Erza said the too the ice mage. "If the others would find a place to gather, it would be there."
"Right!" Gray replied and the two made their way into the destroyed building.
The two carefully moved through the wreckage, also doing their best to suppress the anger building up within them. Seeing their beloved guild in such a state, it really did feel like a stab to the heart to the two Fairy Tail mages. Add to the fact that one of their friends was in a coma; it was not a time to mess with Titania and the Ice Mage.
After moving several more broken support beams and shattered tables, Erza and Gray finally reached the entrance to the basement. Surprisingly, the door was still intact, minus a few scratches. They could also hear noise from the other side, a good sign that the others were already down in the basement. "Looks like they are all down here." Erza said as she opened the door.
And it was true. Just after walking down the stairs, Gray and Erza were met with a crowded basement. Disgruntled mages were sitting at tables (the ones that survived the attack), drinking beer or talking with one another. Some were leaning against the walls and corners, anger etched on their faces. The mood in the room was definitely not one you would expect at Fairy Tail. The two mages received half-hearted welcomes from some of their guild mates. They also learned that the ones responsible for their destroyed guild building was Phantom Lord, Fairy Tail's rival guild.
After passing by several tables, Erza and Gray finally reached Makarov. Said person was sitting on a barrel, a red blush on his face and beer in his hand. The small Guild Master spotted the two mages.
"Ah! Grash, you're back!" Makarov said in a drunken slur. "And…huh, Erza, whash ya doin with Grash?"
"Wait, Gramps, didn't you send Erza to back us up on the S-class job?" Gray asked, momentarily forgetting his anger.
Makarov blinked several times, searching through his memories (he looked quite silly doing that while his system was filled with alcohol) but could recall no such thing. Then he yelled, "No I did not! Erza!" Said girl stiffened as her name was called. "What in Mavis' name were you thinking? Doing something like that without getting my permission first!" Makarov demanded, focusing as much as a drunken man could.
Erza's head bowed in shame. "Forgive me Master. I had thought Mira's message to me was you wanting me to go and retrieve Natsu and the others to receive punishment for rule breaking. I apologize of my rebellious actions." She said and then pointed at the barmaid childishly. "It's Mira's fault."
"Eh?!" Mirajane said, but then looked sheepish under Makarov's gaze. The rest of the guild was soon watching with mix interest and surprise. "I'm sorry Master, I was just worried about them." Mira said.
"I understand that Mira, but it does not change the fact that you both went behind my back, even after I said that Natsu and the others would be find." Makarov looked back at Erza. "And Erza, that was very irresponsible of you! Going after fellow guild members under the false assumption that I had told you to!" He reprimanded before he took another gulp of beer. "I shall be lenient, due to the current situation, and not give "that" to you." Everyone shivered at the mention of "that".
Makarov continued. "Mirajane, Erza! Both of you are banned from matchmaking and strawberry cake for a week respectively! Bad girls!" Makarov declared before bopping both of them on the head. Everyone looked jaw slacked at the two S-class mages receiving punishment.
"Yes Master…" The girls said depressingly, lumps on their head. Erza was weeping at the thought of not being able to eat her beloved cake, and such a long time too! While Mira was upset she could not do matchmaking for a week. She had so many plans!
"Good! Now then…" Makarov said, but blinked a few times. He noticed that there were some people, specifically a buxom blonde celestial mage, a pink head Dragon Slayer, and a flying, talking cat. "Oi, Gray, where are Lucy, Natsu and Happy?" The Guild Master asked.
That brought Gray out of his shock, and Erza out of her depress state. Both mages looked at each other, silently debating on which one of them should break the news. Eventually, it was Erza who responded. "They're all at Lucy's apartment. Natsu he's…he's in a coma." The Requip mage answered sadly.
Silence…absolute silence filled the room. It was so quiet you would have heard a pin drop, let alone a dragon roar. Natsu was in a coma? That was almost as if saying Gray had stopped stripping or Elfman no longer shouting, "Man!" The very thought of the hotheaded Dragon Slayer being in such a condition was unthinkable. In fact, several people turned their heads in unison, towards the door, expecting to see a cheerful Natsu coming in, followed by Lucy and Happy.
"Erza" Makarov said, all signs of drunk gone. The Guild Master was now serious. "What happened on that island?"
And so Erza and Gray began explaining what had transpired on Galuna Island. Each of them spoke about what they saw, especially concerning Natsu. Many of the guild members were shocked and amazed at the part when Natsu managed to destroy Deliora all by himself. Even Makarov would be hard press in achieving such a feat. Erza and Gray purposely left out certain parts, parts they felt like needn't be shared to a large crowd. Erza intended to tell Makarov them in private.
"And that's what happened." Erza finished. Makarov rubbed his forehead in annoyance. This was definitely not Fairy Tail's best day. First, they discover that their guild building was ransacked by Phantom Lord and now they learn that Natsu, one of their strongest members, is in a coma after defeating the titled "Demon of Destruction."
"Very well, we shall go and Natsu." Makarov said as he got off the barrel and began heading towards the door
"Oi, Master, what about the guild?" Gray demanded. "What are we going to do about Phantom Lord?" Makarov sighed again.
"Nothing…" He said in a calm manner.
"WHAT?! They trashed our guild, our pride, and you're going to do nothing?!" Gray shouted, only to shut up when Makarov sent him a stern glare.
"Look young man…" Makarov began in a scolding manner. "We're not going to get ourselves in pointless conflicts! There is no reason to retaliate just because our guild hall got trashed, especially since no one got hurt."
"Huh?" Gray asked, confused.
It was Mirajane who answered that. "Apparently Phantom Lord attacked at night, when the guild was empty. Not a single one of us got hurt." She explained
"Exactly" Makarov added. "And as to our pride, that is the least important thing right now. Natsu, one of our own, is in a coma. He above all, is top priority right now. So tell me Gray what's more important: A comrade in a dire condition or a wounded pride?"
Gray clenched his teeth, his fists tightening. The Master was right, one of his nakama was in a possible life and death situation and he was worried about something trivial as pride. "…My friends are more important." The Ice Mage finally said.
Makarov nodded before turning towards the others. "As for the rest of you, keep a clear mind. While Natsu's condition is on all your minds, we must remember that Phantom Lord might try to attack us at night. As such please stay in groups for the time being until the Magic Council can clear this up. Erza, Gray, follow me to Lucy's place. Mira, make sure everyone leaves safely." Makarov instructed.
The three walked up the stairs from the basement. Behind them the rest returned to their activities, sulking and drinking. Though there was a tenser atmosphere, for both of what Phantom Lord and Natsu's condition.
Back with Makarov, once he, Erza and Gray were out of the basement, the Guild Master turned to face his two children. "I feel like you two left out some things that you didn't want the others to hear." Makarov said. "What else happened on the island?"
Erza took the lead for this. "Forgive me Master, but we felt like revealing this bit of information in front of the others might make the situation…awkward." Erza said. "During the part when Natsu overpowered Deliora, black markings that I've never seen before, appeared on his body. I noticed that they gave off a very dark and demonic energy, enough to make even Deliora fearful. After that he created what looked like giant arms and wings of solidify flame." Erza said.
"And before that, during the fights with Lyon and his group, Natsu managed to summon these blades out of thin air. Those things cut apart anything they touched, even this magic-nullifying power I saw a guy used." Gray added.
"And the last part was right before Natsu collapsed, he coughed up…" Erza paused, trying to figure out how to word this. "Well, it looked like black blood."
Makarov rubbed his chin, a look on concentration on his face. This information was very odd indeed. Add to the fact that according to Erza, it felt dark and demonic, enough to put fear into a Demon of Zeref, was unsettling. "What about that sword Natsu's been carrying lately? Where was that during the whole thing?"
The two mages blinked at the question. They racked their memories for any signs of said weapon during the whole ordeal. "Actually now that I think about it." Erza began. "After Natsu defeated Deliora, the markings began to disappear, that is when the sword reappeared on his back again, scabbard and all. If I had to say, than it seemed like the sword fused with Natsu and gave him those markings. Why do you ask Master?"
"Ever since Natsu got that sword, he's begun to change. Whether for good or bad I can't tell about that, but he's been changing nonetheless." Makarov began. "After the whole ordeal with Laxus, I had Levy search for any information on that sword, so far nothing. But from what you told me, following my curiosity was the right choice."
"Well I don't think we can take it from him." Erza commented. "After what happened to Laxus, no one's tried to snatch that sword from Natsu. And during the ride back here, he's been clutching to the straps of the scabbard, like he's subconsciously holding onto it. Plus it doesn't feel right to try and take it from him in his current condition."
Makarov nodded in agreement. "Well, for now we'll leave the mystery of that sword alone. We have a family member to look after, and this whole mess with Phantom to boot." The Guild Master said before walking off, followed by Erza and Gray.
And that's the end of the chapter. I had intended to make this chapter longer, but I figure this would be a good spot to stop. Anyway be sure to leave a review!
And as to all the reviews about darker Natsu/END, please rest assured Natsu will become darker, though not as dark as like pure evil. I am trying to do a story that differs from the whole "all demons are evil" theme and try and show that even demons have emotions. And you have to remember that Natsu is slowly getting his old memories back. It would be kind of boring if I just made him dark in one chapter. And depending on my mood, I might rush through Natsu's walk through his memories in order to leave some suspense and surprises in much later chapters. That, and so I can show you how powerful Natsu becomes later on once he sees his memories and accepts who he is faster. But I'll see.
Also, what did you think of the scene with Erza and Mira's punishment?
Wacko12
Translation for words Zeref said. The words are in Latin.
First Incantation: With bones of slain dragons, flesh of fallen giants, and the light of the dark moon, I break through the gates of hell, defy the laws of gods, and enter the realm of the dead
Second Incantation: I am he who would challenge the lords of heaven and the dreads of hell, so that I can reclaim that which I seek! To release the soul of my brother from the chains that binds it to eternal slumber.
Third Incantation: Come! Come I say! Return to the world of the living! Bring life to this body so that it may walk the earth again! Open your eyes now, breathe the air and awaken once more, my brother!