A/N: Sup guys... wiErD here... Here's another chapter for you all since I felt motivated to write it.
Hope ya like it.
Forgot to remind you all about the current age of Zeref and Natsu... They are 10 and 7 respectively with the latter recently having his own birthday right after the attack on their village.
Disclaimer: I don't own FT or anything related to its elements. All goes to Hiro Mashima. Support the official manga series.
- Constant Troubles -
Astarlein... July 14, X287
It's been a month since the attack on Hallmoon and the refugees have settled over to a designated part of the Lower City where everyone is granted with small homes and houses to live. Only a handful joined the army, leaving all the others behind and simply pledged to the kingdom and started to work for their own living. However, some of the people were not entirely granted homes and other sorts of shelter within the kingdom, especially to the abandoned kids and disabled persons.
The kingdom had no time in dealing with the refugees since their main focus was at the war against the dragons and that the people living down on the Lower City holds little of value for their advantage. They'd rather have them deal of what they necessarily provided for them and move on.
Zeref and Natsu had been one of those kids left down on the streets as they sat on the far corner of the streets, watching people walking past right through them with dull expressions on their faces. The atmosphere in the Lower City is somehow very similar like this since the people here were mostly the neglected and the powerless unlike from those people who live in the Upper City.
Despite their poor living conditions, the two brothers were able to live through hardship for a month and with a bit of luck on their side, Zeref was taken on a job of a magical factory that crafts staves and other magical weapons which is regularly brought up towards the Upper City and to be used by the armies to battle out dragons though Zeref knew that it would take a dragonslayer to slay one.
Thanks to his newfound job, he did earn some jewels for their food to keep them alive for the time being. Natsu never actually cared about the shelter, all he wanted is to live it through and try to change himself for the better.
He wanted to fulfill her mother's last words and he needs to start by not crying anymore. At first, Zeref was quite worried about his brother's sudden change but after explaining to him of the reason, he had no alms to deny it.
While still holding on to the stuffed toy he got from his big brother back at Hallmoon, Natsu simply stood at the side entrance of the factory where his brother was working. The sun was just about to set and the people were returning back to their temporary homes, leaving only a thin crowd of people walking on the streets. He waited for another couple of minutes until Zeref finally came out from the entrance and saw him leaning over to the wall beside it.
Flashing a smile towards his brother, Zeref spoke out in glee, "Natsu...!"
"Zeref-nii!"
"Thank you for waiting... I got all the money we need to spend the night."
"Cool... Then we get to sleep on the lodge again?" Natsu quirked in curiosity.
"Well, as long as Alice-san reserves us a room... You know how many would want to take a room for the night..." Zeref deadpanned.
"Oh yeah... I forgot about that... So about our food." It was then Zeref sighed upon noticing the flow of their conversation once again fell to the topic of food.
"You seriously need to do something about that stomach of yours..."
"I can't help it... It growls if I don't eat in the next 30 minutes..." The pinkette whined although Zeref would know that he was just trying to convince him to buy more food. Despite this, only a faint smile went through his lips and simply patted the pinkette on the head.
"Alright, more food it is..." He sighed.
"YAY! I'm so getting all those delicious food tonight!"
"Yeah yeah... And you probably will get fat in no time." Zeref joked.
"Hey! By the way, have you learn anything for today?" It was then Natsu tried to ask him about his job.
Of course, over the days he spent working on the factory, Zeref eventually grew some knowledge about magic and how they were being embedded through weapons. Well, he would probably prefer to the true nature of magic rather than knowing about how it's used on weapons. Due to this, he eventually learned its properties, its different kinds and many more.
With each passing day, he got something out of it just from observing from the other workers while tending on his own. His mind was able to grasp so many information at once in which he still does everyday and every time he finishes his job for today, he would tell them all to the pinkette as if he was telling him a story.
"Well, there's this magic weapon embedded with water magic so I tried to taking a look at it... It's originally called, Aqua Magic. It's a magic that lets you control water liquids in just by the flick of a finger. It's a common magic so it's probably been used by other mages from above."
"Are there any other rare magics?"
"Well, I can't say for sure... So far, I haven't seen any weapon embedded with rare magic." Zeref began to ponder.
"Why is that so?"
"Because it's rare... which means is that it's not commonly used by any mages that's why they don't want to just put on some rusty weapon... Instead, they just placed it for the people who had the potential of wielding it."
"Aaaaah... So what about dragonslayers?" Turning into another topic, Zeref once again pondered about it before looking back at him.
"Oh yes, it is also a rare type of magic but it's now been used commonly by the Order in order to fight against the dragons." Zeref noted.
"Where does it come from?" Natsu asked but Zeref could only think carefully for a moment since the answer will most likely to change the pinkette's behavior if he said it so bluntly in front of him. But knowing his curious nature, he had to say it.
"Well, it actually comes from the dragons also... They bestowed the gift to the ones worthy of wielding and train to become one like them."
"Dragons, huh?" Natsu muttered silently as he immediately tightened his hold on his stuffed toy before staring oddly into open space which was soon noticed by the black-haired brother as he looked at him in worry. Their flow of conversation was ended right after mentioning the name of the creature and at a moment later, they finally made it to the building they were supposed to stay and eat for the night. At the same time, Natsu's expression grew bright, instantly forgetting the gloomy thought that was once inside his head just awhile ago, much to Zeref's relief.
Although it's been already a month, Natsu still couldn't forget the trauma he experienced during that day.
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Opening the doors before them, the two brothers eventually made inside before noticing a couple of workers together with a mix of refugees drinking and laughing on their seats located in tables just around the room. The air reeks of alcohol and sweat as they scooted past right at the crowd until they finally got face to face with Alice who was cleaning one of the mugs just right in front of the counter.
She was a 17 year-old teenager with silky white hair that runs down just at her back with two slightly curled bangs rested in front of her shoulders. She seems to be wearing a worn-out waitress outfit but despite her outfit, her features resembles that of a beautiful young woman with her fair skin and her brown hazel eyes that would make any man fall in an instant.
A small faint smile crept its way towards her lips as she noticed the two brothers coming into view from the counter. Apparently, Alice had quite known of Natsu and Zeref for some time since they always come around at night to rest and spend the night here. Eventually, she established a good relationship between them, acting as a big sister for the two of them whenever they feel troubled by something. She was also quite aware of the loss of their mother but can also relate to them, seeing that their parents also died on a dragon attack and had been a refugee in some other town.
Thanks to some friends, she was able to hold a building on her own and turned it into a tavern with spare rooms for the guests to stay the night in which she also owns it.
"Good evening, Zeref, Natsu... How's your day?" Alice soon began to ask.
"We're good... We want a room as usual..." Zeref nonchalantly replied.
"Coming right up... Here's the key to your room upstairs.. Anything else?"
"Well, Natsu is the one who had something to order besides a room." He then turned over to the pinkette who was peering over to the counter with expectant eyes.
"Oh, I see... I suppose we go with the usual then..." Alice smiled before looking back at Natsu with a faint smile.
"Thanks, Alice-nee...!"
"You're welcome..."
"I better get going... I just need some things needed to be done... Can I leave Natsu in your care for a moment, Alice-san?" Zeref began to turn his direction towards upstairs before looking back at the counter where the two were situated.
"Of course, I'll have him accompanied... Dinner will be served soon... Be sure to come down and eat, okay?" Alice reminded, prompting the 10 year old kid to nod in response before resuming his way upstairs.
Going past over the silent hallway, Zeref grabbed hold of the key and opened one of the doors at the far corner of the building. A faint creaking sound was soon heard by him as he slowly pushed it open, revealing a darkened room before moving inside and took a small lamp at one of the nightstand and lit it. Placing it on a table situated beside the door, Zeref sat down beside the chair and started pulling out some papers from his backpack and began studying it.
The papers were written with studies from his observation during his work, especially to magic. Unlike Natsu, Zeref never had the spirit to become a mage. Rather, he would just like to study them and know more about them in order to learn its uses and properties.
Although it may sound lame, Zeref knew that this was the kind of future he was hoping to be. His intellectual mind and keen observation towards things are above that of a normal kid even back at their village. He was probably one of the smartest kids back then but ever since living in the Central Kingdom with so many things to learn, he immediately realized just how small his knowledge can be compared to the world.
He still had hopes for Natsu since he possesses a good heart and an undying will and courage on his own. Even without having any magical power inside his body, he believes that he can excel in the use of magic for a good purpose. All he needs is support and reassurance.
As he skimmed throughout the pages, Zeref silently read all of the information and knowledge he gathered without reminding himself of the time spent on it. After a few hours of reading, Natsu eventually made his way through the room and called out his brother to come downstairs.
"Zeref-nii... Dinner's ready! Alice-nee is calling you downstairs."
"Ah, I'll be right down..." Zeref took the papers inside the drawer before following the pinkette as they went downstairs and ate alongside with Alice who had her break from the job for now.
The three ate happily in a nearby table as Natsu openly talks about the stories that Zeref would always tell to him, mush to the other two's delight. Having to talk peacefully without any gloomy face is such a relief for Zeref at least. The three of them had something in common. Both of them lost their parents in the fire and had their own shares of despair and sorrow during that time. It was natural for them to band together to comfort each other and bury that sadness along with their tears.
Despite that comfort, Zeref knew that Natsu would forever engrave that sadness in his heart and eventually turn it into anger against the ones who made them suffer.
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After eating, both the two brothers made their way towards their room as Natsu changed into his nightclothes together with Zeref who on the other hand, resumed his studies on the desk with a small lamp lit beside him. The pinkette was innocently playing with the stuffed toy before looking towards the black-haired kid with curiosity.
"Are you still reading them all over again?"
"Well, I have to if I wanted to understand more about magic... If you wanted to become a mage, you should at least understand what magic is, right?" Zeref inquired but only a irritating whine came after his reply.
"That's so boring! Reading is dumb... Anyone could just get the magic and learn them by experience, right?"
"Okay... Then how about I give you an example, Let's say you are a mage with a unknown magic bestowed onto you. It's called Fire Magic. Tell about the procedures on how to create a simple spell of casting a small ember on your index finger. After that, would you know about the things needed to learn about the magical circle when casted upon the user because if you don't, the spell would wreck your body. What sort of magical power needed to pour on a specific spell? If you pour to much magic on it, the spell would explode and kill you in the process... Still catching up? Okay, let's continue, did you know that there are different types of hand gestures needed to perform a spell? For example..." Before it could even escalate, Natsu simply raised his hands to stop.
"Alright, alright! I don't get it at all!" He conceded defeat.
"See? Even as a potential mage, you need to learn the basics..." Zeref reminded though slightly showing a little bit of pride on his part.
"S-Stupid brother..." Natsu pouted in irritation.
"Don't worry... You'll get there, plus you still have me, right? If there's something that you don't know, just ask me, okay?" Zeref reassured him with a smile, prompting him to smile back in glee as Natsu jumped out in joy before hugging his brother.
"Thanks, Zeref-nii!"
"Okay, but you better sleep soon, we still have a busy day tomorrow."
"Sure thing!"
And with that, Natsu bade good night towards him before lying down towards the side of the bed with his stuffed toy in hand before silently drifting into sleep, leaving the black-haired older brother the only one awake as he sighed in relief before turning his attention back towards the paper and started reading once more.
There's still some things needed to be done for tomorrow and everyday is just restless for the two of them. Even so, they didn't care about it. As long as they continue to live on, there's nothing for them to worry about.
The next day...
"Hurry up with those weapons, kid! The knights would be here any time soon. Make sure all of them were made sharp clean. I don't want any one of them look brittle, got that!" One of the older males shouted from the entrance towards Zeref who was busy forging all the weapons needed for the shipment today. Apparently, today is the day where the army would come down to the Lower City to gather all the weapons made by the people here to reinforce the army. It will be a matter of time, until the knights made their arrival.
Putting all the hot forged weapons on a metal cart, Zeref heavily pushed it along the way towards the other carts just beside the entrance as the other workers finished their duties and stood right behind the manager. With being the last one to finish, Zeref wiped a bead of sweat from his head before sprinting towards his station and changed his dirty clothes into a new one before going back to line up with the other workers.
All of them stood rigidly in front of the owner as he slowly paced back and forth before beginning his speech.
"Alright, listen up! I'm sure this is the first time for some of you to witness a run like this... Apparently, the knights of the Upper City will go down here and collect some weapons that we made everyday in order to strengthen their attack force in protecting the city from the dragons. I'm pretty sure, everyone of you knows what a dragon is capable of and one alone is enough to destroy a town or city for that matter however, this is the Central Kingdom, the strongest kingdom in all of Ishgar. As long as we work to help the army, we won't have any problems with those giant bastards, got it?!"
"YES!"
"Another thing, I'm also reminding everyone of you to stay silent and let me do the talking... The knights here are pretty... ... ... well let's say rough on normal folks like us. Like me, you all don't have protection against this higher ups and if you don't want to get beaten or imprisoned, keep your mouths shut and do as I say."
"YES!"
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A few minutes later, the knights soon arrived at the factory, wearing steel-clad armors with spears and swords rested on their hilts as they made their way inside with the workers who were standing firmly from the side before the owner who greeted the army.
"Greetings, Captain Tellus... The weapons you wanted for the army made its scheduled time." At first the captain didn't speak before silently scanning the factory and saw its poor environment, much to his disappointment and disgust.
"Tell me, Arthur... When will you have the time in cleaning this pile of dirt?" He hissed but Arthur remained firm despite his comments and decided to change the topic in order keep their conversation back on track.
"Sir, the weapons needed for your expedition are made and ready... You should have no more problems about dragons... With your strategic mind, I'm sure you'll put the weapons to good use."
Although it was faint but Arthur was sure to hear the captain mumbling something underneath his breath.
"They're pretty useless anyway." He muttered. After a few more moments he disembarked his horse and scanned the weapons lined up in the crates, checking the embedded process made into it. Staves, rods, swords, and spears were seen in every crate but Tellus was not that pleased.
"These weapons aren't enough, Arthur... We need more for the second army division... How are they suppose to fight a dragon with just their bare hands, huh?" He spat.
"But Captain... I was never informed of any notice about making weapons for the second army-
"AAAH! This is why I can't stand people like you here in the Lower City... We give you food, shelter and protection but you couldn't even provide us with the right amount of things that we needed in return for your protection!"
"But Captain we're just-" Then again, Arthur wasn't given the chance to even speak for himself as Tellus kicked the crate in anger as the weapons cluttered loudly from the pavement as a few bystanders turned to look at the scene with most of them staying quite as distance away from the knights since they knew of their unforgiving nature towards simple folk like them.
Natsu was one among them as he stood out along with the people from the vicinity, looking worried over to his brother who was one of the people lined up in the factory together with their boss. And it seems like they're being criticized for some reason.
Zeref on the other hand, simply stayed silent as his expression is mostly blank at the situation but his clenching fists tells that he was getting impatient and somewhat angry towards the knight before them. Others were just fearful of what might happen since Tellus was showing off his dissatisfaction towards them as well.
"What can you say about yourselves? Do you think you're all free here to stay for anytime you want to? You all have to work hard for us if you want to stay protected in this kingdom otherwise, hit the road." He continue to show his anger towards them until Zeref can't finally take it anymore and decided to intervene.
"What you are doing sir is an offense towards the citizen here." After uttering those words, Tellus shifted his gaze upon the black-haired kid who stood right in front of the group as the others simply widened their eyes in disbelief. Arthur eventually noticed his actions and decided to intervene as well, hoping to quell down the tense atmosphere between them and the knights.
"Sorry about that Captain... Some of these new workers are bit jumpy at most times... Would you please look the other way for this lad?"
"Arthur... What's this kid's name?"
"Eh?"
"I'm telling you what is that kid's name!" He screamed, reminding him to repeat for the third time. Arthur winced on the inside as he looked worriedly at the black-haired kid before finally surrendering and complied as well.
"Zeref... Zeref Dragneel, captain... He's a good kid... He had his way of knowing things about magic despite being a refugee. He's an intelligent one."
"Hoh... If that's the case, then I should give him some questions for him to answer..." He paused before leaning closer towards him with a wicked grin on his face while Zeref simply stood in defiance at his expression and didn't fear him at the very least.
"... You look like a blabbermouth, aren't you? Tell me boy... Do you anything about what's happening outside the kingdom? I'm sure you didn't since you lived here along with these people taking precious air and space...
Do you know who I really am? If you knew you're position, better shut up and sit back together with your friends or I'll make sure you'll rot in prison for committing a crime against a captain knight."
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It was not long until Zeref spoke for himself.
"All of your claims are invalid... First, I didn't commit any crime to offend you or anything. I simply told the error of your ways since it doesn't hold anything tolerable to the law. There are many witnesses here to prove your abuses towards the people and your actions towards Arthur is not excusable in the Sacred Law of the kingdom... Second, I know very well about the outside world. I've been there and I've seen the horrors of the dragons before as I have been a survivor..." He paused.
"...You think that's because we're all weak and poor doesn't mean that we're not as equal as you... We're still human beings, breathing the same air and sharing the same life as you were. People like you in the Upper City think too lowly for the people down here in the Lower City and you abused your rights on us by pitting out the things that you are tasked to do such as now." His speech somehow caught the attention of the other knights and the other people who were listening as well.
"Let me ask you this, mister... If we were never here in the first place... Can this kingdom ever survive on its own people alone?"
There was a complete silence between them as the others have started murmuring while the others were simply stunned at the boy just now. Everyone was taking heed of every bit of his words until-
SMACK*
With a loud noise, Tellus backhanded Zeref right in the face as his metal-plated gauntlets connected right on his cheek, causing him to land roughly on the ground as everyone took a bit of surprise and shock at the captain's actions.
"You don't talk shit about this kingdom, you scum... I should have you imprisoned for verbal insults towards our Kingdom... You should be glad to have stepped on this soil of ours otherwise, I would've cut those legs of yours by now." Tellus threatened as he raised a sword from his hilt and pointed it towards the cringing boy in front of him.
"This boy will be charged with a crime against the kingdom... Anyone who rejects the charge will be met with strong opposition, you got that?!" He turned over the knights and the people behind him who could only stay silent at the scene, seeing that they can't do anything towards the situation.
Placing his sword back, he turned to grabbed Zeref by his hair and tried to drag him away to put him in prison until a small rock hit his head unexpectedly as he stumbled for a moment and eventually turned around to see Natsu standing up alone with another rock on his arm. His expression were slightly teary but the attitude was a full-bent anger towards the captain as if he was trying to challenge him.
"Let go of my brother, you shithead!" Natsu shouted.
"Why you little runt-" Another rock was thrown on him but he was able to raise his hands in defense and tried to grab the pinkette in which Zeref could only widen his eyes in horror as he tried to raise his sword against him.
"I'll kill you, you little midget!"
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"THAT'S FAR ENOUGH, TELLUS!" A feminine voice resounded from one of the knights as a figure went in front of the group and walked towards the angered captain and stopped him mid-way on his murderous intent towards the pink-haired toddler.
She was a female knight, dressed the same as the other knights though with a different rank as her armor differs that of a normal knight. She had a long light blonde hair that reaches far down on her back as it gracefully swayed in the process. She seemed to be aged around 20 or so as her face resembled that of a beautiful woman adorned with her blue eyes. A wing-like circlet is seen on her head as she lowered down Tellus's sword and took it away in order to calm him down.
"You have caused a lot of scene here today, Captain Tellus... I think it's high-time that you should stop abusing the people here especially to kids." Her voice sounded melodic but firm at the same time.
"B-But these little runts are spouting nonsense about the kingdom! They should be faced with punish-
"Didn't I tell you? You have caused way too much scene here with your division. If the Order happens to know of your little rage here, I doubt that you could stay in your position as captain... These kids have witted their way out of yours. You should back away now."
"Tch..." There was click in his tongue as he simply grabbed back his sword from her and walked away from the scene and returned back to his horse.
"Another week for the deadline of the weapons' distribution... This time, better make it on the right time, Arthur." He turned towards the manager of the factory who only nodded in response before looking back at the two kids.
"You got lucky this time, you brats... Make sure you don't show up on that day or I wouldn't be so lenient." He warned before he took off along with the knights as the female knight stayed around for a moment and helped Zeref back on his feet.
Natsu eventually approached them as well as the crowd dispersed yet again to continue their work for the day.
"I'm apologize for my captain's rude behavior... I commend you for your bravery... Not anyone would have the same courage to stand up to that man, a kid no less." She praised as Zeref simply flashed a light smile before turning his attention towards the pinkette to see if he's alright.
"Thanks... Not many people would help kids like us though..." He replied.
"Zeref isn't it?" She asked for his name.
"Yeah..."
"And the other one?"
"Natsu Dragneel... He's my little brother." He replied.
"Where are your parents? Shouldn't they be looking around you by now?"
"Our parents died a month ago. They were killed in a dragon attack." Zeref spoke with a monotone as his expression turned somber for a moment before slowly getting dusting himself to push the dirt on his clothes before helping Natsu in the process. Of course, the female knight somehow gave a light gasp towards his reply but she softened her gaze afterwards before changing the topic.
"Are you guys alone out here without anyone taking care of you?"
"Well, Alice takes good care to us since she lent us a room by night to sleep there... Other than that, we have none... We only have ourselves." Zeref spoke.
"I see..." She pondered.
"I didn't catch your name by the way..." Zeref asked for the knight's name as Natsu inched right behind him.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself... I'm Reina... Vice-captain of the army division you just saw just now."
"Vice-captain?" Natsu turned to speak for the unusual word just now.
"I'm also one of the people on the Order... But I've just been assign to supervise this army division."
"Order? I kinda heard that name before." Zeref and Natsu pondered in thought.
"That's right... The only special division in the army gifted with rare magics." Hearing that, the two brothers eventually realized of what she truly is.
"Wait- Then that means..."
"Yup... I'm a dragonslayer."
A/N: And that's the wrap. How's the chapter? Is it good or bad? Tell me about your opinions in the reviews. Now we're off with two OCs... The first one would be Alice... I kinda depicted her to be like Mirajane who's a loving person towards them. Second, is Reina. I wanted her to play as a motherly-role for the two as part of the development and her affiliation will certainly bring up the plot-bridge for Natsu to attain dragonslaying magic from Igneel.
Zeref should be some scholar protege since I wanted to keep his collected and genius mind under good pretexts, aside from his evil nature in the canon.
Also, the next chapter would feature some characters from FT of course, I think you guessed who would it be... Well, that would be on the next chapter. Thank you guys for your support and opinions on this story. I really appreciate it!
See you guys on the next chap!
- wiErD SpeCtrumz blacking out... ... ...
