Hey guys! Kytrin back at last! Sorry for being away, but moving and then sinus infections take precedence over pretty much... everything lol. No major announcements so enjoy your chapter!
CHAPTER 30
Scuttlebutt
A term used to describe gossip, but originally the drinking fountain on a ship.
Natsu swam back with Juvia and Sorano, both of them this time opting to swim instead of traveling by dolphin or teleporting through currents. Juvia's magic had a tendency to upset Natsu's rather fragile stomach.
He was pleased to see how Juvia's temple was kept in excellent condition despite her absence in recent times. The goddess herself was overjoyed by the care Sorano took in caring for it too, and it showed as she took the time out to bless the temple and those who were praying to her.
She took a moment to reveal to Natsu that she had always heard the prayers of her people despite her exile and silence, but it was more like a din in the back of her mind. She could aid in their prayers from where she stayed in the abyss, but she never personally answered prayers.
His had been particularly interesting to her because of their past, and only then did it catch her attention.
It was amazing to see how Juvia's presence sunk joy into the hearts of those praying to her and Natsu felt a sense of respect for the gods and the endless job they had before them. Helping those who prayed to them.
They didn't ask for much in return either, just a sense of gratitude or token. Even Gajeel and Levy helped, it seemed that was all that the gods did. The thought had him frowning as he swam through the chilly waters, unbothered by the temperature as they made their way into Yukino's castle.
Where would that leave Acnologia? Did he help his patrons?
It didn't seem like it, but how could they dethrone the god of destruction and leave nothing in his place?
Would The Lady Titania become the solitary goddess of war and take on the mantle of destruction? Natsu doubted it, everything had a balance in the world, and that meant there would always be an Acnologia.
Always a god of destruction.
After all the terrible things he had done, the gods had their hands tied in many ways to rid themselves of him.
It was strange to think about really. The gods were so incredibly powerful, and yet they were bound and hemmed in by their own rules for the sake of the balance of the world. To keep creation from spiraling into chaos.
He was pulled out of his thoughts as they entered the palace. Easily on par with Zeref's though it was, Natsu was still mightily impressed with it's beauty. The cold related magic that was so prevalent in these waters was reflected in the architecture as glacial blue, snowy white, and rainbows reflected from clear prisms appeared everywhere.
The overall effect was stunning and he couldn't help pausing for a moment simply to look.
"This way." Sorano called impatiently, though there was a smug looking smirk on her face at his reaction, "Yuki's probably waiting for us in the meeting room now."
"Aye." Natsu called distractedly and swum over as she led them further inside only to nearly crash into her when she stopped abruptly.
"What happened then?" A young voice asked eagerly.
"And then... Metalicana let out a mighty roar!" Sting growled playfully as he pounced gently on a squealing merboy, and roared as quietly as he could, causing the child to laugh excitedly as he wriggled in Sting's grasp.
"The roar was powerful enough to shatter the enchantment holding his Champion imprisoned and release her. The moment she was free she spread her wings wide," His wings appeared on his back, "And let out a roar of her own defiance! She would not allow innocents be abused! But she didn't have room to change fully into her dragon form. So she drew her twin swords and lunged for those who would dare harm those under her protection!"
A flash of movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he looked up, "Oh, hey!" He grinned, "You're back quick."
"And miss the end of my favorite story?" Natsu grinned over at Sting, watching the intimate way Sting was sitting with Yukino and the young prince. Now that was an interesting development, "Don't let me stop you!"
Sting nodded to his older brother and picked up the young pup and swept him through the water, smiling when he shrieked and laughed.
"The tide of the battle changed in that moment, Metalicana's champion leading the kings of the dragons against their enemy wyverns until they were able to regain the ground in their nest and push out the invaders!"
"Yaaaay!" The little boy cheered and clung excitedly to Sting as if he was holding onto all the answers, "And then what? What happened next!"
"That's it," Sting laughed and bounced the little merpup on his knee, "They all lived happily ever after, at least until their next adventure!"
The boy turned wide eyes onto Sting, swimming up to grasp his face with two chubby hands, "Another! Tell me another story!"
Sting just laughed and glanced at Yukino, who rolled her eyes with motherly exasperation and collected her protesting child from Sting, "Alright guppie, I think that's enough excitement before bed. I think our guests need some rest after their long trip."
Yukino's son looked crestfallen, but didn't protest too much over the night being cut short. He was wiping his own eyes with his fists and trying to clear them from sleep, "Aw, but ma I'm not tired…"
"Sure you aren't," Yukino hummed and glanced back at the amused looking Sting, "Now tell our guests thank you and goodnight."
"Thank you for the story Mr. Sting, night, night!" The boy called, waving at them as Yukino tucked him into her arms and nodded at a servant, who gracefully swam forward.
"Pray, show our guests to the suites arranged for them, and see to their every need." She commanded, "And see that they join me for breakfast in the morning."
"As you command my lady." The merman bowed and gestured with his hand, "If your Radiance and my lords would please follow me?"
"I'm sure Natsu and Sting would be delighted." Juvia smiled, and inclined her head at Yukino for the offer of hospitality, "However, I must decline for this evening. There are a number of things I must yet attend to that I've been unable to in recent weeks, and now is the best time to do so."
Yukino nodded, "Of course. The suite will remain open and my staff at your disposal should you need them."
Juvia smiled and looked at Sorano, "Let's return to the temple. I want to lay the groundwork for protection against the abyssal creatures while I have the chance."
Sorano nodded solemnly, "That would be much appreciated my lady."
Juvia nodded and the two women swam off, leaving Natsu and Sting behind.
Natsu smiled at Yukino, "Thanks for everything." He told her, "Really."
"It's my pleasure Prince Natsu." Yukino replied with a warm smile and dipped her head at Sting, "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
She nodded at her lady-in-waiting and the woman swam over as Sting and Natsu were escorted out and to their rooms.
Natsu glanced over his shoulder as they left, raising an eyebrow as he saw Yukino's gaze fastened to Sting's back. A slow smirk crawled over Natsu's face when she realized he had caught her staring and she swiftly turned around and swam away.
He snorted out a stream of bubbles in a rough laugh once they were in their chambers. Sting glanced at his older brother, frowning at the madly giggling merman. Natsu laughed even harder at the baffled expression on his face and shook his head.
"I think the queen may have eyes for you little brother," Natsu gave him a crooked grin, "you seem to interest her."
"What? Hardly." Sting stared at Natsu, trying to hide how his thoughtless comment flustered him, "I'm not even royalty, you're Igneel's blood born son and adopted by the Alvarez royal family undersea," Sting spread his hands in a wide gesture, as if that explained everything.
Sting felt himself pinned under Natsu's stare, slightly unnerved when his older brother flashed him a shark-like smile and swam on a tight circle around him.
"But you're not opposed to the idea, are you?" Natsu purred back at Sting.
"Yeah but—!"
"Don't pull that royalty garbage with me, what are we? Humans?" Natsu snorted at Sting, "You're a powerful dragon my pa adopted. You were laid in Metallicana's own nest! You don't need to be blood to be royal."
"Besides, Sting I'm never going to take the throne from my father," Natsu said quietly.
There was a stillness in the water between them, almost like there was no current in the ocean at all. Just still water.
"Natsu, what're you say? Of course you will!" Sting protested.
Natsu gestured to his tail, "What, did you really think all this time that you wouldn't be taking the throne from my old man? Sting I have a permanent fish tail attached from the waist down, I'm not even a real dragon anymore."
"But your scarf! And Juvia can—"
"Juvia can't stay out of the water forever brother." Natsu grinned at his glum looking brother, "Don't worry about it. I miss my wings, I miss being a dragon but I'm grateful to be alive and I won't miss the throne."
"You can have that job, drake or not," He grinned at Sting, "So don't count out being with the sea queen just yet."
"Maybe." Sting conceded, still unconvinced that the queen was interested, "But I'm not giving up on you breaking your curse eventually!" He smirked back, "Or do you really want to try and convince me you don't want that for the Cap'n's sake?"
It was Natsu's turn to blush, "That's not... I..." He swished his tail violently and shot Sting a sulky glare, "Alright, you got a point. It ain't that easy though. I'm not the only one with problems."
"Aye." Sting agreed, "She's got a god with an unhealthy interest in her after her. An' I don't know about you, but I have no idea how we're gonna fix that."
Natsu shook his head, "We'll figure somethin' out."
The brothers shared a look before the servant paused before a set of ornate doors, "Your rooms Prince Natsu." He said with a bow, "I'll see someone attends to your needs as soon as I escort Lord Sting to his suite."
Natsu nodded and clapped his brother on the shoulder before heading inside. It was a nice enough suite, beautifully appointed and proof of their status in Yukino's eyes. It even had a hot bath situated over a thermal vent. However, as he swam over to the bed he couldn't help wish he was back on the Fairy Tail tending to Lucy right now. She was bound to still be sore, and a very large part of him wanted to just curl up around her and soothe her aches with his warmth.
He shook his head a little at the melancholy thought as a servant came in with a large tray of food, "Pardon m'lord." She bobbed, "The queen thought you might be hungry."
His stomach growled a bit and he grinned at her, "She was right. Thanks. Just set it on the table."
The mermaid smiled and did as she was told before taking herself out when he confirmed there was nothing else and he sighed, a wave of melancholy settling over him. Sting's reminder of the captain had him thinking about her, and how much fun she would have seeing this place. It made the lovely room feel too big and cold and lonely by far.
He shook his head again as he grabbed up a boiled lobster and bit into it. He would just have to make this trip a quick one. Then he could get back to her.
-::-
His heart hammered in his chest, nerves unlike anything he had ever felt before thrumming through his body and shaking him down to his knees.
He had never been afraid of anything before, but in this big, lonely temple he felt that nervous ache of terror.
Natsu didn't like to be alone, and he had found a home here in the one person he could never have. Ever.
And yet here he was, willing to risk everything for the goddess he loved more than his very life. She loved him too, Natsu knew it to the core of his being. Her whispered words of adoration when they were tangled together in Natsu's chamber. The way he pressed his lips under her ear and breathed his promises into her skin. He knew it was real.
The goddess had more than one opportunity to beckon a willing mortal into her bed, but she didn't. She picked him, again and again...
She had been so kind to him since the very beginning and Natsu didn't want to ask for too much from her. But looking around in his large, beautiful room... it only hammered home how much he missed her.
They would always be apart for times. That was the fact of life, as a Celestial, she had more to do than the other gods. She was powerful and had hundreds of thousands of followers. Each one of them she cared for as well.
Natsu smiled at the reminder of Lucy's kindness, snorting a bit as he wondered what her followers would think over her love of mortal romance novels or how she enjoyed to write herself. Or how shy she was about letting anyone see her work, claiming she wasn't enough of a muse to be any good at it.
Or how furious and embarrassed she was when she found out Natsu smuggled a copy of her story out and got it published. Or how happy she was when she found out how many people loved it.
Natsu knelt in front of his altar to her, drawing a knife along his finger and dropping a few drips of his blood into the lit incense.
"Lucy, are you there?
"For you? Always." Came the familiar answer as she materialized in a shower of gold sparkles with a smile she reserved just for him. She waited just long enough to become solid and stepped forward to kiss him softly, "Tell me true, did you call for a reason or just because you missed me?"
Natsu grinned at her teasing, trying to swallow back the butterflies, "It can't be both?"
She laughed merrily, "I suppose it can!" She agreed and leaned back against her altar, "So, what does my Champion desire of me today?" She grinned.
"The pleasure of your time." Natsu replied honestly, "I have something I want to show you. And later... a question to ask."
The intrigued looking goddess nodded and he held his hand out to her. She slid hers into his without hesitation and something in him both relaxed and tensed further. Such trust. He hoped he would retain it after this.
"Where are we going?" She asked, and he smiled as he kissed her hand and tucked it into his elbow, "Not far." He promised as he led her through the temple and out into the sacred gardens beyond, unspeakably grateful that she trusted him enough not to simply peek into his heart to get her answers.
"Natsu this is nothing new." Lucy said after a moment as he led her through the beautifully laid paths, "I adore these gardens, but I know every inch... of... them..." She trailed off with a gasp as she laid eyes on the cozy gazebo he'd set up for them, "Natsu..."
Natsu grinned, a feeling of pride swelling within as she took in the fairy lights glowing in the setting sun and the scent of lavender filling the night air around the table intimately set for two and fairly groaning with food and drink. It had taken ages to set up without tipping anyone off, but every bit of it was worth it.
"C'mon." He grinned, leading her forward, "This is only the beginning."
He'd had to trade and barter with the Exceed for several moons before they would lend him a few enchanted tools they normally reserved for the gods only on Magnolia.
Nothing major, but Natsu always loved to break the rules.
As a mortal, he didn't have much in the way of magic. Only the Spirit King's sacred key that he kept tied around his neck was what he guarded, no real magic of his own besides what he possessed from becoming Champion.
But he had called in every favor he knew with every magical creature he'd met over the years just to make this happen. He'd even begged the Ladies Chelia, Levy, and Juvia for help.
The three goddesses had been very amused.
He guided Lucy to the gazebo, remembering just in the nick of time to pull out her chair. Lucy gave him a narrowed and suspicious look over his rarely seen manners, but he flashed her a wolfish smile and dropped a wet kiss to her cheek with a disarming laugh.
Thoroughly distracted now, the goddess laughed and rubbed away the smear on her cheek. Natsu was acting very mysterious, but she settled down and put the thoughts from her head. He was obviously nervous about something.
They ate together, laughing about everything they had missed since the last time they saw one another, which wasn't much really, but even a few days was more than enough. When they were finished, Natsu grinned at her and held out his hand. He could see the amusement in her eyes as she accepted it and he let out a sharp whistle. Suddenly, the tools he borrowed from the exceed burst from the bushes and from behind the the trees and dangled from branches, pulling a sharp gasp from her.
"They're a little dramatic," Natsu grinned back at her.
He swallowed hard, praying he had put enough thought into this with Levy and hoping her knowledge and skills with script had been enough aid so he didn't come across like a complete idiot.
The tools the Exceed lent him transformed into instruments and began to play a song of his own creation, and suddenly his throat felt too tight. He summoned every ounce of courage he was known for and pulled Lucy into a dance.
She gamely went along with him as he knew she would, the spirited dance forming between them as naturally as it always did. He was her partner, her hand on the mortal plane. They were connected in a way that was hard to explain and impossible for anyone but them understand.
But then he surprised her and twisted her into a deep dip. He grinned as he began to sing, his voice soft but carrying loud enough to be heard over the music, "Son of darkness and daughter of light, dancing merrily among the heavens bright! The stars they bring both day and night, our fields to tend, our souls to mend, guided by that heavenly light."
He pulled her back up and smiled, "The lord of stars, strong and bold, he carries the hopes and dreams of men. Holds them until they're born again. And what am I? A mortal born. A simple soul, lost and torn, praying for peace and heaven's light. Then what do I see? A goddess there, standing upon her altar bare. She held me close and dried my tears, mending my soul and heart throughout the years."
He dropped his hands and stared at her intently, his heart pounding with emotions he both could and could not name, "To my goddess bright I gave this pledge, your Champion I'll be, your mortal edge. Ne're did I think upon that day, more than my life I would give away." He pressed her hand to his chest and dropped down on one knee, "Daughter of light you are my life. My heart you took so long ago, and now I cannot bear it, I have to know..."
He pulled out the betrothal necklace he'd had crafted for her and presented it to her, "Would you answer this humble mortal's prayer, and gift him the one thing he should not dare? The gift of being this mortal's wife, and to love him throughout all our lives?"
Lucy's eyes stung with tears as she raised her hands to her mouth, stunned by the beautiful proposal. Natsu had always possessed a gift for singing, but to hear him compose such a song just for her. Just for this? He had gone to such trouble for her, to show her truly how he felt, and it melted her heart.
He was no mere mortal. He was so much more. And she had won his heart. She had not truly dared to dream it so, knowing as she did so well how painfully short mortal hearts and attentions were. But his attention had never wavered, and now he was risking it all to ask her to be his wife. Her ridiculous Champion, who shared so much with her, and reminded her of the simple joy to be had in his world.
Unable to speak, she dropped to her knees with a choked sob and wrapped her arms tightly around him as she nodded frantically, "Yes!" She managed after several tries, "Yes Natsu! Oh my love...!"
Tears of joy cascaded down her cheeks as she pulled him into a warm kiss, "My Natsu." She breathed against his lips, "My love." She smiled, "I would make you my husband, my eternal Champion. Gladly would I do this."
"Lucy," Natsu laughed, his hands reaching up to palm warm paths against her cheeks and through her hair. He clutched her to him, happy beyond belief that she said yes.
"The only thing I need in this world is you, nothing else," Natsu grinned at her, "In a thousand lifetimes, I will come back to you. I promise you, when it's time for me to join the others in your garden, I'll come back to you. Even if it takes me my entire life, I will find my way back to you."
Lucy laughed and shook her head, her fingers curling into his pink locks and looking into his warm eyes, "I couldn't bear to lose you. Even temporarily Natsu. I can claim your spirit, turn it into one of my creatures and have you join me in the stars. You can remain my champion at my side, not a celestial spirit, but a celestial. You don't need to die."
"Stubborn goddess," Natsu laughed, willing to do anything she desired. He would give up his very mortal soul for her in a heartbeat if she asked for it, "Very well, you can do whatever you desire on the day of our marriage Lucy."
He gestured for his fiancée to turn around, unable to stop his smiles as he looped the necklace he carved for her around her slender throat.
She turned around look at him adoringly, her eyes filled with stars.
"Forever Natsu?"
—::—
"Forever," Natsu breathed, his eyes coming to a slow open.
His breath hitched as the world came into focus and he found himself staring up at the magnificently sculpted ceiling of his guest rooms. A dream. It had been a dream.
Except it didn't feel like a dream. Like everything recently, it had the feeling of a memory, and he didn't doubt that was what it was this time either. A memory of another life. A life he'd had before. One where he'd been happy, and in love, and... with Lucy.
His breath hitched again as the memory of Lucy's ethereal beauty flashed in front of his eyes, and his eyes stung with tears as his heart shattered. His beautiful goddess and their happiness was gone. Shattered. Why? What had happened? What could have possibly torn them apart?
The answer came in a moment.
Acnologia.
Who else could it have been? The god who destroys. The god who was obsessed with his love.
A sharp pain stabbed through his head, releasing the choked sob he'd been trying to swallow back as he curled tightly on his side, the throbbing pain getting worse.
What was happening? Another memory cascade? If so, he welcomed it. He was tired of not understanding. Tired of memories that made no sense. And most of all, tired of the questions the gods in his life refused to answer.
The throb increased, making it feel like a hot poker was stabbing him through the top of his head, but he welcomed it. He buried his face in a pillow to muffle the sounds of pain that rattled in his throat, and growled at the pain instead.
He wasn't afraid of it! Whatever secrets were buried behind it, he wanted them. He wanted it all! He was a Champion damnit! And the Pirate King! As if in answer to his challenge, the pain throbbed sharply, feeling like it intended to split his head open, and suddenly and endless stream of images cascaded before his eyes.
More intense than the first time had been by far, he struggled to breathe as he caught glimpses of living as a human hatchling with a kind mother who wove beautiful cloth and scolded him not to stomp through the kitchen garden. Of a strong and brightly smiling father who tilled the land and taught Natsu how to hunt and fish.
He saw war and suffering, his human father setting sail on a ship and never returning. And a grieving boy's earnest prayer at a temple he hardly recognized due to how it gleamed and shined.
He saw her, his Lucy, answering his prayer the way he instinctively knew only Lucy could. Tears streamed down his cheeks unnoticed and unchecked as the years blurred and he dedicated himself to her, heart and soul. His wild, merciful, tempestuous, gentle, goddess. Oh how he loved her!
Natsu's fingers fisted into his hair, curling into his pillow to smother himself so he wouldn't scream at the unloading of a lifetime of memories.
He could remember the challenges he underwent to become Champion, how he had been an absolute failure in studying to be a priest but somehow been accepted despite his energetic nature.
The memories of arguing with Leo over the naming of his stars, to meeting the Celestial Spirit King and Prince themselves.
The years of fighting for his Celestial Princess and pushing himself at every moment to be worthy of even being in her presence. It had been too easy, frighteningly so, to fall in love with her. At first it had taken him by surprise, because he always loved the goddess.
But his love had taken on a new quality.
His boldness in his love was never masked, Natsu made no effort to hide it and Lucy had trusted him with her own heart. Precious and pristine, she put it in his very mortal hands with all the care in the world.
He remembered up until Juvia and Levy, laughing with Lucy and gathered together, congratulating them on their engagement until the memory went foggy and dark and suddenly he was reborn again as a dragon.
Two lifetimes crushed into his mind as he remembered recruiting a grim looking Gray on his ship, as just a small boy and how quickly he shot up to his role as one of Natsu's closest crewmates as the years passed. He could remember easily how Gajeel would pine over letters and books, his thoughts consumed by a goddess he loved but could never speak to.
And he remembered the exact moment when he found Lucy again, reborn as a mortal, a human princess into a royal family that loved her very much. Natsu had felt like something had snapped back into place, as if he were becoming whole again.
His princess was sweet, kind and gentle, different from his goddess but still so very perfect. His soul recognized hers, and he felt the ache to be with her as strong as ever before.
Natsu felt grief unlike anything else bubble within him as he knew, he knew without the memories showing him that something terrible happened again.
It was like the gods were mocking him and Lucy, watching as history repeated itself. Acnologia had wanted Lucy once more, having discovered her in her mortal form despite neither of them having their memories. The god of destruction had been furious and jealous they were drawn together in a way he never would have with Lucy.
And he had threatened her, forced her to pick his hand over the safety of her kingdom. Lucy had accepted and sealed her fate, but Natsu was unwilling to lose her. His betrothed was not going to be lost to the god of destruction...
Natsu had tried to stop Acnologia, going so far as to steal Lucy away aboard the Fairy Tail.
He couldn't help but let out the roar of grief and rage that boiled with him, the glass and crystals of the beautiful undersea palace shaking under the force of his anger. Acnologia had come after his ship, uncaring if Lucy was on it in his desperation to enact revenge on Natsu. The ship had been smashed, Lucy thrown upon the rocks without protection. He had killed her again and Natsu had been left alive.
He leapt up, Tail swishing angrily as he stared at where his legs had once been with new eyes. Gray. Gray had paid the ultimate price for him to live, to call Juvia.
It had been so pointless!
"JUVIA!" He roared out, furious beyond words and needing answers. At the lack of response, and faintly remembering she was putting up shields for the abyssal creatures, Natsu lunged for a shell on his side table and snapped it in half.
Without pause, he dug the sharp edge into his palm and sliced it open, uncaring of the shock of pain as a stream of blood bloomed out in a cloud in front of him, "JUVIA!"
And that's the chapter! I hope you all enjoyed, and it helps slot in another piece of the puzzle. I want to give a special shout out to everyone who reviewed, you guys rocked and made your preview, and a hug to everyone who wished me well. It really meant a lot to know you were thinking of me, and I love you all for it. Be assured that I'm much better now. My sinus infection is on the mend and should be kicked in the butt permanently in another day or two. But enough about that, you guys enjoy your preview and we'll see you on Sunday! :)
"I am not taking visitors today sir, please speak with my secretary and she'll find time in my schedule for a meet," Jude grunted without looking up.
Jude was jerked away from his desk by the back of his chair and tossed straight into a wall. He yelped in pain and looked up, shoving the broken pieces of the chair from his body.
Standing before him stood Acnologia himself, in his mortal form and looking coldly furious.
"I would take more care when you speak to your betters Jude, however I will let it go for now, I still have need for you," Acnologia smirked at Jude.
Jude gasped when Acnologia dragged him up by his collar, his furious eyes dark on him. A slow smirk flashed over his face, "I have located your daughter. And more importantly I have located where you need to send your next ships."
