Hey guys! Kytrin here with your, belated, Wednesday update! Apologies for yet another delay. I was actually having technical difficulties lol. Google docs did not want to load no matter what I did. Regardless, we're up and running now so you guys enjoy! :)
CHAPTER 48
Hang the Jib
Frown or pout
Natsu hardly waited for the Fairy Tail to dock before leaping over her side, uncaring about the lack of gangplank, and tearing towards the city. The crew had their orders, and he knew they would follow them faithfully. They no longer needed him as captain. It was time for him to be a champion.
And it was with that in mind that he headed straight for the temple of one of his oldest friends.
He knew she was a goddess now, but just like him she'd been a champion first. And though it pained him to admit it, Lucy had been right back on the mountain. Fighting alone had been what got them both killed. If he had any hope of defeating Acnologia he was going to need help.
And he wouldn't get any better help than a fellow champion.
He grinned as he caught sight of her temple, both severe and beautiful at the same time, yet with just enough softness at the edges to hint at the woman underneath. It suited Erza exactly, and he felt a surge of pride for her achievement.
The crowd usually in front of any Magnolia temple was curiously absent as he pushed his way through and up the stairs. The temple guardians shifted at his approach, but did no more than twitch their weapons before relaxing again.
"The lady awaits you in her inner sanctum m'lord." One told him as he approached, "She told us to keep an eye out for you."
Mildly surprised, though he wasn't sure why he was, Natsu just nodded briefly and hurried inside. Once there he was quickly intercepted by what had to be a high ranking priest at the least, "Natsu Dragneel?"
He nodded again, a little amazed by the efficiency of Erza's clergy, as the man nodded and gestured to him, "This way." He said, his voice an oddly mild contrast to the powerful way he moved, "The lady informed us the moment she learned Lady Lucy had been captured by the destroyer. We've been making preparations since, and were told to keep an eye out for you."
"What preparations?" Natsu asked curiously, only to immediately forget his question as his guide tapped on the inner sanctum door and it swung open to reveal both his sisters in arms.
"Natsu!" Jade exclaimed happily. The female drake, large and powerful even in her human form, strode over and slapped him on the back hard enough to make him stagger, "I heard you finally unscrambled your head! It's about time!"
Natsu regained his balance and turned towards her with a smile that broke free even despite the circumstance. He threw his arms around her and thumped her on the back, "Aye, no thanks to you! Keepin' yer secrets like my old man! I don't know how you all managed it!"
"Well you rarely came to visit the Western isles! It's not like I ever saw you ya runt!" Jade bent her head to touch her forehead to Natsu's, greeting him as dragons often did.
He grinned and leaned into the touch for a moment before he backed up and blew a raspberry at Gajeel's energetic mother, but turned his attention to the red haired goddess waiting patiently for him to direct his attention to her.
"Natsu," Erza greeted with a smile and rose from her seat, striding over to him faster than he could react and crushing him into her breastplate for a firm embrace. Natsu grunted and flailed his arms about, barely managing to regain his balance.
"I've missed you," She said with fondness, her gauntleted hands smushing his cheeks together to get a good look at his face, "You appear to be in good health!"
"I guess I have you to thank for that, huh?" Natsu grinned back at Erza and rubbed his jaw after she released him, "Had a couple of close calls over the years that I wasn't likely to escape from!"
"Perhaps I sharpened your mind and made sure your footing," Erza smiled at him mysteriously, "But nothing you hadn't achieved on your own by your merit alone."
Natsu snorted at that and glanced at Jade, "So what brings you here? I was expecting Erza, but not you."
"My headstrong son visited his father's temple to give us news of Acnologia's movements after you sent him on the fool's errand," Jade smirked at Natsu, "Someone needed to visit Erza to ensure Jellal was kept in the loop of what was happening. I doubt any of you thought to inform him of what was happening."
She tapped her knuckles against his forehead, "Numb skull."
"Sorry, had a lot of things going at once," Natsu grinned sheepishly and glanced at Erza, "Is Jellal on board with the construction of a new key?"
"He is, but it's doubtful it will be finished in time to use against Acnologia," Erza replied, extending her hand towards a table Natsu hadn't noticed at first.
"We've been planning contingencies and next steps, it seems Acnologia has tipped his hand finally, allowing the gods to step in. I'm afraid he's residing in the holy ground of his temple though, where we can't interfere," Erza grunted.
"That didn't stop him from stomping all over Lucy's sacred grounds and waging war on me," Natsu grunted.
"True," Erza flicked the tip of Natsu's nose and gave him a patient glare, "But we do not have eyes inside his temple. If we charge in blindly, we can run the risk of injuring Lucy, a tactic he knows we are unwilling to risk."
"We cannot look into the divine grounds of another god, it is their domain. Attacking is one thing, but sight is another," Erza sighed, "He will also be strongest on his holy ground. This is not the best set up for us to wage an attack."
"I'm not needing a full assault," Natsu glanced back at her, "Planning ain't getting us anywhere. I say we give him what he wants. For now."
"What he wants?" Jade frowned and straightened to stare at him.
"Besides Lucy, you are referring to the staff," Erza said slowly.
"You intend to give him the staff?" Jade asked in disbelief, "But why? You know what that thing can do! There was a reason why the gods sealed it away!"
"Aye." Natsu agreed solemnly, "But it's also our ticket in." He pulled out his key fragment, "This thing doesn't work like it used to, but it works well enough. If he's the only god around then I don't have to hold back with it." His expression darkened, "I can finally kill him."
"But why the rush?" Erza asked, "Natsu this is extremely reckless! There are a hundred ways this could go wrong!"
"Because we ain't got time!" Natsu snapped, "Lucy's memories are about to pop. An' once they do I won't be able to use my key without hitting her." He scowled, "More'n that, there's no tellin' when that bastard's going to force her to marry him, and I swore he'd never touch her again!"
"Then you're right." Jade replied seriously, "Taking the time to plan will do nothing but create more trouble." She nudged him, "Go. I'll have my dragons help finish evacuating the city. Once the innocents are clear I'll join you in that accursed temple. Gods willing, sight or no sight, this mad plan of yours will work."
"The gods are willing." Erza replied and straightened up, "There are certain rules we cannot break if we don't want to destroy creation, you know this, but on my honor if you give me an opening to strike that worm... I will take it!"
Natsu looked at the goddess, his sister first before her ascension. He flashed her a crooked smile, pleased the goddess of victory was at his side on this.
He drew a knife at his belt, slicing it clean over his palm and drawing his fingers into a fist.
"An offering of life's blood to the goddess of victory then," He smiled at Erza, who looked surprised that he would do something for her, "May the wisdom of the Titania guide my mind and teach me to stay my hand or strike when I need to. May her divine might aid us in this party I'm about to run into."
Erza laughed quietly and sealed her hand over Natsu's fist. Her eyes glittered with a hazy red light but her expression was filled with amusement, "A party is not what I would call this."
"Then you've been sittin' on high with the gods too long." Natsu smirked back and withdrew his hand.
Before he could draw too far away, Erza snapped him up into a tight embrace that crushed him to her chest. Through the stinging he felt across his cheek on her breastplate, he felt a soothing magic wash over him.
"Be careful Natsu, It has been frightfully boring without you." Erza murmured in his ear.
Once released, Natsu backed up and grinned at the imposing goddess, whose visible eye seemed a little too bright.
"Aren't I always?" He grinned and began his trek towards the entrance of the temple.
"Never," Jade called back.
While unable to deny the truth, Natsu just flashed a smirk back at his fellow champions and departed back towards the common area and into the street.
Without pausing, he headed towards the towns center, waiting for the sign from the crew to get into their positions. With Acnologia nearby, he was certain the demons would come. And the moment Natsu started the attack, he would allow the demons to paint the streets red with the blood of those inhabiting the holy town.
He just hoped the combined force of Jade's dragons and Lucy's crew would be enough.
-::-
"Are you sure about this?" Lyon asked as he moved into position, "This wasn't something we agreed to."
"My dear brother, we owe them far more than this." Ultear replied as she twirled her favorite orb in one hand, standing straight and tall for the first time in a decade. Lyon's heart squeezed at the sight. After so long he'd given up hope of ever seeing his sister restored, but here she was.
It hadn't even been a question. When they'd landed on the ship in all the confusion, they'd been left standing among a bunch of pirates they only knew through Gray's letters home. For a moment he'd been afraid they would attack, but then the small dragoness, Wendy, had pushed through the crowd demanding to know if anyone was hurt.
From there it had been a flurry of activity and before he'd known quite what was happening, he was sitting on a bench watching a miracle be performed on his sister.
He bowed his head, "You're right sister." He glanced around, "And who knows, if they can pull off one miracle, maybe they can pull off another."
"I wouldn't doubt it." Ultear smirked, "If anyone can perform another miracle I think it would be these people."
"Then let's hope the Spirit King favors us all." He replied as he watched the people of Magnolia being led subtly to safety, "Because I believe we're about to start."
"He will," Ultear said calmly, her orb floating in an arc over her palm, "His sister's life is at stake. And by his will we will rescue her."
She smiled at her brother, "If this goes well, our family will be whole again. And Gray's mind..."
Gray, whose mind had shattered and succumbed to the demonic impulses and power fueling through his tattoo, was currently being calmed and sedated by Meredy, who remained onboard the ship with Sting.
Meredy's unique magic allowed her to cast a bond over herself and Gray, effectively putting them both into a state where they would not be woken until after this was all over. Lyon's comfort was that it was only a temporary situation for both his fiancé and brother.
"Perhaps we can see more than a couple of miracles performed by the grace of The Celestial King," Ultear murmured, whispering a soft prayer to him, one that Lyon quietly echoed.
Its time.
Warren of Fairy Tail spoke through their collective minds, his voice a whisper to remind them to shore up their ranks.
The quiet alert went to each member, and Lyon waited. That was all they could do for the time being. Wait for the storm to break.
And in the center of the town, Natsu charged for the Destroyer's temple.
However, despite what most would expect, he didn't charge through the front door, with it's many large and powerful clergy barring the way and alert for his approach.
Living with Zeref for four hundred years had bought him not only a brother, but an appreciation for less direct tactics. And he gleefully employed them now as he dropped a rock wrapped in a very special piece of paper Levy had helped him write during the journey to Magnolia into a corner out of immediate sight of the guards.
He brushed a finger against the writing on it, letting out only a trickle of power to charge it and quickly moved away. He warily kept to the outer edge of Acnologia's territory. No doubt the god was keeping an eye out for him, but there was absolutely no reason to make things any easier. He skirted the edge of one side of the temple dropping, or lobbing, similarly covered rocks as Levey had instructed and prayed frantically this would go right.
Right on cue the first ignited in a ball of fire worthy of his father, obliterating a good chunk of the wall. He grinned as the remaining papers exploded in sequence, blasting the outer walls of Acnologia's temple with all of his contained fury. It was a beautiful sight. Though he didn't linger to stare at it as figures started appearing in the smoke and dust.
Knowing that was his cue, he sprinted onto the grounds themselves, praying to Erza that the smoke would hide him just a little longer as he found an entrance and slithered inside.
He had to find Lucy.
That was the most important thing.
No matter what he could not break his promise to his goddess.
Once he found her, the battle was halfway over. Freeing Lucy would be the best use of his time and getting her to safety. Fairy Tail would be making their way through the Destroyer's defenses to meet up with him, but he couldn't count on it yet.
He eeled around a pillar, bending around and making his way towards where he knew Lucy would be kept. Acnologia's inner sanctum.
Natsu was getting awfully sick of those.
This one proved more difficult to find than the one in the mountains, Acnologia having withdrawn his most secret place to the farthest corner away from his worshipers. He paid it no mind, although he attributed it as a sign to the bastard's devolving sanity.
He pushed into the inner sanctum, thanking his champion status which allowed him the right to enter a god's domain without needing permission or a drop of divine blood.
Acnologia was no where to be seen, drawn in by the explosions and more than likely searching for him among the carnage. It wouldn't distract him long, and Natsu wasn't keen on sticking around or drawing matters out.
He spotted a blond head of hair on the opposite side of Acnologia's throne, eyes lighting up when he saw Lucy looking desperately towards the sound of the explosions.
He snuck up next to her and clapped his hand over her mouth, seeing how she jerked in his hold and attempted to kick at his instep. Natsu grinned at her ferocity, but merely growled in her ear, "Peace Cap'n, 'tis only me."
"Hush now, I gotta make quick work of your chains," Natsu breathed when Lucy's eyes brightened and her body relaxed. When it looked like she was no longer planning on murdering him, his grinned crookedly and got to work.
-::-
"You sure it's this way?" Cana asked as they sprinted through the winding streets. In the distance Natsu's rather explosive declaration of war was rattling Acnologia's temple, and she had to give the ex pirate king credit for going all out.
"Of course I'm sure!" Levy huffed indignantly, shooting Cana a glare.
The quartermaster grinned and held up her hands, "Hey, I didn't mean it like that! I've just never been to the Creator's temple..."
Levy snorted and rolled her eyes, "No, you're too busy paying homage to Chelia and Bacchus."
"I hate to interrupt, but how much further is it?" Rogue asked as he glanced around warily, "I don't like the idea of my brother in there all alone any more than he has to be."
"Not far." Levy assured him, "The Master built his temple in his sacred cherry tree grove." She pointed where the famous trees stood proudly, "See? We're almost there."
Rogue started to nod only for his eyes to widen. Without warning he shoved Levy out of the way just in time for her to avoid a sword coming for her head.
"Damnit, I missed!" A loud voice snorted in disgust as a being that could only be one of the demon gates stepped lazily around a corner, "Oh well, little bite like her wouldn't have been much anyway." The demon smirked cruelly, "Though she is a goddess, so that alone makes her worth something. Not very much though!"
"Go." Rogue growled as he planted himself firmly between the three women and the demon, "I'll deal with this."
"At the very least a god is needed to get into the temple to retrieve the artifact," He growled when Levy made a noise of protest and advanced forward, "A dragon alone can crush a demon."
"Atta boy Sailor!" Cana smirked at Rogue and tugged Levy by the back of her collar. A wicked smile tore over her face and Levy rolled her eyes when she was dragged away, "Show 'em What happens when you mess with Fairy Tail!"
Seeing she was outvoted on that account, Levy turned on her heel and sprinted next to Cana as opposed to being dragged behind her. They tore through the last yards into the temple, just as a wall of shadows erupted behind them to protect their escape from an errant attack from the demon.
Levy glanced backwards to feel a pulse of divine magic surround them through the temple walls, a smile drawing over her lips as she reached out to grasp Cana's hand.
"Whoa, someone knew we were coming?" Cana asked, looking around where she could see a golden light glowing all across the temple walls.
"Of course, the gods have all been waiting for this day Cana. Jellal has been watching day after day, however not even he watched as closely as the Creator," Levy took her hand and walked firmly through a well remembered path in perhaps the most well tredded temple in all time.
Cana didn't have time to appreciate it however. Even with the divine magic glowing around them the rattle and boom of Rogue's fight just outside could be felt. And beyond that she could sense the explosion of magics as Fairy Tail and their allies clashed with Acnologia's forces. It was more than a little unnerving to be in here and not out there fighting with her family and hurried her step.
"Wait!" Levy hissed, throwing out an arm just as Cana would've passed a tree, "This is it."
Cana blinked a little at the seemingly random cherry tree in front of them, "This?" She asked in confusion, "But..."
"Trust me." Levy replied as she laid a hand on the ancient giant and equally ancient, almost tribal, patterns began spreading over it in a brilliant green. They were oddly hypnotizing and served as a reminder just how ancient the eldest god truly was.
The green patterns quickly formed a door that split down the middle and opened to reveal a stone passageway down. Feeling more than a little out of place, Cana watched as little fairy lights appeared along the passage, lighting the way.
"Alright, let's go." Levy said and started trotting down the stairs. Feeling distinctly bewildered, Cana followed suit.
"The air smells strange down here." Wendy murmured at her side, reminding the quartermaster with a jolt that she and Levy weren't alone, "But not musty. More like... a place of green and life."
"That's as it should be young lady." A wizened voice spoke up and both dragoness and mortal jumped as they spied a tiny old man holding a staff with a broad grin on his face, "This is my inner sanctum. The place my creation magic is strongest."
"Master." Levy breathed with a smile, "It's good to see you again."
Makarov smiled back at her, "We've missed you young Levy." He replied, and immediately frowned, "We have little time for pleasantries though."
He tapped the butt of his staff against the floor, somehow causing a bone deep clang to sound, and an alcove nestled unnoticed under a root opened up to reveal the last piece of the relic.
Levy reached forward to take it, but was stopped by Makarov thrusting his staff in her way, "That relic is not yours to take." He told her gravely, "The magic I put on this enchantment is far more complex than the others."
"Then what's needed?" Wendy asked, "Please, we need it to help Lucy and Natsu!"
Makarov smiled benignly at her, "I do not bar the relic from you intentionally child. It's yours for the taking. If you can pass the barrier around it." He stared at them solemnly, "You must understand. This relic is not something to be used lightly. And when I sealed it away I did so with the intent that none save the purest reasons could unseal it. That is a magic not even I can change."
"It's not enough we want to help our friends?" Wendy exclaimed, but Cana wasn't listening as she felt her gaze drawn to the floating piece.
"No." She murmured, inadvertently silencing the young dragoness, "It's not." She paced towards it, and thrust her hand out, though she stopped short of touching it, "We have to look from a god's perspective. Is what we're doing worth unsealing the most dangerous weapon in history?"
She took a breath, closing her eyes for a moment, before glaring at the artifact, "You tell me!" She yelled at it, "I dare you to look into my heart and tell me it's not!"
She brought up memories and shoved them harshly at the magic. Memories of Lucy and Gray teasing each other. Of girl talks and taking a young Lucy under her wing. Of laughter and tears. Of adventures and far off ports. Of the people they often wound up helping. Of Igneel and his nest. Of Natsu and Lucy falling in love, and Gray doing the same.
"You tell me it's not worth it!" She cried, "That these people aren't worth it! Look at these people! This is what we're fighting for! Our family! The heart and soul of Fairy Tail! You tell me they're not worth saving! That the people we've met aren't worth helping! Acnologia will destroy all of it if we don't stop him! And we, alone, aren't strong enough! So don't you sit there behind your stupid glowy barrier and try to pretend we don't need you!"
"I haven't been able to do a damn thing to help my friends," Cana murmured, her hand flattening against the barrier. She drew a deep breath and let her anger over all the injustices that had fallen on them drift away.
"I've watched them in pain suffering, seen the gods helpless to lift a finger, but most importantly I've seen them struggle through hardship and rise to every occasion," Cana lifted her chin, "I vouch for the lives of Captain Lucy Heartfilia, Captain Natsu Dragneel, and First Mate Gray Fullbuster."
"We will fight for our friends, our family and the gods," Cana took a deep breath, "So open up damn it!"
For a moment there was utter silence and Cana thought perhaps the weapon wouldn't understand her. Wendy made a quiet sound of disbelief and sadness, while Canas heart sank from the silence which greeted her heartfelt speech.
She slowly began to lower her hand from the shield, resigning herself to the fact that the last piece of the artifact was just out of reach.
"Wait!" Levy hissed.
Startled, Cana glanced back at Levy but froze when the Master nearby chuckled at her expression.
"I believe it likes you lady Cana," He pointed towards her forearm.
She turned her arm over, blinking at the brilliantly glowing mark which had appeared on her skin. The barrier drained away into the tattoo before it faded into a deep ruby and faded under her skin.
"It seems you've been given a blessing from the fairies," Makarov laughed and nodded towards the relic sitting innocently by itself.
"Congratulations. You have won yourself the completed Lumen Historia," He continued, gesturing for Cana to take it.
And that's the chapter! I hope you all enjoyed tremendously! Alas, we were 5 short of the 30 reviews needed for a preview, but I wanna thank all our amazing reviewers who did leave us one. You guys were awesome, and we really loved watching you go nuts over the action starting lol! I hope you guys shout just as incoherently now that it has! Love you all and we'll see you Sunday! :)
