Its been a while since I've updated and this chapter is stupidly short, sorry.
Christiaan is a strange name for a rat. That's the only concern that crossed Gajeel's mind. Gajeel never assumed anything other than that he'd win. He didn't see the point in taking a filthy rat seriously. In fact, he was considerably underwhelmed. He hadn't imagined his first opponent with Fairy Tail would be a fat rodent.
Gajeel dug his feet into the ground and raised his fists in preparation. Christiaan, the smallest rat of the three, faced him. Its beady eyes twitched in impatience. Gajeel had been prepared to make the first move, but he didn't even have the chance to think of one, for, though Christiaan was the smallest rat, it was clearly quite swift. Its fat body seemed to do nothing to slow the rat down as its small pink feet danced across the slick tile floor straight towards Gajeel.
It took only a moment for Gajeel to take action himself. He debated dodging the large creature but decided that letting it pursue him would give him a clear opening to deliver a blow. If things went according to plan, it would only take one punch.
The rat continued to barrel towards him. Its furry body bounced up and down in a comical way and his tail flicked wildly. When the rat was a few yards away, it leaped up into the air. Its claws seemed to jut out of its feet ready to tear Gajeel to shreds. Gajeel was only momentarily taken aback by the sudden leap and watched as the rat came towards him from the air. It seemed to be moving in slow motion. Gajeel could see every tensing of the creature's muscles. His reflection shown in his shining claws. Every centimeter that the creature moved closer, the more Gajeel could see its intentions.
When the rat's claw was a mere inch from Gajeel, he grabbed it, and, with a sudden surge of effort, yanked it to the side. The rat was flung to the right, but not nearly as far as Gajeel would've liked. The rat landed and took off toward him as soon as his stance was sturdy. The rat ran with more anger than before. Its eyes were glossy with frustration and twitching with impatience. The rat seemed to be picking up speed, fueled by the anger of his defeat.
Christiaan didn't leap this time but instead slashed its large claws at Gajeel several times in a row with admirable speed. Gajeel jumped to the sides with each swipe. The rat wasn't letting up. It continued to move toward Gajeel sweeping its ugly feet at him, never giving Gajeel a moment to think about anything other than dodging. Gajeel could sense the logic behind its attack. It was trying to tire him. And its working, slowly but surely.
Gajeel noted this as strange. Silver rooms had never been a problem before. He was sure, a few years before, that rat would've been finished already with one blow. He dawned on him how out of practice he was. And while he was certain without a doubt he'd be able to defeat the rat, the fact that he had to put this much effort into it was troubling. For some reason, Fairy Tail's dream of becoming the best seemed really far away in that moment. He was sure that the others couldn't feel it, but he did. They still had a long way to go if Fairy Tail wanted to become the best. He remembered how strong Phantom Lord was. Compared to them, Fairy Tail was nothing but a bunch of wannabes.
The thought made Gajeel angry at himself. He needed to believe in Fairy Tail. He owed them that much. No matter how far away it seemed to him, Fairy Tail would become the best. They had to. After all, Fairy Tail's spirit was unmatched.
Gajeel played the rat's game a little while longer, he watched closely for an opportunity. It would only take a small lapse and this would be over. Behind him, Lucy and Cana were fighting Lacaille. Gajeel could see them in Christiaan's glassy eyes. Gajeel was impressed with the communication between the two. Gajeel almost couldn't believe it was Lucy's first time in a fight. Gajeel watched as Cana brought he gladius down on the creature. Its blood splattered into the air in shimmery silver droplets.
Christiaan's eyes shifted and seemed to dim. The time between attacks was longer and Gajeel was able to jump up into the air. He straightened his feet and brought himself down onto the rat skull. Christiaan's head was drilled into the ground with an ugly cracking sound. Gajeel stood on the creatures flatted skull for a grim moment. There was a slight uneasiness as Gajeel looked into the creature's eyes which were now cloudy, but strangely sad. Gajeel stared at its pitiful expression as it slowly began to dissolve into a glittery dust that seemed far too beautiful to belong to such an ugly creature.
Gajeel let out a hefty sigh and stared down the endless hallway of clocks. Laxus was smashing at the walls like a madman in the distance.
Natsu raised his sword to the creature eagerly. It had been too long since he'd been able to really fight something. He had been itching to have a chance to use his sword. Plus, his friends were in danger, which only made his blood boil more.
Horologii was the largest of the rats. Its eyes were a deep black that seemed to stare right into Natsu.
This is it Natsu. This is where it begins. This is the start of everything that matters. That boiling in your blood will only increase. The things to face ahead are nothing compared to this little rat. This is truly the beginning of everything.
Natsu turned his mind off of the whispers and tightened his grip on the sword. Natsu couldn't help but get the feeling the rat could hear the whispers to, as its eyes seemed to narrow. Natsu matched the rat's expression. He wanted his gaze to reach into it the way it did to him. This was his first real battle in a room, but that meant nothing. Defeating this creature would not be a problem. Natsu knew this for certain.
Natsu took a small step forward. The black rat tensed and watched Natsu intensely. Natsu lowered himself and adjusted his grip on his sword. He could tell the creature was reading him. Natsu needed to read him too. However, no matter how hard he looked at the creature, it seemed to have no emotion. Its eyes stared blankly ahead. And while it tensed at Natsu's movements it did nothing else. Its breathing was steady. The heap of black went up and down at a constant rate. The creature's steadiness was unsettling to Natsu. It felt as though the creature knew everything in his mind. Without meaning to Natsu's heart quickened and his hands seemed to sweat. He knew this is what the creature wanted. Natsu was doubting himself. He was reading to much into the creature's intentions.
Natsu closed his eyes. His adjusted his grip once more. His was able to focus himself. In that moment of focus, he could feel a strange powerful warmth from far away. It felt like Lucy in a strange way. He could also feel a cold pulsing against his chest that was Ether. He could feel the rat in front of him. Its presence was barely there. It only took that for Natsu to know it was weak. Its expression hadn't been calmness but ignorance.
Natsu opened his eyes, completely sure now. When his eyes met with Horologii for the final time he was sure that the rat couldn't read him. It was completely unsure. Natsu dashed forward. The rat in front of him was noticeably surprised. In one fluid and powerful movement, Natsu slashed into the rat who stood frozen. Horologii erupted into silver that rained on Natsu that would've looked rather triumphant to anyone who was to witness it.
It has begun Natsu Dragneel. Can you feel it? You'll both be able to carry the worlds.
"Shut up. I don't need your mindless whispers."
Natsu pressed his eyes closed and smiled.
I'm going to work on the next chapter throughout the next week. I'm expecting it to be pretty long.
Happy 2018 and Have a lovely day as always.
leaving a review really keeps me motivated if you wanna send one my way
(This fanfiction is over a hundred pages long according to word counter. I never thought I'd be able to write that long of a story in my life :') )
