Heya guys! I've heard from Mslead, and she says things are starting to calm down, so she'll be able to post the new Sandcastles chapter tomorrow. So yay for her coming back! Other than that, not much to say except enjoy all the juicy tidbits in this chapter! :D
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CHAPTER 23
Wizard
Witches and wizards are people thought to possess magical powers or to command supernatural forces. They appear in the myths and folktales of many cultures. The word witch usually refers to a female, though male witches exist in some traditions. Men who possess the powers associated with witchcraft are often known as wizards or warlocks.
Once upon a time there was a mighty fire drake.
Born into an era when dragons ruled all, the young drake proved as mercurial and inquisitive as his element. He wondered what lands were beyond his nest, and what kind of people might be in them. He often spent weeks exploring the borders of his nest and lands. However, his parents did not understand his curiosity.
"What could a land beyond our borders offer that we do not possess within the nest?" They asked, "Here there is food, shelter, comfort, and many of the young queens vie for your attention. What more is there?"
His brother, however, nodded his understanding of the young drake's plight, "You should go and see for yourself." He counseled, "The world is larger than our own nest, and surely there must be some incredible sights to be seen out there! Besides, what harm can befall you out there?" He laughed, "You're a drake brother! There's no magic that can pierce your hide and bring you more than passing harm!"
The young drake agreed, and upon his coming of age declared that he would travel the world, seeing the wonders within it, before settling down to build his own nest."
And so he traveled, coming along many races and kinds of people. Among those, he found the humans a clever race with compassion, ingenuity, and kindness.
But the dragon king did not like the humans, and wished only to destroy them. The fire drake, ever curious, did not understand why this had to be.
He believed that the humans could live in peace with the dragons. So as he grew in strength and wisdom, he challenged their King for the right to rule.
He was victorious in his challenge, even as the old king left bitter warnings in his ears. Warnings of the deceitful nature of the humans that each went ignored.
The new King found himself a Queen, and settled down in the nest he always wished for. His brother joined him, as did many others. Under his rule, their nest came to be known throughout the land as the most powerful.
In time, the Queen confided in her love the joyous news that their very first clutch was on the way. The news overjoyed the King and his proud roaring could be heard for days afterward as the nest celebrated.
Many waited with baited breath as the first eggs of the royal line were laid, and it wasn't long before the news got out that the Queen had clutched two eggs. The first of the line were twins! A good omen for a strong and healthy nest, it laid to rest most of the doubts the King's detractors had.
The years passed as the loving parents tended their clutch with devotion, for dragon eggs are quick to be laid but slow to hatch. Such is the fate of those granted a lifespan of millennia. And much can change in that time.
For while the devoted parents were focused so inwardly on their growing family, they missed the signs that a darkness was spreading in the human world beyond their immediate borders. At any other time the King would have noticed the signs and taken action, but with the nest's attention turned inwards in anticipation of their new arrivals the signs were missed, and when the darkness struck it took the dragons wholly unaware.
A man came to the nest one day, weak and very close to death. He fell to the ground before the dragons, fragile and broken. What had happened to him, no one knew.
But the King, ever fair and just, brought the man into their nest so his injuries could be tended. Slowly, and under the Queen's careful attentions, the human began to recover. They befriended him, and became fascinated with the stories he had to tell.
Only the king's brother remained suspicious, seeing the greed in the man's eyes where others could not.
But his warnings fell to deaf ears, as the King welcomed their new friend with his delightful stories and celebrated the hatching of one of his firstborn, who was only days from piercing his shell.
The man, freshly healed, soon wished his new friends farewell and departed with good will.
But when he returned, good will was not what he brought.
In thanks for the Dragons saving his life, the man returned with an army. A legion of men to throw at the dragons.
The battle was one sided, and the losses the humans sustained were heavy beyond measure. The humans were barely able to even mount an assault before they were crushed.
Victory was not the purpose of the fight though, for when the smoke cleared, part of the King's most valuable treasure had been stolen. His ready to hatch son.
"Oh no..." Lucy breathed horror, her eyes wide as she stared at the page. Even if this was just a story, it was heartbreaking to imagine such a thing. Was this how dragons warned their children of the dangers of humans?
If it was, she couldn't entirely fault them. Humans were every bit as deceitful and treacherous as the one portrayed here. Of course, that wasn't all they were, and she really hoped there were some stories that reflected that. Though at the moment she wasn't feeling any of the positive. She was too wracked with guilt over what the fictional human had done.
"That's terrible." Natsu murmured from where he was curled up next to her. She hadn't even noticed when he'd finished his massage she'd been so caught up.
"I wish it were untrue." Lucy murmured, "But some humans really are like that."
"You aren't." Natsu replied firmly and wrapped one arm around her shoulders, giving her a slight squeeze, "You're the nicest human to ever live."
Lucy blushed, "I don't know about that exactly..."
"You are." He insisted, "Anyone else would've made me a weapon and that would've been the end of it." He smiled and nuzzled her softly, "Instead you're my friend, and you treat me like a person and not a thing. That makes you the best ever."
"Thanks Natsu." Lucy smiled, a warm shiver working its way down her spine from where he'd nuzzled her. Somehow, that was more intimate than their adrenaline charged performance kiss had been that morning.
Maybe it was because he was doing it of his own free will in a place no one would see them?
Whatever the reason she liked it a lot.
"So what happens next?" Natsu asked, pulling her out of her thoughts and back to the book.
Lucy hesitated and curled up next to him, getting comfortable to read him the ending, "The king built up mighty walls and pulled away from humanity forever. His nest disappeared, never to be seen again."
She closed the book and met Natsu's eyes. He slid it from her grasp and tucked it away on top of his pack, returning his gaze to her.
"Don't look so sad," Natsu whined to her, edging in closer and pressing his forehead against hers.
"But Natsu, am I really all that different than the people who would use you as a weapon?" Lucy asked finally, her knees tucking up to her chest. His palm rested against one of them and he smiled at her.
"Maybe not at first, but you were always willing to be kind to me. Even if you just saw me as a thing," Natsu said without a shred of deception, "And maybe you're still hoping I can make the difference in your war. But Lucy, you aren't commanding me. I'm doing this of my own free will," His eyes shadowed and he took her hand.
"In truth I'm not really sure how I play into things. I'm not even sure what I am," He smiled for her in a way that made her heart lift, "But you're helping me make sense of it. I couldn't ask for a better friend, and I love you for it."
He frowned and opened his mouth before she could ask him the obvious question, "And yeah, I know what love is. With you as my mistress, it was the first thing I learned."
The simple way he said that made Lucy's heart stagger. She was certain he didn't mean it the way he said it. He had proclaimed it much too innocently for it to have a deeper meaning, but it still rattled her just the same.
She smiled back at him, her heart pounding in her chest at the look he was giving her, and for a fleeting moment she wished he had meant it another way. She shook the thought off as ridiculous, and opened her mouth to thank him, but it seemed her mouth was determined to say what her heart felt tonight. Because what came out was not what she'd expected.
"I love you too Natsu!" She blurted, and then blushed, "Ah, I mean..."
Natsu burst into laughter at the look on her face and wrapped his arms around her to pull her to his chest before she could get too huffy, "You're weird Lucy." He rumbled affectionately and kissed the top of her head, "It's one of the reasons I love you."
Lucy felt her blush deepen, but didn't resist as he pulled a blanket over them and they settled down. He was warm and his arms felt nice and she was starting to realize just how tired she was. The struggle just wasn't worth the effort.
"Good night Natsu." She murmured around a jaw cracking yawn.
"Good night Lucy." Natsu purred into her ear.
Neither was aware of the shadow that had been discreetly monitoring the whole scene, and neither noticed as it flitted off. They certainly weren't aware of the moment it entered a room where Gajeel and Metallicana were waiting and reformed into Rogue.
"So..." Metallicana rumbled, "How did it go?"
"They read it," Rogue reported, sinking down onto a cushion, "Your spell worked, she picked it right off the shelf. He picked out the story though."
"Is that so?" Metallicana leaned down in some thought, his eyes darkening with what this could mean.
"Yeah, and they were both pretty upset by it," Rogue frowned, "Lucy more than Natsu."
"Well yeah, Lucy is the one that has both the heart and the brains between them," Gajeel grunted, but didn't look surprised.
Rogue looked thoughtful, but the way Natsu had comforted his mistress rose to the surface, "For a golem, Natsu has plenty of heart too. I wonder if he gets it from her?"
"It wouldn't surprise me," Gajeel snorted out a strange little laugh, "You saw the way she talked to you!"
"That girl has the spirit of a dragon in her, that's for sure," Metallicana hummed.
"I've made my decision Gajeel. You'll get your route to Igneel's nest, I'll provide you with a token should something go wrong, the dragons there won't kill your friends on sight." Metallicana grunted.
"I will send Rogue to Magnolia as an advance to let your team in the city know what's happening here," Metallicana shot him a warning look, "Discreetly."
Rogue shot his drake a slightly affronted look, but bowed his head in compliance, "As you command Metallicana." He looked at Gajeel, "I will need to know whom I should contact and how to reach them before you leave."
Gajeel nodded, "Easily done." He agreed, "I plan to stay for a day or two anyway. The girls wore themselves out paddling from Galuna Island to this place, and I wanna give them a chance to rest up."
"Particularly the hatchling." Metallicana rumbled understandingly only to eye his son in confusion when Gajeel laughed again.
"That hatchlin's nearly a fledgling pops." He replied, "And she's probably been fine since she caught her breath. Little brat's a sky godslayer." He smirked, "I'd love to introduce her to my cousin sometime."
Metallicana blinked and burst into his own laughter, "Now that's something I would enjoy seeing as well! Those two would probably get along like fire and smoke."
Rogue watched the interaction with a small, pleased, smile. It had been difficult for Metallicana since Gajeel had left the nest to explore the larger world, and he was happy father and son had a chance to catch up and renew their bond. As the two talked and bickered happily, he discreetly got up and slipped out. He was certain both had seen his departure, but he wasn't worried about that. He simply wanted to give them time alone.
And he needed to do some thinking himself.
It had been a long time since his views had been challenged, even in a somewhat backhanded way, and he wasn't sure what to make of it. Granted, Lucy hadn't actually denied any of his statements, but her one simple comment about how humanity had managed to survive four hundred years despite the demons at their throats had completely brought him up short.
Maybe it was time he did a little re-evaluation of his opinions of her people.
-::-
Gajeel laughed with his father as Rogue left, finally feeling like he was able to relax and be at peace for the first time since he left his home.
While it was true Fairy Tail was a place he was welcome, there was still the fact he had to keep his secrets from them.
Among dragons there wasn't any need to hide, and he was grateful he was able to share a few of his secrets with Levy and the others. Sometimes, some secrets bore their heavy weight down on them.
It was hard to be under that constant burden, and his father seemed to understand that. Because as soon as the laughter died down, Metallicana reached across them to thump Gajeel on the back.
"So," he rumbled in a way that made apprehension trickle down Gajeel's spine.
"The small one you seem so fond of, do you intend on courting her as your queen?" Metallicana snorted, "or do you plan on simply luring her in one day with that vile look in your eyes?"
"Ain't nothin' wrong with my eyes old man," Gajeel growled.
Metallicana just gave him a pointed look and Gajeel growled to himself, "Nothin' can happen with the shrimp okay?" He grumbled irritably, hating to even think about it let alone talk about it, "I ain't gonna let what happened to..."
He trailed off and scowled darkly into the fire as if it would hold all his answers.
Metallicana was silent for a long moment as he regarded his tense son, "You're afraid of what happened to your mother happening to her if you let yourself love her." He murmured, and sighed as Gajeel's shoulders tightened even more, "Gajeel... what happened to your mother was tragic, but it won't happen to little blue."
Gajeel looked up at him in angry surprise, "How do you know that?" He demanded hotly, "She died because of me! Because I was a drake! How do I know the same won't happen to Levy huh?"
Metallicana reached over and thumped his angry son on the head, "Your mother didn't die because of you brat." He reprimanded firmly, "So you get that thought out of your head right now. She died because of complications when you were born yes, but they weren't your fault, and she fought like the dragoness she was inside to make sure you came into this world. Never forget that."
He shook his head, "It was the thing I loved most about her. How stubborn she was. And she was determined that the child we had created would live and grow and find love." He met Gajeel's eyes fiercely, "Never, for a moment, doubt how much she loved you. She was a queen who gave her all for you, and no matter how much I miss her I will always be proud of her for the way she fought for our greatest treasure."
Gajeel stared at his father in shock. Metallicana wasn't often one to wax poetic on his feelings. Especially where his mother was concerned. But this was evidently important enough to prompt the old drake to speak from the heart.
He swallowed thickly, and nodded, his usual smart comments about things getting mushy dying on his tongue before they ever left his throat.
"If this woman has stopped you in your tracks, then she is one who needs to be held onto," Metallicana's lips began to twist into something more wry, "Don't let fear stop you from experiencing one of life's greatest joys."
"You will not regret it Gajeel, I promise you that for certain," Metallicana promised.
Gajeel grunted and looked down. He was never so overt with his feelings. Especially when they came to Levy, but even though he kept her at arms length, he always found himself drawing closer to her. He sometimes even made up excuses as to why he would accompany her. And he knew when she had attempted to continue her mission in the council, he hadn't been trying to stop her only because he thought it was dangerous.
He liked being able to keep an eye on her back. And he couldn't do that if he wasn't partnered up with her.
"Alright pops, you win," He grumbled, "Not that it's any of your business."
Metallicana barked out a laugh, "It's always my business when something involves my boy! Now that's enough yappin' for tonight. You're just as beat as your lady friends with all that sea sickness you were probably staving off."
He jerked his chin towards the door, "Why don't you get some shut eye with your little blue one, huh?"
Gajeel growled something uncomplimentary under his breath, but got up anyway to reluctantly obey his father. He had to admit, he was definitely very tired. There was no way he would have been able to stay up for an extended period of time after a day like the one they had. Lucy and Natsu were already long since asleep, and Chelia had crashed shortly after dinner.
"Alright then," he stretched out and flashed his father a fangy smirk, "See you in the morning then pops."
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He canted his head a little as he eyed her, "I'm more worried about you. You damn near paddled your arms off tryin' to make it here in one day."
Levy's expression brightened, "Ah! Chelia was able to help me out with that." She explained, "A hot soak and some of her healing helped clear it up, but she fell asleep right after, so I think she might've overdone it a bit after spending all day keeping her own strength up."
Gajeel's expression cleared and his lips twitched upwards, "Handy hatchlin' to have around. Wonder if she'll be interested in stickin' around for the rest of the trip."
Levy laughed a little and shrugged, "I have no idea, but we should definitely ask. At this rate we'll really need her."
Gajeel nodded and felt his heart speed up as he looked at her. Did she have any idea how beautiful she was? It never failed to amaze him that so much strength, sass, and intelligence could be wrapped up in such a tiny, seemingly frail, frame.
She was more than worthy to be a queen, and there was no one else he wanted at his side.
Maybe he should take his father's advice.
