A/N: Well, as it turns out I was not having an allergic reaction to painkillers, I had appendicitis and when I returned to the hospital I was rushed to surgery because it ruptured, so I am now sitting in a hospital bed, bored out of my mind and really wanted to go home…Of course I can't they won't let me move at all. I do however have my laptop and as they say…Nothing but time. So expect a lot of updates and expect them quickly! Oh, and morphine leaves me a little out of it you'll just have excuse excess spelling mistakes.
Natsu walked up to the front gate of the medium sized village, the wall looked strong but they were not designed to hold a siege and he doubted they would hold up at all against the shades, there was not a doubt in his mind that the monsters were going to leave the forest. 'I have five days, I need to get a team ready that rules out Academy help.'
"Looks like you are going to have to call in your favor's," Karite said flatly.
"Halt!" the guard voice stopped him, Natsu turned to face the man, all he could make out were brown eyes behind the steel cap, he wore a dark navy blue coat with his house symbol stitched into it, it depicted a gryphon, simple chainmail and a short sword on his belt. "What's your business?"
Natsu debated telling the man to evacuate his village, but to say that he would need proof they are in danger "I am here for a bit of rest and to catch up with a friend." Natsu answered flatly, it wasn't entirely untrue, he felt like he could sleep for a month.
The man nodded "Can't be too careful, they say a dark guild has been rolling through the countryside attacking villages like this one." The man smiled widely and hit Natsu lightly on the shoulder.
Natsu returned the smile 'No reason to arouse suspicion.' He thought "Oh, you do not need to worry about them anymore, they took an ill advised venture into the forest."
The man's mood changed "Really? Is that the arrogance of the mages nowadays?"
Natsu nodded "Yes, I do not think any of them made it out."
The man nodded again "I'll have to report it, thank you for the information."
Natsu just inclined his head as the gates lurched open, he walked inside slowly, he continued to think until he was tackled in a bone-breaking hug.
"Bought time you got here," He knew it was Erza without moving, so he just wrapped his arms around her back on buried his nose in her hair "We aren't travelling through anymore forest's from now on."
Natsu nodded "I agree, but we have more pressing matter's to attend to."
She looked up at him confused, he looked around before grabbing her wrist and leading her away he turned into a dark alleyway and looked around just to be sure "The shades, they can leave the forest."
Erza staggered back "W-What?!" she shouted.
He pressed his finger against her mouth "Yes exactly, I have a plan, but with the time we have we are scraping it too close."
Erza nodded "So what are we going to do?"
"First things first, we are heading to the bar in town," Natsu smiled cryptically.
She frowned but followed him anyway.
The bell above the door jingled slightly as Natsu stepped inside, he looked around and thanked whatever god would accept it 'Finally some luck!'
Erza peered around the room curiously, there were about thirty people total in the room, all were armed and looked incredibly dangerous. A average height man, he had white-almost gray hair that hung lazily over his eyes, a scar ran through his right eye and down, his nose and mouth were covered by a black mask, he had a dark green Shinobi coat over the dark black chainmail, his gauntlets, also black, covered part of the back of his hand and ran up his forearm, he wore black pants that were slightly baggy around his legs before tightening around his ankle, and a pair of simple sandals strapped tightly around his leg.
"Been a long time Natsu," His voice was not dark or intimidating, in fact it was kind it sounded odd coming from such an imposing figure, he pulled his mask down and smiled "What brings you out here?"
"Rikimaru, yeah has been a long time," Natsu nodded and bumped his fist against, what appeared to be a long time friend "How's Ayame?"
"I'm fine," The woman stepped out from behind Rikimaru, he mask was around her neck and she wore a smile, he black hair was tied in a pony-tail that flowed well down her back, he had two short katanas strapped above her waist on her back, the hilts popping out in either side, she wore a black leather top that hugged her form, reveling much of her large bosom, same could be said about her pants, she wore a pair of fingerless black gloves, that stretched up to the middle of her bicep, she had green eyes, he noticed Erza "Has our little Natsu finally got a girlfriend?"
Natsu's shoulder slumped "Erza," He pointed at her then back at the pair in front of him "That's Rikimaru and Ayame, two of the strongest Hunter's out there, they originally came from a land far off east, apparently they were responsible for assassinating all eleven feudal lords and uniting the entire nation."
Rikimaru scratched his head nervously "Yeah, well we were hired to do it so."
"Does that make it less impressive?" Natsu asked with a smile.
Erza just cocked her head slightly and admired the people around her "Wait, I thought you were the strongest freelance Hunter Natsu?"
Ayame and Rikimaru chuckled "Well, in term of rank he is…But the Hierarchy has put a ban on Freelance Hunter's, we can't become more than three star anymore…in reality there the thirty or so freelance hunter there are would probably easily match the description."
Natsu nodded "I managed to make it before they put in the ban, although it still intrigues me as to why they put it in place."
The pair in front of them nodded.
"How many of the freelance are here?" Natsu asked, a little impatiently.
"Only a few are missing, all the Hunter have been called back to the capitol freelance or otherwise…Apparently they are having some problems." Ayame answered.
"Yeah, I assumed that's why you are here this is the fastest way back to the capitol coming in from the west side of the continent." Rikimaru, gestured for him to join them at a table.
"No, I didn't get the summons I was on a little scouting mission in Winter's end forest." Natsu explained, the pair of eyes on front of him narrowed dangerously.
"This close to winter? Are you suicidal?!" The pair demanded in unison.
He raised his hand defensively "If, we weren't attack by a dark guild I feel like we would have been fine, but that leads me to my point."
The two people in front of him pursed their lips, Erza just watched from the side.
"When I got away from the shades, one of them stepped out of the forest." Natsu explained slowly.
Rikimaru's fist tightened "You're sure?"
Natsu nodded "If the capitol is recalling hunter's I would think they knew about it, but that would also mean they plan on only saving themselves."
Ayame nodded "Wouldn't be the first time."
"So what do you want to do?" Rikimaru asked.
"Stay here, this is the closest village to the forest and they are going to get hit the hardest." Natsu said flatly.
The pair nodded "We will get the rest of his to stay as well, we may only be thirty strong but we are the most fearsome warriors has hopefully the capitol will send us some help."
"Heh, don't get your hopes up, if we do this we are likely going to our death's." Natsu said rather calmly for someone talking about his own end "We will need to hold them off while the villagers retreat, my plan is hold and fall back make sure the villagers along the way do the same."
"All right, we will get as many men as we can." Ayame explained flatly.
"Meanwhile you get some rest, we have five days and would rather you didn't of sleep deprivation." Rikimaru said sharply.
Natsu nodded "I will leave it to you two then."
"We have another problem," It was the first time Erza spoke "I doubt the villagers will merely take our word that it and leave their homes."
"Perk's of a four star," Natsu said flatly "I can make an official order as an 'Arm of the Hierarchy.' They have to do what I tell them."
Erza nodded "then we should do that first, we can set up some trap on the outside of the village, and take more steps to by more time."
Natsu nodded again "All right I will go have a chat with the mayor, you two get as many people as you can."
"Oh and Erza, Go to the blacksmith and get yourself armed completely, oh and get us a room." Natsu half asked half ordered, she nodded and went about the two things she was assigned.
Natsu walked back outside and turned down the street, the large clock tower into eh centre of town let out a chorus of ringing, to Natsu it was like an ominous countdown, telling them there time had just started to run out.
Miles away from the impending doom of a village, a man ran briskly through the corridors of the palace, the white marble and long red carpet's were barely a side note in his mind as he pushed the large double Doors of the throne room open "You majesty, I have been informed that the group of Freelance hunter's has disobeyed the direct order and decided to remain in the outskirt villages, there mission seems to be to 'save' the peasants."
An icy chuckle made the man's hair stand on end, it echoed around the large room "And the reaper's child?" The voice was dark and booming, a voice that would instill fear into the hearts and minds of any who heard it.
"His power is still dormant, but I doubt it will stay that way for very much longer," the man kept his head bent and continued to study the floor "Fighting the shades is sure to awaken it."
"Even in Death, Maltheal continues to come between me and my plans. The son of the Archangel must not be allowed to live any further!" The voice boomed.
"Everything we have tried has been useless, the Dark guilds are too weak to face him and there are no Hunters that rival his skill." The kept his head down.
"There is one, but unfortunately it is impossible for them to end each other whilst they remain the only heirs of their clans," The voice seemed to be considering "We shall leave him be for now."
"Your majesty?" The man questioned carefully, utterly confused.
"If his power awakens, he will seek us out and I will end him myself." The voice threatened dangerously.
"Yes, your majesty." The man bowed.
"Oh, and Pride I was sorry to hear about your little ring getting destroyed, but if you ever use your power to control another Dark guild again, you will not live to see the day of our victory." The voice boomed.
Pride, gulped and bowed "I humbly beg your forgiveness for my misdeeds."
"Leave…Now!" Pride wasted no time and ran from the room.
Natsu sneezed and shook his head.
"Are you alright?" The mayor, was large rounded man who cared more for his people than the average man.
"Fine, just a little tired," Natsu dismissed "I need you to order your village to evacuate, if you want them to live of course."
The fat man gasped "Why? What has happened?"
"The seal that holds the shades back is breaking, one of them stepped out of the forest right in front of me," Natsu explained quickly, the man paled considerably more "If that is not reason enough or if you do not believe me, I can make the order as a four star Hunter and force you to leave."
The man shook his head "No, that will not be necessary, we have been hearing similar things from the small amount of food hunter's we send out…They say the animals are giving the forest a wider berth than usual and one of them swore he saw a shade out on his rounds, we have enough information to support your claim. I will get my people out."
Natsu nodded "Please do it quickly, wonder is approaching quickly we have very little time."
The man nodded and called in the captain of the guards as Natsu left the room.
Natsu returned to his room, the sound of guards directing people could still be heard through the windows. The room was barely illuminated by the pale glow of the moon, he sat on the bed heavily and raked his hands through his hair.
"Natsu, forgive me." Karite suddenly announced in his mind.
Natsu shook his head and his eyes widened, Karite had never used his real name before "What for?"
"There is someone you need to meet." Karite answered flatly, Natsu felt his left hand clench into a fist and then he saw black. the last thing he registered was his head hitting the bed.
His eyes flew open, he lay on a white smoke like floor, it seemed to move and swirl and at the same time be stable and strong, he sat up slowly and looked around, he was in a office like room, using the term room loosely, the place had no distinguishable doors or windows, it was a circle of large bookshelves and a desk. Natsu frowned he had no idea how he got here.
"Don't be afraid," The voice was slightly loud, it held no tone and it was almost cold, Natsu's eyes snapped to the figure behind the large desk, the figure looked something akin to a man, a black hood lead into a large black cloak, he had no face at all beneath the hood. his hand were clad in a dark black metal, very similar if not identical to Karite, even ending in the rough looking claw's on each finger, two black membrane stuck out from the creature's back, they looked like the same metal, three tendrils of a bright light blue smoke like substance swayed in each notch like wings "You will not be harmed."
Natsu stood completely still as he eyed the thing in front of him "What and who are you?"
A cold steely laugh echoed around the room "My name, is Maltheal and I am an Archangel." He cocked his head slightly to the side.
"And you are Natsu Dragneel, so tell me why has my weapon brought you here?" Maltheal demanded in a tone that meant he was rarely ever refused.
"Forgive me, master." Natsu hadn't noticed the second figure enter, it was the same as Maltheal all black, the trim of his cloak lined with silver only one of the newcomers hands were armored "He…He needed to know."
"You remain as impulsive as ever…old friend. Very well then. What has occurred that you brought him here so urgently." Maltheal stood, well sort of floated around the table, his two armored legs hung under him as he moved.
"The seal on the forest is weakening, I believe he has returned." The second figure announced flatly.
Natsu recognized the voice, "Karite? Is that seriously you?"
The newcomer turned his faceless gaze to Natsu and nodded "Of course, did you honestly think I had no other physical form?"
"Right, I am in the wrong for thinking that something that claimed to be the scythe of death was actually…Whatever you are." Natsu retorted still angry at the thing in front of him for knocking him out.
Maltheal chuckled again "So my line remains as it was all those years ago."
That drew Natsu's attention "Your line?"
The Archangel nodded "You the last of your clan, the descendants of an Archangel."
Natsu watched the figure impassively while his mind raced 'If that's true? Why was I never told surely father would have…Or mother.' He raked his hands through his hair again and looked around "Why is this the first I have heard of it?"
"Likely because your father was murdered," Maltheal said flatly "The reason you can wield and hear Karite is because you hold within you the power of the Archangel of death."
"So, what you are saying is at some point you were on earth and you actually…had children?" Natsu asked, still confused.
Maltheal sighed "Yes, Many years ago I wandered around your 'Earth' in a much more Human form. I was still and Archangel and at the time I was what your kind would consider young and adventurous."
"So you started a clan?" Natsu asked again.
"It is not that simple," Maltheal answered flatly "During this time Earth was a battle ground, between heaven and hell…Being an Archangel I was a leader and the most powerful of the five."
"The five?" Natsu asked.
"The Five Archangels, Death, Hope, Fate, Justice, Wisdom and Valor." Maltheal explained
"At the time, I thought of human's as no more than insect's until of course I was wounded on the battlefield, a man placed himself in danger to rescue me…My views changed and I offered Humanity a chance to defend themselves." Maltheal explained.
Natsu nodded.
"I gave that human the power of a reaper, it doesn't make you immortal but is as close as you are going to get." Maltheal explained flatly.
"So what happened?"
"With the help of that man and the archangels themselves, we defeated almost all of the forces hell had, sealing what remained in a forest…That seal's strength is based on the virtue of the leader of the land." Maltheal explained.
"Each Archangel imbued a human of their choosing with a portion of their power, the human's would protect the lands themselves. But as we soon learned Human's are quick to war and slow to peace." Maltheal continued.
"The five clan's or descendants of the Archangels fought over control," when it looked as though none would remain, we returned to pass a single law, the last of each of our line would always remain…No matter what happens there will always be one descendant of the Five among human's." Maltheal finished.
"So who are the other's?" Natsu demanded 'If he could find them, maybe they would actually managed to defeat the shades.'
Maltheal chuckled "Those Shades, they are the remnants of hell's forces…Demons. If they are able to leave it mean's hell is in control of your government boy."
"When you fought hell you said the leader's escaped," Natsu stated, Maltheal nodded "Were there Seven?"
Maltheal nodded again "Human's know them as the Seven deadly sins."
"The Seven son's of the hierarchy," Natsu nodded to himself "That explained why they recalled the hunter's, leaving the outlying villages open to attack to their own forces."
"And in turn increasing their numbers, when humans are killed by Demon's they are warped and twisted they become something close to demons themselves." Maltheal finished "Look's like you have your work cut out for you."
"You aren't going to help!?" Natsu demanded
"We can no longer interfere," Maltheal answered flatly "Besides you have the means to defend yourselves."
"I don't even know where to start looking for the other five!" Natsu snapped.
"One, is your rival…He is the descendant of Valor, Hope and Fate were always close, think of two people you always see together. Justice will find you himself, it is against everything he stands for to let the innocent suffer and Wisdom is closer to you than you think." Maltheal, only gave him one known person and Natsu gritted his teeth 'Grey.' His mind formed the name almost against his own will.
"Oh, when you do find the five. give them these." Maltheal tossed a set of Four medallions to him, each had a different imprint, one was a bird taking flight 'Hope.' he didn't know where the thought came from but it felt right. Another was a lion it had its head tilted back in a roar 'Justice.' Same as the last, the ideal the image depicted came to his mind. The last was a book, it had two chains tied to it 'Fate.' The Last was a picture of an owl's face 'Wisdom.' He frowned "Why is there only Four?"
"Valor's boy inherited his from his father, you found yours via Karite's own initiative." Maltheal said flatly "They react when the correct one of the five touch them."
Another thought hit Natsu's mind. "Wait, is your little decree why me and Grey can't ever get ahead of each other?" Natsu demanded.
Maltheal chuckled and nodded "If I remember correctly, Valor always thought he was stronger than me."
"He wasn't?" Natsu asked.
Maltheal shook his head "Everything end's in death…No one can outrun it and no one can dodge it…Everything has it's time…Remind the demon's what it is to fear Death." Maltheal ended his little speech darkly.
And Natsu woke up in his bed, he rubbed his head slowly feeling the bruise…"Did you have to hit so hard?"
Karite, know returned to being gauntlet sighed "Back in this cooped up form, of course I did, I had to knock you out remember!"
Natsu grumbled for a minutes before going back to his thoughts. "I need to find the five, Justice will find me…Hope and Fate are always close and then Grey…He would never disobey the Hierarchy ever, how are we supposed to defeat an army of demons with five people!'
"You have the medallion's think, who matches hope and fate's idea's requirement's…Who do we know that always do everything together and have always done it that way." Karite urged, he was bound by law's he couldn't just tell Natsu the names, but he could hint at them as much as possible.
Natsu sifted though people in his mind before it clicked, he knew two people who were inseparable and have been since before he knew them, The hopeful smile that cracked his features only grew as he continued to think about them.
He heard a knock at the door, his head snapped up "Come in!" He announced loudly.
The door opened and two people walked in Rikimaru followed closely by Ayame, Natsu's smile widened "You seem chipper for someone who is about to fight demon's." Ayame said casually.
Rikimaru shot her a look and she realized what she had said "I mean shades."
Natsu rolled his eyes, he flicked the bird and the book medallion's to them, Rikimaru caught his easily and Ayame imitated him…The faint purple glow began emanating from it as soon as it struck her hand, the thing continued to glow until it morphed, the large metal gauntlet enclosed her left hand and she stared at it in awe.
A similar occurrence happened with Rikimaru's, only his glow was blue the same Gauntlet enclosed his left hand, slightly different from both Ayame's and Natsu's, Natsu's was dark black and the image of a skull was printed over it. Ayame's was very light gray, almost white and had a bird with wings outstretched across the wrist, a light purple gem sat fixed on the back of where her hand would be. Rikimaru's was so dark blue it almost appeared black, the dark blue gem sat in the same place as Ayame's, the indent of a book along the forearm. He just stared at it impassively before turning to Natsu again, with a raised eyebrow.
"Gift's from the Archangel of death," Natsu answered the silent question " So you two are hope and fate."
Ayame nodded "We only found out a few moment's ago, and we figured out you were death, by the gauntlet itself…that still leaves Valor and Justice."
"Maltheal said Justice will find us," Natsu said flatly "Valor is Grey."
"Grey, as in Grey Fullbuster the Academy four star that is more adamant about the Hierarchies purity than literally anyone else in the world." Rikimaru practically groaned.
"Word is he has been doing nothing but jobs and even avoiding officials as much as possible." Ayame interjected.
"Maybe someone else got a talking too." Natsu said flatly.
"As a matter of fact…I did." The voice caused everyone in the room the snap around to the open door. The last person they ever expected to see disobey an order stood in the doorway…Grey.
The black haired boy leaned against the doorway almost lazily, He wore a dark gold cloak, his mask was around his neck. His dark blue eyes flashed slightly as he looked over his newfound and rather forced allies. He wore black pants and the gauntlet encasing his left hand was gold, a dragon was the animal that decorated its shape, it breathed fire into the hand guard that split into the fingers, a dark red gem was set in the wrist.
"So your Hope and Fate," Grey said impassively "Meaning you are even with mine and Natsu's skills."
The pair nodded "If your precious Hierarchy hadn't put the limit on Freelance Hunter's…We would be four stars easily."
"My precious Hierarchy," He spat the words with venom that caused the three to flinch "After Everything I did, all the mission's and the people I saved they betrayed me….They are not my precious Hierarchy…They are my enemies and I will destroy all of my enemies…Beginning with their armies here."
"I wonder what they did to make you so angry…" Natsu wondered aloud.
A sadness crept into Grey's eyes and he held the sides of his head "I-It w-was m-my little sister." He paused, gritted his teeth and looked back up "It is none of your business regardless."
Natsu's eyes narrowed "Hang on, if you had a sister that means you weren't the last of your line."
Grey didn't answer for a moment "She was adopted, not by blood…That doesn't make it better!" He snapped.
"I am not defending them," Natsu raised his hand's "I just wanted to know."
"I am going to try and build some more defenses," Grey announced flatly "Inform me when Justice get's here."
Natsu nodded and rubbed at his temples "Revenge is a dangerous path to tread, you'd think as a descendant of valor he'd know that."
"We are still human," Ayame stated simply "And every human can want revenge for things."
Rikimaru nodded "We do need to get some rest and there is someone I would very much like to converse with." His eyes indicated to his knew glove, and Natsu smiled "Don't be surprised if they are perverted…Apparently being alive for so long as messed with their sense of what to and not to talk about."
Rikimaru got firsthand experience, the small voice boomed in his mind and his cheek's flushed a deep red at the idea that it put in his head.
"T-Thanks for the warning." Rikimaru nodded and gave one of the most forced smiled Natsu had ever seen.
Ayame was still frozen, the color of her cheek's rivaled Erza's hair…her eyes were wide and she swayed slightly, Natsu snapped his finger's in front of her face rousing her from her thoughts…She turned around slowly and followed Rikimaru without a word.
"Are those two?" Karite asked in genuine curiosity.
"You can see my memories, you should know that already." Natsu retorted.
"Yes, I can also use your memories against you…I am assuming they just got flashed with images of their own intimacy…Hope and Fates weapons were even more perverted than I am!" Karite laughed.
Natsu scoffed "I doubt that."
"It's true, well there master remain the only couple in Heaven…Angles aren't really like human's after all…they don't seek love out as actively but they can feel it." Karite explained simply.
"While that is interesting…I would rather not think about that right now." Natsu said simply.
" I find you thoughts on the Archangels…Quite disturbing…And vivid!" Karite shouted…Natsu ripped the gauntlet form his arm and tossed it into the back of the closest closet.
"That's your fault anyway!" he shouted in his own defense.
Of course now that they weren't connected there was no retort, Natsu slumped against the closet door and sighed.
The small chuckle brought his attention to the door. Erza watched him with a barely contained amusement, her hands pressed over her mouths trying, and failing, to contain her laughter. Natsu crossed the small distance quickly, her laughter died in her throat as she watched him carefully, he pushed to door closed behind her his arms were on either side of her head, he stared at her eyes for a few minutes before leaning forward and pressing his lip's against hers. She closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss. his hand's left the wall and intertwined in her hair, her hands were closed in small fists on his chest. The pair pulled away and breathed heavily all notions of sleep quickly left Natsu's mind as Erza slowly pulled him towards the bed.
A/N: So next chapter will begin with a lemon, I Hope everyone enjoys the back story and my characters, and before anyone flames me…Rikimaru and Ayame are modeled of the character from the old Tenchu games, the names for the Archangels was taken from the Diablo games because I am a little lazy. As I said when I started this I was going for something more epic in scale…The devil taking over the land on his lords being the Seven deadly Sins is pretty epic if I do say so myself. Hope you enjoyed this and I will see you in my next chapter! Who is Wisdom, go on take a stab! Heh