Hi guys sorry for the delay with school coming around the corner and no internet I've been busy preparing, but yes I still intend to continue with the story I just maybe be a tad bit busy with school.

As for those wondering what the pairing is going to be... Yes I have a definitive pairing, that will probably be revealed next chapter as well as reasons why I chose this particular pairing as I go along. ( I just don't like reveals cause I like to keep suspense XD)

Now I present Chapter 5 of Flames of Hope!

I do NOT own Fairy Tail if I did I won't make it so easily predictable (Just kidding)


Chapter 5: The Journey Begins


Natsu and Happy walk down the road as the sun rises on another day. It has been a week since Natsu and Happy left the Guild Hall, and stole the map Master Makarov had kept from the guild. Taking time to rest Natsu and Happy take a break at a local inn to try and decipher the contents of the old parchment.

"It's been a week since we left the guild hall Natsu. We're not going anywhere if we don't find where we need to go next." Happy is more tired than disappointed as they were constantly travelling by train to get away from Magnolia Ttown. Now that they covered a safe distance, Natsu and Happy can decipher the map without having to look over their shoulder in fear.

"You're right, we're just running at this rate and we don't know where were going." Natsu added to the conversation as he pulls out the parchment again. The map of Paradisium covers most of paper with writing that Natsu doesn't even recognize; the language had more symbols than actual letters that Natsu usually sees on signs in town or on directions.

"This is some weird writing." Natsu says to himself. "I don't see any kind of letter I know. Happy you seen this language before?" Natsu asks his friend who is sitting down eating fish (again).

"I've read up on some languages, but I haven't seen a language as old as this." Happy sees the names marked over lands as well as boundaries that separate the continent. "These look like countries Natsu. It still doesn't show where we need to go."

"I'm not good with maps but I know for damn sure that they need to have a port that leads to this place." Natsu says affirmatively.

Happy looks at the map and sees an inscription beneath the drawing that reads;

"Avalon will show you the way"

Happy gasps at the inscription and looks at the map in astonishment. "Natsu I got it!" Happy says out loud.

"You understand it Happy?" Natsu asks as his eyes lit up with hope.

"No." was all Happy says at first. "But there's one word I know of that is spelled in a similar way as this one." Happy points to the first word in the inscription as Natsu attempts to make sense of the map.

"See that word right there?" happy says as he continues to point to the inscription. "That word is Avalon. There is only one place I know of that has that name."

Natsu's face remains blank as he takes in the information

"You mean that Port Avalon? The fabled gate to many worlds?"

"Exactly Natsu, but there is a problem" Happy said as his face turns serious. "It is rumored to be a myth; no one has found its exact location. People have tried and failed to find this port for many years and it stays as a legend."

"Well then we'll be the first to find it Happy!" Natsu says out loud.

"Natsu be quiet we can't let everyone know about it." Happy silences his friend "They'll think you're crazy."

"I don't care if they think I am crazy. We need to find this port and we need to find it fast."

Natsu gets up from seat as he pays the bill for his lunch and says "Come on Happy!"


Despite having their usual tenacity, Natsu realizes that they are lost and need to receive directions to Port Avalon; "THIS STUPID MAP! How come this piece of paper only tells us about one damn port in all of earth-land that we just can't find?" Natsu yells out loud. Out of anger Natsu crumples the old scroll.

"Natsu you need to keep calm." Happy said in an attempt to calm his friend. "If you destroy that map our journey will be over even before it began." Even though he was trying to mellow out the situation, Happy was just as frustrated at the map's obscurity.

"It gives us a detailed map of the continent but no way to get the nearest port. Even the residents we've talked to aren't sayin jack!"

"Either that or they really don't know of this port at all." Happy said in a depressing manner.

Finally having enough, Natsu steps off to the side of the road to rest under a tree, however as he looked at the map again, he saw something at the edge of the map that made him question its inner workings.

'That's weird I didn't see it glow like this before.'

The runes shined brightly underneath the tree. The shade blocks most of the suns rays letting only a few of the rays through.

It wasn't long before Happy caught on to the rune's appearance. In a moment of inspiration, happy yells "those are shade runes Natsu." these runes can only appear on parchment under certain conditions. It was what they used to transmit secret messages during times of war."

"So how does it work exactly?" Natsu asked

"The way shade runes work is that in a certain part of the day and underneath some sort of shade, these runes appear in order to pass off messages. There were a lot of people who studied this language and became known as shadow readers, but after peace was restored between Fiore and the other nations they didn't have a use for them anymore. They all eventually died out and only a handful of shadow readers remain.

"Can you read shade runes happy?"

"Natsu I can't read this. Didn't I just mention that only a handful of people can read this language?" Happy felt exasperated at this point "Besides why would something like this appear on a map from a completely foreign country?"

"Maybe because they wanted this location hidden I don't know." Natsu replies half-heartedly as he ignores the remainder of Happy's mumblings.

Happy continues to examine the runes as they dimly shined on the parchment. "From the way the runes are structured it might not say the exact location of the port either."

"What if it's one of those riddles Lucy likes to do?" Natsu recalled a memory where she saw Lucy playing a game of riddles and remembered her enlightened face as she solved each line.


'These are riddles Natsu.' Lucy once said to him

'What's a riddle?' Natsu asks his blonde friend

'Riddles are phrases people tell to each other, and you need to have a keen mind to catch on to it.'

'You like them Lucy?' Natsu asked out of curiosity.

'I like anything with words, you know that." Lucy stuck out her tongue to Natsu. 'Especially when they are something like a riddle; They're sooooo much fun!'

'Eh I never had time for that kind of thing.' Natsu waved back at his partner and went to pick a fight with Gray.

"I wish I had paid a little more attention to it then. Sometimes I really wish Lucy was here." Natsu lamented on his choice at first but he slaps his head to shake him out of the feeling. "Well it doesn't matter we need to keep moving, and find someone who can read shade runes."

"We might fall off the side of the road a die of old age before we ever find one."


Natsu and Happy continue walking from town to town to ask about any information about the shade ruins. Unfortunately due to their infamy as Fairy Tail wizards, Natsu and Happy were run out of almost every single town.

"Man I've never seen so many angry people in my life! They run us out for stupid reasons that happened in the past!"

"If you didn't destroy everything that came in your path, then we wouldn't be in this situation!" Happy angrily said as he was checking his wings. "They tried to burn my little wings off!

"It's not my fault if things get in the way Happy! I wouldn't have to hold back if there was so much shit that stuck out in front of me!" Natsu says as he tries to dust his clothes and bag. "Besides they all wanted to aim for you cause you stole their FISH!"

"How was I supposed to know they were going to catch on to that? We ran out of food a week ago!"

"Well your love for fish just costed us another lead Happy!"

"Well your need for destroying things costed us 5 leads Natsu!"

Happy and Natsu kept arguing and pinning the blame on each other not noticing a traveler walking by them. The traveler is dressed in a jade green cloak that extends to the sandals of the traveler. The curious traveler walks up to the arguing duo tries to talk to both of them.

"Um excuse me?"

His question is drowned out by the noise of Natsu and Happy still arguing about their mishap

"Um excuse me?"

The traveler speaks a little louder to the arguing duo and they quickly turn around to see the commotion.

"You wouldn't happen to be Salamander from Fairy Tail? Are you the one who beat the twin dragons of sabertooth?"

"Yeah I am what about it?" Natsu asks the travelling man

"YES! It's nice to finally meet you!"

The cloaked traveler's aura of composure broke as he went ecstatic at finally meeting the famed salamander of Fairy Tail. His hand wildly shakes Natsu's that it almost felt like it was going to break off

"Same here but I can't really talk right now." Natsu politely says to the traveler not wanting to hurt his feelings.

"What seems to be the problem?" the stranger asks

Natsu points to the runes and says "Well I have this map and I can't read these runes. Think you can help me?"

"Personally I can't help you out here there." The stranger says to Natsu.

Natsu sighs, rolls up the map and stands up thanking the man for his time and his question.

I can't help you, but there is one person who can." The stranger continues to talk to Natsu. "You are looking for Port Avalon yes?"

"How do you know about Avalon?" Natsu asks the stranger.

"It's not every day I see someone hold a map of the old world; even show me shade runes no less."

"Who are you?" Natsu continues to prod the stranger of some sort of identity.

The Stranger continues to dodge every question Natsu throws at him "I'm just a traveler who walks these roads day and night from-"

"Enough with the games" Natsu becomes annoyed with the stranger at this point. "You told me you knew a person who could read shade runes now take me to him."

"You lack patience child." The stranger chided Natsu as he continues the conversation.

"You remind me of a dragon I used to know; he was stubborn and hard headed, as well as arrogant. I never thought I would meet a human who would be similar to the great and almighty Igneel."

Natsu's face becomes surprised at the mention of Igneel's name.

"How do you know my old man?"

The stranger turns around and removes his hood revealing an appearance different from a normal human; he had silver hair that was tied into a ponytail and his eyes were light blue compared to a normal human. His face is young and youthful like any other human, but with another difference; the tips of his ears were pointy.

"You can't be" Natsu is in disbelief at what he's seeing in front of him.

"Natsu, he's an elf." Happy says in an astonished voice.

"Your flying friend is correct." The stranger says to Natsu. "I am one of the elven kin, and I have been on this earth for 2000 of your human years."

"I'm sorry for my rudeness earlier; I didn't know you were an elf." Natsu bows his head in repentance.

"Natsu that is a little out of character for you" Happy says.

"Please all is forgiven, for I was only playing with you child." The stranger says to Natsu as he smiles. "I know of a person who can read shade runes, but you must be ready for what he asks of you. You must also be respectful for he will not overlook your rudeness as I have. He has what you humans call a stick up his ass."

"So what is your name? I don't want to be calling you elfy and all that. My name is Natsu and this is my friend Happy. "We are" Natsu catches his words for a second "We were mages of Fairy Tail."

"My name is Zahir, I am just a traveler who works for different people."

"How do you keep yourself concealed? I mean Elves haven't been seen in these parts for over 10,000 years." Happy asks the Elf for his secrets

"It's just a simple spell I use on myself and I blend in." Zahir says to the exceed. "The money I receive helps with supplies for the winter when we can't grow any crops in my village."

"Winters can be harsh here in Magnolia." Natsu says to the Zahir as they continue to walk down the road. Natsu suddenly stops in his tracks as he alerted by an unknown prescence. Natsu sniffs the air about him

Happy notices his friend sniffing the air and asks "What's wrong Natsu?"

"We're being followed." Natsu says out loud "I don't know who but they mean to harm us."

"How can you tell?"

"Natsu's nose can detect a trail, or pick up who is friendly or hostile just by the way they smell."

"How did he come about this keen sense of smell?" Zahir asks Happy.

"He was raised by Igneel himself." Happy says to the latter. "According to Natsu he was found by Igneel as a baby and took him as his own child. He taught him how to read write and use dragon slayer magic."

"I see." Zahir moves further along the road "we will be stopping and setting up camp soon."

"Didn't you hear me? We're being followed we need to keep going."

"I know, but I have a surprise waiting for them." Zahir smiles "just follow me on this."

"Alright I guess." Was all Natsu could say.

'Now I get to see what you can really do, so called Son of Igneel.'


After following a trail Natsu and the others arrive at a Cliffside no taller than five stories and the sun has set and darkness has fallen. Zahir, Happy and Natsu created a simple fireplace and place their things around the warm fire. After having dinner Natsu fell asleep quickly, and the only ones awake to keep watch of their enemies were Happy and Zahir. To break the awkward silence among the site, Happy decided to ask questions about Zahir.

"So Zahir?"

"Yes flying one?"

"How did your race survive?"

"To be honest Happy there are still a lot of us out there, we never died out. We just blended in with modern day society. There are some who are comfortable with their elven heritage, but there are some who would rather conceal their image away from people." Zahir sadly said as he made himself a hot drink. "Where I used to live race or gender didn't matter." For an elf he was gifted with long life, but it was also in their eyes a curse as they must live with the memories and scars that are carved into their bodies and immortal souls.

"How many kinsmen, both elder and young have been lost before our destined champion is to defeat our foes?" Zahir sheds a tear and as it rolls down his cheek

"I'm sorry Zahir. I didn't know it would be this hard." Happy says, with his head looking down at the dirt.

"Please don't mind me at all." Zahir wipes any remnants of tears left on his face. "I'm not garnering sympathy I'm just merely telling you what has happened."

Happy silently nods at Zahir that he understands. After looking at his surroundings Happy asks the Elf. "Why did we decide to camp out here?"

"The area's enclosed but is enclosed by a huge wall and I know the area very well. Plus I have a few "surprises" in store for whoever is following us." Zahir looks at Happy as he sips his tea. "I have questions for you too. "

"What would you like to ask?" Happy was nervous but willing to answer Zahir

"Is Natsu really the son of Igneel?" Zahir merely gets to the point as his eyebrows lean downward.

"I wasn't around to see him, but I believe Natsu really is the son of Igneel."

"How would you know for sure?"

"The scarf is the only memento Igneel ever left Natsu. Not to mention Natsu's a Fire Dragon Slayer.

"He was taught magic from a dragon?" Zahir drops his cup on the cold ground as he heard the revelation.

"Well yeah otherwise he wouldn't be called a fire dragon slayer."

"I thought it was something the media made up."

"Nope his fire dragon magic is the real deal." Happy smiles at the idea "

"I see." Zahir said quietly to himself. He closes eyes for a minute and opens it again proclaiming "They're coming."

Suddenly Natsu wakes up noticing changes of smell within the air. "I'm guessing our guest has arrived."

The quiet night was broken by tremors as groups storm the campsite on the ground and on top of the Cliffside. They all came armed with weapons and magic.

Zahir calls out to the band saying "well you found us, now show us to your leader."

The leader of the group comes forth from the mass as he introduces himself to Zahir Natsu and Happy.

"I'm so sorry for interrupting your campsite." Though his words may have sounded apologetic they gave off an air of sarcasm and deception as he continues to speak. "I was hopin you could help me."

"What do you need?" Zahir asks the leader. Natsu remains on guard ready to strike the group if they laid a finger on Zahir or Happy.

"We be lookin for Port Avalon for over 20 years. I know the way to Port Avalon is somewhere here in this location." The sly leader says.

"That is but a myth traveler. I see no point in continuing to harass us for such a fairy tale place."

"But see that's where you come in, Zahir was it? I know who or should I say what you are." The leader smirks as he reveals a photo of Zahir walking in what looks like a city.

"You are an elf Mr. Zahir and I believe you are the guardian of Port Avalon." He could only smile as his infallible proof that he had. "So what can you tell me elf?"

Natsu questions Zahir with a look of confusion only to be silence by a serious look and an aura of silence. They turn to see their leader waiting for his answer.

"I sense your motives and your presence. You have foul intentions about you human." Zahir coldly says to the leader of the group. "I refuse to take you to Port Avalon."

'So Avalon is real.' Natsu thought to himself. Before he could say a word an arrow flies by Natsu and narrowly missing his head.

"You could have shot better." The Leader said to his archer. "Kill the mage but spare the elf." He gives the order to his men and they all get ready to attack while surrounding the campsite.

"Finally I get to beat something up!" Natsu said

'And I get to see what you can really do.' Zahir says to himself. Zahir takes off his cloak and reveals his elven battle armor and a sword belted at his right hip. Zahir does not unsheathe his sword however, and instead gets ready to fight with his fists.

"You're not going to take out your sword?" Natsu says to Zahir.

"To take out a sword against vermin like this is a dishonor." Zahir merely grabs one of the thugs and taps on the man's chest and suddenly drops to the ground. "Natsu watch out!"

Natsu looks behind him and dodges the attack made and shouts "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" that blows the attacker away and slams him and ten others into the Cliffside.

'Such an amazing power!' Zahir had taken down 5 men. Before he could act on the sixth an arrow coming from the top pierces his back. "Arrgh" Zahir mutters before he goes down on his knee.

"Zahir!" Natsu goes to his side but another arrow almost pierces Natsu's foot. He sees the archers lined up on the top of the cliff as the ground fighters step back from the surrounding area. Zahir was taken captive by some of the men leaving Natsu and Happy in the open.

"Last chance Elf. Do it or he dies." The leader says to Zahir.

"You're going to kill him anyway." Zahir says to the leader.

"You're right." He lets his hand drop to signal to shoot. Before some archers let go of their finger, they get blasted of the cliff and fall to the hard ground.

"What the-"One of the archers calls out and is blasted away from his position. They turn their attention to the mysterious attacker and take their attention off Natsu, giving him a chance to release his fury.

"Alright you assholes now you're going to pay!" Natsu's eyes were filled with anger and hatred at the men who hurt Zahir.

"KILL HIM NOW!" The remaining men charge Natsu with all their strength, but Natsu merely counters their attacks and throws them into each other. Natsu looks back as ten of the men charge him.

"Fire Dragon's CRUSHING FANG!" Natsu's yells out his attack and as the flames move in an arc they burn the five men in front giving Natsu an opportunity to attack the remaining five men.

"Fire Dragon's ROAR!" Natsu jumps up and releases a torrent of flame at the remaining men. The men scream as the flames hit their body and continue to do so until they fall unconscious.

Zahir took his chance and tapped his captors on the chest as they too fell to the ground.

The remaining men by their leader had fear in their eyes, but not enough to keep them from backing down from the fight.

Natsu and Zahir move towards their attackers and Natsu tells them "The tables have turned! Now you better surrender and let us go peacefully."

"NEVER!" Said the leader. "I WILL find Avalon and journey to the other side!"

He signals his men to go for one more charge against The Fire Dragon Slayer and the Elven Warrior.

"Alright Happy let's finish this." Natsu says. "Zahir stand back I'll deal with them."

"But I can still fight." Zahir starts to protest with the dragon slayer, but his effort was fruitless.

"Oi! You're still bleeding Zahir. You need to sit out." Natsu Says "Just focus on keeping yourself awake for now."

"Okay." Zahir goes to a location close to wall as Natsu gets in front of Zahir to protect him.

"I'm all fired up!"

"Aye Sir" happy takes his friend into the air; and as Natsu gathers flames in his right and left hand, the men put their weapons aside and took out their bows. Before they can take a shot Natsu releases a spell that puts an end to the fight.

"Fire Dragon's BRILLIANT FLAME!" He releases his newly created fire bomb and impacts the ground engulfing the leader and his remaining minions in one blast.

'He really is the one.' Zahir thinks to himself 'The prophecy was true after all.'

Natsu walks to Zahir as he sits by his possessions trying to find medicine for his wound.

"Zahir hold on let me help you." Natsu wasn't the best healer but he knew the basics of treating wounds. The arrow was still lodged in his back.

"Just a minor scratch for us Elves, we can heal somewhat quickly, though it came close to the heart." Zahir gives Natsu some plants to help the healing process.

"What are these plants?" Natsu asks Zahir

"These are plants we grow for healing purposes. They only grow within the village that I live in."

"How are we supposed to get to village with you injured?" Natsu says to the latter

"We are already at the village my friend."

After bandaging his wounds Zahir is able to walk toward the Cliffside and touch a portion of the cliff. The spot glows with white light not long after Zahir laid his hands on it, and proceeds with feeling the Cliffside for more of the spots

Natsu and Happy gather their things and notice Zahir touching certain parts of the cliff. Natsu looks at happy who only shrugs and says something unrelated to Zahir actions.

"Oi! Zahir what are you doing?"

"I am finding the entrance Natsu." Zahir says to Natsu who looks on as he continues to find the switches. Despite the pain Zahir endures it does not stop him from finding each of the switches in order. Zahir finds the last switch and the Cliffside is engulfed in a white light. The light suddenly shrinks down to a large doorway about seven feet high and wide enough for two people to fit in its entrance.

Zahir looks at Natsu, who is standing speechless at the doorway. He says to Natsu "Come! We must go now or the gate will close on us and we must wait for a full day for it to be reopened!"

Hesitating no longer Natsu and Happy go swiftly through the gate followed by Zahir who manages to barely go through the gate at the last second. The light that is on the door quietly dissipates and the Cliffside becomes dark again.

What Natsu sees next is not the Cliffside but luscious green trees and a forest that spreads for miles. "This is where you live Zahir?"

"Yes." Zahir mutters as surges of pain resonate from his wound. "aghh were just a little ways from the village now."

Natsu tries to carry his new friend but before he could take him by his back an arrow was pointed to his neck. Not long after arrows surrounded Natsu and some archers aimed for Happy. Natsu wanted to take the arrows and snap them in half but Zahir spoke before Natsu could cause any damage.

"Don't threaten him! This man saved my life!" Zahir openly says to his brethren "I would have been dead at the hands of hunters if it wasn't for him."

Natsu ignores the arrows and quickly goes to Zahir's side with Happy flying to help him

"Come on Zahir lets take you home." Natsu says to the injured elf

"Aye let's take him back Natsu."

The remaining elves were dumbstruck at Natsu's actions. They have never seen a caring human like this before especially one who is willing to help one of their own.

"Who is this man?" One of the elves said.

They kept walking down a path led by one of the elves as Natsu and other elves escort Zahir.

"This is the village Natsu." Zahir mutters into Natsu's ear. "This is my home."

The pathway reveals a large opening in the forest where a stone fountain lies at the center of the clearing. In the background many tree houses are scatted about throughout the forest. Some treehouses are more like the homes Natsu is used to seeing; Square with a small slanted rooftop. Other homes look really spherical in shape; even the windows were circular and simple. On the ground after the fountain was a very simple marketplace filled with traders of food weapons and supplies. Natsu and Happy are amazed at the simple yet lively village that compares to even that of Magnolia Town.

"You're place is awesome Zahir!" Happy says to the elf.

"It feels peaceful here" Natsu added.

"I'm glad you like it Natsu" Zahir said. "You can just take me to the Infirmary which is to the right of the fountain." Zahir points to his right and Natsu and Happy change direction.

The infirmary looked just like any other infirmary: Patient room on the right wing of the building while the office (study) was to the left. The only difference was is that a tree grew in the middle of the building, with the same leaves used to heal wounds growing at the edges.

"These are the same leaves we used to help Zahir Natsu." Happy points out to his friend.

"Yeah these are the same leaves" Natsu says to Happy.

"Netansia! We have injured!" One of the elves in the party said aloud.

A female elf suddenly comes out from the building and makes her way through to Zahir.

"What happened to Zahir?" The doctor asks the group

"According to this human they were attacked by treasure hunters trying to gain entrance to Port Avalon."

"Honestly these humans should know that the way to Avalon has been shut for years. Not even us elves have been able to open it."

"What do you mean?" Natsu said "How come it can't be opened? I need to get to Paradisium right now!"

The doctor took her attention off of Zahir and looks at Natsu in curiosity and of caution.

"What business do you have in the old land human?" The doctor said in curiosity.

"I can't say." Natsu mutters "I only know that I need to go."

"That doesn't explain why you need to go to the old land." The doctor continues to prod the fire dragon slayer for more questions

"The dragon emperor will kill us all! I'm here to finish the fight Igneel started for the world!"

"How do you know the dragon Igneel?"

At this point Natsu is getting frustrated at explaining his situation, and shouts "I need to see your chief now!"

"How dare you talk to me like-"

Natsu shows the doctor the map that they have been carrying. "Does this look familiar to you?" The doctor snatches the parchment away from Natsu examining its contents "It has shade runes and Zahir offered to help me find the one who can read it."

The doctor sighed heavily looking at the parchment with a defeated look on her face.

"I must request an audience with the chief. In the meantime make sure this human and his companion find food and shelter here." The doctor then turns to Natsu "I do not know who you are boy, nor do I trust what you have to say, but you saved Zahir; for that I am grateful." She takes one last look at the dragon slayer before taking Zahir into her clinic.

"He'll be fine. She's one of the best medical doctors in the village." One of the elves said in the doctor's defense.

"She never introduced herself. What is her name?" Natsu asks in curiosity.

"She normally never introduces herself to humans since doesn't take a liking to them; and considering what happened to her family I can't blame her." The same elf spoke again to Natsu.
"But she's grateful to you for saving Zahir. It's the first time I've heard say thanks in a while." The elf then pats him on the back and says "You should rest, you see the chief tomorrow."


The elves didn't really have much of an inn, so the only place Natsu could stay at is the elven jail. Despite receiving food and shelter, Natsu couldn't help but think this was some kind of stupid prank the elves would play.

"This feels stupid. It feels like I'm getting jailed for the wrong reason" Natsu says to Happy.

"These guys couldn't even get me a big fish." Happy had tears in his eyes while he looks at what remained of his small fish he was given.

"Is fish really the only thing on your mind?" Natsu asks his friend for the umpteenth time.

"Not really" Happy replies. "Do you think they miss us right now?"

"I don't know Happy." Natsu sighs at their current predicament to date. "If they found out what we did I think the entire guild will kick our asses for it."

"It will give you another reason to start a brawl in the guild hall again." Happy smiles

"Yeah I guess you're right." Natsu smiles at his friend.

A guard comes to Natsu's "room" to find him awake and says "Come the chief would like to see you now."

Natsu only nods and gathers his things and follows the guard with Happy close behind.

"So we get to see the chief today Natsu?"

"Yeah I guess so." Natsu says as his gaze becomes serious.

"What's wrong Natsu?" Happy asks out of concern

"Nothing's wrong. I'm just bracin myself for what's about to happen next." Natsu's soul tells him to be ready and prepared for this meeting. Whether by intuition or by the atmosphere, Natsu now knows he can't afford to mess this up nor can he turn back.

"What do you mean?" Happy asks Natsu again.

"Just follow me." Natsu smiles at his friend dispelling any doubts the blue exceed has in the situation

Natsu steps into the chief's wooden hut and in its inside it's adorned with spears and ancient relics of the elves. In front of Natsu is the elven chief. Not as old as Natsu would have expected him, but a man who is in his prime. Long silver hair drapes over his back, and his dark black eyes show much experience in his long stay on Earth Land.

The escort genuflects to show respect to the elven chief, and motions Natsu and Happy to do the same.

"Please my friend you need not bow to me. My name is Ziel." The chief did something none of his subordinates would do: he kneels toward Natsu and kisses his hand as a sign of respect. Natsu grabs his hand away in reflex which made the guards hostile and about to draw their swords at him.

"Please put your swords down. He means no disrespect, for I can tell he not used to gratitude especially one made by me." The chief says as he motions his hand with a wave. "For too long have I dreamed of your arrival young son of Igneel."

"You knew I would come?" Natsu asks in disbelief. "I thought you were going to have a stick up your ass or something like that."

Zahir elbows Natsu for that comment in particular.

"When it comes to defending my home from the existence of greedy humans, then yes I have a stick up my ass as you call it. YOU however are the one I have been waiting for."

Natsu could only nod at the elder chief's strict words and tone.

"Ever since I stepped forth on this land, I had a dream; a dream of a young man such as you wrapped in the fires of the dragon. He would be the key to saving the old land as well as this one we have come to know."

"What's so special about me anyway?" Natsu asks in doubt to the chief. "To be honest I'm just a mage who belongs to a guild, living a pretty damn good life. All I wanted was to find Igneel, I didn't ask for any of this."

Although he tries to mask his frustration the elder chief could feel his confusion and his doubt.

"I understand your concerns as well as your doubts. It is not easy having a destiny thrusted upon you out of nowhere. I too left my home to take my place here, so that I may meet you."

Natsu could only nod in understanding as the Elder Chief sat upon his chair.

"So youngling how can this chief assist you in your task?"

"I was told by Zahir, one of your guards that you could read something called shade runes."

Natsu immediately hands over the map of paradisium to the elder chief. The chief pulls out an object and moves it to different pieces of the map to find the runes.

"What is that object?" Natsu asks in curiosity.

Zahir steps in front of Natsu and says "That is a light gatherer. Shade Runes can be read using this as light is focused depending on the output it's projecting."

It wasn't long before the elder chief Ziel finds the mentioned runes. "Come with me Natsu and I will show you to Port Avalon."


Natsu and a company of elves including the chief, walk towards a tall stone wall engraved with what looks like the elvish style of writing. Adorned with tree branches and vines growing around the walls, the gate has not been open for some time. It is here that the elven chief stands in front of Natsu and recites how the gate works.

"The oceans that separate paradisium from your earth-land are nothing but storms and torrents making safe travel impossible, until the elves with the dragons' assistance created a form of magic technology to quell only a fragment of the raging storms that separate our lands. That magic device is known as Port Avalon."

Despite Natsu's interest in how Port Avalon works, he started to doze off at the elder chief's long lecture, until he mentions the word riddle.

"We used a riddle to lock both gates and each half of the answer corresponds to a gate in order to unlock it. Use the wrong word and you will face instant obliteration at it's defense mechanism." The elder chief continued his explanation of how the mechanism works. "Unfortunately the answer was not given to us and it went to the grave with its creator. You alone must solve the riddle. I have translated the riddle for you and it says:

The earth holds the souls of all
yet they all contradict laws of life
some souls are gifted to see the eons
while some only live to die

"Not exactly my kind of riddle" Natsu says to the elder chief. "If only Luce was here."

"Do not fret youngling for you have the will to do it."

Natsu sat on the ground and looked at his surroundings. He closed his eyes to think about the meaning and what it meant.

'AGGHHHHH This damn riddle! I don't have the time for this.' He thought to himself 'wait time.' Natsu pondered about the word time and it applies to the riddle.

'Igneel said he lived a long before he took me in, and us humans don't have a long lifespan anyways.'

He opened his eyes and to his attention he saw a flower wilt away and die in front of him. He turns his attention to Ziel the elder chief. And looks at him with curiousity and says

"I figured it out." Natsu says aloud "The answers are Time and Eternity."

"How did it come to that?" The elder chief asks in curiosity.

"I looked at your lifespan a soul gifted to see the eons, and you're just like Igneel in a way." Natsu says with a stream of intelligence. "Look at my life our race has a short time on this earth compared to most, as well as flowers and so on."

"Interesting idea, but to truly find out if they are the correct words you must say it aloud to the gate." The elder chief points at the gate for Natsu to finish the riddle.

"Alright here it goes." Natsu exclaims "The answer to this gate is TIME!"

Natsu and Happy close their eyes fearing that their death is close at hand, but instead the gate rumbles and slowly opens for Natsu and the company around him. To their amazement they see exactly what the elder chief had earlier described: a single calm piece of ocean, in a midst of raging storms and pure black clouds.

"I can't believe this" Happy says to the elder chief "You guys defied even the weather."

"It was through our technology and battle prowess that we never fell to the enemy." Zahir says to Natsu. "But we never had the one weapon that could truly silence the will of dragons."

"What would that be Zahir?" Natsu asks him.

"We didn't have faith my friend" Zahir simply says to Natsu.

Natsu realizes the meaning behind his words and looks to Happy and nods to him. Happy returns the nod and they both turn to the Chief and his company.

"I'll do everything in my power to finish what my old man Igneel started a long time ago. I'll end this war and kill the Dragon Emperor with my OWN HANDS!" Natsu says this and puts a fist in the air. Everyone including the chief applauded and roared at Natsu's resolution. Every member of the company shook hands with Natsu and departed from the gate save for the Elder Chief Zahir and another man who didn't look like he was a soldier at all.

"I wish you luck on your journey youngling. You will face many dangers and many life changing experiences." The elder chief says to Natsu and points to his heart. "But I hope that your spirit this flame of hope will never die out."

The chief smiles at Natsu and Happy and walks out of the port quietly.

Zahir steps up next and introduces the stranger to Natsu. "This is Paris; he has experience with this ship." HE points to the ark that has been afloat at the edge of the marina. "He was the one that took the survivors here to earth land."

Paris shakes hands with Natsu and goes to the ship to make preparations to set sail.

"Come with us Zahir. We could use the help." Natsu asks the elf.

"I would love to come with you Natsu but I need to help my people here. We all have our places in this role and mine has finished. Besides you will meet far more powerful people than me."

Zahir shakes Natsu's hand and says "It was an honor to meet you Natsu. I pray for your success and safe return."

"Thanks Zahir it means a lot." Natsu smiles and lets go of his hand.

"Natsu, we'll be ready to sail in 30 minutes be ready and on the ship!" Paris says to Natsu.

Natsu waves his hand and Paris returns to the ark to continue final preparations.

"Well we can't turn back now." Happy says to Natsu as he looks back at the gate. He sees Zahir and waves as the gates of Avalon close behind Natsu. Natsu turns back and tries to board the ark until he is stopped by a familiar voice

"Stop right now NATSU!"

Natsu and Happy turn around to see the source of the voice. Both are shocked and surprised at this sudden appearance.

"It's you; How did you get out here?"


That's it for Chapter 5 of Flames of Hope!

Who do you think is going to try and stop Natsu First? Will they succeed or will Natsu become victorious?

Next Chapter this bottom will be dedicated to Footnotes and personal answers to reviews instead of using the top. Until then thank you and keep on reading guys!