I deeply apologise for the long hiatus! I was extremely busy with school, since I've (technically) just started high school and exams are killing me. But those horrors are finally over! Yay!
I've actually already written around 20000 words for this fanfic, and I'm halfway done, but I didn't have time to update (oops), and I'm also working on a Zero No Tsukaima fanfic, which some of you may have seen:) (and I'm going to update it after this, I hope)
Well, I'm gonna stop with the stupid excuses...
Still looking for a beta reader, so if you're up for it please contact me!
Hope you enjoy the story! I'll update a few more chapters soon:)
-TheFlyingNeko
Recap: Lucy, Natsu and Happy were on a job to subdue some bandits, but who knew that the bandits would kidnap Natsu, the strongest member of their team? In the chaos, Lucy hardened her resolve to find Natsu, save him, and clear the job. But first, she decided to save the quiet town, which was also subdued by the bandits, and is currently questioning them about the whereabouts of the bandits. She meets a group of civilians and questions them, one of them being a young teenage boy who claims that he knows who sent the request to subdue the bandits.
"But i think I know who." The teenage boy at the side said, catching everyone's attention.
"Who?" Lucy asked.
"The man of the mountain." The teenage boy said.
"No way... That damn guy is in cahoots with those bandits!" A man on the other side said.
"What do you mean the man of the mountain?! He's a dangerous man! You've MET him?!"
"He isn't. He's long been on our side." The boy said.
"He must have tricked you. There's no way he is!" Another adult yelled.
Lucy gaped at the exchange happening in front of her, wondering who 'the man of the mountain' could be. But before she could question what exactly was happening...
"Listen to me first!" The boy screamed, quietening the rest of the group. "It all happened on 7 March, soon after the bandits started attacking the town."
Flashback.
The boy climbed up the mountain, searching for herbs to help his mother with her illness. His mum was down with a terrible flu and could only be healed with the help of a special herb that grew on the mountains. He, being the only child and without a father to help him, had to take up the the responsibility.
The mountain was cold and rough, with an uneven ground and a steep gradient. The north wind blew on him, causing him to shiver once again. He was nearly at his limit. Each step he took was in pain and his bare feet were numb. Cuts from the mountain thorns covered him and he was about to get frost bites on his hands, which gave him so much pain that he nearly gave up. Not to mention that he had to avoid bumping into any bandits.
That's when he thought of his mother.
His sweet, loving mother, who took care of him since he was very young. Everytime he was sick, his mother would take care of him and comfort him. However tired she was, she would work to the bone so they would have money to eat and live. Even if they couldn't afford any footwear, his mother would carve some wood and sew some fabric together to make a temporary shoe for him. His mother would play together with him, even if he didn't have any friends. In fact, she was his only friend. A very good one indeed.
He couldn't afford for her to fade away.
The thought of his mother have him motivation, warmth, and strength to go on. He fought on against the cold, all on his mind was his mother. However, even though he pressed so hard, he slipped on the cold, hard, slippery ice and fell. As he rolled down the ledge, heading towards the cliff, he thought of his mother, and closed his eyes. Before he knew it, the world around him darkened and he could feel himself suspended in the air.
He then regained consciousness. He tried opening his eyes but when he tried to do so his head spinned, so he shut it again. After a few moments of repetitive blinking, he managed to sit up, and found that he was in a small cave. Small, but cozy. His head hurt and spinned, but besides that, he was fine. He realised that his wounds and cuts were treated, and he felt as good as new.
"Where am I...?" He asked dizzily, not expecting any reply.
"My house." A man replied, as the boy jumped.
"And you are...?" He asked, steering his vision to the fireplace, where a man was crouching down to tend the fire.
"The man of the mountain, Thomas." He replied, smiling at him.
"Ahh! You're t-that guy! Go away! Please don't take me as a hostage!" The boy replied, screaming and shouting.
"Relax, boy. What makes you think I would do that?" Thomas asked, frowning.
"Because you are with the bandits...?" The boy asked.
"... No. I'm no longer with them."
"No longer?"
"I used to be a part of them. But... I deeply regret it. I am very ashamed of myself, so I secluded myself in this cave." Thomas said, looking down on the ground. His face had a deep look of remorse and sadness.
"I'm sorry... It's just that everyone has been saying that."
"It's alright, I deserve it for causing so much trouble in the past. Now, may I ask what's your name?"
"It's Samuel, sir."
"Samuel... huh? I take it that you came to look for a herb that is rumored to be able to heal all illnesses?"
"Yes! My mum is extremely sick and I have to bring it back to her so that she would heal up and take care of her and-"
"Alright, enough said. You're a good boy, but rest. You nearly got a frost bite, and you received some poisonous cuts."
"Poison?!" Sam exclaimed.
"Yes. Those thorns outside are poisonous. I've removed most of the poison though, but the small particles in your wound would grow if you moved around too much."
"Oh... I see... But... I can't just lie around... What do I do about the herbs?"
"I have a garden out there, and there are still quite a few herbs. Here, drink this first." Thomas said, handing a bowl with greenish water to him.
"What's this?" Sam asked.
"It's herbal soup. I'll give you instructions on how to cook it later."
"Wait, herbal soup? No I can't drink this! I must leave it for my mum!" Sam explained, placing the bowl down.
"Don't worry, it's easy to cook the herbal soup in large batches, since it's not very concentrated. I have lots of herbs left, and it doesn't matter if you drink a bowl. Of course, your wounds can't be left untreated, so it's necessary or the wounds won't heal for a few months. You don't want to worry your mum, do you?" Thomas asked calmly.
"I don't... Alright then, I'll drink it." Sam said, before picking up the bowl once again and gulping it down.
'What's with this guy...? He's being so kind, and is obviously not a bad guy, but secluding himself here and not saving the village while it's in a crisis? I don't know what his intentions are...' Samuel thought to himself.
"Sir, forgive me for saying this, but... You're just being a coward by hiding in the mountains. You could always go back and apologize... The village needs all the help it can get right now, and if you just stay here you're not going to help with anything." Sam said, after finishing his soup.
"Yeah, I know... I'm sorry. I just don't know how to face it. All I know is that I have to find someway to get the village to forgive me... All right... If I tell you a secret, could you promise not to disclose it to anyone in the village?"
"Alright. Tell me, what is it?"
"I've hid here in the mountains because I heard that the mountain has a lot of gems and gold, deep deep within. I've been seeking refuge here so that I could mine, and see if I could find anything that could help out the village... I know, the village is in financial distress, and with the bandits here, the situation is getting worse. I don't want to see everyone starve, especially with the infertile land. I hope I can find more soon."
He walked towards a small safe and unlocked it. Inside, he revealed a very smal pile of irregular shaped diamonds and gems. There were also small pieces of gold on the right side.
"Whoa..." Sam said, surprised.
"I don't this this is enough to pay my debts though..."
"It's definitely enough! This could last the entire village for a few months!"
"It's not enough for everyone. The village's population is ever increasing, and if it lasts for such a short time it's pretty much useless... Don't reveal that you met me at all when you go back, except to your mum if you want to..."
"You… You really should return. Everybody would be pleased. I know that each and every one of us will be really proud of you, but I respect your decision. We will all await your arrival, Thomas-san."
"Thank you. Now, lie down and have some sleep. I'll pick out the herbs from the garden." Thomas said, before heading towards the exit.
"Thank you, sir. You're far too kind."
"Mum! I'm home!" Samuel yelled as he stopped running to open the door to his living room.
His mum lay on the couch, staring at the door. She was obviously worried for Samuel and his return, so she heaved a huge sigh of relief.
"Samuel! You're safe! Wait, what are those-" She said, desperately trying to sit up.
"No, please don't move, mum!" Samuel said, helping her back down.
"Samuel, those cuts-"
"Mum, I got the herbs. I have the herbs you need, and also a batch of boiled herbal soup that would help put your fever down-" Samuel said, before widening his eyes as he placed his hands on his mother's head.
"MUM, YOU'RE BURNING!"
"Sorry, Samuel. I was worried sick about you, what happened-"
"Quick, drink this! It helps alot." Samuel said, passing her a container of the greenish herbal soup that he preserved for her.
"Samuel! Listen-"
"I'll explain, mum. I'll explain. But first, please drink your medicine!"
"Alright then..." His mum said worriedly, finally giving in to his persistence.
"So... While I was looking for the herb, I accidentally slipped and fell off the cliff-"
His mum choked and quickly spat out the soup in her mouth.
"What-"
"Mum, relax. I'm fine, can't you see? I was saved by the man of the mountain."
"Wait... You mean..." She said, her eyes widening.
"Yeah. But don't worry, he's on our side. He's long quit the bandits and he deeply regrets it." Samuel said, trying to calm his mum down.
"Why do you think you can trust him? He could have put a bomb or bug on you while you were asleep, and-"
"Mum! Would he give us all these herbs he took years to nurture in his garden?"
"Well-"
"Would be have such a look of guilt on his face if he were a bandit?"
"He-"
"Would he save me from falling down a cliff...?"
"I guess not..."
"We have to trust him... This is what he feared from returning! He didn't want the people here to despise him or loathe him, just because he was part of the bandits! He just wants to make up for his mistakes..."
"I'm sorry, son. But if you trust him so much, I will. Thanks for reassuring me."
"I'm sorry, mum. For interrupting you the entire time. I was just too anxious."
He then told his mum about what how Thomas saved him and gave him food and shelter, while she slowly sipped her soup.
"Alright, mum. You should get some rest. I'll prepare the next batch of the soup, so you should..." He stopped while seeing that his mum was offering her bowl to him.
"Huh...?"
"Here, son. You should have some too. Those cuts need to heal..."
"Don't worry, I've already had some at Thomas-san's place-"
"It's okay, honey." She said, smiling.
That's when he realised where he inherited his never dying persistence.
Flashback.
"I wasn't supposed to tell anyone... But..." Samuel said, looking down.
"Thanks, Samuel! It really helped a lot! I'm sorry, but I would need one last favor from you." Lucy said, smiling at the teenage boy.
"Sure, what do you need?"
"I would need you to bring me up that mountain." Lucy declared.
I'll update the next installment soon! I hope you've enjoyed this short chapter!
-TheFlyingNeko