Chapter 2: Prometheus
A barrage of footsteps made their way through a shallow forest. Romeo clutched his chest as he dashed foward. His pursers shortly followed. 'Damn it' Romeo cursed. He thought he would've avoided them if he stayed away from the caves. They drummed the ground behind him as they pursued. Their gray fur makes them partially invisible in the cover of the dawn. Vulcans. Different from the mountain vulcans from Mt. Hakobe, these vulcans are known as Cave Beast; significantly more vicious and stronger. Romeo suffered some cuts and bruises when he was ambushed by four of them. He began panting heavily. He can keep this up. The vulcans gained distance. He had no other choice.
Romeo slid on the dirt to make a 180 turn.
"Yellow fire". A ball of fire collided on a vulcan's face; it had no effect. The Vulcan lunged at him and crashed down on the ground beside him; a narrow dodge. Another hollered flanking him. He easily ducked under its wailing arms. His size was to his advantage. He conjured more yellow fire balls while swiftly dodging the vulcans attacks. He landed them on a vulcan's face only agitating it. Yellow fire ridiculous as it seems works well on animals. Their high sense of smell adding the burns would usually have them running. The vulcans became more enraged. Blue fire isn't going to work; their fur can resist cold. He decided escape is the best option. He found an opening and made a break for it.
The vulcans unaware of Romeo's escape pounded the ground in the general area. He made good distance before he hears their ape like howls approaching. He cleared straight the forest immediately stopping at the end; A cliff. It was a long way down impossible to survive. An idea just popped in his head. He turned around and stood his ground. Their howls getting louder, sounds of branches breaking, 'wait for it' he thought. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths to calm his nerves 'wait'. The noise increased violently worse; his mind focused. He drowned out all the noise and concentrated on the vulcans movements, counting each step they make. There is only one chance he can do this. He felt there final push and opened his eyes on guard. The vulcans burst out of the forest, all reaching their arms out for Romeo. "Now!" he fell backwards off the cliff bring the vulcans with him.
"Purple fire!" he called out. His hand ignited, a fire whip rising to the top of the cliff. It wrapped itself on a tree stopping him from his freefall. Three black masses fell behind him, their screams ringing in his head. He heard them land on the trees below and gave a sigh of relief. He reeled himself in using his fire. He can't continue like this.
"A mission alone?" Mirajane asked with a confused look.
Romeo nodded "Yeah, like taking out a bandit camp or catching some thieves."
She frowned "sorry, I can't allow you to do that".
"What, why not?"
"You're inexperienced, you can't handle something like that by yourself" Romeo griped his hand. "If you were with someone else it would be a different story…"
"No its okay, I know I'm not…" strong he thought but, couldn't say.
Mirajane gave him a heartwarming smile "Cheer up, I think Wendy wouldn't mind going with you."
He didn't say anything, instead gave her his best fake smile and walked away. He thought going on a mission alone was his first step to getting stronger. Before the Tenrou island team return he only went on missions with Alzack and Bisca. He would occasionally tag along with Max but, he never went on a dangerous mission alone. Granted the missions themselves were for amateurs since all the high paid job postings went to Twilight Ogre. Petty missions such as cleaning a house or looking for a lost cat were the only ones he did go alone. He wouldn't give up that easily. The master is more lenient. He let his father go he thought….
"Absolutely not"
"B-but, you let my dad go alone!" Romeo retorted
"He was much older, already an adult, you are just a child." Makarov muttered.
' Does everyone lack faith in me' Romeo glared. "I'm not a child, I can handle it!"
"You are and you can't" Makarov said in a passive tone. Romeo wanted to punch him again like last time but, that would only prove his point. He stormed out of the guild ignoring the questioning looks as he passed by. He couldn't let other people decide what's best for him. He didn't need their permission.
He decided to wait until the end of the day then take the highest paying mission. He returned home and waited for his father to fall asleep. In middle of the night he snuck out only now reading the job description. 'Escaped fugitive, wanted for murder and conspiracy to overthrow the king…..wanted dead or alive' Romeo stared at the paper. 'This isn't a job flier, it's a bounty….'Fairy Tail doesn't except these types of bounties. Death was the preferred method; even if the fugitive was captured execution was only thing waiting for them. It must have been mixed up with the other job postings; Mirajane would have no record of it. Romeo hesitated on proceeding. What if he gets killed or captured; what if he does the same to the fugitive. Romeo stood there in the cold of the night. Natsu would go he thought. He went on an S-class mission without telling anyone so, there wouldn't be a difference. He continued reading 'male, white hair, scar on brow, known as the Primordial flame. There was no picture or sketch. 'Last known location Groove forest' he heard stories of that forest. Dangerous beast, disappearances and unknown lights; all unwelcoming. He couldn't let that stop him. It's only hours away he can probably make it there by dawn. If he's lucky make it back before anyone notices. He has to prove to them he could do this.
Romeo placed his hands firmly on the ground. Still gasping for air, he barely noticed the black figure plunging towards him. A massive gray fist knocked him in the air. He fell back on the ground landing on his arm. Pain surges throughout his. One of the vulcans still remained. There were burn marks on its face; he must have attacked it earlier. Romeo quickly pushes himself up with arms notice the intense pain he had on the arm he landed on.
"Purple fire" he began. A fire whip formed on his fist ready to attack when another figure came from behind. He was knocked down from his feet. More vulcans appeared completely encircling him. They must have heard the other vulcans cries. A heavy hand pressed Romeo's back to the ground. He coughed out blood. The vulcans cheered. The pressure on his back pinned him to the ground and he started to suffocate trying to stay conscience. Their calls of delight filled his ears. His sight became blurry, sound slowly fading… A familiar flame passed around him. "Natsu….."
Darkness was all he saw. His eyes slightly open, he could see faint balls of light in the distance. Candles were spread around in a dark cave like room. The fire of the candles were different color some brighter than others. His eyes wandered seeing a fire heating up a pot. He was able to make out an old dinner table, a few chairs and wooden door that seemed out of place; Someone's home. He felt sore trying to move around on the bed he was placed in. He had started to recollect his memory. Someone must have brought him here.
"You're awake" a shadow moved towards him. The light slowly reviled a hooded man. "It's about time." His voice was sturdy and gruff. He walked towards the pot and poured hot water into two cups. The light only showed his chin, he had a white goatee probably in his 60s. His eyes were covered by the veil of his hood. He handed Romeo the cup "Drink this".
He slowly grabbed the cup "uh, thank you". He looked inside before drinking.
"Tea" the man said sitting on a chair with his cup in hand. Romeo recalled the familiar flame. He looked around.
"Were you the one who saved me?"
"Saved you?" he shrugged. "Those apes were making too much noise" he said nonchalantly.
"But, you treated my wounds."
"I had extra medical supplies"
"Oh, I see…." He patted his head and looked around. "Where am I?"
"On the outskirts of Groove forest; this is my home"
"In a cave"
"Are you critiquing the lifestyle of your savior?"
Romeo looked at him dumbly "you just said you didn't save me" The man sat there drinking his tea ignoring his last statement. Romeo tried to move. His body was still aching from his injuries. He grunted as he adjusts himself.
"You shouldn't move, you have a fractured arm and a few broken ribs. Those apes must have taken their time with you. Don't you know children shouldn't be playing around here?"
The word child irked him a bit but, decided to move past it. "I'm on a mission, I'm from Fairy Tail" using the name Fairy Tail would usually cause some sort of reaction; shock, awe, bewilderment or at least recognition but, not him.
"Are you successful in accomplishing your mission?" Romeo could tell his question was rhetorical. He wasn't even able to search let alone fine his target. He's not even powerful enough to do that. Romeo griped his hand, the man took notice "You should stay longer, you have already been a hassle to me might as stay until your condition improves."
Romeo tried moving around again. He let out a groan. The aching feeling still runs through his body. He must have slept through the whole day. Maybe members of Fairy Tail are out looking for him; then again they probably haven't even notice. His dad would but even so he can't travel like this. Romeo nodded his head in response to the hooded man. "Thank you uh…. What's your name?"
"Disrespectful, Don't you have to introduce yourself first" he said in a harsh tone
"Oh, right" Romeo scratched his head "My name Romeo Conbolt and Yours?"
The man slowly rose up looking away "…Prometheus…." He started to walk towards the door. "Like I said, you can rest until you're capable of leaving." Romeo complied and lay back down watching Prometheus opening the door.
"Wait" Prometheus looked back. "You never told me why you helped me."
Prometheus hesitated turning back towards the door. "You remind me of someone"
Had this chapter on hold for a long time but, I will be posting more frequently. I still appreciate reviews. More RoWen next chapter.
Next Chapter: Fuel