Author's Note: Yuuki~desu! So guys, I bet you hadn't expected me to update so soon... :D I just hope you have recovered enough from finding out about Grandine's and Luciana's relationship to concentrate on this chapter. Nyahaha. You know, I have some more astonishing facts prepared for you so try to keep it together, okay? P.S. I forgot to tell you guys that I will be gone for another two weeks. But I promise you that the Chapter 9 will be twice as long as 8, Okay? Now, enjoy!
Chapter 8: Searching For You...
"Waaah, finally on a solid ground!" cried out grinning pink haired dragon slayer. "But Natsu, you weren't even travel sick the last five hours we spent on train." protested Happy. "But it's not the same, ya know?" Everyone just sighed. They really didn't understand how he can be so happy to get out of the train, since all he did after the tattoo took effect, was running around and enjoying the ride as if he was a 5-years old kid.
Gray just shook his head and turned to Levy. "So what are we going to do now?" "Well.. I think we should first find an inn to settle down in case we won't find anything the first day and will have to spend the night in village. Also it would be wise to eat something." It wasn't such a bad idea, so everyone agreed.
After they found lodging and managed to get something to eat, they all gathered in one of the rooms to discuss their strategy. Without even being asked to, Levy brought out a map and started explaining. "Okay. As I've told you before, there are five places that fit the riddle on Natsu's arm." She pointed at already red marked areas on the map and everyone nodded. "Here's where it becomes complicated. Normally, it would be faster to split into groups and go take a look at all of the places at the same time, but that's impossible in our case. Even if one of us found the right place, they would not know it unless Natsu was in their group. That tattoo is the only thing that can determine whether we have truly arrived at our destination, so I suggest we all go as one big search party. It might take us longer, but we have no other choice."
"Damn, that will take ages!" growled Natsu. "Can't I and Happy just go ahead alone?"
Levy was quick to answer him. "No. It's dangerous. We don't know what might happen. What if, for example, the tattoo sucked you into the other world? You'd be there alone." Gently, she added "Trust me, it's better to stay together." She gave him a sympathetic look and turned to the others. "Any other suggestions?"
After a minute of utter silence, Erza sighed. "No other choice then." Her face turned serious as she spoke her next command. "Go get ready. We shall begin our search right now." with that, she turned around and left the room to get some things she considered necessary for their upcoming mission.
Titania's return of character was so stunning that no one moved for a long time even though they knew they had to get ready. The first one to snap out of it was Gajeel, who headed straight for his room, planning on munching on some iron. Levy left shortly after him carrying her map proudly. It wasn't long before others followed their suit.
Ready as much as they could be, Fairy Tail members set out on their journey. Unsurprisingly, the one who planned their course was no one else than their blue haired strategist. And Levy did so magnificently. If it weren't for her, the whole search might take two days. After her adjustments it would at most take 15 hours if their destination would be the last place they were supposed to check. Of course, depending on the weather and their luck, it could as well be only 4 hours.
The Poage mountain was very steep so it was no surprise everyone was tired by the time they got to their first stop. Ignoring tiredness they felt after constant four hours walk, they held their breaths in anticipation, while their gazes rested on Natsu's forearm. There was no shocking change in its glow only that it intensified a bit. Also, nothing has changed in their surroundings so they had to admit this wasn't the right place and went on to the next spot.
Second place they checked proved to be as much of a disappointment as the first was and the two hours they walked in order to get there only added to their exhaustion.
However the third spot was special.
As soon as they reached the appointed meadow through which ran the biggest river in Fiore, Natsu's arm started to itch and light the tattoo was emitting was blinding. Suddenly, third line peeled off of his skin and was now miraculously floating in the air at centre of circle, which Fairy Tail members formed around their teammate. Slowly, it caught on fire until the words were no longer decipherable even by Levy. As it died down, the smoke went back to Salamander and started spiralling around the remaining lines. As if the third line had called out to it, second line merged with the smoke and changed its colour to violet. Then the mysterious mixture started expanding until it surrounded all the other members of the search party.
By now, Wendy's eyes were as wide as table tennis balls, Levy inched closer to Gajeel without even noticing it herself, Erza had a sword in her hand, ready to strike any time and Gray was already without his shorts, standing in a combat position. Other's reactions weren't as notable because they were all shivering, unable to move even an inch.
In an instant, violet smoke changed into a barrier, protecting them all from enemy no one has noticed. Confused, they looked around, only to see enormous and unpleasantly familiar shape shoot out of the shadows on the edge of the meadow. When it reached them, it struck at the barrier with all of its force. Barrier, however, withstood the attack. "Impossible!" cried weakly Erza. "How can it be?" whispered Wendy. "No, no, no, NOOOO!" shrieked Levy while her knees gave in and she fell to the ground. "YOU!" shouted enraged fire dragon slayer as he ran into the barrier, only to be pushed back inside. He refused to give up and was now punching the slightly violet barrier.
Then, after the tenth outside attack, the barrier shattered and Acnologia lunged for them.