Secrets, part 12
The following day, spirits were lifted around the guild despite the recent attack. News of Kavi's recovery had spread like wildfire. Only team one was allowed to see him in his weakened state, but the others all sent their best wishes. The dragon slayer was glad to be awake at last, but saddened by his lost vision. Still, if that was the price for his life, he would gladly pay it. Yona was the first to leave his room. She filled in their friends from Fairy Tail on his new condition. Mixed emotions wen through the fairies, but they accepted the cost of his recovery, happy to help any way they could.
"We need to find this other Noctis guy", said Natsu. Yona nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but who knows if they more came in since Blythe's cousin left? Besides that, we have no idea what the dude looks like. He could be creeping up on us riiiight...now!", she said, taunting Happy. The exceed panicked briefly before laughing it off with his friends. "You know we'll help any way we can", offered Lucy. Wendy grinned softly and asked, "Should we just spread out and look for clues?". An unexpected voice replied. "It's too dangerous", said Puck, striding up to the group. "We can take 'em", smirked Natsu. "It's not your fight. I don't expect you to risk your lives for us", replied the elf. "They made it our fight", grinned Gray. Everyone agreed. Their friends had been hurt by the virus and by Wink, as well. They wouldn't stand idly by.
Puck sighed in defeat. There was no use arguing with the fevered determination of youth. "So be it, but please be careful", he said. "Maybe we should track that sniper and see what he knows", ventured Charle. "We could sniff him out, but who knows how far he's gone by now?", replied Yona. Charle smiled faintly. "He'll be back", she stated. Wendy intervened, explaining her friend's foresight before questions were raised. "So between you, Teresa, and our noses, we've got a pretty good shot", grinned Yona. Puck seemed oddly silent during all of this. He knew he what he had to do, but didn't like it. "Yona can go if you take Jasper or Blythe with you. Natsu must stay", he said. "Whaaat? Why?!", whined Yona, looking to have some fun with her buddy. Lucy glanced between the stares as they faced odd. Could it be Nova's will? Where was the woman and why did she even have a say in all of this?
"That's not fair!", argued Natsu, looking to get some action. "It's nothing personal, I assure you. It just must be", said Puck, keeping his cool under his intense gaze. "Princess, you should stay, too. If anything happens to that book before the eclipse, we're screwed", said Yona, giving in. Lucy nodded, keeping her eyes on Natsu. What was so special about him to these fey? Gray smirked, glad to rub it in that he could move freely. "Juvia will go", offered the water mage. "Wendy, would you mind staying behind? I'd like for you examine Kavi's eyes", ventured the elf somewhat shyly. The girl nodded, ready to assist. There was no telling if she could restore his vision, but she was certainly willing to try. After details were hashed, the group went their separate ways. Two pairs of eyes had watched from the shadows the entire time. Once the teens had scattered, Nova stepped forth, Tepin, in her birth form, perched on her shoulder. "Thank you", she said earnestly. Puck said nothing, simply staring after the fairies. "You can't avoid him forever", he stated. "It isn't yet time for him to learn the truth", replied Nova.
Puck nodded. He was tired of arguing the point. "That girl, the young dragon slayer...Do you really think she can restore your son's sight?", asked Nova. "I haven't the faintest idea, just the hope that she can", he said. "What of the blood mage? Has he learned to sculpt flesh yet?", she inquired. Puck shook his head slowly. "Blythe doesn't know much of his heritage just yet. We have to be careful and introduce it all slowly. Rushing it will only drive him to madness like his predecessor", he sighed. "I agree", said Nova. "Still, I would like to let him know just who he is", she added, a hint of hope in her voice. Puck stared at her with mixed emotions. "It's too soon. Blythe just got Kavi back. Let him enjoy it. Bringing up Zeref now can only bring more malady", he said firmly. Nova nodded after a brief silence. "Very well. You've agreed upon my will with Natsu. I'll honor yours in this matter", she said. At least that was settled...for now.
-
A while later, Jasper sat with his parents in their chamber. Veda knew nothing of Nova's past and, though she didn't say much, it was clearly wearing on her mind. Jasper, too had questions that echoed in silence. Thus, Puck decided to tell them the truth. Veda and Jasper watched him pace for a while as he thought. Finally he took a deep breath and sat across from them. "I know you're both concerned about the person I've allowed into our home...Nova's an old friend of sorts. She means no harm", he began. "How do you know her?", asked Jasper, knowing his mother wanted badly to know. Puck grinned to himself as he stared at the floor. "Oberon sent me to study her once...a long time ago", he replied. "Study?", repeated Veda, confused. Her husband nodded as he offered her a kind smile. "Long before we even met, she was considered a person of interest. The court of Avalon had heard rumors of her and needed to know if she was a threat...I followed her every move for fifty years", he stated. Jasper tried not to look shocked. His father's life span was long, but still yet, fifty years was a long time for any given task.
"Why would she be dangerous?", inquired Veda. "She once had ties with the immortal dark mage", replied Puck. "Why?", asked Jasper, now starting to worry about her presence. "It's not my place to tell her story in full detail, but...She was born in a different form than what we see now. Zeref managed to gain her trust and took her original form away, sealing her true power. At that time, she became one of his demons, though not of his full creation. That being said, he never truly had control over her. In time, she realized her mistakes and separated from Tartarus, leaving Mard Greer in charge, instead." His family listened closely, unaware there was another listening nearby. "She tried to return to her people for help, but it was too late. Only one would even let her speak. He vowed to help her for the love they once shared. Eventually, the dragons started their war, derailing any attempt for her to reclaim her natural shape. All fey were thrown into chaos. That's when I started gathering up the remnant populations. Nova fell into silence. Oberon worried and sent me to find her. He wanted to be sure her new intentions were pure."
"What happened?", asked Veda, feeling sorry for their guest. "Her true form is lost now. The only one who could ever restore it is Zeref...I trailed her as ordered. I stalked her every movement, watched every place she made home. She knew I was there, but said nothing. Eventually, she got tired of the silence and approached me", said Puck. "She found you?", asked Jasper, surprised. Nodding, Puck grinned. "She did. We started to talk and she told me everything. At that time, all she really wanted was to die, but she couldn't give up her life. You see, it's her curse that sustains Zeref even now. She knew he wanted death. You could say it learned to avoid him. His magic controlled death itself, keeping it at bay. At first, he reveled in that fact, willing to use it for a nefarious cause. In time, he regretted it. When he decided to let down his guard, Nova stepped in and took her revenge. He'd sealed her true identity, so she would seal his rest. Even her name is lost now. 'Nova' is something she chose to replace it. I wish I could tell you more, but I've already said too much...She's no threat to us. She may, in fact, even need our help."
Jasper watched his mother from the side of his eye. She seemed to relax a little. Perhaps she worried Nova was an old flame of Puck's, but that was impossible. She'd worked hard to earn his love and knew for a fact there were none before her. "If she's hiding from Zeref, then why come back to Fiore?", inquired the naga. "The virus. She knew she could cure it with the magic she now wields, 'Lazarus'. Still, she's taking a huge risk, but some things are worth dying for", replied Puck. "What could be so important?", asked Jasper. Veda smiled softly upon her son. "You mean 'who', dear", she grinned. Then it hit him. He grinned faintly to himself at the realization. He'd seen the odd behavior, same as the others. "Who is she to Natsu?", he ventured. His father shook his head. "I can't tell you that", he said firmly.
Out in the hall, the eavesdropper clenched his fists, annoyed. Dammit! What was the big secret?! Why did everyone keep talking about him like he wasn't even there? The dragon slayer had enough. He was going to confront Nova whether she felt like talking or not.
"That's why you were gone so long back then...", said Veda. Puck nodded shyly. Explaining to Jasper, he said, "I helped Nova with her last transformation. It sapped all of my magic." Jasper looked on in alarm. His father had a vast store of mana. "If that happens, I return to Avalon and my body regenerates in the fairy springs. It takes some time, but I can survive the ordeal that way", said Puck. Veda smiled to herself. She remembered helping him into one of those springs on Earthland during their early days together. He was badly wounded and had no choice but to reveal its location. She waited by that pool for three weeks until the hole in chest closed over and he woke up again, but that's a tale for another time. Jasper was already getting overloaded.
"That's incredible", uttered Jasper, thinking of the implications. "It's a boon from the king. You could say it's his way of making sure I can work", grinned Puck. The family chatted more on various topics, including Kavi. In time, they would find out about their eavesdropper, but for now, they focused on each other.
-
Elsewhere, in Kavi's room, Blythe waited with hope as Wendy tried her magic. Rani was nearly shaking with anticipation beside Charle. Wendy had been at it for several minutes. Finally, she lowered her hands and shied her face to the ground. "It's no use", she uttered sadly. Kavi squeezed her small hand as if to assure it her was all right. "Thanks for trying", said Blythe, a little disappointed. Wendy nodded, avoiding his eyes. When she did look up, there were moist. She wanted so badly to help, but she couldn't undo the damage left in the wake of such a nasty infection. "Don't be too hard on yourself. Kavi can 'see' with his magic. He'll be all right", said Ronen. Rani nodded agreement, trying to ease the girl's sadness. Blythe set his hand gently on her shoulder with a kind smile. "They're right. Kavi's amazing like that", he beamed. Wendy tried to smile,but it was so hard. Why was everyone so nice about her failure? She hugged her adoptive big brother tightly, apologizing again and again. Blythe held her tenderly, letting her get it out. "Don't worry, Imouto-chan. Kavi-kun won't be alone", he said. The exceeds nodded with tiny smiles. Maybe things really would be okay.
-
Back in Veda's room, the subject matter had changed. Jasper sat stiffly, trying not to appear so red, as his mother talked about his relationship with Yona. "It's just that you two have been seeing one another for awhile now and there are some things you need to know", said Veda, trying to soothe her son's anxiety. "There is one very important thing you need to know", said Puck. Jasper peered up in curiosity. Puck darted his gaze elsewhere, eventually settling over the egg. Despite his best efforts, he was beginning to show a tinge of pink across his own cheeks. Veda smiled to herself. She thought their shyness was adorable. "What your father's trying to tell you is that you need to be careful", she stated. Before Jasper could ask what that meant, his mind began racing along with his heart. "Your DNA is compatible, son. That's what we're trying to tell you. Incubus and humans can interbreed freely", said Puck, carefully wording the statement. Jasper froze dead solid. His face couldn't burn any brighter if he tried. "..O-...Okay..", he managed to utter. Veda chuckled at his reaction. Hugging him tightly, she she whispered something else, "I'd love to see it happen one day, but be careful for now. You two are still young." Eventually, Jasper was released to his own thoughts. He'd promised Yona a special night soon and now he had to sit on this information. Why did the universe hate him so?
-
That night, Lucy and Yona were talking about the eclipse again. Wendy was happy to learn more, but Natsu was bored. He'd heard enough. Besides, he had bigger fish to fry. Sneaking off, he managed to leave Happy behind, but someone else wasn't so easily dislodged. He was so focused on confronting Nova, he didn't even notice the footsteps trailing him. It took some time to track the strange mage, but he finally found her in the far reaches of the sanctum. She stood alone in the moon light, staring sadly at the starry heavens above through the crevice overhead. She didn't bother to turn when as approached. She knew he'd come sooner or later. She'd only hoped it would be later.
"The stars are beautiful tonight, aren't they?", she said distantly, a sad smile across her lips. "The stars are ever intertwined with fire...Lucy said she'd keep you safe", she ventured, finally glancing over. Natsu blushed faintly. He got the gist of what she meant. "Why would I need Lucy to save me? From what? Just who are you and don't run away this time!", he said. "I'd like to know that, too", smirked Gray, a few feet away. Natsu tensed, angry he hadn't realized he was being followed. "Gray, go away. This doesn't concern you", he growled. Ignoring him, the ice mage strode forward. "Since when do I need your permission to go somewhere?", he shrugged. Nova seemed to grin at their rivalry. "You have good friends, Natsu. Don't chase them away...I made that mistake once. It's difficult to undo", she uttered. Frustrated, Natsu glared mildly. "Just tell me who you are. Why do you keep staring at me? Why do I recognize your smell?!"
Nova stood in shock briefly. "...You...remember me?", she asked carefully. "Not entirely, but something's familiar. What is it? Tell me!", replied the dragon slayer. Gray watched with interest. "Why the secrets?...Are you his mom or something?", teased the ice mage. Nova clenched her eyes shut before giving him a stare that would chill death itself. "Don't be ridiculous!...I knew Igneel...I can tell you that much...Perhaps you met me once a long time ago", she said nostalgically. "You knew my dad?", asked Natsu, skeptically. Nova nodded slowly. "I did. He was...a good friend a long, long time ago." Gray dropped the taunting. Something serious as brewing here, but what? "Whatever it is, just tell him. I know this bonehead. He's not going to give up", he ventured. Something scurried through shadows nearby. Tepin somersaulted between the fairies and her mistress. "Nova-sama's had enough questions. Leave her alone!", she fussed. Nova's strength was failing. Tears welled up in her eyes. Tepin could feel them and it hurt. "Can't you see what you're doing? You're making her cry! Just let her be!", she shouted.
Taking a deep breath, Nova pulled herself together. "That's enough, Tepin. I don't need you to protect me", she said. The girl looked back with pleading eyes. "But Nova-sama!", she argued. Turning her eyes onto Gray, Nova said, "Leave us." Her young friend glared at the ice mage until he gave in. "Fine, but don't be long", he said, passing Natsu back toward camp. "You, too, Tepin", said Nova. The girl tensed, but obeyed. She sent Natsu a look as she left that pleaded with him to drop the issue. Once Gray and Tepin were gone, Nova stepped down from her perch and approached the dragon slayer. "You've grown strong. Igneel raised you well", she said, fighting the urge to reach out. As she got closer, her right arm grew ever more painful. It was screaming for her to back away. With little choice, she ceased her movement and stared at him from several yards away.
"Tell me the truth...How did you know my dad?", said Natsu, trying to relax. "I already told you, we were good friends once. As you know, Igneel had no problem making friends with humans", replied Nova calmly. "But you're not human", observed Natsu. She grinned faintly. "It's the ears that give me away, isn't it?", she sighed. Natsu peered at her in question. "You smell like them...Tartarus...Are you one of his demons?", he inquired. "Would you hate me if I said yes?", she replied. They stared at one another in complex silence. "That depends", he said stiffly. Nova glanced back toward the skies with a heavy sigh. "I was once. I left them long ago, before the dragon war", she stated. Natsu relaxed slightly. "So you have no ties with them now?", he asked. Nova shook her head. "I will always have a connection with Zeref, but never again with Tartarus", she said, placing a hand over her burning guild mark. There was that name again. Why did Zeref seem to haunt Natsu?
"What's the connection?", he demanded. Nova smiled lightly. "You want to know if I'm a threat to your friends...I admire that...But I assure you, I'm not", she said. He stared, waiting for her to answer his question. "You're as stubborn as your father", she grinned. "Zeref and I knew each other, it's true. You could even say we were close once...I guess I just wanted to believe he was good deep down or maybe I was just foolish. Either way, we're forever connected now...He cursed me into this form. In return, I cursed him with immortality." Natsu glared intensely. He was livid inside. It was all her fault that Zeref was still around! "Why?! Why would you do that? Do you even know what he's done?!", he shouted. Nova shied her gaze as the harshness of his voice. "I do...But it was the only", she said in a low tone. "Why didn't you just kill him if he wronged you so badly? What were you before?" Drawing a deep breath, she met his fiery gaze. "Zeref is awful, but if he's allowed to reincarnate, you cannot even imagine the hells he will unleash", she stated firmly. Natsu seemed to back down a bit. "What do you mean?"
"Zeref has mastered death magic. Is it such a surprise that he could then manipulate the cycle of reincarnation? If he's this strong as a human, just think what he'd be like if he chose a stronger form. Yes, I sealed his life in perpetual motion and yes, part of my reason was selfish, but part of it wasn't. I knew his plans. You don't want to know what he would have done in those days...There's a reason he gave me lazarus magic...He needed someone to help reopen the portal on the side of the living for him to come back as a true demon...He trusted me and I used that against him...I know you've faced Tartarus and I know Zeref has given you hardships, but trust me, you are strong enough to beat him and I'm glad that guild was destroyed."
He stared nearly agape. He was strong enough to defeat Zeref? Igneel had said something similar. What did it all mean? "There is still hope of sealing his power once and for all...When I defected from his ranks, I did something that forever tied me to his name...I alone had the power in those days, but I was selfish and fool hardy. I spent centuries looking for a way to reclaim my true form. He sealed it along with my birth magic and my name. What and who you see were forged in Tartarus...One day, I decided to leave this land and try to run away, I suppose...With some help, I shed my etherias form and sealed in the the book of E.N.D...I was once Nova Draconi. I left that name behind, as well, and chose Necahual to replace it...Did you know Necahual means, 'Left behind; survivor'..I'm the last of my kind now and I can't even show it...I lost this war a long time ago..." Tears streamed down her face now. Natsu wasn't really sure how to react. She'd told him the truth as he asked, but it still didn't answer his main question. What did all have to do with him?
-
Several years ago, in the not so distant past, three fey gathered on a hill top. Nova, Puck, and Igneel had agreed to meet. Nova could no longer bare her shame in Fiore. She wanted to leave, but before she could do that, she needed to ensure that her homeland had a weapon against the tyrant, Zeref. "It's been many years, 'Nova Draconi'...Are you sure this is what you want?", said Igneel, his voice filling the area. She nodded, staring at the dirt. She couldn't bring herself to truly face him. It was only with Puck's help that she even appeared before the dragon she once shared so much with. "I'll do it..for Fiore...I'm no savior...I caused this mess. I should at least give the world a chance to fix it", she uttered with shame. "Pulling your etherias form out won't be easy", stated Puck. "I don't care how much it hurts. Just do it...I can't take this anymore...", said Nova, tears beginning to fall. Puck glanced at the dragon who seemed to nod.
Massive amounts of magic were needed. Every fiber of Puck's being screamed out in strain as he wrangled the demon out of Nova. It was deeply rooted, clinging to her for dear life. Finally, it was done. The elf fell to his knees, out of breath. Nova, too, hit the ground. Igneel watched over them both as they recovered. A dark book marked "E.N.D." laid beside them. The magic had to be forcefully pulled from Nova's body. Its last hold was her right arm. Her skin cracked and bled. Her flesh stated falling off the bone. Igneel had seen enough. Nova had made many mistakes, but he still loved her and couldn't watch her suffer such agony. He managed to create a new arm for her, one of stone and fire. Her new limb smelled strongly of ash as it took form. Lava now replaced blood and stone now replaced flesh. She tearfully smiled at her former lover, grateful for his sympathy.
Puck stared at the dragon's work. It was truly astounding, but his work was not yet done. Puck got into a comfortable sitting position. The melted flesh of Nova's arm laid in a small heap beside him. "Are you sure you have the strength for this?", inquired Igneel with concern. "We've come this far. I have to finish it", said the elf. Nova looked on him with concern. His mana was greatly depleted already. "Don't worry. If I lose the last ounce of magic in my body, I won't die...I'll just go home", he assured. She nodded. Placing one hand on the book and the other on the remnants of her shed flesh, Nova readied herself. She wanted to make it impossible for Zeref to undo their hard work, thus it was agreed that her etherias form would not only be removed, but split into two and sealed independently from one another. Puck's magic flowed through her body, giving the second half its shape. Blood poured from her left eye, staining it permanently red. Slowly, the flesh on the ground took shape. When the magical fallout settled, a new life cried before them, an infant.
Igneel watched the child with kind eyes. He'd agreed to keep it safe. Puck turned his attention to the book. He cast a complex seal on it, impossible to break unless magic itself ceased to exist. Ignoring her bleeding eye, Nova held the child in her good arm, smiling through tears at his tiny face. In a way, she'd finally given Igneel a son. Puck finished the chant and the book was sealed. He was weak, very weak. Most of his mana was gone. His body trembled from the strain. Despite his fatigue, he smiled gently at the baby. "What will you call him?", he asked. "The spring of my life ended when I lost my wings. Autumn was my time in Tartarus. The rest has been winter ever since...This child is hope for a new start, a summer to warm the hearts of men...I'll call him Natsu", she said, her voice cracking. She thought the hard part was over, but she was wrong. The hardest thing was yet to come - leaving the child behind. Puck offered a kind grin. "A good name", he said. "He will be raised by the great dragon, Igneel...so for his last name, we'll combine the two. Welcome to life, Natsu Dragneel", said Nova, smiling as the infant squeezed her finger in his tiny hand.
"There's only one last thing to do", said Igneel, breaking up the moment. Nova tried not to cry, but she couldn't help it. She wept as she placed the child in the elf's arms. Using the last of his magic, Puck placed a seal over the boy, preventing him from reviving memories of his former body and allowing him to survive without a mother's milk. Wearily, Puck handed the boy back to Nova as his body started to fade from view. He panted, exhausted, as he glanced as at his hands, now disappearing. "Looks like I over did it...", he wheezed, the light dimming from his eyes. "Thank you, Puck. I hope your wife will understand you being gone so long", said Igneel. The elf nodded. "Veda will...She'll wait for me...I'll regenerate once I'm back in Avalon...in time...", he said. He smiled at the child one last time before vaporizing into ethernano.
Once he was gone, Nova clutched the child closely and stared at the tome nearby. "Nova, it's done. Once you regain your strength, you must go. We have a deal. I'll look after the boy. Hide the book and yourself. That is your duty now. Zeref will have undoubtedly sensed the change in you. He won't be far behind", said Igneel. "Yes...Where will you take him?", she asked. "Away from this site. We can leave no traces. I'll settle down near a town where he can get the things he needs...It's been a long time since I trained a dragon slayer...Do you think I can still do it?", teased the dragon. Nova grinned faintly. "Of course you can; You're the flame king", she said. "You were royalty once", he said, a hint of regret in his voice. You could almost see the darkness settle over the poor demon. "That was a long time ago. The spirits are on their own now. They have new leaders", she uttered. "Still, it's a pity they'll never be together again", sighed Igneel, eying the infant. "Leo has a king now. He'll keep the zodiac together. While the others are scattered, they can least remember one another...", trailed Nova, missing her true form.
Silence fell over them. Nova cradled her son as he slept. She was weak, but she would have no choice, but to move soon. "Lani-", began Igneel. "Don't say that name!..I don't deserve it anymore...", said Nova, startling the child. "I'll take good care of him. Take the book and go. We're running out of time. She slowly rose and handed the boy over. "I will never again fly beside you nor will I ever again be Laniakea...My name is Nova now...Nova Necahual, a demon cast aside and forgotten. The world has already moved on and the rest will forget soon enough...including you, Natsu..."
She kissed the baby's brow and watched her former love take the child somewhere safely away form her. She wept whole-heartedly. She knew she couldn't linger. Her former comrades would be on her trail. She knew they would also sense the change in their fallen queen. Trudging toward the sea, she lamented for her losses. She'd lost her royal title twice, once as the queen of the stars and again as the demon queen. She would give anything to become herself once more, but it was impossible now. In time, she would leave Fiore behind, but not before being assailed and losing the book to Sayla. Still, she knew Igneel would keep the boy safe and that was enough.
-
Back in the present, Natsu wasn't getting anything else out of Nova. She had clearly said all she would. "Now go. You're friends will be looking for you. Tell them what I am if you must, but I promise you I mean no harm. I'm through with Zeref", she said. He lingered a moment, staring, wondering what she was still hiding, but it seemed he wasn't going to find out any time soon. With a deep breath, he turned to leave. It was better this way, she thought. Natsu would face Zeref one day and learn the truth, but for now, he was simply a dragon slayer, a mage of Fairy Tail, and someone with friends and a future. That was good enough for now. Watching him disappear into the shadows, Gray's words rang in her head. "His mother?...Don't be ridiculous!" Taking a deep breath, she sighed. "I don't deserve such a title or recognition..Just go and please be happy."
-
To be continued...