Act 3
Alright guys! You've been spoiled the past couple of days, but updates go back to once every two days!
33
The Hound of the Baskervilles
"That which is clearly known hath less terror than that which is but hinted at and guessed."
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles
For a mercy the troia managed to last all the way through the train ride, and the village itself was only an hour on foot after that so Lucy was happy to walk the rest of the way instead of take a carriage.
"So Lucy, what do you think could be doing this?" Happy asked as the building came into sight and the reality their job was starting hit them.
"I dunno," Lucy replied, "I'm sure it's some kind of magic though. Maybe a magic creature that lures people away?"
"What?! There are things that do that?!" Happy exclaimed in horror.
Lucy rolled her eyes at his antics, "How should I know?" She retorted, "I'm just throwing ideas out there. Natsu would be the one who could tell you."
"But how did you even think of something like that?" Happy demanded and Lucy sighed, "Look, Earth might not have magic, but that doesn't stop us from having stories about it okay? And a lot of those involve people being lured away by someone or something." She shrugged, "You wouldn't believe how many stories fit the description of men mysteriously vanishing in the night."
"Yeah?" Natsu asked curiously, "Like what?"
"Well, there's the succubus who lures them away and feeds on their energy." Their sexual energy, but she wasn't going to mention that in front of Happy, "Then you get things like the Rusalka who lure men into their pools to drown them." She shrugged, "But I doubt any of that meshes with stuff native to Earthland, so there's no telling."
"Wow... your world sounds rough Lucy." Happy murmured, and Lucy rolled her eyes again, "That kind of stuff isn't real remember?"
She looked at Natsu, "So what do you think it might be? A demoness or something?"
Natsu shrugged, a yawn pulling from the back of his throat, "Doesn't matter what it is so long as I can beat it up!"
He thought about it long and hard as he tried to figure out what it could be, "I dunno what could make men disappear in the middle of the night. But whatever it is, it has to be good. Maybe food?"
"Or fish!" Happy added with a flick of his tail.
"Those are both the same thing," Lucy tiredly replied, letting loose a quiet sigh. Her boys gave her a baffled look and she just groaned.
"I think only you two would be lured away by the smell of something cooking," Lucy huffed and walked on ahead, unable to help but be amused by their easy thoughts.
It was a simple reasoning, and Lucy wondered if Natsu was intentionally being silly about the situation so not to frighten Happy. She paused mid-stride to study him, wondering if he had thought about that where it had passed over her mind.
Happy was still very little, and capable of being easily frightened.
He was a brave kitten though for wanting to come along.
"There's no use worrying about it until we talk to the villagers right?" Lucy waited for them at the gate, waiting for Natsu to lazily stride up.
The gate surrounding the small down looked hastily put together. It didn't rise very high at all, so it was easy to miss from the road. But there was something about how it had been clumsily nailed together that put Lucy on edge.
It was something Natsu seemed to pick up too, as something in his face shifted and darkened.
They were greeted by two stone faced women at the front, their expressions hard and unwelcoming. Together they eyed Natsu with such a severe look, Lucy felt an odd sensation of cold slide down into her stomach.
"Uh, hi?" Lucy asked nervously, more than a little put off by those hard icy stares, "I'm Lucy and this is Natsu. We're here about the job?" A job that was suddenly looking a lot less fun.
She jumped a little when they turned their gazes on her, "We know why you're here." One told her harshly, "And if you know what's good for your friend you'll tell him to go back the way he came."
Lucy and Natsu both narrowed their eyes a little at that, "I'm not going back anywhere!" He growled fiercely at them, "I might not know what dumb thing is kidnapping the guys around here, but it doesn't matter! Magical or not I'll still beat it up!"
"Aye!" Happy agreed just as fiercely, though the effect was somewhat lessened on him.
"Look." Lucy spoke up, trying to play peacekeeper, "We realize this job is dangerous, but we've already accepted it, and Fairy Tail wizards don't go back on their word. And Natsu's not exactly ordinary. So why not give us a chance?"
One of the women snorted, "It doesn't matter. He's still a man, and that means he won't be able to resist it. None of them can. We have to lock our remaining men up at night and guard them. You're better off leaving."
The other one appeared to be wavering a little though, "Maybe we should give them a chance." She murmured, "They're already here, and maybe their magic will make them immune..."
"It won't do anything!" The first woman snapped harshly, but turned in a huff, "But it doesn't matter now. It's their funeral. Do whatever you want." She turned and stomped off.
"Please forgive her." The second woman murmured, bowing to them, "Her husband was one of the first victims. She's had it very hard since then. Please, come with me. I'll show you where you can stay and explain what I can."
Silence stretched out between them, Natsu exchanging a look with Lucy and shrugging.
He was confident he wouldn't be so easily tricked or lured away by certain magics. Sure, he could be sort of dim witted at times, but that was thanks to his own impulsive and hotheaded nature. Natsu wasn't an idiot that could be tricked that easily.
And sometimes his straightforward way of thinking was precisely what saved him from illusion-type magic.
"We won't dishonor our guild's name," Natsu said finally, a firmness in the set of his jaw that hadn't been there before, "We'll get your men back and stomp whatever weird thing is taking them away."
He nodded over at Lucy and grinned, letting her take the lead as he was bound to flare up in a fit of temper at some point. Lucy was more than likely the best chance to reason with these women.
They were lead into the town, the gate shuttering closed behind them. Eyes followed their trek from every direction, all of them focused on Natsu.
This time he was getting the stares not because they knew what he was or even who he was, but because they thought he was going to suffer the same fate as their men.
"So... what's been happening exactly?" Lucy asked, anxious to break the oppressive silence that hung over the place.
"We don't know exactly." The woman replied, "The men say they hear a voice in the distance. It's a woman's voice. Some say it sounds like their wives. Some say it sounds like the most beautiful voice they've ever heard. But they all say she sounds like she's in trouble, and they're overcome with a desperate urge to go after it and help."
Tears stung her eyes, "Then, if we don't stop them, they disappear into the mists. Not even locking them up always helps. The only thing that seems to calm it is if the one they love is there at all times to assure them they're alright and there."
She was crying openly by now, and Lucy put her arm around her shoulders, "That's horrible." She murmured sympathetically, and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry though. I promise Natsu and I will get to the bottom of this for you."
"Thank you." The woman sniffled as they approached a small inn, "My husband and I own this inn. You may stay here free of charge. We have a couple of hours before sunset so I'll get some dinner for you. I'm afraid you're the only guests at the moment."
"That's fine." Lucy re-assured her hastily, and smiled, "Thank you. And let me know if you need a hand cooking. I'm not a chef or anything, but I know my way around a kitchen."
"Sorta," Natsu said cheekily, earning himself a karate chop to the top of his head. He yelped and rubbed his hands through his spikes.
That caused a small swell of laughter to break out and dispel the tense atmosphere surrounding them. The woman's tears dried and she gave them both a weak smile, one Lucy returned.
Together they moved around the inn as a meal was prepared. One Natsu completely annihilated within minutes. Lucy sighed and watched the carnage unfold, unable to do anything but shield Happy from bits of flying food.
But soon as night fell, the atmosphere once again thickened with fear, and the men were slowly herded away out of sight. Natsu perked up at the sight of them all being lead off, and was unable to help but wonder if they thought they would be safe behind four walls.
"I guess it's time for them to try and stay where they are for the night," Lucy sighed. She stood up from the table and looked fiercely at Natsu, "It's up to us to make sure they get their lives back to normal."
Natsu nodded and stood up after her, slamming his fist into an open palm, a rush of fire escaping him from the contact, "Sounds fun to me!"
"We're definitely going to get them back, and kick whoevers ass is doing this crap," He growled fiercely, his eyes darkening in anger, "It ain't right for them to be so scared."
Lucy took Happy into her arms and stood up, "Alright then, well we might as well start looking around. I'm sure if we head to the tree line where most of the reports of the missing men have happened, something is bound to shake loose."
Natsu nodded and they headed out into the evening, tense and ready for whatever might happen.
Sure enough, once the last rays of sunlight were gone, a thick fog began rolling in from the depths of the forest itself, "Creepy!" Lucy shivered as it overcame them and spread through the town itself.
"Yeah." Natsu growled in agreement, "Keep your guard up." He glanced around warily, making sure to stay close to Lucy so they didn't get separated. He didn't like this fog. It wasn't natural, and it made him want to bare his fangs and snarl.
"Right." Lucy moved a bit closer to him, "Can you hear or smell anything?" She asked. It was no use trying to see through it. Even with Natsu burning it away they wouldn't have the greatest visibility.
"Nu uh. Nothing. I don't like it though."
"Yeah, me neither. Let me summon Pyxis. He'll at least be able to keep us going in the right direction."
"Good idea."
Normally, Natsu was more inclined to make fun of the weird bird compass than pay attention to it, but in this case the little guy would be useful as long as they didn't lose him in the fog.
Lucy pulled out the little silver key, one of four their guildmates had found for her in the early days, and slashed it through the air, "Okay Pyxis, we need you to help us find a bunch of people that were kidnapped." She told it once she'd summoned it, "We think they're somewhere to the northwest."
Pyxis peeped enthusiastically at her and his compass spun around for a moment before settling.
"Alright. That way it is." Lucy nodded and glanced at Natsu, who was looking a little paler than she thought he should, "You alright?" She asked in concern, "Do you hear something?"
He shook his head, his fingers fidgeting in his scarf. It was true, he didn't feel so great. There was nothing physically wrong with him, but there was just a small sense of unease he couldn't shake.
He grinned at her and shook his head, "I'm fine. The only thing I hear is the crickets." He followed the weird bird spirit and Lucy.
"Keep a hold on Happy, the fog is getting super thick," Natsu reached out and took her hand so he didn't lose sight of Lucy. His eyes were very sharp, but he didn't want to risk it. That, and he stood a better chance of guiding her around obstacles if the fog got too thick.
"Right," Lucy replied, her grip in his hand tightening.
Natsu grinned at her, but stopped a moment later when a sudden sound made him freeze, "Wait-" He warned.
The sound rolled in from the fog, heavy on the tops of the trees surrounding them. What was worse, it seemed to flow from every direction, as if it came from the mist itself.
Natsu blinked and shook his head, his other hand rising to clear his mind. Something fuzzy seemed to be encroaching on his senses, dulling them from their usual sharpness.
A high pitched whining.
"Natsu, what's wrong?" Happy asked, looking at the dragon worriedly. Natsu shook his head and held up a hand, his eyes searching through the haze.
"It's a high pitched noise. It's loud," Natsu's brow furrowed and he glanced at the two of them, "You can't hear it?"
At the twin looks of apprehension on their face and their shaking heads, Natsu knew quite solidly they had no idea what he was talking about.
"I think we're getting close," Natsu said after a moment, relieved he wasn't hearing any strange women crying out for him.
Lucy looked relieved as well, "Well it seems that whatever is affecting the villagers here doesn't have the same affect on you. It might be because your physiology is different."
"Huh, guess whatever is doing this isn't used to working on guys that are something other than human," Natsu eyed Happy, "Explains why you can't hear it at all, huh?"
"Aye." Happy murmured tremulously. The little kitten was starting to get really scared now, and burrowed closer to Lucy. He would've preferred Natsu, but he knew he would get in the way if Natsu had to fight. Something he'd learned early on, and had resolved to find a way to fix. He would help Natsu fight one day!
However, that day was not today, and he was very scared.
"Is there any way for you to follow it?" Lucy asked hopefully. Pyxis was good, but Natsu's tracking ability would be better. He was like a bloodhound once he got a sound or scent to follow.
Unfortunately Natsu just shook his head, "Naw, it sounds like it's coming from all around. I wouldn't even begin to know where to look."
Lucy slumped a little at that, "Well it was worth a try. Let's keep following Pyxis. With luck you'll be able to figure it out the closer we get."
Natsu nodded and they continued through the mist, but it didn't take long before Natsu noticed the sound was starting to sound less plain whining and more frustrated whining. He smirked a bit at the thought that they were annoying it without even seeing it.
His smirk quickly turned into horror though as another sound became audible. A rumbling one that was all too natural and familiar. And getting louder. Loud enough for Lucy and Happy to look around.
"What in the world-?" Lucy asked only to yelp as Natsu snagged her around the waist and threw her over his shoulder without regard to anything and began to sprint as fast as he could move.
"Natsu what are you doing?!"
"Savin' your butts!" Natsu huffed as he ran, "That's either a rockslide or a mudslide. I'm not sure which, and I'm not sticking around to find out!"
He chanced a look behind him, his eyes nearly bugging out of his head as he saw a mudslide bearing down on them. Lucy was shouting something in his ear and fumbling for her keys. Natsu wasn't sure how successful she would be, or who she thought she could summon to help them, but it couldn't have been easy with her bouncing around on his shoulder.
Or with a frightened cat digging his claws into her arm.
Unfortunately he realized they were quickly running out of ground. A fast moving river separated them from freedom. Lucy would surely break her neck on the rocks in the rapids. Without being able to see in the dark it was an invitation to trouble.
He twisted around onto his heel, taking in a deep breath of air. They had to make a stand where they were. He just hoped it would be enough. Lucy's hand gripped onto the back of his shirt tightly at his sudden movement. Her gasp breathed against his neck thanks to her twisting position to see what he was doing, and he used her warmth to ground himself in the moment.
He let out a roaring bellow of flame, the spiral of light slamming into the heavy mudslide and baking it into something hard and immobile. A clay wall stood before them, smoking and super-heated by Natsu's flames.
He panted and grinned after waiting a moment to see if everything was clear.
"Ha, stupid mudslide," Natsu crowed and lightly dropped Lucy to the ground.
"Way to go Natsu," Lucy said in relief, groaning a bit at the suddenness of being back on her feet.
"What caused it though?" Happy questioned, staring at the giant clay wall standing in front of them like a frozen wave. Natsu was already approaching it, his fist knocking on the surface.
"I dunno, a mudslide like this shouldn't have been possible, but here we are," He shrugged, "I didn't think this was the right kind of area for stuff like this but-"
Before he could explore whatever thought he had, a low rumble shook the earth anew, and a large crack split in the hardened wall Natsu had created. His eyes went wide in a split second, his head turning towards Lucy and mouth open to shout out a warning.
And the wall abruptly shattered, throwing all three into the river behind them.
Review Responses will begin again starting next chapter! Thank you to everyone and your patience! It's been a fun couple of days, but I need an extra one to get the responses out to you all! Thank you again for all the birthday wishes! We really appreciate it! :D We also received a wonderful gift of fanart for my birthday from the-heart-of-a-writer on tumblr! You can find it here! Just replace the X's with periods!
the-heart-of-a-writerXtumblrXcom/post/133450906609/natsu-with-happys-egg-honestly-i-couldnt-get
And here is your sneak peek for blowing my mind again!
"Natsu!" She called out into the dark forest, "Natsu where are you!"
Predictably, there was no response to her calls.
At least, not in the form of Natsu responding to her.
What she heard instead was a rustling sound that sent shivers of fear up her spine as she turned to peer into the inky darkness, "Who's there?" She demanded, her hand flying to Virgo's key, "I warn you, I'm not helpless!"