Walking back from the railing Laxus sat on one of the couches of the second floor of the guild. He and his team, the Thunder God Tribe, had been watching the events shown by the lacrima just as everyone else did. Though as it might sound coming from his mouth he was truly curious as to what the Lacrima could provide, not just to himself but the guild as a whole. For now the events of the childhood of Zeref and a Natsu lookalike were getting to his nerves. He'd never imagined the Black Mage would act like "Zeref" did, though what really got to him was when the Lacrima answered Gray's questions about the Fairy Queen. To think there was a council of higher beings dictating how the world should work, he certainly didn't like that, but where were they? He himself had heard of the Cult of Fay before, from reading the older sections in the archives of the guild years ago; So why hasn't another god placed themselves in the Fairy Queen's place after her death?
Either way it all resulted in him developing a migraine after a while, and it didn't help him notice the increasingly sympathetic reactions of his team at the plight of the two boy's on screen. Evergreen was openly sobbing, so much that she had to clean her glasses several times since yesterday. Bickslow's "Babies" were showing everything he needed to know, faux crying, as best as puppets could do anyway. Even Fried shed a tear, though for him it seemed different than just what was shown by the Lacrima. Did the events bring any bad memories? It was strange, after the episode ended he looked bit hopeful; if he were to describe it. 'What a shit-show' he lamented.
He thought back about a moment that bothered him. There was something strange about the way Natsu spoke to that Council woman. He'd overheard Levy and Mirajane talking about the 'feeling' that Natsu described. Quite insane speculation if you ask him. However something rang true in that discussion, Natsu didn't seem to know where the 'feeling' came from or why it was there. He had an idea of what it might be, though insane in some ways, it wasn't too unbelievable if you took in Natsu's apparent soul fragmentation. Especially after what he found yesterday.
After everyone left, he'd stayed in the guild to comb over the old archives. He wanted as much knowledge of the history of the Fairy Queen as possible. What he found instead was a book of Fairy Tales seemingly about her; written by the first master. Even if it seemed innocuous Laxus decided to read it, it was the only information on her he had found after all. However it wasn't long till he found a strange detail in the stories told by the book. They didn't read like children's tales. Instead the book read more like a diary, it had dates and all. After more than a bit of reading two individuals were exceedingly prominent in the diary, above names like Precht, Warrod, and Yuri; who he knew as the Second Master, a friend of the First, and his great grandfather. Those two were referred to as 'Big Brother', and 'Papa' with no other names to call them. With all the actual tales written on the diary being stories told by "Papa" and "Big Brother" to the First when she was a little girl.
He had an idea, but it was best not to jump into insane ramblings like Mirajane.
"What do you guys think?" Levy asked her fellow guildmates. The episode had finished and everyone was mostly on high spirits after that ending.
"Quite ingenious thinking from Zeref I would say" Makarov said.
"It was unexpected," Gray added. He noticed Makarov taking a glance at him and recoiled.
"It was amazing. That beautiful reconciliation between brothers" Mirajane joined. Her heart skipped for a second during The argument, though it wasn't for any melodramatic reasons like she displayed outwardly. It just, reminded her of a similar one she once had with her late younger sister, Lisanna.
"Though we don't have a lot of context on what happened during that year the Lacrima skipped." Levy said.
"Didn't their inner thoughts tell us though? They met Isaac and Jackal." Mira spoke again her thoughts changing to the conversation at hand.
"That was weird" Gray said. He felt a shiver run down his spine each time the two boys monologued in their minds. It was like their thoughts and feelings were forcefully inserted into his brain. That was probably one of the magics the lacrima used, though he'd never heard of a magic that did that.
"It was, though—Levy closed her notepad—I don't really have as much written as I would like." She turned to Erza who had stayed uncharacteristically silent during the whole episode. She remembered the promise she made the scarlet knight and blushed at the huge mistake she made. She could never save up enough money to buy the amount of cheese cake Erza expected. "Erza?" she asked.
Erza suddenly turned as if by a reflex at the sound of her voice, all else seemingly tuned out. "Oh." She looked to have gotten her bearings then. "S-sorry Levy" she sputtered.
"Its fine Erza," she assured the redhead. "uh, so what did you write down?" A moment later Erza handed her the notebook she'd been writing and rapidly skimmed through the pages. During the minute or so she spent doing that something came very clear to her.
"Um, Erza?"
"Yeah?"
"Is. Is this what you wrote?" Levy asked blinking several times at the twenty or so pages of what seemed to be a very turbulent inner discussion Erza was having with herself as well as a family tree that consisted of just of Natsu, Zeref and Irene, as well as their parents and a lot of question marks.
"Yes."
Levy felt as if Erza's gaze was boring a hole into her skull "Do you mind if I copy the family tree?" she asked, at which Erza simply nodded. A couple minutes later once she was done. While she wrote down the family tree she skimmed through the writing as discretely as she could. She never imagined Erza could have such thoughts, it was so unlike how she acted normally; she feared she might have read some really private thoughts from the redhead. she turned to Erza again "W-what do I do with these?"
"I'll take care of them." Erza snatched them from Levy's hands and put them in her Requip dimension.
Levy didn't know what to say at the stoic mage. She wasn't sure if asking about Erza's thoughts was okay or if—"Hey Levy!"—'thank you Mira!'
The two turned to an excited Mirajane with a blue letter in her hands, much like the one Erza brought to the guild that morning. They quickly approached the barmaid and noticed Makarov and Gray beside her.
"Well. Aren't you going to open it?" Gray asked the model.
In turn Mirajane pouted at the Ice mage "So impatient." she muttered as she opened the letter and read it out loud.
You have finished episode two of Fairy Tail Origins: Childhood Troubles. Congratulations. Below is the code for episode three.
003NL-E
"The episodes have titles?" Gray said.
"It seems so." Mirajane said, "Hey can you show us all the episode titles? Please?" she asked the letter. To her delight new words appeared in the white of the letter a few seconds later.
For asking so nicely your request is granted, however only the episodes you've seen and the one you're currently seeing will be available until more episodes are watched.
Episode One: Old Story
Episode Two: Childhood Troubles
Episode Three: The Continent To The East
"Such a nice fellow" Mira said.
'huh' Makarov was intrigued by the entity who gave them the directions.
"So we'll see their journey to Ishgar next!" Levy said.
"What do they mean by calling episode one Old Story?" Gray muttered to himself.
"Lets continue." Erza stoically said interrupted their thoughts and immediately started the Lacrima.
X351 Alakitasia
February 2nd
"Another time skip" Macao mentioned.
"Don't think they'll be leaving anytime soon" Laki said.
Waves crashed on rocky shores and as seagulls flew by, some perched on the rocks looting through rocky beach while others prowled by the nearby port. Just a few kilometers away from the city with many boats coming and going all over the continent and beyond their wooden foundations the port of Cálicia stood proudly. Fishermen and trades men just finished their daily routine and long voyage walked by the sturdy wooden planks of the port. Exhausted or Just waking up from a trip, all were eager to do some business; And just by the west side of the port where all the largest ships docked, a ship towered over all other vessels around it, dozens of men hauled provisions and equipment into the ship with a long line passengers steadily boarding it as well. Just beside that line waiting were two brothers, Zeref and Natsu.
They stood in wait eager and at the same time sad. It was the day of departure, they would have to leave Alakitasia behind in their journey to Ishgar. The journey was long and treacherous, crossing the great sea between the two continents was a feat only achievable by the most modern and state of the art vessels safely and consistently. It was unlikely they would ever return and so this would their final goodbyes to the kids and Ms. Jean. They didn't have to wait for long them to arrive however as unbeknownst to them a large group walked through the port and got close enough for them to hear the shout of a young boy coming behind them.
"Hey!" Jackal screamed, a large bag, hanged from his shoulder. He jumped up and down as he ran to meet the brothers; his footsteps creaked and echoed on the wooden foundations of the port. Natsu and Zeref's confused face as they turned around to see the source the shout brought a grin to Jackal's face
"You're coming with us?" Natsu asked. He guessed Zeref already knew by his lack of reaction.
"He is" Another voice interjected. Turning around the brothers were greeted with the sight of an older woman, Ms. Jean.
Ms. Jean was a young woman with dark green colored eyes and long curly blonde hair that flowed down all the way to her elbows. As the orphanage's owner she looked after each and every kid in the place as if they were her own children; Except for Zeref, whom she treated like an assistant and together ran the place. That was until she fell ill with an unknown disease and wasn't able to move or speak without it being an agonizing experience (at times she even lost consciousness from the pain whenever she overexerted herself); As such she wasn't able to perform her duties as Director and for months her sickness didn't quell, leaving the orphanage full of worried and hungry children. Therefore Natsu and a few other kids took matters into their own hands once food began to run on short supply; and Zeref had to leave her side tending for her to put down that trading guild. Despite her disease quelling for a few weeks now she was still hurt and recovering from its side effects, but she will recover fast, she's young, twenty three, only a few years older than Zeref; though that made her illness all the more concerning.
She approached the brothers (and Jackal) with a walking stick in hand, a few older kids from the orphanage accompanied either to say goodbye to the brothers or to help Jean stay uninjured and well in case of emergency.
"I … trust you Zeref. Take care of him, please." Jean said with difficulty.
"I understand, I'll make sure no harm comes his way."
"I'm sure of that." Jean smiled. A smile that made Zeref's cheeks turn pink and avoid the gaze of the Director.
"Hmm?" Natsu shifted between Jean and Zeref for a moment. He walked up to Zeref and whispered "Just ask for a kiss."
"What!?" Zeref whispered back, blood rushed to his face.
"I mean we're leaving and don't worry I'll ask for one too" he reassured the young adult.
"What? No. I … fine." he replied a bead of sweat running down his brow ridge. He then saw Natsu walk up to Jean and whisper something in her ear. And as Natsu said Jean gave the boy a kiss on the cheek.
"That's so cute" Mira said.
"Zeref had a childhood crush huh." Levy wrote down.
"I wouldn't say childhood; he is your age now." Mirajane mentioned.
"Oh yeah, he's seventeen now, and Natsu twelve. Oh, and Jackal is younger than Natsu by two years, so ten." Levy trailed off checking her notes.
Gray was getting tired of the Lacrima. He understood what Makarov meant when he spoke to him, but it still is difficult to think in that way for him. If someone had told him a few days ago that Zeref had a crush on an orphanage owner he would have called bullshit and knock the guy out with an ice hammer. Now though, it felt surreal seeing it on the projection and for a moment he reminisced to a similar feeling he once had for an older woman too. He hated that.
Zeref shakily walked up to face Jean. He noticed her smile got wider and his hands turned into a soaked mess. It was something about Jean's smile that made his heart race, and in all the years he's known her he hasn't been able to point out what it was. "Ms. Jean, I want to say goodbye and wish you fortune on your future. I-" he stopped himself once he noticed Jean was about to speak.
"Zeref. As much as I don't want to say goodbye as well; You're traveling your own path now, Ishgar is a long way off." She moved her head up, her eyes meeting with Zeref's " I know you well enough that you'll be able to shoulder the responsibility of handling those two … though, I'll miss those conversations we had."
"Me too." He nodded the sound of waves crashing against the shores masked the loud beating he felt come from his heart. Jean herself pushed forward and wrapped her arms around Zeref. Her head parallel to his, it was a bit later when she didn't let go that he wrapped his arms around her; holding her tight against him.
"I. I'll miss you. A lot." she whimpered.
He didn't say anything despite a trove of thoughts flooding his mind once he comprehended, this would be the last time he would see her again. He simply leaned on the embrace and let her head rest on his shoulder her nose tickled his neck at the closeness. The feeling of her warm breath against his skin made his blush grow prominent despite the wetness he now felt on his shoulder. The woman sniffed and wiped her teary eyes against the fabric of his shirt.
Jean took a deep breath and exhaled, tears nearing to fall and her voice cracked "You Want one too, right?" she asked; her head tilting to the side playfully.
"huh?" he blinked twice at the sudden turn in mood from Jean.
"A farewell kiss; for good luck" she clarified and smiled brightly. Once she noticed his red face she continued and said "No need to lie, I know you do. Natsu told me." she giggled and wiped away her tears. Zeref recognized an emerging detail on her face, her smile; a wide and open smile with a bit of her teeth showing and eye's closed shut. It was a gesture he always saw on her when she played with the kids of the orphanage, or when she thanked him for always taking care of her health.
"I-I … " Zeref stuttered, and couldn't help his body from shaking like his speech. He felt her body press against hid and only when he felt the sensation of Jean's lips on his cheek did it all stop. As soon as it came the pressure on his cheek disappeared, his wide eyes were locked at the woman's open-mouth smile. A chill ran down his spine and a single thought became prominent in his mind. All hesitation he would have felt at any other time before gone. As he leaned forward and pressed his lips against Jean's own.
An incredibly high pitch squeal rang in the ears of everyone in the guild, coming from one ecstatic Mirajane watching the show with a bright, some in the guild would say deranged, smile.
Zeref didn't know what he should have felt in the kiss, but felt light almost as if he were weightless. It reminded him of how he felt on cold winter days at the orphanage, he would check up on Jean, make a hot stew for all the kids with the help of Natsu and give one to Jean, wrap her up to keep her warm and tell her of antics and amusing things the kids had done that morning. Seeing Jean walk up to him and speak so clearly made him feel, something. A feeling he didn't know how to describe, but if anything; it felt warm.
The feeling of their lips pressed against one another felt as eternity. Zeref didn't feel Jean push against him or do much of anything really. His eyes opened and saw witness to Jean's own looking at him wide as saucers. His senses back his face turned red like a cherry and stepped back ending the kiss. He saw her mouth agape, ears bright red and a small blush tingling her cheeks. A smile formed on his face at the sight of her surprise his fingers tingled with a rush of adrenaline. "For good luck, right Jean?" he blurted out.
Jean covered her mouth with her palm and Zeref could just sense the way she mouthed his words in shock. After a few seconds she said "You are at that age I guess." her hands left her mouth with bright blush still lingering on her face. She leaned forward again, her hands gripping Zeref's shoulders, "So, don't tell anyone I did this" she whispered to him and proceeded to quickly peck him on the lips. "A little extra luck won't hurt right?" she said, her face shined red just much as Zeref's as she tried to avoid his gaze by looking away.
"Those two are so adorable!" Mirajane squealed.
There was nothing Gray could say to explain the sight before him. He, Zeref … That's right; 'He hasn't become the black mage yet' he reminded himself. What brought him to that point? Gray just wanted to know and he knew his patience wouldn't last much longer. He just wanted to call Natsu somehow and demand him to explain everything, but they didn't have a communication lacrima connected to him, so they would just have to wait.
Staring at the blushing woman before him Zeref was at an impasse, no words came out no matter how much he wanted to say them. A desire long buried by the constant thoughts of the journey ahead.
"Hey Zeref its time to board the boat!" A voice behind them broke his train of thought.
Reminded of a world outside themselves Zeref turned his head back in panic, the movement made him realize a hand was squeezing his own. He look back to Jean worried if he might have done something wrong, but only saw a smile he loved, but he could see behind it a sadness that made him want to shut his eyes and hope he would wake up and find himself in that chair beside Jean's bed.
"Go." he heard her say. He took a step back and then another. He didn't know how many he did, but a few seconds later he found himself beside Natsu and Jackal. They had all their bags ready and with a word from Zeref he took his bags from Natsu and continued their walk to the ship.
"So it was that kind of kiss you wanted, huh." Natsu said and noticed Zeref's lack of reaction at what would normally turn the young adult into a bundle of nerves.
"That was so gross." Jackal added, glaring at Zeref. "Ms. Jean is like a mom to me, that was so … ugh!"
"Really? Then you better start calling Zeref dad if that's how you feel." Natsu grinned at the youngest in the group.
"No. No no no!" Jackal shook his head frantically as his ears got red.
"Would I be the uncle in this situation?" Natsu muttered just loud enough for the two to hear him. "From now on Jackal you'll be my cute little Nephew."
"Oh dear, Natsu is such a tease." Mirajane giggled.
"He's not our Natsu Mira." Levy said.
"I'll believe until it is disproven by the Lacrima."
Once Natsu stopped pestering the mortified blonde the group of three got in line to board the vessel. It wasn't much later when they were ready and in the ship, overlooking the port on a side of the boat. It was about to set sail in a minute or two.
During the whole ordeal Natsu couldn't help, but notice Zeref didn't say a single word to them or anyone. His face was blank his mind somewhere Natsu feared he would stay in if he didn't do something to change it, he was about to ask him about it, but noticed a slight change in Zeref's face; his gaze turned to the port where he saw many familiar faces looking up at him.
Zeref saw Jean and the kids looking up at them from the port side. She said something to them and they helped her walk close to the edge, close enough for him to be able to hear what they were saying and especially Jean's words. She took a deep breath "Zeref! Promise me you'll come back one day!" she shouted with a volume he knew was painful for her.
Zeref's eyes widened at those words, the thought of coming back had never crossed his mind. 'A promise' his hands gripped the edge of the ship and a thousand thoughts ran all over his mind at once. The journey to Ishgar would be long, arduous, but their mind was set to go they needed to go, right … It would who knows how many years before they find Irene and to come back that would be even … A lump formed in his throat and no words came out, but another's interrupted his thoughts.
"Why haven't you said anything?" Natsu asked his face scrunched up, confused in a way that made Zeref feel stupid to not understand what he meant by saying that.
Zeref's question was stopped before it even began by Natsu "We are leaving because of me, and I don't want you to ever regret doing so." He too overlooked to the many friends they'd made at that place, and felt as well that a special connection that would hurt to be severed if he didn't follow. "I made a promise to Delos and Irene, but it isn't just the words that makes the promise." he said resolute in his words. He looked to Zeref straight in the eyes, each mirrored in the darkness of the other "When Mom, Dad, Delos, Rose, Bern; when they … died, I know they hoped, prayed for us three to be together; happy and safe. It is for their hopes and prayers that I will do everything for that promise, and it is time for you to make your Own." Waves crashed against the hull of the ship.
'Carry their wishes with me.' He grit his teeth, without another word Zeref rushed forward and leaned over the edge, his eyes once again met with Jean's "I will! One day! I don't know when! but I will come back!" he shouted with as much strength as his voice could muster. His words, a promise made he saw Jean and the kids around her smile back at him, the little ones waved their hands goodbye as the ship began its departure. For now they knew, he will return one day, and they will see him again.
Natsu didn't know what was going through Zeref's mind now, he had a wistful smile, tears pouring from his eyes as he looked at the port, he was beginning to worry when he didn't budge his body or gaze from that spot.
But as they grew further and further, even when they were but a dot in the horizon and when they were gone and fog covered the ocean, only blue waters were in sight; Zeref still saw that smile, clear as the first time he ever did.
"Fuck, man … " Jet said.
" … Yeah." Droy agreed.
'I'll run out of tears if this goes on any longer.' Mirajane thought, she then whispered "Its just like my favorite novel!" Her words heard by Levy who sniffled right beside her, a similar train of thought in mind.
Gray didn't know what to think at the scene, Natsu's words, Zeref's honestly endearing relationship with the orphanage director, nothing came to mind to try to make any sense of it all. He supposed he just needed more time to think about this "version" of Zeref … 'I'm repeating myself, again' he lamented.
A few others, while empathizing with Zeref's feelings were more focused in Natsu's words to the future Black Mage. 'interesting choice of words' Makarov thought, a tingle in the back of his mind told him more 'I feel I've heard similar ones once before.'
Erza found the visage of a twelve year old Natsu lecturing Zeref with wise words beyond his years was somewhat amusing. 'So that is a promise to Natsu huh?', she reminisced of a time when she wasn't an S-class mage. She was fifteen and was training to finally be accepted into the S-Class Promotion Trial of the guild. She didn't know how to improve her skills further. She only had a few of the armors she had now, and while versatile they didn't provide her enough raw power to become the kind of S-class mage she wanted to be. She was incredibly embarrassed when she asked Natsu for help in her training. So much so that when she asked him he thought she was someone else impersonating her.
Once she saw Natsu use Requip magic to give Happy fish, so she asked him if he know anything that could help her get stronger. In response he told her something that she still held onto to this day. "My Fire has one purpose, destruction; but, I've learnt to control it, temper it to be able to do so much more. Your magic while more versatile is much alike, each part serves a purpose to the larger whole; it is the speed and creativity to use your armors and magics in combination with one another other the way you can improve." A bit after that he said it was stupid how some mages specialized too much and still taught her two different magics to prepare her. Both deceptively inconspicuous, but in combination with her armors and arsenal, Enchant and Harden had brought her to another level of power, easily attaining the rank of S-class that year.
That so, she still had a long way to go. There was still so much more to see.
Ishgar X351
April 5th
After two long arduous months the ship had arrived in Ishgar. The ship docked on the port of the coastal city of Cain in Caelum. While still far from their destination, they were in the Confederation now, and while they didn't have any identification papers the boys were prepared with a sac of money Natsu and Zeref had saved up for many months prior. Fortunately for them most businesses in Cain took Alakitasian currency and were able to wander the city and stay comfortably in for a little while; preparing to go north-east to the direction of the Dragov kingdom.
Learning the Ishgan language was far more of a challenge however, its many symbols and way of pronunciation were difficult for Natsu and Jackal to get used to, they had studied for more than a year back in preparation for the trip, but Zeref was still the best amongst them, it was a simple matter. He entered a local library and like in the past used his magic to quickly memorize all the words in each book he found interesting; thus becoming a sort of guide for the other two boys.
"Wait, weren't they speaking our language this whole time?" Gray questioned. 'I'm a fucking idiot.' he chastised himself.
"But the words on signs were written in Ishgan, right?" Levy too asked confused.
"Well, why don't we ask the-" before her question could be utter another blue letter fell atop Mira's lap. Without missing a beat Levy snatched the letter away from Mirajane and quickly read it hungry for answers.
It is one of the functions of the Lacrima. It is able to transform any form of language seen or heard into a version understood by any viewer on any language
"Ok, but how?" Gray asked to the void as no letter came to him from the mysterious onlooker. "You must be his favorite Mira." he clicked his tongue in frustration. The Onlooker had already answered to Mira's requests twice, and none to him.
"I knew I'm amazing." she bragged.
They did not stay idle and only stayed in the town for a few days, following a caravan of traveling merchants north and paying them to board the boat they were traveling in away from the island nation. A week later they had finally arrived in one of the provinces they would begin their search; Fiore, the place of origin for the Confederation and where the capital Crocus stood. This time they had decided to travel on foot instead of trying to go by boat up river to save up their limited money reserves.
Ishgar X351
April 8th
They had been walking now for a few days and while the map they had bought in the town of Rim, they'd arrived at was helpful they weren't sure if the road should be as undeveloped as the one they were walking on; made mostly of dirt, trees large and small aligned all the way through its edges.
To Jackal it looked to have no clear end in sight. He thought that might be because it was dark. Zeref insisted they'd wake up early to get to town just when the sun rose, but like really early, so early that Jackal wondered if that word meant the same to both of them. He was sure it was like four or five in the morning, and they had been walking for more than three hours now. Their only light was Boss's fire magic that he used like a torch lighting the path ahead, but he just wanted to go back to sleep again; he rubbed together his cloak and tightened it to his body, the chill air of the night sent shivers down his spine.
He uncaringly dragged his feet on the dirty road, kicking away any stone that crossed his path to relieve his boredom. 'We have been walking for days now. When will we get to Lam... Lame, Lamia? Which one was it?' he couldn't remember the name of the town Zeref said they were walking to, 'I think it isn't that far away now. I'll ask Zeref' he turned to Boss's brother and asked his question.
"Hey, do you think Jackal is pretty cute too?" Mira asked Levy.
"its cute when his ears turn red and he's embarrassed." she said.
'I hadn't thought about him at all.' Gray found it strange that there were no historical records of, first: Zeref's brother and second, Jackal. Shouldn't Zeref's companions be more well known?
"Oh Lamia? Its only a couple kilometers away now." he said. 'I think so'. To make sure he pulled out a map from under his cloak and asked Natsu to come closer to be able to read it. "Yeah only ten kilometers away." he clarified.
"That's still like two or three hours." Jackal lamented, he turned to Natsu and huddled closer to him, seeking for the warmth of his fire "Its so cold Boss."
Natsu let the boy latch onto him while he concentrated on making his fire a little hotter. he smirked a little "Sure nephew." He said. Natsu knew the name calling still bothered Jackal even after months of him doing it, at least it was endearing to him that it only bothered Jackal because it implied Zeref was the father in the relationship. Though the boy was was too cold to complain about it at the moment.
While they continued to walk down the path the group began to notice another light in the distance growing slightly brighter and brighter as they got closer. After a while they noticed the light was also coming towards them, or in the opposite direction of the road. "Must be some merchants." Zeref concluded, he gestured to the other boys to pull on their hoods on their cloaks. You could never be too sure. Following that Natsu stopped using his fire magic leaving them in the dark.
As they got closer they noticed there wasn't just one, but many lights. A caravan was coming by and the three boys moved to the side of the road as to not bother them. Once they got close enough for Zeref to count them he noticed there were only five men, with a horse pulling on a large wooden cart. In the cart the were several bags, set parallel with the other for a total of eight in the cart, further strapped down to the cart with thick ropes.
A taller man than the others walked at the front of the group. "Some children? All alone are you? "He spoke with a gruff voice and he carried a torch, his other hand rested, on the pommel of a sword, in sheath, strapped to his hip; he seemed to be their leader. Following him the other four men moved to the front, as to see who the man was talking to.
Moments later everyone in the vicinity could hear a faint screech like shout, but at a distance or muffled. It sounded like a fox or similar. Were they selling animals? In those conditions? Is that legal? Zeref wondered. While he'd learnt much of Ishgar from his detailed reading, he was sure he didn't know everything, so he gave them the benefit of doubt. Still, he tensed and slowly pulled Natsu and Jackal behind him as they got closer to confront the leader. The sound continued on and on, and as it did he got another idea as to what it might be, "I wouldn't say so, we are simply coming back home. We strayed too far away and got lost in the forest." he lied.
"That so?" the leader said.
"Yes sir, I hope you don't mind us." Zeref bowed to the man.
"No not at all, we are just some merchants you see. I wonder though, how did you kids get lost in the forest?" the man asked.
During their chat Zeref noticed one of the guys in the back got into the cart and started … hitting bags with the sheathes of their swords. The sounds stopping for a moment, but coming back again and again, the men changed to instead stomp on the bags, the shouts getting louder for a little before stopping completely. The leader's gaze turned back to his men, his face souring for just a second before turning back to the kids.
As he did Zeref taped his foot on the ground twice 'That's … ' he gulped. "May I ask what's that sir?" He gently bumped Natsu with his elbow and glanced at him and back at the men.
"Some live merchandise kid. Got to keep them as fresh as we can for the best deals." the man smiled, the light from his torch just up enough his brow ridge cast a shadow over his eyes. "But now, we're worried you and your brothers might get lost again. I'll give you some directions." while the man spoke Zeref and Natsu noticed some of the merchants jump out of the cart.
"Don't worry sir we're just a few kilometers from there, we know our way now." Zeref talked more to the man, behind him his hand formed a fist then a sign only Natsu and Jackal could see. In turn the pink haired boy stepped up, his hand beginning to glow.
The men walked up to stand next to their leader, one unsheathed his sword. He then noticed a red glow come from behind Zeref; "Hoy boss 'was tha—" he began before his words were interrupted by Zeref suddenly turning around and taking Jackal in his arms, covering him as Natsu lunged at the 'merchants' his hand red and near bursting with fire; The men couldn't jump out the way before a large explosion overtook the forestscape, nocking down trees and launched three of the 'merchants' in the air.
Zeref saw how they flew, surely unconscious from the explosion; that with the fall and burns were nothing but fatal, he had realized a moment too late, their bodies falling to the earth, cracks and blood splattering on impact. Other two men behind the others had rushed forward when they saw Zeref run, but were blown back by the blast. He wasn't sure if they were unconscious or not, along with their horse knocked out from the blast, its body laid on the dirt ground of the road.
"Holy." Laki bulged out.
"They're … dead." Wacaba said.
"Argh!" Natsu fell on his knees, holding his right arm with a grip that cut its blood flow, it was covered in many burns and he felt as if it was completely shredded; his skin bright red and charred, several of the bones in his hand broken from the largest explosion he'd ever made with his magic. A loud ring was all he could hear; he soundlessly saw as Zeref rushed forward running to the cart and untied the ropes in one of the bags.
Gray's eyes shot open at the scene, Erza's stoic face faltered and Levy was feeling her lunch come back up along with Mirajane. The guild members around too felt their stomachs turn at the grotesque scene. That same uncomfortable feeling Gray felt before, now in all of them.
"How horrific" Makarov muttered. He saw as some members of the guild had thrown up at the ghastly sight of Natsu's disfigured arm.
Moving and hauling out from it, a young woman came out the sac gasping for air, her eyes frantically looked at Zeref and around her. Once she saw the bodies of the 'merchants' around them she latched onto Zeref, tears straining her eyes. A few seconds later she hastily maneuvered to the other bags, untying the ropes tying them up with Zeref.
Zeref moved his hands, pulling the ropes as fast as he could, but inside his mind he couldn't believe what just happened. Inside all the bags were women and young girls, they were kidnapped their bodies showed the evidence in disgusting detail, many bruises outlined their skin, most very recent as if they were taken that night. One of the young girls, twelve he presumed jumped out in panic after seeing his face. She jumped out the cart, her long dark purple hair billowing as she ran.
What she nor Zeref realized in their desperation was that one of the men who were blown away returned in a flurry of anger, blood dripped from his nose and he didn't seem to be quite all there in the head, his dark hair covered his eyes. The other man had run away as best he could, dragging his bleeding feet due to a broken leg caused by the blast; he would die from bleeding, the dark haired partner knew, but didn't help; instead he rushed forward unsheathing his blade and held it ready to strike down the purple haired girl.
The girl watched with wide eyes, too shocked to move as she saw the same man who took her from her father running at her, a swing from his blade poised to end her life in a second. It was as if time slowed down, the instrument of her demise taunting her in dragging out her dread, but that sight was blocked by hooded figure, its hood falling to reveal a mop of pink hair flowing back, a loud constant yell of what she could only describe as agony filled the place. Screaming it pulled its left arm forward at the man and a bright light and boom rang out again.
"No!" someone shouted, the members too entranced in the projection to figure out who did.
Natsu watched the man, his sword melting from the hit flying to be imbedded into a tree in the distance, but an arm, legs, eye be torn from the man, by the explosion dismembering the now dead man. His body charred and burned much like his own. He could feel a shadow loom over him, burns scarring the figure, its arms chest and faceless head melting from a bright heat behind it. Its bone could be seen through its melting flesh, staring at his arms, tears turned into vapor, breaths becoming faster and faster; his vision starting to falter one knee after the other the sound of his fall escaped him a dark envelope surrounded all he could see turning it all into night.
"No … " Levy saw beside her Erza watch the happenings with a lump in her throat, eyes teary and a face she'd never imagined to see on the knight's face. It wasn't any different for her or Mira, or anyone else in the guild.
The girl flew back by the blast, rolling on the road, scratches and tears marked her skin, a red bruise on her head after hitting the ground left her ears ringing, one open, horrified eye saw and looked away from the dismembered man on the road. It turned to see clearly the downed figure of the boy who saved her life. She saw as an older boy ran close to her savior and frantically checked his injuries. He said words that were nothing but mumbles to her ears and gently, yet hastily picked up the boy. He said something to someone behind her and sprinted off, the morning sky let her see him still sprint, non-stop all the way to the horizon and beyond.
Sweat ran down Zeref's cheeks, traveling down all over his body, not a moment of weakness he ran as fast as he could to the town, he needed to find a doctor anyone that could help his brother. He and Jackal were not hurt from the attack due to Natsu taking the brunt of the impact in their direction, but now Zeref regretted letting him do something so reckless once again. Natsu's arms and hands weren't just broken in several fingers, his skin was charred into what Zeref could only hope turn into just a permanent scar as the best case scenario, it didn't help that he worsened it by using another explosion to save that girl.
He knew those men were dead, all of them. Natsu had killed them, their bodies were mutilated by the force of his magic, but Zeref couldn't help but feel nothing at the act; they were certainly kidnappers they deserved it, however dehumanizing that was, his mind was only on his brother's well being. Nothing else mattered.
Makarov watched with solemn eyes. 'That's … ' to Makarov it was a sensible reason to kill. If he spoke honestly, he would kill anyone or anything to protect his 'children', even if he didn't want to; be it a moment when that didn't matter he'd do it without hesitation. You couldn't go as long as he did as a combat mage without at least one life in your hands. It was a truth he didn't want to be true, but he was sure sooner or later each one of his children would have to make that choice some day.
He ran for who knows how long, hours? It all felt like a frenzied blur, and over the distance buildings came to view, closer and closer his breathing became hastier. He entered a street searching around him for someone, whoever … Zeref stood there profusely sweating and exhausted, just barely able to hear anything but the sound of his erratic heartbeat. A figure in dark clothing had taken notice of their ragged state and the injured Natsu in Zeref arms. He said something, but Zeref couldn't make sense of anything the figure, man, was saying he just nodded resigned that he wouldn't be able to do much more, and promptly fell unconscious.
Ishgar X351
April 10th
Sweat ran down his face, fingers wiggled, but no arms or legs moved. He stayed still, like a man trapped in a coffin he felt walls around him, his body hot and boiling. The sweat boiled turning into steam filling the casket. He couldn't breathe, sounds murmurs, shouts; words were muddled by the walls of darkness around him. They got louder and louder, and he felt 'something' touch his cheek.
His eyes opened. He saw a small, barely noticeable cloud of steam above him. Where was he? He couldn't feel his arms or move his legs. The muffled sound seemed to get stronger. He saw around him, a small room. It was littered with candles all around and not much else. He laid on a bed with a small table on its side, many instruments he didn't recognize on it. On the other side of the bed he saw two chairs. In one sat a girl, around his age with long purple hair and in the other a blonde boy younger than him. Jackal … They were okay? The two were soundly asleep, the girl's head resting on the bedside, while Jackal was sprawled out in his chair.
"They're okay, but … " Erza stopped her whisper, she worried over what might come in the boys' future.
He moved as much as he could, prodding himself against the back of the bed, now able to see around without puling his neck. He noticed the girl had white bandages wrapped around her head and covering her right eye. He didn't know what to say or think, those bandages … He looked to his arms, from finger to shoulder they were covered in bandages too, even his chest and down to his hip. He stared at them for a long while. It hurt immensely, but for some reason he couldn't stop trying to close and open his palm. He could still see those charred hands and arms in front of him. Who's were they?
Even after he heard the door to the room click open he didn't stop. "You're up. You should still be resting." he heard a voice say. He forced himself to look up and saw an older man unknown to him, standing by the door. Many wrinkles were all over his face, he was probably the oldest man Natsu had ever seen.
"Who are you?" he didn't notice the words were barely audible.
"Sorry for my intrusion, my name is Clover, young … Natsu." the old man said.
Natsu felt tired, too tired to question how the old man knew his name. His body ached everywhere. "Where is Zeref? How long has it been?" he painfully asked.
"Your brother is okay, he is recovering like you. You've been here for two days now and he sent me here to check on you."
This man talked with Zeref? He looked like an older Isaac and a more reasonable one, if he had a way to describe him. 'If its been two days since that. He must know a lot now.' "What question?" he asked.
"First, my full title. I am Briar Clover, Priest of the Church of Fay and Doctor." He presented himself to the boy. "Aside from what Zeref asked me to, I also came here to personally thank you for rescuing and saving the women and girls of the town, as well as my Daughter from those bandits." he moved his hand towards his daughter's sleeping form against the bed, the boy's surprised face amused the man for a moment.
While Natsu never had good experiences with old people like Briar he was always treated well by religious folk, Ms. Jean as the prime example. 'That girl,' he saw the purple haired girl that was somehow still asleep. She was Briar's daughter? She looked to be his age, while Briar was probably in his seventies.
"I came here to heal your injuries and offer you a deal." Briar said interrupting his train of thought.
"Heal? deal? What do you want?" Natsu asked.
"Your brother woke up yesterday, and we spent a long time talking." Briar smiled at the boy. "You three are in search of a friend of yours right? In Dragov?"
" … Yes."
"While I do not have any connections in Dragov I can provide a place to stay for you three, my church. I'm sure its guardian can aid you on your journey."
'What will he say.' Erza leaned forward, her eyes set on the boy and old man onscreen.
"This is sudden … " 'Very sudden' Natsu thought, he was sure that Zeref would have accepted Briar's deal. His older brother simply wanted a place for them to stay comfortably after all, but the man had to have ulterior motives, he wanted to know what he truly felt. A glint in Briar's eye told him he understood what he meant.
"Yes, but know I do this to repay your selfless deed … My daughter, she; She's been through a lot, when I learned she disappeared in the middle of the night along with several girls in town I feared the worst. Then when I learned some boys had went up and saved them from their captors I was ecstatic, and mortified." he softly slid his hand across his forehead, "I hadn't, perhaps couldn't have done anything at the time to prevent or resolve the situation, I and the families of the victims got lucky you kids were around. That's a truth I resent."
Briar got closer to Natsu, his eyes on the bandaged hands of the boy. "You three traveled halfway across the world for a friend. Who would I be to let children go off on their own to unknown dangers?" he questioned. "I'll heal you." He said and moved his hands to gently touch Natsu's arms, a greenish light began to glow from under the bandages, for many minutes.
"Is that, healing him?" Macao asked.
"No shit. Of course its healing him." Wacaba puffed up a cloud of smoke.
"That's a Lost Magic now a days." Laki mentioned.
Natsu began to feel drowsy after a while, he yawned while Briar had sweat running down his forehead. A bit of the pain in his hands had slowly started to go away. "What is this?" he asked once the glow stopped.
"Healing magic. However it can only accelerate your own natural healing, at the cost of both of our stamina." Briar began to unwrap the bandages around Natsu's arms. "Sleep, it's best for now." he wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.
Despite some of the pain going away Natsu still felt a lingering tingle on his skin, a feeling didn't go away. Once his arms were left bare, the bandages on the table he saw the marks still there. Scars littered all across his arms and hands. Despite the healing powers they hadn't disappeared. He faintly heard Briar ask if he was okay, and he just said "Yeah." a minute after he asked the question.
He turned to the two others in the room still asleep … "Hey, we know you've been overhearing us." he said. Jackal and the girl suddenly turned up one squealed in surprise at being caught, while the other looked to Briar, a bright blush present on her face.
"You're alright, right boss?" Jackal asked, his eyes wide open, surprised and ecstatic, but still worried, large bags were under his eyes, which were red from what could only be his cries.
"Yeah, I. I think I'll accept your offer Briar." He watched the purple haired girl look down when his eyes landed on her. Her gaze slowly turned to fix on his arms, the many scars all over, the sight began to form tears from her eyes. "What's your name?"
"M-my name?" she stuttered through her words. At which Natsu hummed in agreement. " … Seilah. My name's Seilah." Her uncovered eye looked down to hands of the boy who saved her. Her long purple hair fell forward covering the bandages on her right eye as if they were never there. "Are they … do they hurt?" she asked.
He he looked down once again to see the scars. "Seilah … that's a pretty name. Never heard one quite like it." He missed the bright blush covering the girl's face. He grit his teeth, his hand moved to hold Seilah's own in a firm grip, "See? There's no need to worry. I'm fine." He smiled at her.
"Oh Natsu … " Erza silently cried, tears fell from her eyes, uncaring to whomever may see her in that moment.
Ishgar X351
April 9th
"Wait. A day before?" Levy pondered.
Blunt sounds echoed across stone halls, murmurs beyond locked doors tingled at the ears. A heaviness was left and his eyes fluttered open and closed. Half-lid eyes saw a large empty room. Beds were neatly segmented in equal distance from the other, curtains over some, but most empty. He noticed he was laying down in one of the beds, his whole body covered by a warm blanket and head on a soft pillow. He just wanted to close his eyes, his body felt like it weighed ten times as much; but a sound left him curious.
The whispers, a muffled conversation he could hear it, just faintly. "No is no. We'll not let you see him." a female voice commanded.
"Fellow sister I must ins-" an older voice was interrupted by an adult, but younger sounding man.
"Do not act like we're equals heretic!" he said.
"Please refrain from coming back." the woman said, and the older voice didn't respond for a long time.
"... Then as the father of one of the victims, can I thank one of those who rescued them?" the older man asked.
'Heretic? Since this is a day before the last, that must mean this is Briar.' Levy concluded, 'but him a heretic? Of what? The Fairy Queen's faith?'
He didn't hear much else, but the click and creek of the door to the room opening a few seconds later. Entering the room he saw an old man, gray withered hairs littered his scalp and short beard. He had a pointy, wrinkled nose with as well a pair of spectacles lining with his blue eyes. He wore what he would describe as 'priest attire.' A long black cloak with symbols all around it, intricate flower patterns on its sides and back, lined of a golden hue against the black fabric. The old man seemed friendly enough to the young adult, but that wasn't always something he'd trusted in the past.
"Oh awake already?" the elder of the two spoke. He watched the older of the boys stare at him, his eyes tired and drowsy. He didn't say anything in return so the man spoke again.
"Are you feeling alright young man?" a few moments later the boy muttered, his voice raspy, asking for water. He handed him a canteen he had strapped to his waist and waited for the boy to finish.
" … My name is Zeref." he said.
"Thank you young Zeref. My daughter was one of those taken by those kidnappers, if it weren't for your actions yesterday I might have never seen her again." The old man bowed to him.
"Yesterday … " his eyes shot open and frantically searched for his brother. He needed to know he was okay.
The man seemed to read his mind. "He is stable." he answered.
"Where is he?" he managed to get out.
"He is upstairs. He's not expected to wake up for a few days, but he will recover." the man gently spoke.
Zeref while worried was also exhausted, he felt as if his body weighed several times its weight, and could barely move his body on the bed, only his neck to see around. 'How long have I been here?' his thoughts drifted off.
"The other young boy is with him as well as my daughter, but may I ask what happened?" He noticed the young adult stay silent for a long time, his eyes watched to an open window of the room, where a small bird had perched upon.
"How much do you need?" he asked.
"While I'm not one, a report must be filed to the local guard and to know just how three kids killed five kidnappers." He then continued "While the murders could be excused as self defense, we still need to know why you three were there and why the men are dead."
"... I see. May I ask for your name?" Zeref asked
"Oh yes, I must have forgotten to share." The man once again bowed to the young adult and said "My name is Clover, Briar Clover young Zeref."
"Very well then, Clover, my two companions and I are Outlanders, we come from Alakitasia." Zeref spoke, and so he began to tell Briar of how his group traveled to Ishgar in search of a dear friend. He was careful not to tell to much, the stories of his town's demise, and their time in the orphanage was mostly left out; though he did tell their encounter with the kidnappers in vivid detail.
"Hmm … So you say your brother killed them, and his magic; how did it do that much damage to himself?"
"Its too powerful for his body to handle." Zeref simply said.
"Too powerful?" Gray pondered. 'they mentioned that Isaac guy helped them unlock their magics, so. How does that happen?"
"I see. May I ask what your magic is?"
Zeref was quiet for a second, thinking about his next words. "Most people are not born with magic, and those who are have are similar ones to those of their parents, my parents were born without any magic."
'How curious.' Briar thought and saw Zeref lift his hand, a bright projection of light appearing and rested atop it, an image of himself was in front of him; his face clothes expression, the way light coming from the windows hit his face it was depicted with detail that made it indistinguishable from looking in a mirror.
"Mine isn't like any I've read or seen before. It lets me turn anything I remember into reality for a short time or long time, depending on how much energy I use, but it also gives me a near-perfect memory." He handed the picture to Briar, who watched with astonishment at his immaculate reflection, "This is one of its uses."
"This is incredible. Do you have a name for it?" Briar asked.
"No."
While those in the projection didn't, Makarov quickly recognized the magic, it was Memory Make magic, a rare magic now-a-days, but not close to Lost Magic quite yet. He had never heard of someone being born with Memory Make, it was quite well known it was a magic that could only be taught, but something wasn't right. 'Could Zeref have been the first user of Memory Make?'
" … If this is your magic, then why is your brother's so different?"
"I'm not sure, like I said my parents were born without any magic."
"Very well then." Briar thoughtfully scratched his beard, "I'll report what you've told me to the officials, except for your magic if you don't want to."
"Okay. I just want to get this sorted, but is there anything that can help Natsu?" Zeref asked, worriedly thinking about his brothers condition. In the past he had managed to heal his injuries as his explosions were infrequent and much smaller than what happened with the kidnappers. Now it might be even worse than ever before, 'stable' didn't always mean recovery.
"I must say young Zeref, I managed to check his condition for a bit before the others ratted me out, Its a lot, but I think I could help." Briar smiled.
"Ratted you out? And you're a doctor?"
"Oh, in a way yes. I'm sure you overheard us arguing outside the room." Briar said. "I and my daughter are called heretics here for our different beliefs and traditions of the faith." Briar stopped and asked him, "Knowing that, will you trust me to heal your brother?"
"So they don't believe in the Fairy Queen? Or they do, but a bit differently?" Levy wondered to herself, writing down theories on her notepad.
Zeref felt a weight be lifted from his shoulders, he now knew he could trust the man. No matter what his beliefs may be the gratitude he heard from the man was enough to convince him he wasn't like many of the adults he'd encountered in his life. "Yes."
He stopped reminiscing on his conversation with Briar a few day's ago and walked a bit faster to catch up to the group in front of him.
Days passed and the two had been allowed to leave by the priests' of the church. They had been angry at Briar for not listening to their warning and interfering with matters outside his church. Either way there was nothing they could do after the deed was done and the patients had allowed the priest to do what he did, and so relented. Briar had offered the trio a new home in his church, a bit far and to the south east but much closer to Dragov than the town of Lamia.
Walking outside the church and past a crowd of people, the group from Alakitasia witnessed a sight they didn't believe they would see again in such a peaceful way.
Walking around the town of Lamia were Dragons. Big and small, three in total roamed the streets, each gently pressing their weight on the streets of the town with each and every step. Their tails were curled up, to not accidentally hit any of the taller buildings of the town and they flexed their nostrils at the people around, smelling for something. The people didn't seem to care, as if the sight was a regular occurrence they walked under or beside the dragons to whatever chores, jobs, or anything else they were doing that day. The sight astonishing to the group while mundane to the people. Patrolling alongside the dragons were several lightly armed soldiers, they looked insignificant compared to the size of their winged companions.
Like the brothers the guild watched amazed at the sight before them. None of them knew this is how things were four-hundred years ago.
While they walked across town, Briar began to tell them that the dragon's were there because of the incident. That was crazy to Zeref. Somehow, such a small, mundane incident as a kidnapping of a few people warranted the appearance of three dragons upon the town; that in itself amazed the brothers. Zeref didn't know what was crazier, if it was 'cause of the province's lack of crime or just the giant military the Dragon King had at his disposal that allowed them to do such things. While very different from those of Alakitasia, who were all very similar aside from the color of their scales and sometimes their size, the dragons of Ishgar were so varied one could call them separate species.
Zeref couldn't help but imagine how it would be in Alakitasia if dragon's were as friendly to humans as they were here. During his pondering he noticed Natsu stare at one of the dragons in town. A white dragon was on the town square. It was white with fur atop its scales, its head and long tail resembled some kind of horse or dear more than the reptile ones they were used to. It laid its body in the middle of the bustling street, unmoving as children of many ages were playing around and on top of his body, a few a top it as if it were a horse and they their rider.
"Whoa." Levy watched with wonder at the dragon.
"That's wonderful." Mirajane too shared her friends wonder at the sight.
Jackal and Seilah stood with him watching the creature. Jackal talked about how he'd never seen a dragon before, and asked Zeref, Briar and Natsu if he could go with the other kids to go play with it. They said yes and not a second after he ran off while Seilah stayed with Natsu. She began to tell him a story of a time when she, for a moment met the 'guardian' of their church. Apparently it was a dragon a, and it had helped her get out of a lake close to the church after she slipped on a wet rock and fell in the water.
'her face, she … she looks like her.' Erza realized. The girl Seilah looked just like a younger version of that councilor Ultear. It was strange, first Irene, the girl who looked just like herself and now Seilah.
After a while, Jackal came back and the group traveled to the southern side of town. They encountered another dragon which had chosen to lay beside the entrance. It leaned forwards and with a soft yet booming voice questioned Briar about their destination.
The two talked for some time, the group of one young adult and three kids behind watching the exchange with bated eyes. As friendly as they seemed the brothers were wary, and somewhat afraid of the dragons. No good thing had ever come from a dragon in their lives. However this was something they knew would happen, in Ishgar, "Land of Dragons" as it was sometimes called in Alakitasia.
Natsu overheard a few of the things Briar spoke to the dragon and was a surprised when he heard the dragon call Briar "Member of the first church." he didn't know exactly what it meant by that, but after the dragon recognized Briar as such it moved its head back and continued to lay beside the road, letting the path free for them to pass.
It was time to go, and now on the road the old man was more than happy to tell the boys more of his church on their way to it. An old and somewhat forgotten small gathering on an island.
