Chapter-23: Reactions

At the time Equinox-Absolute Rift was casted.

Tenrou Island

Mavis sat in a small house, the dim light casting shadows across the pages of her book as she struggled to find sleep at such a late hour. Suddenly, a surge of immense power jolted her senses, sending a shiver down her spine.

"What? Space-Time Manipulation at this level? From who?" she murmured to herself, her mind racing through various possibilities until she honed in on a familiar magic signature.

"Natsu? This won't go unnoticed, Dragon Prince," she chuckled softly, a glint of amusement dancing in her eyes as she contemplated the implications of his actions.

Alvarez

On a hill overlooking a vast valley filled with an army, August Dragneel stood tall and imposing. A tall blond man, with green eyes, Clad in regal attire, he exuded an aura of authority and power as he surveyed the scene before him. Behind him, a voice spoke, drawing his attention.

August Dragneel

A King of Magic

The Black Fairy

Behind him, a voice spoke, drawing his attention.

"You felt it too, brother?" The voice belonged to Larcade Dragneel,

A well-built young man, with his most noticeable features being his upward spiky blond hair that comes as far as his shoulder blades on his back, as well as a large white cross symbol donning on his forehead. He has sharp orange eyes with an accentuated white design around the crust of them. For clothing, he wears a golden-colored kasaya that has a rectangular pattern that covers one-half of his body while the other half is exposed. A white sash is also tied around the upper part of the garb that streaks to the hip to go with one around his waist as well. On his left arm, he has an intricate light green tribal tattoo with a decorative armband wrapped around it, while the mark of the Alvarez Empire resides on his left shoulder. He wears dark colored capris to go with a simple set of two-toned colored footwear.

Larcade Dragneel

A Holy Demon

The White Dragneel

"Of course," August replied with a hint of gravity in his tone. "It seems our Uncle intends to make his move soon."

Larcade approached August, his expression thoughtful. "Did you hear? He is part of mother's guild from Fiore."

"I am aware," August responded simply, his demeanor calm and composed as he prepared for the inevitable clash that loomed on the horizon.

Alvarez Vistarion

In the shadowy confines of a dimly lit chamber within Vistarion, a figure sat upon a grand throne, his presence commanding the attention of the room. With jet-black hair cascading around his shoulders and slitted eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity, he exuded an aura of dark power and malevolent intent.

Draped in garments of deepest black, adorned with intricate gold accents, and a flowing white toga layered over his attire, the figure exuded an air of regal authority and enigmatic mystery.

As a disturbance rippled through the fabric of Time-Space, a wicked grin spread across his lips, revealing sharp canines that glinted in the dim light.

Zeref Dragneel

An ArchDemon

The Black Wizard

"Hehe... now that's more like Natsu!" he chuckled darkly, his laughter echoing through the chamber with a sinister edge.

Guiltina

A Dragon stood in his dovakin from, a toned, muscular man. His dark orange hair is styled upwards, with the tips somewhat tinged and two strands framing the sides of his head. He has several red tattoos on his upper body, including flame-like ones on his face, a red sun that covers much of his left pectoral, and a tribal design that runs down his left arm. For attire, he dons loose pants with a fur lining in the middle: the top is dark-colored while the bottom is light. He wears a wrap around his waist, with an apron-like cloth over his pants, bearing diamond shapes and an X-design. Bandages cover his right forearm, and his accessories include three triangular dangling earrings on each ear, and a large gold chain with a cross-shaped pendant around his neck.

Ignia

A Transcended Dragon

Dragon of Destruction

"So father was not exaggerating your power, eh... Natsu?" he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement, as he addressed the son of Igneel with a newfound sense of respect.

Somewhere on Earth Land

In the midst of Earth Land, a figure of formidable presence emerged, exuding an aura of power that seemed to warp reality itself. His muscular frame and imposing stature spoke of battles fought and victories won, while his piercing gaze bore witness to the depths of his ancient wisdom.

Clad in attire befitting his status as a legendary Dragon, he wore a high-collared black cloak adorned with sharp claws around his neck, a testament to the ferocity of his nature. A sash cinched at his waist, accentuating his powerful physique, while a gold arm ring encircled his upper arms, a symbol of his indomitable strength.

But it was the markings upon his dark skin, reminiscent of the patterns that adorned his draconic form, that hinted at his true identity.

Acnologia

A Transcended Dragon

The Dragon of Apocalypse

"A beast has emerged... E.N.D.? Our battle will soon be upon us, no more running away," he declared, his voice echoing with a resonance that spoke of ages past and battles yet to come.

In the realm of Dragons

In the realm of Dragons, atop a towering mountain, the former king of all dragons, Igneel, stirred from his slumber with a sense of excitement. His massive form shifted, his fiery eyes gleaming with anticipation as he sensed a familiar presence stirring in the depths of the mortal realm.

With a resounding bellow of laughter, Igneel's voice echoed through the mountains, carrying with it a sense of pride and admiration. "Atta boy, Natsu! About time you did something, my son!" he exclaimed, his voice rumbling like thunder.

Beside him, another figure materialized, a regal woman whose presence commanded respect and awe.

She is fair skinned, a tall figure, with Gold eyes, blonde hair and youthful young adult appearance with an hourglass figure, Very long hair kept in ponytail with small braids going towards the base of it , bangs framing her face , a golden tiara like crown sits on her head.

She wears a sort of .. bunny armor dress…she likes bunnies, the dress flows down her legs without hindering her movement, the dress is mostly white with blue and gold, on her neck she has a blue color that does not connect with the rest of the dress , the dress lets a big decolletage sticking to her form without connecting to her shoulders, on her legs greaves, on her hands gauntlets that start from a pair of blue gloves and stop a bit after her elbows, She has something like a white blanket, wrapped around her shoulder and elbows.

She was an extremely beautiful woman who excluded an air of royalty .

"F-father, what was that?" she inquired, her voice tinged with alarm at both the disturbance she felt and her father's booming laughter.

Igneel's laughter subsided as he turned to face his daughter, his expression solemn yet proud. "That was Natsu, my dear Artoria," he explained, his voice resonating with a sense of reverence.

Igneel turned around and took on his Dovakin from.

He was even taller than Artoria, she barely reached to his elbow, he was over 8ft2, he had crimson hair that went close to his shoulder, black at the tips, like it was burned, he had gold Silted eyes with a few red scales under his Eyes, he was dressed in baggy black pants with no boot and footwear, he had a simple white shirt, and over that a red cloak with black markings.

Igneel

A once King of all Dragons

A Transcended Dragon

,,Natsu ? As in Natsu Dragneel?'' asked Artoria

Artoria Pendragon

Twilight Dragon

A contender for the seat of ruler of all Dragons

"Yes, my child, that Natsu," Igneel remarked with pride, his deep voice resonating through the crisp mountain air. "He finally arrived back, and it seems he's been around for some time. He closes the 400-year-old gap quickly."

Artoria's eyes narrowed with determination as she whispered, "He has my crown..." The thought of her birthright being in the possession of another filled her with a sense of righteous anger, fueling her resolve to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

Igneel couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter's reaction. "Don't need to worry about that, dear," he teased, his laughter echoing off the mountainside. "I think you and Natsu will come to an agreement eventually. Who knows... you might even find out he looks exactly like the 'future husband' you described when you were small."

Blushing furiously, Artoria covered her ears and protested, "La la la, I can't hear you!"

Igneel's laughter filled the air once again as he reassured his daughter. "Well, it's not going to be much longer," he said with a knowing smile, hinting at the inevitable reunion that lay ahead.

The Land of Shadow

Hidden beyond the veils of mist and shadow, the Land of Shadow stands as a realm veiled in mystery and ancient magic. Encircled by towering mountains that cast their long shadows across the land, it is a realm untouched by the passage of time. At its heart rises an imposing castle, its spires reaching towards the darkened sky like jagged claws grasping at the void, embodying the very magic that resides in this realm.

Within this realm, primordial magic flows like a restless river, weaving through the very fabric of existence. It is a realm of darkness and runes, where shadows dance and whispers linger in the air like haunting echoes of forgotten secrets. Only the bravest or most foolhardy would dare to tread its shadowed paths, for here the boundaries between dreams and reality blur, and the depths of one's own fears may be turned against them.

At the center of this enigmatic realm resides its solitary guardian, Scáthach Scaha, the Queen of Shadows. With her crimson gaze and regal bearing, she stands as both ruler and protector, her presence a testament to the ancient ties that bind the Land of Shadow to the realms beyond. She is an extremely beautiful woman, with her body proportions described as "just about perfect". Her long purple hair cascades like a waterfall of shadows, framing her face with an otherworldly allure. Her eyes, a deep and mesmerizing red, seem to pierce through the darkness itself, while her attire, adorned with metallic shoulder pads, speaks of her authority and strength. Created by the Castle itself as the realm's Queen and Protector, she embodies the essence of the Land of Shadow, its secrets and its power.

Scáthach Scaha

Immortal Cambion (half-Demon)

Queen of the Land of Shadows

Perched on the edge of a balcony that overlooked the sprawling darkness of her realm, Scáthach's gaze drifted upwards, her senses tingling with the faint whisper of an anomaly in the fabric of Time-Space itself.

Her crimson eyes widened in surprise. "W-what was that?" she murmured softly to herself, the silence of the empty balcony echoing her words back to her unanswered.

A subtle glow emanated from her eyes as her powers surged, seeking answers in the depths of the primordial magic that coursed through her veins. Moments passed before the glow subsided, leaving Scáthach staring pensively at the darkened sky once more.

"Natsu Dragneel... why are our paths intertwined, I wonder?" she mused aloud, her voice carrying a hint of longing for connection. "Would you have the answer?"

A wistful sigh escaped her lips as she turned away from the endless expanse of the night. "It doesn't matter," she said, her tone tinged with melancholy. "Just the thoughts of a lonesome Queen."

Alone in her castle, Scáthach had grown accustomed to the solitude that enveloped her like a shroud. Her encounters with others had been fleeting and often perilous, save for the occasional visits from Lady Avalon, a reminder of the ties that bound her to a world beyond her own.

Avalon The Land of Fairies

In the heart of Avalon, the Land of Fairies, exists a realm of unparalleled beauty and tranquility. Here, time dances to the gentle rhythm of nature, where decay and destruction are mere whispers in the wind, and sadness is but a forgotten concept.

Avalon's landscape is a canvas of eternal spring, where the touch of sunlight and the fragrance of summer paint the days, while the crisp air of autumn and the twinkling stars of winter adorn the nights. Flowers of every hue adorn the plains, their vibrant colors a testament to the bountiful magic that saturates the land.

Human civilization is conspicuously absent, replaced instead by boundless peace and unfettered freedom. Crystal-clear rivers meander through enchanted forests, their waters so pure that no earthly liquid could compare.

In this paradise, boundaries delineate Tabooed Lands, yet the island itself knows no bounds, its horizon stretching endlessly into the realm of possibility. Every corner of Avalon pulses with magic, from ancient miracles to newfound wonders waiting to be discovered.

Amidst this splendor stands a girl of mesmerizing beauty, her long white hair flowing like silk around her lavender eyes, her face a peerless visage of allure. She wears a two-piece black suit with gold accents, adorned with flower-like ornaments behind her ears. A white hoodie-like cloak with black accents drapes over her shoulders, its oversized sleeves reaching past her knees, and a large hood framing her face. The lower part of the hoodie resembles a skirt with 4 tails resembling a fairy's wings.

Lady Avalon

A Queen of magic

A Fairy or A Demon

She is known by many names and titles—Lady Avalon, Ava, and Merlin among them. The new Lady Avalon, she possesses immense power despite her youth, created from the realm itself, a perfect hybrid of human and succubus.

Humans, created as batteries for higher beings, offer various benefits—worship for gods, flesh and blood for dragons, and souls for demons. Perfect hybrids like Merlin harness the power of chaotic demons free from the law of the gods, empowering their own "humanity" while being distinct from both demons and humans.

Merlin's human side greatly empowers her succubus abilities, or rather her Dream Demon Physiology, as succubi are truly Dream Demons. As the Queen of Avalon, her authority is second only to the will of the realm itself.

Resting peacefully in the forest, Merlin finds herself roused from her nap by a gentle disturbance. With a cute yawn, she stretches, her eyes glowing momentarily with an idea. Rising to her feet, she makes her way to a nearby river, where she casts a spell, causing the water to float and form a mirror, revealing events unfolding on EarthLand.

As she observes a pink-haired man with silver eyes—Natsu Dragneel—her curiosity is piqued. "And who are you, handsome?" she muses, her magic providing the answer. Watching Natsu's display of Space-Time manipulation, she comments, "You are just as formidable as I was told... it's annoying they forgot to mention how handsome you are," with a playful giggle.

Turning around, Merlin picks up her staff and places a hand on her cheek. "You are already Avalon's chosen... so you might as well also be Lady Avalon's chosen," she says with a blush, giggling softly.

Outside of Earthland in a location unknown

In a location beyond Earthland, a being of imposing stature ponders the source of a disturbance from the mortal realm. With a deep sense of foreboding, he retreats to a chamber designed to peer into other worlds without physical travel.

Ankhseram

God of Death

This figure is none other than Ankhseram, the God of Death. Towering and pale, his eyes resemble voids of darkness, and his long silver-gray hair flows like a shroud behind him. His very presence exudes an aura of death, his power a manifestation of mortality's inevitable embrace.

In the dimly lit chamber, Ankhseram's voice echoes with a chilling resonance as he contemplates the mysterious disturbance.

"It came from Earthland, I'm sure of it... has Igneel recovered from our battle? No, that's not it... could it be?" he asks himself as he starts looking into this disturbance.

Back on Earthland with Natsu

Back on Earthland, Natsu and Erza found themselves greeted by friends on the beach, including Simon, Millianna, Wally, and Sho, who had come to apologize to Erza after learning the truth from Simon.

Approaching Natsu with a soft inquiry, Erza asked, "Love... what exactly were you referring to in the tower? When you said, 'what a sneaky tactic, Miss'?"

Natsu began to explain, his voice tinged with a mixture of understanding and frustration. "He believed he was chosen by Zeref, which he was not. It was actually Ultear, his assistant, who was pulling the strings. She is a member of Grimoire Heart. They were quite baffled when I found them out. As for why I did not outright kill him... well, I guess I took some pity on him. His actions are his own. I'm not forgiving him, but to waste so much for a false dream, for a lie, and for it to be from someone so close? As far as I know, Siegrain and Ultear were a thing. That's gotta hurt."

Reflecting on his own actions, Natsu admitted, "I don't even know why I took pity, actually. I had plans to torture him badly."

Lucy interjected with a hint of amusement, "It's called compassion, Natsu. Looks like you managed to learn something from us lowly mortals."

Natsu responded with a deadpan stare, retorting, "I don't want it. Take it back."

Seilah and Erza burst into laughter at Natsu's comment, breaking the tension with their amusement.

Just as Natsu attempted to continue speaking, he froze in place, his senses tingling with the presence of an unknown observer.

"Natsu?" Gray questioned, concern evident in his voice.

"We're being watched, by many... This presence, I know it!" Natsu exclaimed, his aura beginning to surge with excitement and anger.

"Ankhseram," he uttered simply, causing everyone who knew of Natsu's origin to widen their eyes in shock.

With a grin spreading across his face, Natsu's demonic eyes began to glow, and his shadow expanded, engulfing the beach and part of the sea. It took on the shape of Natsu's true form, radiating silver light where his eyes would be.

Turning his gaze towards the sky, Natsu's glowing eyes emitted a mixture of malice, hatred, anger, and excitement.

"I see you… Ankhseram," he declared simply.

Back with Ankhseram

In the dim confines of his chamber, Ankhseram's contemplations are abruptly interrupted by a surge of alarm. His darkened eyes widen imperceptibly, a flicker of fear momentarily betraying his otherwise stoic demeanor. The disturbance he sensed from Earthland, once dismissed as a trivial anomaly, now takes on a more ominous significance.

"Impossible," he murmurs, his voice barely audible above the hum of arcane energies surrounding him. Ankhseram's pride, an indomitable force that has guided him through eons of existence, momentarily falters in the face of this unexpected revelation. He, the God of Death, revered and feared by mortals and immortals alike, has been discovered.

"E.N.D.," he uttered, his voice laden with the weight of recognition and regret. Memories surged through his mind, recalling the warnings of the Fates about a being bearing that name, a harbinger of his own downfall. In his arrogance, he had sought to defy fate by taking preemptive action, only to unknowingly set events in motion that would inevitably lead to the very outcome he had sought to avoid.

The irony of his situation was not lost on Ankhseram as he reflected on his past decisions. Each choice he had made, however well-intentioned, now appeared as but a thread in the intricate tapestry of destiny. In his pursuit to defy fate, he had inadvertently become its instrument—a pawn in a cosmic game whose rules eluded even him, the God of Death.

Ankhseram sneered, his gaze piercing through the fabric of reality itself. "So you've returned, crawling from the pits of hell where you belong, brat," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain.

To his surprise and astonishment, a silhouette forced its way through the tear in reality, bridging the gap between realms. It was Natsu Dragneel—not fully present, but a projection, yet one powerful enough to traverse dimensions in the blink of an eye and bypass all of Ankhseram's barriers within his realm.

Ankhseram took a step back, his expression morphing from arrogance to uncertainty as the illusion projected Natsu's true form before him.

Indeed, Natsu's Devil Trigger had evolved since the last time he had used it.

Natsu's once vibrant pink-salmon hair now gleams with a pale silver hue, a celestial radiance cascading around him. His eyes, once piercing silver, now emit a radiant glow, the slits accentuating as the sclera turns a deep black. Along the sides of his head, obsidian-black scales emerge, forming a protective layer reminiscent of ancient dragonhide.

Standing tall at a towering height of 8 feet, Natsu commands reverence and awe with his imposing presence. Gracefully curving from his forehead, two golden horns crown his head, adorned by a pitch-black diadem that shimmers with silver light—a symbol of his mastery over both light and darkness.

His attire mirrors his dominion over draconic elements. Fiery patterns dance along the base of his coat, evoking the fierce infernos of dragons' breath, while electric blue lightning crackles from his shoulders, a testament to his command over the storm. Within the fabric, aquamarine designs ripple like flowing water, and soft gusts of wind animate the garment, imbuing it with ethereal grace. Random cracks and fissures, reminiscent of the earth's rugged terrain, add texture, showcasing Natsu's control over the elements.

Natsu's arms and legs are encased in black scales, pulsating with silver light and adorned with intricate patterns. Reptilian claws extend past his elbows, their formidable nature evident in their design. The palms and last two digits of each finger emit a radiant blue glow, connected by energy that courses along the back of his forearms.

Similar to his forearms, Natsu's legs undergo a transformation, with greaves made from the same black scales covering his lower limbs up to the knee level. The digits on his legs morph into claw-like appendages, enhancing his agility and prowess in combat.

Natsu's wings return, larger than before, each feather sharper than most weapons in existence.

'Natsu's' hand suddenly shot to Ankhseram's neck ''I am not the same brat you killed long ago …. you know my name you will say it.'' he commanded.

Ankhseram looked deep into his eyes , realizing that he was correct, the one that stood before him was not the same child he killed , the one in front of him was no child.

He was the one fated to destroy him if the fate's told the truth, but even if they lied for their entertainment ,it changed nothing, in front of him stood someone worthy of respect a transcendent being.

,,...Natsu..Dragneel…. our battle is yet to come, i underestimated you, i will not do so a second time, and do not let your fate give you some absolute certainty you will win….. after all you are now a demon free from the laws of god, free form fate.'' said Ankhseram as he regained his composure and finally got over his fear of the prophecy.

Natsu's projection stood there for a minute''I am well aware that the moment i became a demon, my link to the fate controlled by the gods ended but no matter, i don't need your favors, i got my own.'' said Natsu as he dissipated the rift to earthland closing.

,,If fate can't show us…. time will.'' said Ankhseram as he too vanished from the room.

Not much longer until it begins.