As the time approached to pass through the celestial gate, a mix of anticipation and apprehension swirled within me. The concept of celestial magic was intriguing, requiring the alignment of the 12 keys.
It seemed fitting that Zeref, with his vast knowledge, had a friend skilled in celestial magic. Anna was her name, a powerful celestial mage who had played a role in raising the other four dragon slayers.
She always had a soft spot for me, calling me adorable, much to my annoyance. But deep down, I knew she meant well, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards her.
Zeref's demeanor in the days leading up to our departure seemed surprisingly calm. Despite the looming threat of Ankhseram and Acnologia, he appeared unfazed, his resolve unwavering. Perhaps he had come to terms with the situation, or maybe he had some hidden plan up his sleeve. Either way, I found myself respecting his stoicism, even as uncertainty gnawed at my insides.
The four dragons—Grandeeney, Skiadrum, Metalicana, and Weisslogia—were a sight to behold, their majestic presence commanding respect. Yet beneath their awe-inspiring exterior lay a profound sadness, their souls too damaged to return to the dragon realm. It was a fate none of us had anticipated, and my heart ached for them.
I had the chance to meet them, to converse with these ancient beings who had shaped the destiny of our world. Metalicana, in particular, had a penchant for teasing me, calling me "Igneel junior" or "Igneel 2.0." His playful jabs grated on my nerves, and I couldn't resist firing back with a threat of my own. The atmosphere lightened momentarily as laughter filled the air, but it was short-lived. When I accidentally broke one of Metalicana's scales during our banter, the levity dissipated, replaced by a somber reminder of the fragility of our situation.
As Natsu and Seilah stood by the celestial gate, lost in their conversation, they were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning, they saw Anna, the celestial mage, and Igneel making their way towards them.
Anna's eyes sparkled with warmth as she greeted them, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "Natsu, Seilah, are you ready for the journey ahead?"
Natsu nodded, his expression determined. "As ready as we'll ever be," he replied, his tone confident despite his lingering doubts.
Seilah smiled warmly at Anna, a sense of gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you for everything, Anna. We couldn't have made it this far without your help."
Anna's smile widened, her gaze shifting to Igneel. "It's been my pleasure, Seilah. And Natsu, you've grown so much since the last time I saw you. Igneel would be proud."
Igneel nodded in agreement, a sense of pride swelling within him. "Indeed, Natsu. You've come a long way from the boy I first met all those years ago."
Natsu's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the praise, but he couldn't hide the pride in his eyes. "Thanks, Igneel. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."
Igneel placed a reassuring hand on Natsu's shoulder, his gaze softening. "Remember, Natsu, you're not alone in this. Seilah, Anna, and I will be with you every step of the way."
Natsu nodded, a sense of determination burning within him. "Yeah, I know. And I won't let you down, Igneel. I promise."
Seilah placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder, her eyes reflecting his resolve. "We'll face whatever challenges come our way, together. That's a promise."
Anna smiled warmly at their exchange, her eyes twinkling with pride. "I have no doubt that you'll succeed, Natsu. You have the heart of a true warrior."
As Natsu observed the approaching figures of the young dragon slayers and their dragons, his expression remained impassive, betraying little of the emotions swirling within him. While he held no particular fondness for humans, he couldn't deny the potential he saw in these children.
"These kids might have some promise," he remarked, his tone neutral as he watched them approach.
Seilah glanced at him, sensing the underlying tension in his voice. "You think so?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by his subdued demeanor.
Natsu shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze fixed on the young dragon slayers. "They might surprise us," he admitted begrudgingly. "But let's not get too attached. We've got our own battles to fight."
As the children gathered around the celestial gate, Natsu remained aloof, his attention drifting elsewhere. He had little interest in the sealing process, his thoughts consumed by the challenges that lay ahead.
Nevertheless, as the ritual unfolded before them, Natsu couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for the children's bravery. Despite their youth, they stood tall and unflinching, their determination shining through.
"These kids might have some potential after all," he muttered quietly, his words tinged with reluctant approval.
Seilah nodded in agreement, her eyes alight with a sense of camaraderie. "They may still surprise us yet," she said, her tone hopeful.
Natsu grunted in response, his thoughts already drifting to the trials that awaited them beyond the celestial gate. For now, he would focus on the task at hand.
As Natsu stood before Igneel and Zeref, the weight of their impending departure hung heavy in the air. Igneel's voice broke the silence, his deep rumble echoing through the cave.
"Natsu, my boy," Igneel began, his gaze softening as he regarded the young demon before him. "It's time for us to part ways, at least for now."
Natsu's expression softened, a mixture of sadness and gratitude flickering in his eyes. "Igneel..." he started, his voice choked with emotion.
Igneel reached out, placing a large, clawed hand on Natsu's shoulder. "I'm proud of the young man you've become," he said sincerely. "And I'm grateful for the time we've spent together."
With a tender smile, Igneel unfurled a scarf crafted from his own scales, holding it out to Natsu. "Take this, my boy," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It's made from my own scales, perhaps it holds an ability of its own, or even a hidden weapon? You'll have to unlock its secrets."
Natsu accepted the scarf with reverence, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns of the scales. "Thank you, Igneel," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
As Igneel bid his farewell and turned to leave, Zeref stepped forward, a bundle of books and scrolls cradled in his arms. "Natsu," he said softly, his expression unreadable. "There's something I want you to have."
Natsu's gaze shifted to Zeref, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What is it?" he asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.
Zeref placed the books and scrolls on the ground before Natsu, a sad smile playing on his lips. "These are for you," he explained. "Books about magic, both demon magic and human magecraft. They belonged to me once, but now they're yours."
Natsu's eyes widened in surprise as he picked up one of the books, flipping through its pages with awe. "Thank you, Zeref," he said sincerely, his voice filled with gratitude.
But Zeref wasn't finished yet. With a flourish, he produced a sleek, black katana from his cloak, holding it out to Natsu with a smile. "And this," he said, his tone almost playful. "This is Yamato, a sword that embodies a God of Death. Its abilities will depend on you, Natsu."
,,Hehe …A god of death ? How ironic.'' both brother laughed at this .
Natsu's excitement was palpable as he took the sword, feeling its power thrumming beneath his fingertips. "Yamato," he repeated, a sense of reverence in his voice. "Thank you, Zeref. I'll cherish it."
As the conversation drew to a close, Zeref's expression grew somber. "Natsu, there's something else you need to know," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness. "The next time we meet, we might be enemies."
Natsu's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly composed himself, his resolve firm. "I understand," he said firmly. "But no matter what happens, I won't abandon you without a fight."
Zeref smiled at that .
With their farewells exchanged, Natsu, Seilah, Anna, and the young dragon slayers stepped forward, ready to embark on their journey.
As Igneel and Zeref stood facing each other, the weight of their shared history hung heavily in the air. Igneel's gaze softened as he regarded his former comrade, a sense of camaraderie mingling with a tinge of sadness.
"Zeref," Igneel began, his voice gruff yet gentle. "It seems our paths diverge once more."
Zeref met Igneel's gaze with a solemn nod, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, Igneel," he replied, his tone tinged with melancholy. "But our bond will endure, even across the vast expanse of time and space."
Igneel's eyes gleamed with a mixture of pride and affection as he clasped Zeref's shoulder with a firm grip. "You've always been more than just a friend, Zeref," he said warmly. "I considered you as a son, and that bond will never be broken."
Zeref's expression softened at Igneel's words, a hint of emotion flickering in his eyes. "Thank you, Igneel," he murmured, his voice tinged with gratitude. "For everything."
With a final glance, Igneel and Zeref exchanged a silent understanding, each acknowledging the depth of their connection despite the circumstances that forced them apart. Then, with a nod of farewell, they turned and walked away, disappearing into the depths of their respective realms.