A stone with a strange symbol he couldn't seem to figure out in his palm, Natsu lazily slumped into his seat. Having finished the instance dungeon; it was time to return home. His body ached all over, even after his wounds had healed themselves. His thoughts lingered back on the instance dungeon. A location, or realm as it appeared to him. The creatures he encountered of the likes he's never seen before.
The Demon, a creature as black as the night sky that gave Natsu a run for his money. He could feel the long gashes afflicted upon him. He didn't doubt the power from other pages, especially his girlfriend Erza. But the power this... monster possessed trumped anything he's ever fought before in his life. He's wrestled with world ending threats, but somehow, one creature made the dragon slayer realize there was always something out there, stronger, lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on it's next prey. Thankfully from what he could tell, the monsters couldn't leave the dungeon. If something of that caliber was released into Earthland...
He shuddered at the devastating implications. The body count of innocent people, blood stains on the floor. Beasts that cared for nothing, but the thrill of their slaughter. Natsu could only guess the beasts of their world would struggle against such an opposing force.
His head rested on the back of his seat, a deep inhale of his lungs and exhale, he closed his eyes for a moment. He listened intently to the conversations of many other passengers that talked about their everyday life. A family enjoying their time together with a couple fits of laughter that filled Natsu's heart with so much glee. This is what he fought for, what he strived to create in this world. Peace, prosperity in this broken world. He enjoyed fighting bad guys, but sometimes he wondered... when would the fighting ever end?
A sigh escaped his lips. Such a blissful wish that would never come. Darkness would always be apart of this world no matter where you looked. It didn't mean he would stop trying, for as long as he had Fairy Tail, Erza, he would keep fighting to his last breath.
With this power in his hand, maybe, just maybe he could truly make a difference.
He opened his eyes once more to be greeted by the suns rays that beamed through his window. Natsu looked down at the stone in his palm once more with narrowed eyes. The demon dropped this item, but he had zero clue on how to aquire it's skill. What if... his hand clenched tightly onto the stone with a vice grip. With a tight squeeze, the small stone shattered in his grasp. Immediately his body was engulfed in a yellow light that no one else could see.
NOTIFICATION
Skill Aquired: Abyssal Slash
Description: Conjure the shadows that enshroud your blade to deliver a devastating wave of darkness
'But... I don't use swords, or weapons for that matter!' He grumbled in thought, crossing his arms over his chest. 'And here I thought it was something that I could use. Erza would love something like this. Speaking of which...'
"Inventory," he commanded in a whisper.
A large screen appeared before his eyes. He could see the loot he obtained from the monster's he had slain, including the demons sword. Shadow Talon was it's name. His hand plunged into the window, sparks flying all around him as he pulled out a thin, slightly jagged blade. It was jet black with a crimson cloth that wrapped around the handle. Turning it over, he noticed engravings that adorned the blades point. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to take the shape of a talon, being that was it's name.
Shadow Talon: A jagged blade transformed from the claws of the abyssal Demon.
Effects: Inflicts drain and madness
Drain: Steal the life of your enemies, imbueing your own being with their life force.
Madness: Inflict fear upon your foes that decend into a state of psychosis.
Natsu winced slightly at the description, sending the blade back to his inventory with a frown. "No thanks," his eyes wandered out the window, watching the scenery pass by with a peaceful ambiance that put the young dragon slayer at peace. He closed his eyes, slowly dozing off with a small smile on his lips.
Staring ahead at the small town he called home. Natsu couldn't help but grin, walking along the cobblestone path that led to his guild. Civilians greeted him with smiles of their own, enjoying the energetic positivity that he radiated. He looked down at his ragged, torn clothes with a sheepish chuckle. "Ah... Erza is gonna kill me."
Stopping in front of the guild hall doors, he smiled softly, tracing his finger along the wooden door. "Home sweet home... time to break the door down," a large grin made it's way across his lips before he lifted his foot.
With a kick, they flew open, nearly breaking off their hinges. "I'm back!" He boisterously declared with his signature toothy grin. His family welcomed him with smiles and grins, greeting the dragon slayer with welcomed arms.
"Bout time you got back Torch head, I was getting bored here," Gray mused with a small smirk on his lips.
Natsu returned a smirk of his own, raising his brow. "You seem to be having your fun there stripper," he gestured to the ice mage's lower abdomen with a snicker.
"What are you.." he lowered his head with wide eyes. "God damn it where are my clothes now?!" Gray scattered through the guild, many sharing laughs and chuckles.
"Gray! My darling, I brought you a spare!"
Natsu rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "Some things never change," he mused, before his eyes landed on the person of interest of waited patiently for his return.
The moment their eyes met, it was like a burst of electricity through their bodies. Erza stood up from the bar top with a bright smile, her cheeks flushed in color. "You've returned."
"I wouldn't keep my knight waiting forever," he responded teasingly, opening his arms out to her which she happily sunk into them.
She bathed in his scent, burying her face into his scaly scarf. The smell of smoked cedar that made her sigh in content. His presence was the only thing she needed in this world, the only thing that made her truly relax.
Natsu took a huff of her strawberry scent that resides in her scarlet locks. "Did you miss me?" He asked quietly, stroking her back with a smile when she melted further into his touch.
"I always miss you dummy," Erza replied, lifting her head from his chest to gaze into his onyx orbs. "No matter where you are, no matter how far. I'll always be waiting for you, my love."
"What did I do to deserve you?"
"Nothing," she shook her head with a smile. "You were just.. you. The silly," Erza stroked his cheek, adming his handsome features with longing eyes. "Childish, energetic, ray of sunshine that's entered my life and my heart. Someone.. I would never let go, not ever."
Natsu leaned into her hand with a warm smile. His hand rested over hers before he leaned in to capture her lips for a short moment. Even with the smallest of kisses he provided, her heart fluttered always. He pulled away, his smile unwavering. "Did I miss anything?"
"Nothing of the ordinary," she replied with a small chuckle. "It's been quite boring here without you," her eyes had finally taken in the state of his clothing with wide eyes. "N-natsu?! What happened to you?" Erza asked, frantically searching over his body that bore long scratches down his back, along with a large bite mark sunk into his shoulder. There was dry blood on all of the wounds that only worried her further.
"Oh..." Natsu rubbed the back of his head with a small sheepish chuckle, noticing the knight's glare that promised punishment. "Had a small run in with a pack of Wyverns. They were attacking a small village nearby Clovertown. So.. you know me, I wasn't gonna let that happen. There were just more than I thought, so they took me by surprise a bit."
Erza could only let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Honestly, you can be so reckless sometimes Dragneel. Come on, let me get you patched up," she grabbed a hold of his arm to pull him to the bar top to plop him down in his seat. She left for a moment to head upstairs to the infirmary for bandages, and alchol."
He watched her fleeting form for a moment, before a deep sigh escaped his lips. Natsu hated lying to the love of his life, but what choice did he have? No matter how hard it would become, he had to persevere. The truth would come eventually, but for now, for the sake of his friends, his family and Erza. Natsu would keep his mouth shut.
"Hi Natsu!"
The dragon slayer turned his attention towards Mira who stood there with a beaming smile. He smiled in return, waving his hand. "Yo, Mira. What's up?"
"Nothing particular," she frowned gently at the condition of his clothing. "You look a little roughed up there."
Natsu puffed his chest out in pride, pointing his thumb towards himself with a toothy grin. "Nothing I can't handle!"
Mira couldn't help but giggle, rolling her eyes at his antics. "The mighty Salamander will never fall to anyone."
"Your damn right!"
"Are you hungry?" She asked, but before he could respond his stomach grumbled elicting a giggle from the bar maid. "I'll take that as a yes. I'll get the usual, be right back!"
"Thanks, Mira," he lowered to his head on the table, closing his eyes for a moment.
"Are you okay, Natsu?"
Natsu lifted his head to meet the eyes of his worried lover. He smiled at her concern, shrugging his shoulder with a sigh. "I'm just a bit exhausted is all. No need for concern, Erza."
Erza took a seat next to him, unwrapping the bandages. "I will always worry about you, idiot. Now take your clothes off, now," she finished with a demanding tone that Natsu immediately listened, scrapping away the tattered vest.
Her eyes wandered his toned muscular tan body with a small blush. No matter how many times she's seen it. She couldn't help but blush at his near perfect physique. Erza gently wrapped Natsu's body with love and care, dabbing away his wounds with a cloth, and alchol. He could only watch with a small smile as her eyes were focused on the task at hand. Natsu knew the knight cared deeply about him, and he loved her just as much in kind. He felt like the luckiest guy in Earthland with a beautiful woman like her at his side.
"There, all done," Erza smiled at her handiwork, placing the first aid kit off to the side.
Mira returned with a platter of meat that strangely was on fire. Natsu could only drool in anticipation of the heavenly meal. "Here you go Natsu! Just how you like it!"
He wasted no time in grabbing a piece of meat, chomping into it. Erza could only lean on his shoulder, watching him practically engulf the food in front of him.
Wiping his lips, he sighed in content patting his stomach with a grin. "Delicious as always," a small yawn escaped his lips, rubbing his eyes. "Time for a nap."
"Mind if I join you?" Erza asked with pleading eyes, rubbing the top of his palm. "I haven't slept very well without my dragon."
Natsu didn't respond to her question. He stood up from his chair, before swiftly scooping Erza off her feet.
"N-natsu!"
"Let us go home, my knight," Natsu kissed the top of her head, walking away with the blushing knight who could only bury her head Into his chest. The doors closed behind them, leaving the guild to their thoughts.
"They are such a wonderful couple!" Mira squealed, leaving her siblings to sweat drop at her enthusiasm.
"They are truly one of a kind," Lucy mused with a chuckle.
"I can't believe that flame breather got a girlfriend before me!"
"Juvia will be your girlfriend!" The water woman proudly claimed, grabbing a hold of his arm, clutching it between her breasts, making the ice mage blush.
"Natsu is a real man to snag the great titania!" Elfman roared, before being smacked upside the head by an annoyed Evergreen. "Ow!"
"Your talk of being a man is so annoying! You can't even man up to propose to me," The woman huffed, turning her head away from the poor brute who could only blush with a grumble.
Gajeel could only scoff, rolling his eyes at all of the idiots of this guild. "Big whoop! At least I got a woman before all of ya! And I have a kid on the way, so beat that losers."
"Gajeel, knock it off!" Levy yanked on the iron dragon slayer's ear, causing the poor man to yelp in surprise. "I swear you men act like such kids. Our kid will be more mature than you. I'm personally happy for Erza and Natsu. They both have gone through an awful lot lately, they deserve this."
"I do have to admit, they make a good couple. She'll keep that buffoon in line," Carla added, taking a sip of her tea as Wendy chuckled.
Makarov could only watch with a smile, knowing his children were thriving and happy. "I wonder when I'll get grandchildren," the old man chuckled, before returning to his office. It warmed his heart to see his family ever growing, expanding with families of their own. Natsu and Erza were a special case. It didn't take a blind eye to know love at first sight, but he could tell the moment those two met there was a special connection between them. Now from here, their love would expand further and further till the guild will see a group of children, matching their mother and father. 'Kami help us all when that happens... my money...' The old man comically cried, closing the door.
Resting his hand upon his chin, a man sat in a dark dreary room. The only light being a small lantern that rested on a wooden table next to him. The wood had seen better days, some spots splintered with rotting pieces. His black greasy hair, lazily covered his eyes that could only stare at the floor below him.
Footsteps could be heard, before he lifted his head. "What is it?" The man asked in a deep hoarse tone that made the one standing in front of him freeze up. "Come on, spit it out. Do not waste my time."
"Y-yes master!" The other bowed to them, before raising their body to speak. "It appears Isabelle, Marco, Issac and Clark found the source of the relic, unfortunately there were... complications."
The moment the words left his mouth, a suffocating aura surrounded the room. His eyes bulged from his sockets, immediately grasping at his throat in desperation.
"What do you mean... complications?" The cloaked man stood from his seat, a glare that could even rival Erza's pierced through the suffocating man who could only stare at him with wide eyes.
"I-it appears... a mage known as Natsu D-Dragneel has obtained the relic... the system has blessed him with it's... power."
"I knew those fools couldn't accomplish such a simple task," his boots stomped along the ground as his hand withdrew from his cloak wielding a sharp blade.
"B-but sir! They were slaughtered by the systems guardians... So was Natsu but... somehow the system brought him back to li-"
"OF COURSE IT DID YOU FOOL!" The master roared, grabbing a hold of his throat with a snarl, his blood red eyes burying daggers into the man's body. "It chooses those who are worthy of it's gift. This is merely a thorn in my side," without hesitation a knife was plunged into the man's throat with an uninterested look. "Worthless."
The man fell to the floor, clinging to his throat that spurted out blood with a suffocating gurgle. His body collapsed in front of the master, blood pooling at his feet. Taking a lick of the metallic liquid that dripped off his blade with a crooked grin, he took a seat once more.
"Natsu Dragneel, prepare for an agonizing death as I slaughter everyone you love and hold dear," he couldn't help but grin in bloodthirsty excitement.
"This should be fun~"
What a chapter to write, even if it was mainly a lot of dialogue between characters. Natsu has aquired his first skill, and a weapon he chooses not to use due to it's evil nature. Blood Dagger will be making their move soon. For now, that's all I have for you today. Not sure if a chapter will be posted tomorrow or not. I've been trying to be consistent with uploading.
The major support for this fic has been nothing but astounding honestly. Thank you guys for that, truly. Writing is what I love to do besides gaming, and the fact my work is entertaining to all of you means the world to me.
Sound like a broken record, but again. Please don't be afraid to leave a review of any kind. I promise I don't bite.
In other news, a high-school Natza AU is in the works. I'm debating on starting it or solely focusing on this fic for the time being.
As always I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you all in the next one. Later :)