Birds chirped as the sun rose over the horizon, peaking in through an open window that highlighted two figures. Under the bed sheet covers lay Natsu and Erza. The knight was tightly snuggled to his chest with a warm smile plastered on her lips. Soft snoring could be heard from Natsu, whose mouth was hanging half open, a line of drool slowly sliding down his bottom lip. Clothes were scattered all over the bedroom floor. The smell of their pheromones rich in the air.
With a groan, Natsu slowly moved, an annoyed groan coming from his lover who clung to him tightly. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking away the sleep that threatened to overtake him. His eyes lowered towards his chest with a smile. Erza's hair covered her right eye. Her peaceful snores like music to his ears as his fingers gently stroked her hair. 'Thank kami, it was real.'
Feeling her boyfriend's fingers through her hair, Erza's smile grew wider, nuzzling into the touch. Her eyes fluttered open, meeting Natsu's loving gaze. Her cheeks grew flushed, raising her hand to cover it over his with a content sigh. "Morning, my dragon."
"Morning, my knight," he replied, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
Erza hummed in content, her eyes scanning over the room with a wide grin. "Last night was wonderful," her hand rubbed up and down his chest as she leaned up, the covers falling away without a care. Her lips pressed against his as Natsu's hand cupped over her cheek with a smile against her lips before they pulled away.
"It was," he nodded in response, stretching out his limbs with a satisfying pop to follow. "But as much as I want to stay in bed all day, we should get heading back to the guild. Gramps is gonna wanna hear about our mission, especially regarding Blood Dagger."
Crossing her arms over her chest with a small pout, Erza let out a sigh. "Do we have tooooo?"
Natsu quirked a brow with an amusing smirk. "Since when is Erza Scarlet lazy?"
"Since she finally got a life outside of mage work constantly," she retorted with a dead pan expression.
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right," Natsu sweatdropped, slowly getting out of bed as Erza could only gawk in all of his naked glory.
Natsu noticed her stare, turning to face her with a playful grin. "See anything like Ms. Scarlet?"
"I see something I very much like."
He rolled his eyes, grabbing his boxers and pants off the floor as he slipped them on, tying his belt around his waist. Erza begrudgingly followed, clipping her bra on that concealed Natsu's favorite toys. She giggled at his pouting, rolling her eyes. "If I can't see, you can't either mister," she pulled on her panties, and slipped on her white blouse, slowly buttoning it back up. Her last piece was her skirt which she slipped on as well, clipping it around her waist.
"Yeah, yeah..." Natsu grumbled, slipping on his black sweater and tying his boots tight. His hand reached over to grab his father's scarf, tightly wrapping it around his neck.
Erza summoned a brush, dragging it down her split ends that stood up everywhere. Natsu checked himself in the mirror, using a sliver saliva to to press down of his hair that stood up. He grinned at the results, turning to his girlfriend who sent her brush away with a smile.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Natsu offered his hand to her, which she happily took, hugging his arm to her chest. They slowly walked out of the room with bright smiles, leaving a room that will keep a very precious memory in both of their minds.
Walking around hand in hand around town, they came across Gray, Lucy, Wendy, Happy and Carla who spotted the couple. Lucy waved them over with a smile.
"There you love birds are!"
Gray couldn't help but smirk, noticing their clothes that had many creases all through out. "Fun night you two?"
Erza blushed deeply, avoiding his cocky smirk. Natsu rolled his eyes with a smirk of his own, wrapping an arm around Erza's waist. "At least I got some unlike you."
"Why you!"
Lucy cleared her throat loud enough to catch everyone's attention, a small blush on her cheeks. "Let's get going, master wants us back immediately."
"Is something wrong?" Erza questioned with a small frown.
Gray shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me, but he said it was urgent. So let's get going," he finished, slipping his hands into his pants pocket before turning around to walk towards the train station, the others following right behind him.
Natsu and Erza both shared a look of worry between each other. The dragon slayer could feel Erza's grip tighten around him. He gave a reassuring squeeze in return.
It didn't take long before all mages were seated in their booth as the train departed from the tracks. Natsu opened his stat window, stroking his chin in pensive thought. He had gained quite a bit of levels between completing the quest, and all the men he killed. A frown marred his expression with a slight grimace, remembering all too vividly the blood that once stained his hands, and his face. As much as he wanted to blame the system for making him committ such an atrocious act, he was the one who drew his blade. But... it was either him or them, and for once being selfish never felt so wrong. He couldn't leave Erza, not again, or anyone from Fairy Tail.
Gray didn't show it, but Natsu knew better. The moment he was found to be alive, the look of relief on the ice mage's face was a dead give away. Erza had told him of how Gray reacted to his death, purely blaming the whole mess on himself. Someday he would have to talk to him about it, but not now.
Focusing his attention once more on his stat window, he narrowed his eyes before nodding as he allocated his points. Erza watched him in curiosity, knowing full good and well she couldn't see a thing Natsu did. Didn't mean she wasn't curious about it. She wondered if there was a way they could see through Natsu's eyes. Memory lacrima maybe? Erza gently hummed in thought, resting her head against Natsu's shoulder.
Natsu waved his hand, watching all of the screens dissapear in front of him.
"So, Natsu," Lucy called out to him with curious eyes.
"Yes?"
"Can you explain this power of yours? I know we only got a glimpse back there, but we can't help but be curious about it," she chuckled softly. "It's just... what you have is unheard of."
A sigh escaped the dragon slayer's lips. He noticed Gray sit up to focus his full attention. 'Of course stripper is curious.' He glanced over towards his lover who nodded with a small smile.
"They deserve to know."
Natsu nodded, crossing his arms over his chest as he laid his head back in thought for a moment on how to best explain this situation. "Okay," his eyes focused on his teammates with a serious expression, his eyes becoming slits that put them all on edge. "Whatever I tell you, it doesn't leave this group. Gramps, no, our family can't know about this. There's good reason I'm keeping this under wraps."
"We get it fire breath, just tell us. You can trust us," Gray said sincerely with a small smile.
"Them, I can trust, you stripper... that's questionable."
Gray's right eye twitched at the comment, but bit his tongue with a small nod. All the girls giggled at his reaction before all attention was now on Natsu.
"Alright, I gave a vague explanation or I guess a more summarized version of this power.. or whatever this is," His fists clenched tightly with a deep sigh. "When I was on deaths door, a small screen appeared before my eyes. Said I had completed some kind of quest, courage of the weak. It then said I had met the qualifications to become a player as you heard from Allister. I had a small amount of time to think on the offer, due to it telling me if I didn't accept my heart would stop. So... I said I accept."
"Which is why when Erza found you in the mine, your wounds were gone," Gray added in as Natsu nodded in confirmation.
"So, with becoming a player a lot of things change. You are no longer the one in control, the system is."
"The system?" Lucy parroted with a small frown, holding a finger to her lips in pensive thought. "I've never heard of it."
Natsu frowned, shaking his head. "You probably haven't because I think it's not of our world. I am the only one that sees the things it shows through these small screens, or I guess I call them pop up windows. Anyway, like I said you are no longer in control. The system dictates what I do. If it gives me quests, I must complete them or I will be penalized."
"What kind of quests?" Wendy asked the dragon slayer curiously with a small groan as she was slumped over Lucy's lap, clutching her stomach.
Natsu chuckled, thanking the system for at least taking away that weakness of all dragon slayers. "Well, one is strength training, consider it training really. one hundred push ups, sit ups, squats and run ten kilometers."
Everyone's jaws dropped at the insane requirements.
"...Your kidding right?" Lucy giggled nervously, but her eyes widened when Natsu shook his head.
"Wish I was, but I get this quest every single day. If I don't complete within a certain time I'm sent to an area that I'll call the penalty zone. I must survive there for four hours with creatures I've never seen in my entire life. Vulverns, a hybrid between a Vulcan and a Wyvern."
"H-how is that even possible?!" Lucy quietly screeched with wide eyes, her body shaking at the mere thought of a creature of that caliber existing.
Natsu shrugged his shoulders with a sigh. "Wish I knew, but when I complete the quest. I get three rewards," he held up one finger. "One is a skill called Full Recovery, which you saw me use against Allister. It's a one time use," a second finger raised. "Two is three stat points."
"Stat points?" Carla questioned with a frown.
The dragon slayer sighed out of frustration. Explaining was such a pain in the ass for him. Not that his mental intelligence hadn't improved over the time he's become a player, didn't mean he liked to use his brain so much. "Anyone got a paper and pencil?"
Erza sat up, raising out her hand as a slip of paper appeared along with a pencil with a cocky grin. "Here you are, my love."
"I am never going to judge you for dragging that cart around ever again..." Natsu sweat dropped, taking a hold of the paper and pencil as she giggled, her smirk never leaving her lips. "Alright," he laid the paper down, scribbling away the way his stats were displayed. "Okay, so these are my stats. Strength, Agility, Vitality, Sensibility and Intelligence."
Gray snickered to himself with a smirk, crossing his arms over his bare chest. "You could use the last stat bad."
Natsu simply deadpanned in response, shaking his head with a deep sigh escaping his lips. "Anyway, the last reward is a mystery box, which I haven't opened yet. So you'll see how it works," he lifted his palm as a small wrapped box appeared in his hand, before hovering off the ground as it slowly unraveled in front of everyone with a bright glow. They all watched in awe as a key manifested, landing in his palm with a grin. It was jet black in color with crimson edges, jagged along the key's blade.
"An instance dungeon key?" Erza guessed as Natsu nodded with a smile, knowing she knew this information already.
"Correct."
Lucy studied the key with curious eyes. They were nothing like her celestial keys that were either made of gold or silver. "Can I see it Natsu?"
"Sure," he offered it to her as she took it in her palm, rotating it in her palm with an awe filled expression.
"That key grants access to an instance dungeon. A realm that is invisible to the naked eye unless you have one of those key's, which is where I got this," Natsu lifted his palm as Shadow Talon appeared in his grasp. All of them grew stiff, remembering that evil sword that was unnatural of the abilities it possessed. Shadows leaked off of it's edge like an aura. "This is Shadow Talon, a sword I aquired from a demon I killed in that dungeon," he chuckled nervously. "Thing damn near killed me."
Gray face hardened into a deep frown, a small glare appearing on his features. "A demon?"
Natsu waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, any of those creatures can't escape that dungeon realm. If they did..." he rubbed his face with a deep grimace. "Simply this world wouldn't survive. That demon had the strength that rivaled a damn dragon."Everyone's blood went cold with wide eyes, gawking at the dragon slayer, hoping and praying he was lying. Natsu simply nodded, letting them know he wasn't lying, which scared them more. But they were relieved to know these creatures couldn't come into their world.
"Can I see that sword, Natsu?" Erza asked, offering her hand out. He looked at her for a moment, hesitant to grant her request.
"Please don't cut yourself on it. It inflicts madness, which, as you seen it first hand... not a fun way to go."
Erza nodded, taking a hold of the blade in her hand. She could feel its energy practically leaking out. Her finger slowly grazed the top, careful to stay away from the sharp edge. "How were you able to use this with such grace? You've never used a sword in your whole life. But yet... your fight with Allister and his men said a completely different story. I could barely follow your movement."
"Honestly... I don't know. It just kicked in like an instinct. I can't really explain it," Natsu rubbed the back of his neck with an apologetic smile. "I really didn't want to use it ever, but I wasn't given a choice..."
"Don't beat yourself up over that," Gray waved his hand dismissively with a small chuckle. "As fucked up as it was, you were backed into a corner. And like you told us, it was kill or be killed. You obviously chose the first option."
Lucy twiddled with her fingers with a nervous smile, brushing a strand of blond hair behind her ear, keeping her eyes on her lap. "As scary as it was to see you so... ruthless. I don't hate you for it, nor does anyone here. You did what you had to do. But I can't say what I would've done if I was in your place instead."
Natsu took a hold of Shadow Talon, sending it back to his inventory with a deep frown. "Yeah..." he looked down to his palm, clenching it tightly. "I guess your right."
Erza rested her head against his shoulder, rubbing his thigh in comfort as she nuzzled against him with a small hum. Natsu's hand found hers, clutching it tightly with a shaky palm. She gave it a reassuring squeeze, telling him without words. "I'm here for you, Natsu. I'm going nowhere, I promise."
Most of the train ride was silent after that. Only a small conversation was shared with the group, some of them glancing towards Natsu, who had his eyes closed. He had fallen asleep, snoring peacefully.
"I feel for him," Lucy frowned, watching the dragon slayer. "I can't imagine what's going through his head."
Erza nodded with a deep frown, curving across her lips. "I am worried about this whole thing. This thing that controls him makes him do things like we saw. I know he would never turn on us like that, but I can't help but think of the consequences in the future. But... I'll stay by his side through it all. He needs us more than ever."
Everyone nodded in response, before their eyes caught site of Magnolia. Their blood went cold at the sight.
"W-what?!"
"What the hell happened?!"
"The guild..."
Natsu's eyes shot open, sitting up as his gaze went out to the town with a snarl. "What did this?!"
Magnolia, once a peaceful little town bustling with many people. Was now a wasteland, buildings were demolished, some still stood but windows were shattered, walls splintered open. Some bodies littered the streets with blood.
Lucy covered her mouth in horror, tears leaking out of her eyes. Gray gritted his teeth, clenching his fists in a boiling fury. Erza eyes scanned over the battlefield with clenched teeth. Her armor had been donned with her sword drawn. But nobody was more furious than Natsu. Without hesitation, he stood up abruptly, igniting his fist with a clenched fist. He reeled it back, smashing open the train, leaving a gaping hole. He leaped out.
"Natsu!"
"What is that idiot doing?!"
With the help of Happy and Carla, everyone swiftly departed the train, trying their best to catch up to Natsu who was blazing through town. His eyes had become deep yellow slits as flames leaked off his body. Fangs clenched, his eyes scanned over all the lifeless bodies with clenched fists. 'What the fuck happened here?!' His body vaulted over a pillar, snarling under his breath.
Erza and the others were not far behind, their anger matching Natsu's. What could've possibly caused all of this devastation? The farther they went through, the more debris of fallen buildings, some on fire. The scent of blood overwhelmed Wendy's senses who covered her mouth, trying not to vomit.
"I hope the others are okay..." Lucy clenched onto her shirt with tears flowing down her cheeks. A place she called home, now left in rubble.
Natsu came to a complete halt, staring wide eyed at the guild hall in front of him. To his relief it was still standing, but it didn't make it better to see the condition of the building. It looked like a tornado went through, leaving nothing but devastation in it's wake. He rushed forward to lift his boot, slamming open the doors that completely split off it's hinges, landing on the floor with a loud thud. His body froze at the sight.
Most of the members were either bruised, or severely injured, left bedridden on small cots made for them. Everyone was scattering around, until their eyes caught sight of Natsu standing there.
"Natsu!" Mira came running up to him, throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug, squeezing the life out of the dragon slayer. "Thank kami you came!"
"What the hell happened here Mira?" Natsu questioned with a snarl, his flames matching the emotional turmoil boiling inside him. "Who did this to our home?!"
"Monsters..."
Natsu's head turned towards the sound of their master with wide eyes. Makarov stood there, wrapped in bandages around his abdomen, and head. "Gramps!"
The rest of the team showed up, freezing in their tracks with wide eyes.
"Master!" Erza exclaimed, running over to the old man's side with tears. "What happened here?!"
Natsu's fists clenched tightly with gritted teeth. "Gramps... you said monsters. What do you mean?"
Makarov lowered his head with a deep sigh, feeling tears well up in the corners of his eyes. "Yes... that's why I wanted you guys back here ASAP. Reports are coming in all over Fiore. Strange portals are appearing everywhere, bringing with it monsters we've never seen before... I.. I don't know what they were. The council is in shambles as are we... One of those portals appeared in the middle of town.. and.. well you can see the destruction that was left in it's wake," he finished with a look of grimace, clenching his fists tightly together. "We tried evacuating the town to safety of the guild, but... not all of them made it."
Erza glanced over at Natsu who's hair shadowed his expression. 'That can't mean...'
"Gramps... what did these monsters look like?" Natsu asked with clenched teeth, his fists clenched so tightly, his nails dug into his palms that drew blood.
The old man frowned with a quirked brow. "Why do you want to kno-"
"TELL ME!" Natsu roared to the top of his lungs, flames flaring around his body as everyone jumped back afraid to be burnt from his raging fire.
Erza frowned deeply, biting her lip tightly. 'Natsu...'
"They... they were green humanoid creatures. Their had to be thousands of them... we were completely overwhelmed by their forces," He clenched his fists tightly with a shaky breath. "W-we stood no chance."
In a swift movement, Natsu grabbed a hold of a bench chucking it across the room as it shattered against the wall. "FUCK!"
"NATSU!" Makarov snapped with a confused glare, furrowing his eyes in frustration. "What has gotten into you boy?!"
Mira covered her mouth with wide eyes, watching as a crimson aura completely engulfed Natsu's body. His eyes becoming red glowing slits. Everyone backed away from him as shadows engulfed in his aura with a snarl.
"N-natsu?" Erza called out to him, but he ignored her call. He turned towards the entrance with narrowed eyes, feeling the ground quake underneath them.
"T-their coming back?!"
"We won't survive another attack!"
As everyone began to panic, Natsu walked forward. Makarov frowned deeply, feeling a sinister aura leaking off his body. It felt otherworldly to the old man. He didn't speak it outloud, but when Natsu had been revived, he could feel an evil presence inside Natsu. It wasn't magic at play, it... it was something else. Even Natsu's change in appearance was a dead give away alone. Training didn't do this, something brought Natsu back to life, but what?
Everyone watched as Natsu stopped at the entrance. "I guess there was no hiding it forever..." he spoke in that emotionless tone that made Erza's blood run cold. "Everyone... stay here," he lifted his hand as a dark blade appeared in his hand as everyone's eyes shot wide open. "I'll... take care of this."
Mira's eyes narrowed, scanning over the blade with a deep frown. "That's... demonic energy," she whispered, knowing full good and well the sword in Natsu's hand wasn't made of anything pure. The shadows that leaked off the blades edge, the aura it gave off. 'Natsu... what happened to you in that mission. You aren't the same guy that left this guild... who are you?'
Makarov was speechless with his jaw dropped to the floor. There wasn't a doubt now, something did happen to Natsu. "Natsu! You can't possibly take them all on your own!"
A gauntlet was placed on the master's shoulder. His attention turned towards Erza who wore a sad smile on her face. "Master... everyone.. just watch him. He's more than capable."
Everyone was confused by the knight's cryptic words. Natsu was strong yes, he's more than proved that in his own feats. But... to take on that many beasts at once? He couldn't be that strong.. could he? All eyes were on Natsu who's hold around his blade tightened. He slowly walked out as everyone scattered to the entrance to see his power firsthand. Though many were skeptical, but Erza having faith in his skill was enough to silence their questions.
"Can he.. really do this?" Cana questioned with a shaky breath. "I believe in that idiot as much as anyone else, but this? I... I don't know."
"Erza is telling the truth..."
Everyone turned to Gray who leaned onto the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest with a hardened look. "We've seen it first hand... let's just say.. we are in for quite the show. That flaming idiot is on a whole different level from us."
Makarov watched with narrowed eyes as Natsu stopped. A portal appeared out in the distance, with it came a swarm of monsters that scurried out in a legion. A growl escaped Natsu's lips, watching a horde of goblins, hob goblins included screech and roar out into the air. The dragon slayer aimed his blade forward as his crimson aura grew around his body.
"You are not meant to be here... but.. for the devastation," his hands clenched tightly. "All the people you've hurt... even killed. I will leave you all as corpses at my feet..." Natsu's heel dug into the ground with narrowed eyes, watching as the creatures grew closer.
"Are we really about to watch him do this?!" Mira exclaimed, clutching tightly onto her dress, biting her lip tightly.
Erza placed a hand on her shoulder with a smile. "Watch."
Flames erupted from Natsu's body, drawing everyone's attention. As soon as the monsters reached his view, he tore off the ground, causing a small crater in it's wake. What everyone saw left them slack jawed. Natsu barreled through the horde, swinging his sword in many different angles, blood spurting out from many of the creatures who screeched out in pain. With a parry, a block, he coated his hand in a flaming claw, sending a wave to engulf a large group. He moved like a blur, slicing the creatures down with precision and focus. Even as he was surrounded, his body moved inhumanly, twisting, bending in angles that left the Fairy Tail group awestruck.
"N-no way!"
"That's Natsu?!"
"Holy shit..."
Erza couldn't help but gape in awe. Even if they witnessed this first hand, watching him move with such speed, the way his blade curved through the horde with grace. She could see it in his eyes, his focus was unbroken. 'He's truly incredible...'
Natsu leaped back, skidding back against the cobblestone ground. He sucked in all of the air around him, his stomach and cheeks puffing out. A torrent of flames escaped his lips, engulfing a large crowd in an instant, before an axe grazed by his cheek, drawing blood. He slid under the creatures legs, leaping backwards with a flip as his blade sliced it's head clean off. It's large body tumbling to the ground. More of them converged around him as he dashed forward, continuing his slaughter, bodies, blood coating the ground like a cruel painting.
His eyes glanced outwards past the crowd of goblins. Natsu's blood ran cold, watching as a familiar creature, it's skin as dark as the abyss, it's razor claws that dripped with blood of the goblins it absentmindedly slaughtered without care.
"What is that thing?!"
"A demon?!"
Erza, Lucy and Gray's eyes grew wide as saucers remembering the Abyss Demon Natsu spoke of. Their blood ran cold at it's appearance. It was truly a thing of nightmares.
Natsu leaped back, holding his blade out that coursed with shadows that made the weapon grow in size. Shadows coursed all around Natsu's body as his crimson eyes glared daggers at the demon. With a step, he roared. "ABYSSAL SLASH!" He swung the blade in a horizontal arc, a giant wave of shadows flowing out, engulfing the horde, including the demon that screeched out in a high pitched roar. The shadows dispersed, leaving nothing left in Natsu's wake. He watched as his levels sky rocketed, including the gold and monster parts he received.
The guild was left completely dumbstruck, speechless of what they just witnessed. Nobody could even spare a single thought.
Natsu waved his hand, sending it back to his inventory with a sigh. "Why... w-why is this happening?" He looked down at his hands that shook violently. "Is this... because of me?"
A pair of arms wrapped around his waist. The scent of strawberries entering his nose with a sad smile. "Erza..."
Erza didn't say a word, her hold tightening around his body. She shook in his grasp, clenching her teeth tightly together. Natsu covered his hands over hers, closing his eyes deep in thought.
'What happened to cause this? I safely assumed these creatures couldn't leak into our world, but yet they are... what are these gateways and what's causing them? I...' Natsu clutched onto Erza's hands tightly in a vice grip. 'I need to get stronger... I've been taking this easy.. I've been careless of the consequences that came with this. Erza... I'm sorry I've dragged you into this.'
"Natsu..."
Natsu turned around to face Erza who immediately broke him of his thoughts. His heart clenched tightly, watching tears slowly stream down her cheeks. He could see it in her shaking body, her hands. She was afraid. Erza... Erza Scarlet was afraid of these monsters. They were useless against them, unlike Natsu who had a fighting chance against them. He held her close to his chest as she buried her face Into his chest with a gentle whimper. "Shhh..." his arms wrapped around her tightly, rubbing circles around her back. "I have you..."
His eyes glanced towards the guild's entrance. Makarov and Natsu's eyes met. The master pointed his thumb backwards with a deep glare. A sigh escaped his lips, knowing full well he was in for the ear full of his life. His attention turned towards the many corpses that littered the streets of Magnolia.
'What have I done...?'
Natsu Dragneel
Level: 29
STR: 88
AGIL: 34
VIT: 54
SENS: 30
INT: 30
Now shit is about to get real. I figured I'd change the way gates work here, instead of how they did in Solo Leveling. They are portals, no longer gates. Monsters pour out without hesitation. Natsu's life is about to change entirely.
Next time, following the aftermath of Natsu's battle, he battles with his inner demons of guilt, knowing he must grow stronger to protect what he holds dear. No matter the cost.
For now that's all I have. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you all in the next one. Later :)
