Chapter 18
Birds chirped a sad tune. The trees danced solemnly and sullenly to it, bathing in the unpleasant rains, tasting the cutting winds, waving a final goodbye to the friends and family that had been lost in the war.
Erza had never hoped that he would be one of them. She had always hoped that he was indestructible, that he was immortal, that he wouldn't ever leave… for her sake.
She stood outside his shack. It was old, abandoned, crumbling. Ever since he had left, nature had started to reclaim this place. Creepers and vines climbed along the old termite infested walls, squeaks of rats and mice were heard from inside the darkened cabin, and cobwebs and spiders tried to replace Natsu's presence from that place. To erase his existence forever. To completely make sure that he wasn't of this world anymore. That he was now beyond.
Erza would have tried to keep this place maintained. She would have solely kept up the reconstruction and repairs on his place… to preserve his memory. To immortalise him. He deserved that much. But she was afraid. She was afraid that if she were to even touch this place, his essence, his fragrance, his memory that stained this place would overwhelm her. That it would bring unstoppable and unfathomable grief to her spirit, churning and wrenching her heart, and tears to her eyes. She had kept away from his old cabin as if it was cursed. She had cried to herself in her room for far too long, she had avoided the sunlight and food for far too long. She had suffered for far too long. It was now time to face her fears.
She was here now. Just standing at his doorstep, just being here… it flooded her mind with his memories. His memories that were the last keepsake of him to her. Memories that would never be relieved again. When he was still alive, she would come here on off days, knock on the door, and the door would open to his smiling and beautiful face. His beautiful pink hair would flutter in the winds, taking her breath away. And she would fall in love with him that much more.
He would extend his hand to her, no words said between the two except gentle and loving and happy smiles. She would slowly and gently place her hand atop his, and he would grab her lovingly and lead her inside. She would lay down on his bed with her head over his chest, listening to his heartbeats synchronised with the thumping inside her own chest. She would pull him ever closer to her, breathing in his beautiful and subtle fragrance, loving him infinitely every single moment that there was. Every single second that would pass by, she would love him more.
She could love him to infinity and beyond. To the skies and higher. To the ocean beds and deeper.
Now… she stood here alone. In the rain and the storms. Drenched to her feet, shivering and shaking all over, her arms hugging herself like he used to once. Her white gown… the gown that he had said looked beautiful on her, sticking to her body. Her feet bare and muddy, and her heart open out to the world… wrenching and churning in grief and pain.
She shut her eyes and imagined his face.
"Where have you gone, Natsu? Why… Why have you left me? Have… have I made a mistake? Have I not loved you enough? Have I not kissed you enough? Have I not… embraced you enough? I… I love you till the deepest parts of my heart… with all my spirit. With all my strength and beyond. More than my esteem, more than my duties, more than anything else in the world. And… I can love you even more. Please… come back to me. Love me like you used to. I need you."
Her tears merged with the rainwater running down her face, and were lost in the storms. The cold winds cut through her body like a house of cards, making her need him that much more. He would have shielded her with his warmth. With his comfort. With his protectiveness that had no counter. With his arms that he had promised would never unwrap from around her. His promises were broken… lost… gone… just like him.
She slowly climbed up the stairs to his door and sat down. She would wait an eternity for him. Even longer. She wouldn't touch food, water… she wouldn't touch the world. She would just wait for him forever. Until he came back.
The rain had stopped, and Erza walked down the lonely cold streets of Magnolia as the winds flew in the opposite direction. Natsu never came back. She would wait outside his door again tomorrow. That has become her routine now.
After the war with Zeref, the town had been nearly destroyed. Burnt, collapsed, crumbled. But the indomitable human spirit was unwavering. The reconstruction was underway, this time intending to make the town stronger and more beautiful than ever before.
But without Natsu… Erza's world would always be under repair. Never ending repair. Always ugly.
After Etherious and Zeref had both died, presumably killing each other in combat, Acnologia quickly realised that the only two deterrents standing against his conquest of the world were gone. He had quickly declared war on the world. And ever since Igneel had died, he had been forever secretly conquering the remaining dragon tribes of the world, using the war with Zeref as a cover, bringing them under his wing and command. It was estimated that now his military strength was over tens of thousand dragons strong, quickly riding towards the mainland for a war.
Erza shivered, but not with cold. To face that many legendary beasts in open combat… It was a frightening prospect. If Natsu was still alive, she would have plunged herself headfirst into the war, slaying dragons like there was no tomorrow, bringing the fight to Acnologia himself. Protecting the world from whatever threatened to uproot it. Natsu gave her courage. He gave her strength. He gave her a reason to fight and survive. To, maybe one day, be lovingly married to him. To mother his children. To ascertain to the world that Natsu belonged to her and her alone. But now that is gone. Natsu was gone.
Was there any reason to fight this war anymore?
"Erza."
She heard a voice. She stopped in her tracks and turned around. Honestly, she wanted to be left alone for now.
She found Sting and Rogue standing behind her, watching her worriedly, holding some documents in their hands. Sting and Rogue… these were Natsu's good friends. Maybe she would entertain them after all.
Sting and Rogue both exchanged worried and sad glances, and looked back at her. She was shivering, her red hair wet and drenched, and her white gown sticking to her body. She didn't look… okay.
"Are you… okay? You don't look well, Erza."
Erza stared down at the ground. She didn't have an answer to that. Was she okay? Of course she wasn't. She had lost… her everything.
"I… I am fine." She replied softly.
Sting gulped and pursed his lips. He slightly bowed down to her, and Rogue joined him.
"Our condolences for… for what happened to Natsu. He was brave and selfless till the end. A warrior like him deserved to stay by our side and lead us forever with his virtue and strength."
Erza nodded slowly and bowed down. He was right. Natsu demonstrated courage and strength that was… unheard of. He pushed the limits of what selflessness meant, and carried out his duty proudly and sincerely, even if it meant his untimely death at the hands of fate.
Sting exhaled and extended a document that he was holding to Erza. Erza received that document and dowsed over it.
Sting smiled respectfully. "The… the king has sanctioned our request. Dragon slayers from all over the world are en route to Magnolia to join the war against Acnologia. There are over thousands of them. That will help us even the odds against Acnologia in a big way. We are all doing everything we can to prepare for this war. I am to lead these dragon slayers into war and teach them Dragon force. Dragon force… that was taught to me by Natsu. I will do my best to pass on his will and legacy to these soldiers and ready them for battle. We will need all the help that we can get."
Erza fidgeted agitatedly. Something coiled around her heart uncomfortably, churning it and squeezing the deep set grief out. Natsu's absence… had changed her. Something that she was supposed to congratulate Sting over and provide him with her well wishes was now a point of ugly contention for her.
She returned the document that she held to Sting. She looked up at him, slightly dissatisfied and ferocious.
"Natsu… Natsu deserved to be in your place. He mastered dragon force first. He taught them to the rest of his friends. He deserved to lead these dragon slayers."
Sting's lips wavered as he received the document back. He looked at Rogue, and found him looking at him back.
Rogue gulped. "But… Sting has proven himself to be capable in every way. He is the best commander we have right now—"
Sting elbowed Rogue, and the latter fell silent.
Sting shut his eyes and made up his mind. He looked at Erza, empathy and determination ringing in his face.
"You're correct, Erza. Natsu… taught me… taught all of us, what it means to be a warrior. What it means to protect someone. To go any perceivable distance to do so. He changed me for the better. He changed… all of us. That's why…"
He bowed down again, and pushed Rogue's head down as well.
"We both request you all of your support in this war. You were close to Natsu. You knew him better than anyone else. For us to inculcate his qualities in us for this war… that will be the best weapon in our arsenal. His faith, his trust, his belief, his hope, his resolve and grit and determination. The responsibility on all our shoulders to uphold his standards is very big. It weighs us down to no end. And… the only way we can honour his memory is to burden that responsibility together. Only then we can walk in his shoes, and help each other up when we fall. Natsu… Natsu taught me that."
Erza's eyes widened slightly. She felt glad to hear all that. Sting wasn't just taking up Natsu's position. He was taking up Natsu's responsibility as well. His burden, his duties, his promises. His legacy. All of them were, including her. And the standard that Natsu had left behind that they were all supposed to live upto could only be lifted if they all worked together. He alone lifted the world when he was alive. With him gone, it was their duty to pick up where he left off.
Erza found herself tearing up at that thought. Tearing up with resolve and determination. To carry on Natsu's legacy, to shoulder his burdens, that was their duty. And right now, it wasn't the time for petty politics. It was time for selflessness and mutual understanding. He… he would have wanted it. He would have desired it.
She nodded, and bowed down. "I am sorry, Sting. I shouldn't have questioned your capabilities. We are all in this together. You will have all my support, and that of Fairy Tail's. You have my word."
Sting smiled ear to ear. "Thank you, Erza. I wouldn't disappoint. Not you, not Fairy Tail… and finally, not Natsu. That would be the last thing I'd do. Till death and beyond, I will carry his legacy on and forward. All of us will."
Erza found herself smiling softly.
Sting and Rogue looked at each other, and then back at Erza. "We have some more documentation to run before we welcome the new soldiers here. Please, take care… Erza. We all stand with you. We know that we can't possibly ever fill up the gap left by Natsu. But… we will try our best."
Sting and Rogue smiled one last time, waved her a goodbye, and then walked away.
Erza watched them leave. Everyone was doing their duties. Everyone was trying their best to pick up where Natsu had left. Everyone… except her. Why was she so indecisive? Why was she so inactive? Why was she so… unmotivated? Was Natsu's presence the only thing that had spurred her on before? Even before she had realised that she loved him, was he the only thing that unknowingly pushed her onward?
She knew where she had to go. She turned around.
'Brave and virtuous. Till the end—Natsu Dragneel.'
The pedestal under the statue said. Offerings and flowers lay under the statue's feet. Many had come by, paying their respects to the great and legendary warrior that they all owed their lives to.
Erza read the description under the statue.
'When hope was shattered under the infinite marching feet of evil, he became our hope. When light was consumed whole by the gaping maw of darkness, he became our light. When courage was crushed and fear ran rampant through the world, he became our courage. When the world needed a miracle, he became that miracle. His home is in the great beyonds now, but he shall forever watch our struggles. He shall forever watch our attempts at keeping the world he lent to us safe, bright and healthy. Natsu Dragneel, the great warrior for light and justice. Now, and forever.'
Erza looked up at the statue of Natsu. It was tall and large, made out of a shiny black stone.
Made of Black Stone.
But no matter how big they built that statue, they could never truly reconstruct Natsu's big heart. A heart that was tough and unrelenting on the outside, and soft and warm on the inside. A heart that protectively encompassed those under Natsu's care, and threatened to level all the evil in the world should it dare to touch those that Natsu cared about.
Erza felt a hand over her shoulder. She turned around and found Kagura standing behind her, smiling empathetically at her.
Kagura knew she would find Erza at Natsu's memorial site. And she was right. This was the place for Erza to be. It was a place dedicated to Natsu and his selfless heroic deeds that had saved the world. It was a place dedicated to the love of Erza's life.
Kagura grabbed Erza's waist and pulled her into a gentle and loving hug. She knew that Erza needed every bit of support now in her moments of fragility. With that embrace, Kagura tried her hardest to level all the grief within Erza's heart. She knew that the pain of losing Natsu was great, undefeatable. And that Erza had two wars to fight now, the one on the outside and the one of losing him. That Kagura could never truly erase that pain. But she would try.
She whispered softly. "Natsu's destiny was in the skies, Erza. It was away from us. Always had been. He always walked a path separate from us. He was never meant to last in this ugly and pained world. He deserved the heavens, where he is now, together with Igneel. He was here for but a moment, with a duty to fulfil, and as soon as his work here was done, he returned home."
Erza's eyes watered. So… Natsu was never meant to be with her? All that happened between the two of them, their love, their undeniable affection and admiration for each other, their now shattered dreams of having a small and beautiful world of their own… that was all happenstance? An accident? Even if it was an accident, Erza was glad she was a part of it. She was glad that the very short moment Natsu lived with them, he called her his and she called him hers.
But Kagura was correct. Natsu was an angel. He had come to earth for a special purpose, and when that was done, he returned to the great beyond… happy and satisfied.
Erza hid her face over Kagura's chest and pulled her that much closer to herself. In Kagura's love and care, she tried to find Natsu. Desperately. She sobbed, and her tears flowed like a river. She had needed a shoulder to cry on ever since Natsu had left. The ice within her started to melt and reached her eyes, where forth they flowed like a dam had been opened.
Erza snivelled and cried. "He… he left me here, Kagura. He is gone… He will never come back now…. I… I wanted to love him for a bit longer…"
Kagura's eyes watered. She nuzzled her face over Erza's trembling and shaking head and contained her frail and damaged body. She had never known Natsu that well, but from all that Erza had told her about him, people like him came by rarely. He was special. One of a kind.
"No, Erza." Kagura shook her head. She wanted to cry too, sharing in Erza's limitless pain, but she had to be tough here. "He… he hasn't left us. People like him never leave us alone. They may be far away from us, but they are never truly gone. His will is yours now. His unfathomable and unrelenting strength is yours now. His deep and caring love for you… it is yours to hold now. He lives through you. He is watching you. He is smiling at you, he admires the woman you have become. He is proud of you, Erza. He is proud that he could leave behind someone as strong and brave as you to defend what he had created. This world… this peace… our existence… it's a boon to us from him. It's our duty now to protect his legacy. To save this world once again, just like he has so many times before. We need to be strong for his sake. We need to be brave for his sake. We need to stand tall and tough for his sake. So that his sacrifice doesn't go in vain."
Listening to all that churned Erza's heart further. She buried her face deeper over Kagura's dress and sobbed infinitely. This sobbing into someone's arms… breaking down over someone else as they stood strong to support her and let her break all she wanted, only to later build her back up… this was due for months now. Natsu would do this whenever Erza was upset and in need.
She remained in Kagura's arms for a while, remembering Natsu. Loving him, even from a distance. His words that had touched her so deeply rang fresh in her mind, his righteous and brave sacrifice that would inspire millions to come bled fresh in her memory, and his touch that she didn't feel anymore, yet she could remember still burned fresh on her skin.
Winds swivelled, trees danced and swayed, and the wet floor after the rain didn't let a single speck of dirt and dust fly into the air. It was a beautiful day… marred by agony and tragedy.
The dragon slayers had arrived. There were over a thousand of them, filling up the empty marketplace to the brim. They were young and looked inexperienced in combat and warfare. Most looked like they had never been on an S class mission at all. If they were to be trained to take the battle to Acnologia, they needed training before they could do so.
They all stood before Natsu's black statue, looking around, muttering to themselves, mostly talking about Natsu Dragneel. Their hero. The figure in whose name this battle… this war was being fought in the first place. These dragon slayers had hoped to meet the hero in person, but all they were met with was a stone statue. However, they were in Magnolia. Natsu's home. Natsu's training ground. Where Natsu spent most of his time. Where he lived most of his life, at least the one that he remembered. Where Natsu learnt to fight. The streets that he once played in. This was the place.
Sting climbed up the pedestal under Natsu's statue. As he did so, the mutterings stopped and everyone paid their utmost attention to his words.
Sting touched Natsu's statue, exhaled, and then faced the crowd.
"Natsu Dragneel. He was a friend of mine." He began. His words echoed far. "More than a friend. He was a brother. A brother at arms. To all of us. We faced Zeref's invasion together. His armies numbered in the millions, his demons scared even the light away, and his own strength was enough to split open the world from the middle. But no matter how tough the odds were, Natsu prevailed. He fought and battled like there was no tomorrow, to make sure there would be one. Blood… tears… sweat… he shed all of it. He persevered, endured and got up everytime he was knocked back. And he finally defeated Zeref, the greatest dark mage of all time. He saved us all. We owe our lives to him. He rests now, peacefully and soundly. And we miss him every single day."
Mirajane hid her face into Elfman's chest and sobbed. Juvia snuggled closer to Gray, Wendy and Levy held hands with Gajeel, Cana and Gildarts looked down at the ground, and Ultear and Jellal looked at each other, and then up at Natsu's statue. Each of them prayed for his safe journey to the Great Beyond. Each of them wished him well, and hoped for a life of everlasting peace for him. He couldn't find peace in this world, his life marred with some of the darkest and cruellest twists and turns and tragedy known to mankind. Maybe in the next life, he shall find peace. They all collectively hoped for that.
Sting gnashed his teeth, and clenched and unclenched his fists. He exhaled, and steeled himself.
"You… you all may wonder how. How did he save the world? How did he defeat Zeref himself? How could Natsu be so strong? I… I myself don't know. I have known him for several years, fought countless battles by his side, even fought him at one point. And yet, I don't know how he managed to be this strong. But I always had something close to an answer. A thought. An idea. You have never known him personally, but had you known him, you would feel this way too. I think the reason behind his strength was…"
He paused. Erza's eyes darted to him as she wondered what he was going to say next. Was his reason the same as hers?
Sting smiled brightly. "The reason was that Natsu Dragneel never fought for himself. He battled… for others. He battled for those that can't. For those that were weak, frail, fragile and famished. For those that were tired. He fought for the sake of others. He battled Zeref not because he wanted to be called a hero, but because he knew well that should Zeref not be stopped, he would harm innocents and the weak. That he would destroy the world as we knew it. Many would perish, many would die. Maybe that gave Natsu his strength. Maybe the thought of the innocent lives that he had to save caused him to fight longer, stronger and faster than possible. Maybe the thought of his friends that depended on him caused him to get back up everytime he bit the dust. Maybe that's what true strength is. The strength expressed for others. For the weak. For the innocent. Maybe that's what power is. I think… Natsu unknowingly taught me this before he left."
Erza looked down at the ground as she continued listening. Sting's deduction of Natsu's strength… was the same as hers. Natsu fought not for heroism, good karma, or respect. He fought for others. He fought for what was right. Had Igneel taught him that?
Sting shut his eyes and opened them. His irises burnt bright with fires of determination and resolve.
"So today, and for the days that will come in the future, to all of you, I ask one thing. Just one. To learn this last lesson that Natsu had had to teach us. To learn to fight for others. To learn to fight for the weak. The innocent. The young and infant. The old and frail. The men and women that can't fight for themselves. Fight for your brothers, your sisters, your families… the stranger that stands next to you at this very moment. To fight for the world. To fight for humanity. To fight for Natsu. So that his sacrifice wasn't in vain. Who stands with me?"
Sting raised his hand in the air, and following him, the dragon slayers raised their hands up too. Some sure of it, some unsure, some confused and some reluctant, whole others confident.
As the hands dropped down, one remained in the air. It was a tall and slender black haired man, one of the new dragon slayers. Sting looked at him and nodded.
The man began with his question. "Isn't… wasn't Natsu Dragneel Etherious himself? The dreaded monster that once swore to destroy the world? Wasn't he Zeref's younger brother? The one that led countless merciless campaigns for Zeref and killed thousands upon thousands of innocent dragons and dragon slayers in preparation of Zeref's war against the world? Why… Why would we fight for someone that would have slain us mercilessly in cold blood?"
The eyes dotted on this man all swerved back to Sting.
Erza gnashed her teeth, but Kagura's hand that held hers, and Jellal's hand that rested on her shoulder kept her from speaking. Erza calmed herself down. She knew that at that moment, she would say irate words that wouldn't help the situation. That man's question… was genuine. She knew Natsu personally, and knew that whatever Natsu did as Etherious, he didn't do it intentionally. But this man didn't know Natsu like she did. Like others around her did. His question was worth answering. She looked at Sting. If Sting couldn't answer it, she would.
Sting smiled. He shut his eyes and exhaled. When he opened them, he faced the entire armada as a whole, and not just the inquisitor of the question. As if the answer was meant for all of them.
"Have any of you ever known what it's like to act under a power much greater than yourself? To completely lose control to that power and be manipulated like a marionette attached to strings?"
The listeners looked at each other blankly.
Sting nodded. "I have. Sabertooth… the guild that I belong to, it once wasn't what it is today. Years ago, it was ruled by fear. Chaos. Dictatorship. Where questions went to die and orders were to be followed without fail. You got kicked out if you weren't strong enough, and to be in the guild, you had to prove your raw strength and the ability to physically dominate the battlefield. Our master then controlled me and Rogue with that teaching. He had us believe that raw strength and viciousness was the way to victory. Me and Rogue, and many others in our guild were controlled by something much greater than ourselves. Fear, ego, false pride and viciousness. The true enemies of the human spirit. The things we did for the guild when we were under such control… I still shudder at those memories. I am not proud of my past. I was a different man back then. But… Natsu changed me. As I have told you, he taught me, even unknowingly, what true strength was. When I had realised my mistakes and wanted to make amends, I thought no one would accept me. That I would always live under the shadow of my past deeds and never be able to outrun them, no matter how fast I ran. Natsu… at that moment, extended his hand out to me. He lifted me up and accepted me. He forgave me for my past crimes. And… I was born anew. He showed me kindness and compassion when no one else would. He made space for me, forgetting and forgiving my crimes, and he changed my life."
Sting breathed in and out. "When Natsu was Etherious, he was just like me, ruled by a power greater than himself. Fear, darkness, evil… he never meant any of that to control him. He was but an innocent 5 year old that lived a tragic life 700 years ago, died a tragic death at the hands of his mother, and was resurrected into a mindless puppet for Zeref, his older brother. What he did when he was a puppet for Zeref… is not his fault. But what he did after Igneel saved him… that is his merit. Just like Natsu accepted me despite my past crimes, just like he forgave me, I forgive him. He deserves much more, but my forgiveness is all I can afford to give him."
Silence dawned on the crowd of people there. Sting's words hit hard. It was true. What Natsu did when he was Etherious was beyond his control, but what he did as Natsu Dragneel was by his volition. He sacrificed his entire life for the greater good. He must have had dreams and aspirations, like each of them that were gathered there. But he gave up all of that… for them. For the world. It wasn't and would never be right to question him.
Jellal cleared his throat, and all eyes were on him. He looked at Ultear standing beside him, and the latter nodded at him. He looked back at the masses, and began.
"I… I was a slave of Zeref's. For the longest time, I served him as my master and my lord. I committed crimes in his name, I slayed people, I sacrificed people, and I was ready to do anything to augment his power. I too was under Zeref's control for the longest time. I too was controlled by something far greater than me. It was mind numbing. His effect on me was transcendent. But that all changed when I dared to sacrifice someone close to Natsu."
Erza looked at him, eyes widened. Jellal continued.
"That was my mistake. Underestimating Natsu's devotion to his loved ones and his friends. That's where I made a slip. I wasn't ready for his strength. His endurance. His undeterred and unshakeable sincerity and service towards those he had taken under his protection. He stumbled into the Tower of Heavens, tired, exhausted and beaten. And yet, he managed to beat me. He stood victorious over me, and on that day, he changed my life. He shattered my connection to Zeref, and he freed me. Later on, Natsu forgave me for my crimes and gave me the chance to start my life anew. A life that was based on his principles, his ideals and his teachings. And… I became a better person. I owe my life to him. I owe him a debt that I had hoped to repay one day, but never could. Now, I am preparing to join this war to maybe repay some of that debt back. I hope to always stay on the path that Natsu carved out for me that day. It's the least I can do."
Ultear grabbed his hand. "Both of us. We forgive Natsu."
More silence. But this time, the words that had just been said fanned the flames of determination and belief in the minds of the listeners. More than before. Brighter and taller than before. Burning away the uncertainty and turning it into ashes in the winds.
Erik scoffed. "My whole life, I had been forever swayed by darkness and temptation. But that was until I took Natsu's fist to my face… that fist was strong and heavy enough to teach me all his lessons in one go. The only reason I came here is because this war is being fought in Natsu's name. I owe him a ton. I, for one, forgive him."
Mirajane wanted to say something. She grabbed Elfman's hand, and wiped her eyes. They hadn't stopped flowing since she had lost Natsu, but that had to stop now. She needed to remember and honour Natsu in brightness and glory, not in grief and heartbreak.
"When my sister died, I was lost and confused. Me and Elfman were broken and shattered. We were wandering through the darkness aimlessly, trying forever to find a home that we could find Lisanna again in. I found Lisanna… in Natsu. In his innocence, his purity, his love for his friends, his courage and his strength. I love Natsu, and I forever will. That will never change. If it wasn't for him, I would still be wandering through the darkened streets aimlessly. He saved me, and changed my life. I forgive him."
Gray raised his hand up. "I forgive Natsu."
Juvia did the same. "Juvia forgives Natsu-sama."
Gajeel, Levy and Wendy raised their hands up.
"I forgive Natsu." They each said.
Slowly, all the veterans of the war against Zeref started to raise their hands. All the members of the guilds alliance that had seen Natsu fight Zeref, they all forgave him. They all accepted him despite what he had done. He may have once been Etherious, he may have once been the brother of Zeref, but he was also the man who ended Zeref's dark reign by sacrificing himself. He was also the man that had touched everyone's lives around him deeply. He had changed every spirit and soul that he had touched, breathing life into them anew. Breathing strength and resolve into them anew. Breathing fire and belief into them.
He was the son of Igneel, who himself was the greatest proponent of Magna Carta, the same Magna Carta that was being defiled by Acnologia right now. The same Magna Carta that they were fighting to protect the sanctity of. Who better to fight in the name of to protect Magna Carta than the son of the one dragon who pacted and forged Magna Carta in the first place?
Natsu was watching them. They were under his watchful eye. They were under his watchful gaze. And they were under his protection. His care and defence. There is no way they would fail.
The black haired man who had raised the question felt his voice shuddered and surrounded by the opinions in defence of Natsu. He gulped, made up his mind, and raised his hand.
"I… I forgive Natsu."
The dragon slayers that stood around him watched him, and smiled gleefully. They all raised their hands up in the air and declared to forgive Natsu as well.
Natsu was the link that had drawn them all here that day. Natsu was the metal that joined them all together. He was the harness that connected them in this great war fought for the sake of the world. To protect the world. To save it from absolute chaos and damnation.
Erza watched her surroundings lit up in favour of Natsu. They shouted his name out loud, each next iteration filling them up with courage and strength. With will and mettle.
She shut her eyes and smiled.
"Natsu… leave everything to us. You deserve your rest. Watch us… wherever you are. We will win this war. For you."