"Time for the real fun to begin," Natsu's lips split into a feral grin, pounding his fists together with a spark of flame. "I'm all fired up now."
Watching the portal for another second, the energy that crackled violently around the area, making a large gust of wind cut through his clothes. Even before stepping in, he could feel it... the strong aura that resided inside, rivaling the power of a wizard saint. Natsu took one more deep breath, enjoying the fresh lush air of Magnolia before slowly walking in, the spectator lacrima following right behind him.
A lush forest replaced with an immediate wave of heat that even made Natsu sweat to his own shock. During his one year training, he mainly trained in the highest temperature areas, including an active volcano that spewed out molten lava, melting the ground around him. But this heat... it felt nearly unbearable. The air in his lungs practically begged for the fresh air of Fiore once again. His eyes scanned over the area with narrowed eyes.
Fire. Fire was all he could see, a raging inferno with jagged mountain points. What was once a clear blue sky, now an eternal abyss of black. The whole area was bathed in a red hue, signifying the amount of heat that radiated off the area. If there was one word Natsu could possibly describe this place as, it would be one simple word.
Hell, a walking hellscape. In the distance there were buildings, most completely destroyed, glass littering the obsidian rock streets. Towers of flame surrounded the area, almost enclosing the large town like an unpenetratable wall.
"Man... stripper would absolutely love this area," he mused, wiping the sweat from his brow with a small chuckle.
Glass cracked, his ears perking up to it to stop in his tracks. He slowly turned, hearing a deep growling groan. Natsu shifted his stance, digging his heels into the ground, raising his flame coated fists with hardened eyes. His eyes scanned over the area for any sign of the creature stalking around him, waiting to pounce on him like innocent prey. "Come on you bastard, I know you're out there," raising his hands with a mocking grin. "Come get some!"
A deep roar was heard behind him, making his body snap around on contact, ducking his head under a sharp black talon as the creature flew over his head, landing on the ground in front of him, baring it's fangs with a snarling hiss. Natsu's eyes landed on the monster with wide eyes. Standing in front of him was a humanoid dragon, it's body coated in a black armored plating with a jet black shine. The most prominent features was it's draconic appearance, from the long black talons for claws, his snout that too was covered in armor with a scaled pattern. Standing up on it's hind legs, raising it's talons in a threatening pose, a small growl erupted from it's lips.
"A draconic knight?" He blinked, looking above its head at the name with a frown. The color was orange, meaning it was much stronger than the beasts he's fought thus far. Natsu raised his palm, Shadow Talon manifesting from the darkness of where it resides, he pointed the blade tip towards the humanoid dragon with a smirk. "Looks like it's time for dragon slaying."
Taking off across the ground, baring it's large fangs. The draconic knight moved in an erratic pattern, deep orange slits piercing into Natsu who tightened his stance. Lunging forward, the slayer simply curved his body around the blow to land his own, sending his blade down in a vertical pattern, striking against it's back. Too his shock, sparks flew from the air, his blade bouncing off with a loud ting. Attempting to captolize on leaving himself open, the dragon used it's small jagged tail, smacking Natsu across the torso as he let out a sharp gasp, skidding across the ground.
Above him, the spectator lacrima kept it's distance from the creature, watching intently.
"Dragon knights?!" Wendy exclaimed with a dropped jaw, watching Natsu's blade bound off it's armor with ease, sending him skidding across the ground with gritted teeth.
Makarov frowned, watching in silence. If creatures of this caliber could make it to their world... He didn't even want to know the results to follow. He took a side glance towards Erza who's grip around her armor tightened, biting her lip in worry.
"This is the type of shit Flame-brain has been fighting?!"
They continued to watch on, hoping and praying Natsu will be okay.
The knight's eyes narrowed with a deep frown. "Come on Natsu, use your head. Brute strength isn't gonna get you through this time."
Natsu hissed through gritted teeth, feeling a few ribs breaks just from the smack of its armored tail. "Damn... that hurt," he turned his head just in time to leap back from another Talon strike from the knight.
His fists ignited into flames, bounding off the ground to rush the creature. Dodging around another tail swipe, his body flipped over the creature, curving his leg that was engulfed into flames, making its mark across the creatures back, sending it crashing Into the ground with a pained roar. Using his hands to catch himself, Natsu landed on the ground with a cocky grin. "Dragon slayer magic, never let's me do-"
Every cell in his body froze, watching with wide eyes as the dragon picked it's self back up off the ground, cocking it's head around with a growl. The impact of his strike did zero to nothing, not even a dent in it's armor.
"You gotta be kidding me..." Natsu muttered, clenching his fists tightly together with a growl underneath. He raised his body, raising his arms with a deep glare, his eyes becoming crimson slits with a small aura covering his body. "Looks like I have to hit much harder, come on! LET'S GO!"
The dragon knight accepted the challenge in kind, rushing towards Natsu on all fours. He tore off the ground, leaving a crater in it's wake, his flames igniting into a brilliant flame, coating his fists that clenched tightly. Separating the distance between the two, he ducked under a Talon strike, landing a right hook across its cheek, wincing at the sharp pain that followed, but an opening was created. Against the pain, his fists rained upon the creature, making the dragon knight's body jerk in every direction. Natsu roared to the top of his lungs against the pain, the blood that dripped from his knuckles coating the ground in crimson.
Reeling his fist back, a ball of fire formed, sending it forward with all the force he could muster.
Fire Dragon's IRON FIST!
His fist made contact with its chest, Natsu's ears picking up a small crackling sound of its armor. Shoving hist in deeper, the creature let out a pained roar, digging its talons into his arms that cried out in pain. Natsu's arms twisted around it's neck, clenching it tightly in a vice grip. The knight hissed and flailed in his grasp, desperately clawing away at his arms that shed blood across the ground.
Natsu's muscles bulged in every vein of his arms with gritted teeth. He grabbed a hold of it's head, wrapping an arm around it's throat. Grunting with all the effort in a tight choke hold. "If slayer magic won't kill you... THIS WILL!" With a sharp turn of his body, a loud pop resonated in the air as Natsu snapped it's neck to the side. The creature grew limp immediately as he tossed it to the ground with a loud thud, panting against the harsh heat. "And... stay down."
The time to celebrate was cut off, hearing multiple sets of footsteps approaching him. He sharply turned around with gaping wide eyes. Multiple armored draconic knight's came in a pack, raising dragon scaled weapons of their own, unlike the one he killed. They hissed, glancing down at one of the knights dead on Natsu's feet.
"Uhh... he was like that when I got here?" Natsu sheepishly chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, swear running down his head.
They growled in unison, raising their weapons as their bodies reeled back, ready to charge. Natsu sighed under his breath, his slitted eyes narrowed against their own. Nobody moved for a moment as both groups scanned over the other with harsh glares. Natsu's body ignited into flames, coating over the crimson aura that enveloped his form. Bright flames sparked from his fists, readying himself for the battle to come.
"Woah..."
"Remind me to never piss Natsu off." Droy chuckled nervously as his partner Jet could only give a dead-panned expression of his partners idiocy
Mira frowned, leaning over the bar top, watching right along with her siblings. "He seemed to really struggle against that thing, but now there's more..."
"A reckless move on his part," Laxus noted, crossing his arms over his chest under his large fur coat with a small smirk. "But I would expect nothing less from that idiot."
"Agreed," Freed nodded, holding his chin in a curious pose, watching the screen intently as were the others.
Erza wanted to be there to smack him over the head for being so damn reckless. Her eyes scanned over his body that dripped with blood along his arms, the black and blue bruises along his knuckles. But her faith was unwavering in an unbreakable resolve. No matter how hurt he was going to get, she had faith he could do this. All they could do was watch the results in his efforts.
Natsu took off like a blur across the ground, leaving flames in his steps. Bending his knees, he leaped off the ground, his hands coated in a flapping whirlwind, rotating his arms counter clockwise as he threw them in a cross.
Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!
Fire pelted the knight's below as Natsu skidded across the ground, sucking in all of the air in his lungs as his cheeks stomach bulged out. A torrent of flames released from his mouth, devouring the screeching dragon knight's. He clamped his mouth shut like a bear trap, exhaling a fit of steam from his nose and mouth with narrowed eyes. Smoke billowed around in their location, before he knew it they stepped out, covered in minor burns, their armor standing strong against his magic.
"You guys are really starting to get on my last damn nerve..."
They hissed in response, taking off the ground in a full charge against Natsu who welcomed the challenged with a feral grin. His fist made contact with one, his elbow crushing into another, sharp pain shot up and down his body, feeling every crack against the pressure with gritted teeth. Ducking under a blade, his fist shot forward with a sharp uppercut, forcing one of the jaws clamp shut hard, sending their body tumbling through the air.
A sword cut through the air as Natsu twisted his body, catching it in his grasp, feeling the edge cut Into his skin. Reeling back his head, he slammed it forward, feeling his skull practically crack against the impact, stumbling back, feeling the world spin around him, a knight used it's tail, swiping him hard across his back, sending him tumbling in a roll, before he came to a stop with a groan.
"F-fuck... that hurt..."
Natsu panted, blood running down the side of his head through blurry vision, he watched as the knight's slowly prowled towards him with baring fangs. 'I'm not going to hold on here much longer. Their armor feels like titanium against my strikes.' He spit out a wad of blood, wiping away the excess as he shakily stood off the ground, his legs threatening to buckle. With gritted teeth, a splitting headache cracked across his skull. 'I shouldn't of done that... man.. Erza is gonna kill me when I get home.. If I do that is.'
The draconic knight's continued their advance, raising their weapons in anticipation of getting rid of this pest in front of them. Natsu raised his arm, summoning his shadow blade, clenching tightly onto the handle. 'This won't do a thing to them, but what other choice do I have.. My bones will completely shatter if I keep using brute force. Wait...' His eyes widened, looking down at his blade with a hardened gaze. "Could... that.. work. Wendy..."
Natsu sat in a cross legged position, feeling the breeze blow through his clothes, a peaceful smile on his lips. Across sat a little girl, her royal blue hair flowing against the wind along with his own.
"So..." Wendy twiddled her thumbs with a nervous smile on her lips as she watched Natsu's eyes scan over the fields of Magnolia. "What did you want to talk to me about, Natsu?"
The dragon slayer in questioned turned his gaze from the beautiful landscape in front of him to focus on the little sky dragon slayer with a smile. "I have a question for you, I'd hope you have the answer for it."
Wendy raised her brow, curiously turning her head to the side as her hands rested on her lap. She smiled sheepishly, rubbing her arm as she tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. "I-I can try my best! What's the question?"
"Do you recall your fight with Irene, Erza's mom?"
Her body froze, hearing that name. How could she forget that grueling battle? A master enchanter who could practically change the landscape with a flick of her staff. If Erza wasn't by her side, she wasn't confident that she could win that battle, no in fact she couldn't. Irene's power was on a whole nother level, especially what she displayed In her dragon form, calling upon a literal meteor that could've killed everyone in sight if it wasn't for Erza.
"I do but... why do you ask?" Wendy questioned with a small frown, resting her hands together in her lap.
"Do you think I could use enchantments like her?"
Her eyes shot wide open, jaw slightly hanging agape before closing it. Wendy averted her gaze from him to think hard on this question. Could it be possible? Irene was a dragon slayer, before learning enchantment magic. Plus Erza had come to her, eager to learn about the magic it's self.
"I.. I think you could. Erza has learned a few enchantments since our fight with her mom. So... yeah! You can do it, Natsu," the little girl beamed with a bright smile. "If anyone can, you can."
Natsu couldn't help but grin, standing up off the ground to offer his hand out to her. "Then do you care to show this slayer a few new tricks?"
Wendy looked at his hand for a moment. She smiled, taking his hand into her own.
"I'd be happy too!"
Natsu smiled softly at the memory, gazing down at his blade, then to his other hand with a determined glint. He steadied his balance with a small grin. "I had nearly forgotten..." his hand clenched tightly with narrowed eyes. "Wendy... if you are watching, cheer for your big brother alright?"
A green glow emanated from Natsu's left palm with focused eyes. He channeled the energy into his blade, watching as the energy enveloped the blades edge, coursing through the weapon, a green aura of magical energy flowing off of it.
Enchant: The power to slay dragons and pierce the toughest of armors
A red hue combined with the green, making Natsu's blade spark in a brilliant light. He raised his blade with a hardened gaze, growling under his breath in a small snarl. "As much as I've enjoyed our fight, it's time for this to end. I can waste no more time here, prepare to be slaughtered!"
Erza's eyes shot wide open, recognizing that magic anywhere. She turned to Wendy who had the biggest grin on her face, nearly jumping off the floor in glee.
"I knew he could do it!"
"Since when can Natsu use enchantments?!"
Makarov watched with a big grin. 'My children just keep getting stronger, flabbergasting even me with their limitless potential. Natsu... I could never be more proud or the wizard you've become. Now fight... fight for Fairy Tail, fight for your friends, family, Erza. Give them hell boy.'
Natsu twirled his blade around, noticing the knight's had stopped in their tracks, their eyes focused on his sword that radiated with a power that brought them a shred of fear. They slowly stepped back until Natsu's crimson slits locked onto their own. Like a blur in the wind, he took off against the ground, a blue glow surrounding his body as his speed began to increase, running circles around the creatures who raised their weapons to guard against his advances.
A blue stream flew past, his blade carving straight through one of the dragons that screeched out in pain. Natsu curved around, slicing across another, sparks flying in the air. One attempted to turn it's head to slice at the slayer who merely was too fast to even see. The only thing they could see was a blue blur, blazing past them at break neck speeds they couldn't keep up with.
Natsu lunged, running his sword straight through a knight as it let out a dying roar, blood spurting all over the ground in a silver hue. Moving against the ground, he easily blocked a strike against one of the others, shoving his boot into it's abdomen, making it stumble back which Natsu capitalized on. His blade carved straight through, watching as its head flew off its body. Leaping under a sword strike, he gripped Shadow Talon with both hands, raising it above his head to deliver a vertical slice that carved the draconic knight in half.
Like a master at the blade. Natsu dashed forward, slashing across one of the dragon knight's abdomen that spurted with silver blood. Screeches filled the air, filled with pain and death to follow in it's wake. They were now the prey, and Natsu was the hunter, carving them down like they were mere pieces of rubble.
Bodies clanked against the ground, many more to follow. Natsu noticed one of the last turn on their feet to escape his killing spree. Unfortunately in a flash, his blade impaled straight through, watching as the knight flailed around, screeching in agony, before Natsu stabbed deeper, silencing it's cries instantly.
Yanking his blade out of the creature, its body slowly dropped to the ground with a loud clank. His eyes scanned over all of the bodies on the ground, their blood leaking in a pool around their corpses. Suddenly, a screen appeared in front of Natsu who sent his blade away with a deep sigh, before his eyes widened at the reward.
NOTIFICATION
Loot Obtained:
Draconic Helmet
Draconic Armor Plate
Draconic Gauntlets
Draconic Greaves
100,000 Gold
"Woah! Armor?" Natsu raised his brow, opening his inventory with a pure sense of curiosity. He's killed many monsters, but never did he obtain any armor from his efforts. His eyes scanned over the stats, scratching his chin in thought with a pleased smile. "That could help. Boosting my defense could really give me the edge I need. Equip full set," he commanded, looking down at his hands with a raised brow.
"Huh... it must be invisible, but I can definitely feel it on my body. It's... weightless," Natsu chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Probably for the best."
Releasing a deep breath, wiping his brow of the immense sweat pouring off his body, Natsu raised his hand, a pack of gauze appearing in his palm. With gentle care, he wrapped his knuckles and arms up, tying it tight with gritted teeth. "Ah... much better."
His eyes looked up at the spectator lacrima with a grin, giving it a thumbs up.
Erza and the others cheered for him, roaring to the top of their lungs for Natsu's feat. Even Gray was grinning ear to ear, relieved the idiot made it through that alive.
"Remember," Everyone turned their attention towards Makarov who had hardened look written on his wrinkled features with a small frown. "He isn't finished yet. This was just the beginning. Now focus and let's see what happens."
Everyone nodded at their master's words, focusing their attention once more on the large screen. Erza placed her hand over her chest, closing her eyes with a smile.
'You can do this Natsu, I have my full faith in you.'
Natsu aimlessly walked around the area, his eyes scanning over the ruined sky scrapers that towered over his head. These buildings were unfamiliar, not made of wood, or any material relative to his own. The ground was cracked in many spots, lava seeping underneath them. He was thankful to see no more of those armored dragons, but he knew this fight was far from over. Every one of these gateways had a boss of some kind, an intimidating monster among many.
Chills ran down his spine, feeling a strong presence up ahead between an opening of the buildings. Motor vehicles littered the street, crumpled like tin cans. 'Why.. why does it feel their used to be life here? These buildings... the vehicles. There was a civilization here before these... things took over. Could this become Fiore in the future.' His fists clenched tightly together with gnashed fangs. "That won't happen, I won't allow it..."
The aura that put Natsu on edge grew closer as he moved through this city. He crossed through a small canyon, embraced with a new scenery. All the buildings were gone, vaporized into ash that left a gaping hole in the ground the size of a meteor. Narrowing his gaze, he slid down the craters edge, landing on the bottom with a small thud, brushing the dirt off his pants. Whatever gave off this strong, overpowering aura was here. He sniffed the air, only being left with the smell of ash.
"I'm not a genius or anything," Natsu stated outloud, looking around his surroundings. "But this looks like a boss room... but.. where's the-"
A deep groan that made the ground shake from underneath him made his body grow stiff. Raising his head with wide eyes stood a towering knight. His armor was as black as the abyss dragon himself, shadows pouring off his body like a small aura. With glowing red eyes underneath it's sharp jagged helmet in the shape of a dragon snout that bore an insignia of unknown origin. Horns protruded from the sides. It's black armor plating bore a red trim along the whole armor. Dragon heads shined on his shoulders, glimmering against the wall of flames surrounding the area.
Lifting its claw gauntlet, plunging it in its armored chest with a low groan. Slowly it pulled out a large blade that blazed with black flames of eternal darkness. The pommel bore a dragon skull who's eyes glowed with a red hue. It's blade's edge was wide and broad, having a heft weight as the knight swung it to the side, sending a wave of shadow flames in it's wake.
Natsu paled at the strength radiating off this thing. Looking above it's head, gulping down the lump in the back of his throat. "Draconis... The Shadow Flame..." he muttered, clenching his shaky palms as the knight raised it's blade, pointing the edge straight at Natsu with a growl. The name was red as blood, indicating this thing was beyond his own power.
Draconis, lowering his blade, bending down as he leaped down into the crater, crashing down as the earth beneath Natsu's feet trembled under the pressure. Yanking it's blade from the ground, watching as the ground crumbled away, it stood tall above Natsu who took a hesitant step back.
Natsu raised his palm, Shadow Talon appeared in his grasp with a vice grip, clenching his teeth tightly together as his heart violently thumped in his chest. Draconis raised it's blade, pointing it towards Natsu who raised his blade in kind. Even if his sword paled in comparison this... monster wielded. Digging his heels Into the soil with a tight narrowed gaze. His eyes became crimson slits, his own aura meeting the knight's in kind.
With a tightened resolve and his family watching over him.
Natsu prepared for the battle to come.
I am so... not sorry for the cliff hanger. As most of you noticed already the job change quest area is drastically different from the manwha/ anime. Instead of a castle dungeon with Igris The Red sitting upon an empty throne. We have Draconis The Shadow Flame, standing upon a crater of his own destruction. But if anybody didn't catch it, this area is an easter egg to Solo Leveling. Little hint, Sung gains his demon daggers here ;)
The little flashback with Wendy was a nice touch in my opinion, really proves how much Natsu has grown as a character. Plus I figured if Erza could do it, he could too if he tried.
This may be an overpowered Natsu story, but he is by no means invincible. I know I said a badass Natsu, but you gotta be realistic too ya know? I'll try to focus more on fights. I get it, I over did the Natza scenes and for that apologize.
Next time! Natsu Vs Draconis, Dragon Vs Knight, I hope you're ready.
As always I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you all in the next one. Later :)
Side Note: Drawing Inspiration from Solo Leveling without trying to literally copy and paste it is hard as hell ;-;