Chapter 8

A strong gust of wind caused her to open her eyes. She looked around her. The weather was worsening. The island that her temple was situated on didn't really respond to weather changes much. It was always bright and clear on this side of the world. But this weather…

It was a sign that dark times were ahead. Times that would test mettles, break faith and swallow hopes. She only hoped that Natsu was alright. Fiorre had been ravaged by war. Zeref had finally made his advance on Natsu's home. She didn't know where Natsu was right now, or what he was doing. The protective magic that she had given him… she hoped that it would help him somehow.

She looked up at the statue of her goddess. With her one eye missing, Liana could only see so much in the darkness of the stormy night. That was the eye she had replaced Natsu's demonic eye with. That was the protective charm she had given him. She didn't know how it would help him, or when. But she had faith in the power of her goddess. Natsu would be safe.

She would… she would see him again. One day. For sure.

She shut her one eye again, and got back to praying. She picked up a white candle, and with her eye closed, walked around the open temple and lit many other candles.

"One. Look after the innocent. Protect them with your motherly caress. Give them strength. Shield them with your might. Let no harm come to them. And… to Natsu."

A part of Natsu's tale was over. And the stormy rainy winds outside the guildhall that made their way in through the broken windows and the collapsed hall walls were almost a sign for Zeref to continue onto the next part. The tale wasn't over yet.

"In the beginning days of Alvarez, I didn't have many members. Apart from me and Natsu and a few associates of mine, our chambers remained mostly empty. I didn't create many demons at first. The magic wasn't perfect… and using it frightened me to some extent. It was as if each demon that I created would take a part of my own life force. I was immortal, so it didn't make a difference. But the pain… the visions… the agony after creating another dark beast… It was unbearable. I knew that each demon I created would shoot me farther away from my humanity and sanity. So I refrained."

He knelt and picked up a piece of rubble. He stood back up, and launched it a few feet in the air. When it fell back down and returned to his empty palm, he continued.

"But that didn't continue for long. As word spread of our existence, so did our influence. Proponents and professors of chaos and darkness from all over the world started to join our cause. We all were distinct people, different races and species, but all had one single goal in mind. To exact chaos upon the world. Soon, my kingdom became what it is today, and the Alvarez Empire quickly took form. And I was that much closer to my goal of waging a war against humanity as a whole. I wanted the world to learn what pain was. What suffering, bereavement and longing was. That was my reason."

He gripped the stone tighter in his hand, and it burnt away in a flash of bright orange flames. The ashes flew in the air. Zeref looked towards the listeners, and dusted his hands.

"There was one problem that could have interfered with my plan. Dragons. As magical and powerful these beasts were… they could have completely uprooted my entire armies–no matter how massively I had amassed. At first, I was of the idea that these dragons would just sit quietly as I fought humankind. But that wasn't the case. Magna Carta had been signed only a few years prior to Natsu's death. At first, I didn't pay much attention to it. It was the politics of the world outside the island, and I didn't care much for it. But when I crafted my plan to attack the world and the humans residing within, I realised quickly that should I do that, the dragons would join the fray against Alvarez. So… I declared a war on dragonkind and the dragon slayers first."

Levy's eyes widened. In the wake of the recent shock she had accrued after learning of Natsu's true identity, she had completely forgotten about all the previous knowledge about Etherious and Zeref that was now connected with Natsu. Now, Zeref had logged her memory, and she started to create the necessary links.

"And… you… you sent Natsu… I… I mean Etherious to fight the dragons."

Zeref looked at her and smiled. "You've researched quite a bit into me. Yes. Etherious, my brother, my strongest warrior, led the charge. The Tartaros hunted down dragons for the next 50 years… and killed many of them. Natsu was relentless. I had first created him to fill the gap left by my brother's death. But unintentionally, I had crafted a machine of warfare. A bloodthirsty and untiring behemoth of a beast. He was merciless in his campaign. Terrifying. Sometimes… dragons fled before even wanting to fight him. He was a horrifying warrior. As you must already know, he even forced Acnologia down to his knees. I only later realised the efficiency and inclination towards combat and warfare of what I had created. Of… of who I had created."

Levy gasped. "That's… that's how Natsu met Igneel. You must have sent him to fight Igneel as well."

Zeref grinned, impressed. "You are quite clever. Yes. Soon after the Tartaros had completely annihilated dragonkind's ability to retaliate, I waged my war. While Tartaros was still busy fighting off the remnants of the dragons and the dragon slayers, Alvarez was busy fighting the Great War. One of the last dragons that the Tartaros went after… was Igneel."

Zeref's smile vanished. He looked… upset. "Igneel was a troublesome dragon. With strength and raw might matching that of Acnologia himself… he was a priority target. But it wasn't his strength that had me the most worried. It was his knowledge on ancient civilizations and their old forgotten magic. He unleashed one of those spells onto Etherious as they fought. I don't know the details of what happened, but as far as my historians have been able to deduce, this happened almost 500 years ago. Etherious was banished to live in the darkest prisons, and his body was locked up inside a cave that Igneel guarded for the next 500 years, to make sure that none of the behemoth dark energy within escaped. About 25 years ago, something happened. The seal on Etherious weakened… and an infant was born from that cave. That infant… was Natsu. With Etherious locked deep within him with no chance to escape, he had become almost human in that sense. And if Igneel was known for something, it was his undying love and care for the human race. Igneel then raised my brother anew. Taught him culture, magic and combat. Igneel taught that boy kindness and compassion, as a safeguard against Etherious taking over him. And… Etherious had rested locked within Natsu for the longest time. I sent those demons to the citadel of guilds to lure Natsu out and let a small fraction of that demon's power out. I couldn't talk to Natsu, so I had Etherious tell him the truth about his identity."

Zeref sighed. "And after all that, all those twists and turns and nooks and crannies of time, fate, destiny and tumultuousness… we are here. That is Natsu's story. That is his tale."

The tale was over. Everything was clear now. Every part of the story fit in just perfectly, almost perfectly enough for the listeners to believe in it, no matter how far-fetched and fantastical it sounded. That was the backstory of their friend. Their companion. The brother of some, the friend of others, and the lover of one.

Erza stared at Natsu's back. She couldn't have believed that Natsu had had to climb through all that to reach where he was now. To meet Igneel… to join Fairy Tail… to meet her… to fall in love with her. He carried a demon within him—Etherious. But more than that, he carried a burden that she didn't think anyone else in the world would be able to carry. He was almost 700 years old, and if it wasn't for a terrible spell of the mystical tentacles of destiny, he wouldn't have been here. Destiny… his destiny… wanted him to be here. But for what purpose? What was his fate?

Makarov turned around to face the mages. His eyes were shut, but he still looked anxious and fidgety. He cleared his throat, which echoed in the silence, and everyone looked at him.

"I… I wish to come clean myself. About 20 years ago… and according to Zeref, 5 years after Igneel started to raise Natsu, I was on the road to reach the citadel of guilds for a debriefing. That's… unimportant. What's important it's that I had been riding for a day and a half. When I decided to rest the afternoon away under a tree in a forest by the pathway, I… I don't know if it was a dream or not, but I saw a glorious and hair-raising vision of a dragon. It wasn't a vision though. It was… It was Igneel. In the flesh. I couldn't believe me old eyes and ears. The great and legendary Igneel had presented himself to an old fart like me. I was beyond myself with excitement and exhilaration. It… it was a blessing that few in the world would get. Almost none. Igneel on that day… came to me with a request. He told me of a 5 year old boy he was raising in the forest. He told me how a fiend of Zeref's had taken him in battle, and how he had sealed away the monstrous beast into an innocent little boy. Told me that to keep the darkness locked up forever, the boy would need a home to call his own. A family, with people just like him. I agreed… I couldn't turn down the great Igneel, and… after everything Igneel had told me about the boy, he sounded like Fairy Tail material. So, Igneel flew off into the great beyond, and I brought Natsu's home with me."

Natsu narrowed his eyes, and turned to face him. "What…? You… you never told me that. You always said that you had found me by chance. Why didn't you tell me that you knew about my true identity?"

His tone was loud and frantic. Some would even call that anger. Mirajane slowly walked up to Natsu and held his hand comfortingly.

Makarov sighed. "Aye, my child. I hid this fact from you. But… I couldn't go back on my words to the great Igneel. He had asked me to keep this fact from you. So I did. Igneel was wiser than me a thousand folds over. It was no place of mine to question his whims. He wanted this kept a secret, lest the many enemies of Zeref come after you. But Igneel never told me that you were Etherious. He only said that you were a demon from Tartaros. Finding out that you were Etherious was shocking news to me as well."

"I deserved to know this." Natsu retorted firmly. "I don't care what Igneel wanted—"

"Natsu!" Mirajane cut in. "Igneel raised you. He protected you when you were all alone. He cared for you. He fed you and nurtured you. How could you even say that?"

Natsu looked at her. "I… I didn't mean that…"

Mirajane shook her head. Her eyes were welling with tears. She slid closer to him and held his shoulders. "I know this is difficult, Natsu. We are all shocked to learn all this, so I can only imagine what you are going through. But… anger will only make this worse. Please, calm down."

Natsu stared at her. He blinked a few times. He looked at Makarov, whose eyes were shut and his head hung. He looked at Wendy and Gajeel, two other dragon slayers that were raised by dragons. He then looked at Erza, who was looking at the ground.

He sighed. He probably had taken it too far. He stared silently at the ground as he thought about Igneel. Igneel had only always wanted what was best for Natsu. He remembered Igneel. The great Igneel. The merciful Igneel. The virtuous and brave. The great dragon. The protector of humankind. The protector of justice and virtue. The defender of the innocent and weak. A God amongst dragons. That dragon cared for Natsu when Natsu didn't have anyone. He could have easily let Natsu die to completely kill off Etherious… but he didn't. He gave Natsu a chance. That's because he trusted Natsu. He had faith in Natsu. He believed that Natsu would always uphold honour and justice and never give in to darkness. Igneel only wanted the best for Natsu. And so did Mirajane, his lovely older sister. So did his friends. So did Makarov… So did Erza.

Natsu looked down in shame. How could he raise his voice to Makarov like that?

Some eyes were fixed at Makarov. Everyone thought that he was done speaking, but that wasn't the case. He cleared his throat again, and spoke each next word with great emphasis, as if it was very important. "I remember when I first met Natsu in that forest. He was but a wee 5 year old, barely aware of how the world worked. This little child was a demon created by Zeref? I could barely believe it. But… In Natsu, I sensed strength. I sensed a will to live. A will to fight. A will to defend justice and honour till his very last breath. In him, I sensed the great Igneel. He was every bit Igneel's son as you'd expect—fierce and unrelenting. Brave. He thought I had taken Igneel away from him, and he wanted to battle me. I still sometimes laugh at the bright energy he exuded when he was still a wee boy. I brought Natsu home with me, glad that our guild was now fuller than before. Natsu… completes Fairy Tail. He completes us."

He raised his finger and pointed it straight at Zeref. "And if you think we would abandon Natsu just because we now know who he is, you have another thing coming, son."

There was silence. The mages looked at Makarov's finger, bravely pointed at their greatest enemy, and listened to his words that rang deep in their ears. That image of him was imprinted deep in their minds.

An important lesson was learnt that day.

That finger pointed at Zeref told them that war wasn't yet lost. And that they still had a chance at winning. As long as they had an ounce of strength left in their bodies, the war was not lost yet. As long as they could fight still, the war wasn't lost yet. As long as they were alive, the war was not lost.

"Natsu is ours, Zeref. Don't think you can take him from us." Levy piped. She had a bright smile painted on her face.

Mirajane grabbed Natsu's arm and pulled him to her. "Natsu is my brother. My friend. I won't leave his side, no matter what. He is rash, unpredictable and absolutely crazy. And I forgive him for all that. I love him, Zeref. And I forgive him for being Etherious. As you already said, it's not his fault. Etherious isn't the true Natsu. The boy that Igneel raised as his own and taught him kindness and compassion is the true Natsu. And that will never change. He will never be tainted by your darkness."

Wendy joined in. "Natsu-sama is like my older brother. To get to him, you must fight me first."

Laxus smiled to himself. "Natsu is an idiot. But he is the kind of idiot that doesn't know his limits, and pushes them further each time he tries. I have tasted his power, and I speak from experience."

Gray punched his open fist. "It will be fun to watch Natsu beat the crap out of you. Maybe I'll get a few kicks in."

Gajeel sneered. "Enough of your talking, you dark mage bastard. Now let's fight. I am itching to kick your Alvarez butt to the ground."

Many more voices joined in on the resounding. Soon, the guildhall was lit with cheery voices in Natsu's favour. Natsu was a warrior for brightness and light. And they all knew that. Zeref really had another thing coming.

Natsu looked at Erza, to know what she thought. Her opinion mattered to him. More than those of the others.

Erza's head was hanging down, her crimson hair hiding her face away. She had a line of emotions brewing within her, and she needed time to pass through all of it.

Natsu… her lover. The man she cared for more than anything else in the world. So what if he was Etherious? He was also the man that barged into the Tower of Heaven with no care for his own safety and was ready to lay down his life to preserve hers. He was the warrior and hero she could always count on. He was a shining and gleaming beacon of hope and resolve for her. For everyone. He was a hero. He was Igneel's son. He was Natsu Dragneel. He was the fearsome and brave Salamander.

She herself was the daughter of Irene. It wasn't as if Natsu was the only one with a deep relation to a dark wizard. Maybe this was a rough time. A time for dark and horrid revelations to come to surface. But it was also the time when their unity and dedication towards each other was tested. Natsu had already forgiven her. Now it was her turn.

She looked up at him, and found him already looking at her. She smiled. "I am with you."

Natsu found himself smiling ear to ear. It was settled.

Through the cheers and shouts of victory, Zeref's laughter was heard. Everyone looked at him, and silence ensued. But this silence was free of grief. Of fear and torment. Of agony. This silence was the silence before victory. The silence before a storm, but for Zeref.

Zeref clapped thrice. "It appears that Natsu has finally found a true home. Somewhere he is accepted for who he is. Something that his own people–the Dragneels and the Vermillions–couldn't provide him with. I am happy."

He unbuttoned his long cloak that fell to the floor, and revealed a black thin leather armour he was wearing underneath.

"Now all that's left is for Natsu to face me in combat. A combat that will decide the true conclusion of this war."

Natsu growled and looked at him. If that's what Zeref wanted, that's what he'd get.