Author Note.
Hey!
I made an error when describing Bramblethorn in Chapter 3. Instead of feeding on souls, it feeds on emotions and gains strength from them. This is quite an important distinction, that I wanted to convey to not confuse you down the line.
With that, I give you the next chapter.
Sincerely,
-BB
Chapter 4. Final Embers
Days passed in painful silence. Lisanna kept her distance from Natsu, staying with Happy as they watched him from afar. Every waking moment, Natsu spent whacking the same tree, over and over, from dusk till dawn. Each hit echoed with his frustration, his desperation, and it wore on him. Before she knew it, five days had passed, and he was no closer to finding any answers. If anything, he looked worse. His once bright, fiery gaze, was now desperate and lost. It tore at Lisanna every time she brought him food, only to leave the plate covered nearby without a word. She couldn't bring herself to face him, not like this.
The boy she admired, the Natsu who'd always fought for his friends and faced any challenge head-on, wasn't standing before her. What stood there now was a mockery of the Dragon Slayer she knew. He was sinking deeper, and she hated it. She hated seeing him like this, angry, distant, and hurt. She held onto hope. Hope that he would come around, apologize, and let her back in. Because if he didn't… if he stayed lost in this spiral, that would be the ultimate betrayal. Everything they had gone through together—all the battles, the memories, the bond they shared—would have been for nothing.
Lisanna took one last glance at Natsu before turning to head back, her heart heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. The cool night air wrapped around her like a heavy shroud as she slowly strolled back. The light from the flickering lanterns seemed to blur. She could hear Happy's soft sighs behind her, and his wings flapping almost lethargically.
When Lisanna reached Chief Borbo's hut, she paused at the door, gathered herself, and pushed the door open. Warm light from inside spilled out and Chief Borbo looked up from his seat, his eyes kind but curious, while his Elsy, was stirring a pot over the fire.
"Ah, Lisanna welcome back," Borbo said, his voice a gentle rumble. "You look troubled. Sit, tell us what's on your mind."
Lisanna sank into the chair, her eyes distant, lost. "It's Natsu. He's still at it," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't understand him anymore. He's just so angry. I know he's hurting, but he won't let me help."
Elsy set her spoon down, wiping her hands on her apron as she walked over to sit beside Lisanna. "Sometimes, dear, when people are hurting, they push away the ones they need the most," she said softly. "Natsu may be the amazing salamander, but now he is fighting the toughest adversary he's ever faced. Himself."
Borbo nodded, his brow furrowed thoughtfully. "Anger. Doubt. Frustration. These emotions can be powerful, especially for someone like Natsu. It gives strength, but it also blinds… Overwhelms. The boy must be feeling lost, unable to see a way out. Instead of controlling his fire, the fire controls him."
Lisanna bit her lip, her eyes glistening. "But what if he doesn't? What if he stays like this?"
Elsy reached out, placing a comforting hand over Lisanna's. "The only thing you can do is be there for him. Sometimes love means standing by, even when it hurts."
Lisanna's eyes widened, her face flushing a deep red as Elsy's words hit her harder than she expected. "How did you know?" she stammered, clearly caught off guard.
Elsy smiled softly, her eyes kind as she responded. "It's quite obvious, Lisanna." She paused, her voice gentle but certain. "The way you look at him... it's as if there's no one else in your world. It's love, plain as day."
Borbo smiled knowingly, his eyes reflecting the wisdom of someone who had seen more than a few journeys of the heart. "Lisanna, there is no feeling more powerful– more positive, than honest love." His voice was steady, filled with quiet assurance. "Mountains can be put between you, but they can never sever the bond."
He paused and watched Lisanna closely, his gaze soft pierced her. "You realize it too, don't you?"
Lisanna hesitated for a moment. She thought back to all the battles and struggles they had faced together. Her eyes softened as the answer came to her. The truth was as clear as day. "Natsu becomes stronger when friends he trusts are by his side," she said softly. The words felt right the moment they left her lips.
Borbo nodded, his smile widening just a little. "Exactly. It's the people he loves, the bonds he's formed, that give him strength. And you, Lisanna, are a part of that, arguably the most important piece. Never forget how much power lies in love—especially yours."
Lisanna smiled faintly, but there was hesitation behind her eyes. "I hope you're right, Borbo. I hope I am part of that strength... part of his heart." Her voice wavered slightly, uncertainty creeping in. She wanted to believe it, desperately, but a small part of her wasn't sure.
She bit her lip, her gaze falling to the ground. "But... his feelings lie somewhere else. I don't know if there's any place for me." The admission came softly, filled with doubt, the weight of her insecurities pressing down on her.
Borbo stroking his chin mused for a moment, his expression thoughtful. After a long pause, he spoke, with a calm and reassuring tone.
"I'm not so sure about that," he said quietly. "He may not realize it yet, but hearts are far more resilient than we give them credit for. They heal, grow, and sometimes, they find space for more. That's the beauty of it…! Even if we humans feel tremendously hurt, we are still capable of care. Deep. Desperate. Unconditional."
He turned his gaze to Lisanna, a small, knowing smile on his lips. "Don't lose hope so easily, Lisanna. Love doesn't always come all at once. Sometimes, it can grow slowly, like a speck hidden in a small corner, and then blast forth, and bloom into a beautiful flower." Borbo exchanged a glance with Elsy, who nodded in agreement. "Give him time, and keep believing in him. Because in the end, the ones who stay through the hardest times are often the ones we can't let go of."
Lisanna took a deep breath, nodding slowly. The weight on her chest eased slightly, a small spark kindled inside her. A spark that dared her to hope. "Thank you," she said. "I'll keep trying."
A short silence hung between them, the quiet comforting for just a heartbeat. Then, without warning, the night erupted—a deep, earth-trembling roar that shattered the stillness. Lisanna and Borbo exchanged a quick, alarmed glance before they both rushed to the door, flinging it open.
The roar split the air like a knife, rattling the wooden beams of the hut. Outside, villagers ran, their frantic shouts echoing through the dark. Lisanna could see the monstrous form of Bramblethorn tearing through a fence, its thorn-covered limbs shattering the wooden planks effortlessly. She caught sight of a child being yanked to safety by their mother, barely escaping a thorny vine that smashed into the ground where they had just been standing.
Lisanna's heart pounded as she took in the scene. Her instincts immediately kicked in and in one panic-filled moment, she sprinted out of the hut. Borbo followed closely, his expression one of fear and disbelief. Her eyes scanned the chaos, searching for any sign of Natsu amid the pandemonium.
Her eyes scanned the village, searching for any sign of Natsu or Happy. The cries of the villagers blended with the roar of the monstrous plant spirit, but her ears zeroed in on a familiar, desperate shout.
"Lisanna, look!" Happy cried, soaring above her with frantic wings. The blue Exceed pointed toward the far edge of the village, where the dark, towering figure of Bramblethorn loomed, its glowing eyes fixed in a single direction.
There, standing alone in the clearing, was Natsu. Lisanna's heart pounded as she saw Natsu standing there, unsteady, his fists clenched but his flame dull. A vine cracked through a nearby hut, splintering wood, and she saw a villager stumble to the ground, scrambling to get away from the advancing mass. Bramblethorn's eyes remained locked on Natsu, its thorny limbs weaving toward him, but the collateral damage threatened everyone in its path.
Lisanna's breath caught in her throat as she saw him. He was unsteady, his posture slightly slumped, fists clenched as he faced down Bramblethorn. But something was wrong. Bramblethorn wasn't tearing into the huts or chasing the fleeing villagers—it was moving towards Natsu with terrifying focus, its glowing red eyes locked onto him. Every movement of the creature was deliberate, singular, almost like it was drawn to him. The monster seemed to ignore everything else—the structures, the chaos, the people. Its attention was completely fixed on Natsu.
"Why is it… only after him?" Lisanna whispered, the words barely audible as fear twisted in her chest. It made no sense. Monsters like Bramblethorn were chaotic forces of nature, attacking anything in sight. But this—this was different. It was as if Natsu was the only thing it wanted, the only thing it needed to destroy.
She didn't hesitate. Without a second thought, Lisanna sprinted forward. She jumped over a collapsed cart, her breath hitching as she narrowly avoided a flailing vine that whipped past her, gouging into the earth. Her heart pounded as she spotted a villager frozen in fear in Bramblethorn's path. Without thinking, she grabbed their arm, shoving them to safety before continuing her desperate dash toward Natsu. She wouldn't let it end like this. She couldn't.
"Natsu! Get out of there!" she screamed, her voice carrying above the roar of the monster and the panic of the village. But Natsu didn't move. He stood rooted to the spot, his eyes locked on Bramblethorn as it closed the distance between them.
Lisanna felt a surge of panic. She had to reach him before it was too late.
Bramblethorn let out a bellowing roar, its thorn-covered arm rising high into the air, poised to strike down at Natsu. Lisanna's heart clenched, fear overtaking her as she forced her legs to move faster. She wouldn't let it end like this. She couldn't.
With a burst of energy, Lisanna transformed into her Animal Soul: Rabbit form, her body surging with newfound speed. She covered the remaining distance in a blur, launching herself at Natsu just as Bramblethorn's arm came crashing down.
She collided with him, the force of her impact knocking them both to the ground. They rolled across the dirt, just barely avoiding the monstrous limb as it smashed into the earth where Natsu had been standing.
"Lisanna…?" Natsu's voice was shaky, and his eyes wide as he looked up at her.
"Why were you just standing there!?" Lisanna demanded, her voice trembling. "You could have been hurt!" She stepped in front of Natsu, determination blazing in her eyes. But before she could act, Natsu grabbed her shoulder, his grip firm as he pulled her back.
"No..." he muttered. "I have to do it alone..."
"Natsu, you can't!" Happy's voice echoed above, and his wings flapped frantically.
Lisanna's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why?"
"I don't wanna see Mira cry again... I don't want to see anyone cry BECAUSE OF ME!" Natsu looked at her, his expression scared, as if desperately trying to make her understand. But then something shifted—his eyes darkened, and a strange grin spread across his face, almost as if something snapped inside him. He turned away from Lisanna, his gaze locking onto Bramblethorn, and took a shaky step forward.
Natsu forced a grin, his heart pounding. 'COME ON THEN! TAKE WHAT YA NEED!' But as the miasma closed in, he felt it—his voice faltering, his body weakening. A creeping fear began to overtake him, the fear that maybe he couldn't win, that this was how it ended. For the first time, he truly doubted if his fire could ever burn bright enough again.
Lisanna's heart lurched as she heard his plea. Panic gripped her, and without thinking, she reached out for him, her hand clutching his tightly, refusing to let go. "Natsu, no! Stop!" she shouted, her voice trembling with desperation. But Natsu pushed her away.
"Stay back!" he yelled, his voice raw with emotion. He turned and rushed toward Bramblethorn, flames flickering around his fists, his roar filled with both fury and fear. It wasn't just a fight anymore—it was a way to make amends. His body wouldn't move—he felt paralyzed, his muscles locked in fear, refusing to obey him. The realization tore at him, and his eyes watered as he looked at Lisanna, his voice rising in panic. It was raw and filled with despair. "I don't want to lose again...!"
Lisanna's eyes widened. The weight of his words hit her like a gut punch, leaving her breathless.
Her hand moved to her chest, gripping the fabric of her shirt tightly. Guilt twisted inside her, making her hesitate. She wanted to help, to protect him, but the thought of Natsu never forgiving her if she interfered stopped her in her tracks. Maybe this time, she should hold back, let him prove himself... but every instinct screamed against it.
She watched as Natsu turned, his back to her, and began to slowly march toward Bramblethorn. His steps were unsteady, but there was a grim resolve. It made her chest tighten painfully. How much more could he endure before he broke entirely? She could see it now—he wasn't angry, he was terrified. So very scared, and yet he still insisted on shouldering it.
An impact drove her breath away, and pain shot through her side as she hit the ground hard. The vines coiled around her, tightening and pinning her to the dirt. She struggled, her vision blurring as she fought against her restraints, but it was no use. She was trapped. She could only helplessly watch Natsu struggling, how his flames flickered and dimmed. Bramblethorn seemed to get stronger. A dark haze gathered around the beast, swirling like a shroud as its eyes glowed with delight.
Natsu lunged at Bramblethorn, his flames barely visible around his fists. The beast twisted away, its thorn-covered limbs lashing out. A thick vine shot up from the ground, coiling around Natsu's leg and yanking him off balance. He hit the ground hard, the impact rattling him. Bramblethorn's laughter echoed—a dreadful, mocking sound—while another vine whipped towards him, narrowly missing his head as he rolled out of the way. The creature's twisted mouth moved, and its gurgling words took on distinct voices that made Lisanna's heart drop in horror.
"Natsu..." It was her voice, distorted and cruel, but still unmistakably hers. "Why didn't you come for me, Natsu? Why did you leave me behind? Why did you let me disappear...?"
"Weak… Pitiful…" Bramblethorn's voice shifted, becoming unmistakably Erza's, cold and judging. It cut through the air, making Lisanna's stomach twist painfully.
The voice changed again, this it took to Gray's mocking, disdainful tone. "No wonder she abandoned you and chose me over you, firebrains."
"Shut up, Shut up, shut up," He let out a chilling roar, then lunged at Bramblethorn. "SHUT UP!" he roared wildly, each hit more frantic than the last as if trying to drown out the numbness.
Lisanna's mind flashed back to Chief Borbo's words. "The Bramblethorn feeds and draws strength from strong negative emotions. The stronger the emotions, the more ferocious it becomes." The realization hit her like a lightning bolt. Natsu's doubt and anger made Bramblethorn stronger. It was feeding off him, growing more powerful with every moment he fought, every ounce of doubt and fear that stirred within him.
It suddenly made sense—all of it. The way Bramblethorn ignored everything else, and its relentless pursuit of Natsu. It wanted his anger, his fear. Lisanna's heart ached with the realization. The harder Natsu fought, the more he was feeding the beast. And yet, she couldn't reach him, couldn't make him see it. The weight of her helplessness felt suffocating, the thorns biting into her flesh as if mirroring the pain in her chest.
He knew... Is that why...?
Lisanna closed her eyes for a split beat, trying to push away the panic. She needed to think, to act. Even if she was bound, there had to be something—anything she could do to help. She strained against the vines again, feeling the sharp thorns cutting into her. Just give me one chance, she thought, her heart ached. I'm begging you Natsu...!
Lisanna poured every ounce of her being into a single, heart-wrenching scream. "Natsu, PLEASE! DON'T!" she cried, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face. It was more than just a plea; it was everything she wished for him to see, to understand. She needed him to hear her, to stop, to remember who he was—who they were together.
The Dragon Slayer lunged at the beast, pouring every ounce of himself into the fight, but the dark miasma began to swirl faster around them, thickening like a storm. It wrapped around Natsu, shrouding him completely, and then, with a terrifying shift, the miasma swirled, thickening like an encroaching storm. As it wrapped around Natsu, Lisanna felt an unnatural chill—an almost suffocating pressure.
Natsu could feel it seeping into his skin, cold and heavy, like thousands of tiny needles pricking him all at once. It clung to him, sinking into his core, drawing out every ounce of warmth he had. For a moment, the fire within him roared in defiance, but it was fleeting. The memories of every failure began to surface—each loss, each fear. Voices filled Natsu's mind—whispers that tore his resolve apart piece by piece, each one grew louder until they were deafening.
You are not strong enough, Natsu.
They'd be better off without you.
The voices became faces—Lisanna, Happy, even Igneel—all looking at him with disappointment. It twisted his heart. The fire in him flickered like it might go out at any moment. The vapor was suffocating. It was a cold, creeping sensation like ice water filling his lungs. Every breath felt heavy, the air thick and acrid, burning his throat. The darkness coiled tighter, each tendril like a vice around his chest, squeezing until the edges of his vision began to blur.
The take-over mage cried as she struggled against the vines holding her down. "Natsu! Don't listen to it!" she cried, as her wet eyes took the scene in. Something gripped inside her. It coiled around her heart, and slowly pierced it, as she witnessed Natsu's torment, the way his body trembled.
"NO!" The take-over mage pleaded as she fought against the vines holding her down. Each time she struggled, the thorns dug deeper into her skin, sending shocks of pain up her arms. Panic clawed at her insides, her heart pounding in her chest as she desperately fought to free herself. Only what she heard next broke her.
Natsu shrieked—a sound so raw and powerful that it seemed to tear through the air. It was unlike anything she had ever heard from him. His entire body trembled, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He gasped for air, his eyes wide and filled with a terror that made Lisanna's blood run cold. His stance wavered. Legs threatened to give out. The miasma forced its way in, wrapping around him, and pulling him further into its grip.
Lisanna could only watch, helplessly, as the boy she loved was being consumed in front of her.
Happy, couldn't take it any longer. He shot forward, his small form trembling. "Natsu!" Happy cried out. He quickly closed the distance between them, but before he could reach the touching distance, the miasma pulsated like an exploding wave, slamming into him and sending him hurtling backward.
The exceed hit the ground hard, tumbling across the dirt before coming to a stop. He groaned, his small body aching as he looked up, his vision blurred. "Natsu..." he whispered, tears streaming down his cheeks as he struggled to push himself up. The swirling miasma had already taken hold, and all Happy could do was watch as his best friend slowly disappeared.
Suddenly, with an eruption like an exploding wave, the miasma expanded again. It slammed into Lisanna, unraveled the vines, and sent her sprawling to the ground. She heard a scream and saw a villager thrown harshly into a wooden beam, collapsing in a heap. The ground seemed to groan under the pressure, and the air vibrated with a dreadful power that seemed to sap the life out of everything it touched.
When the miasma finally dissipated, and the air began settling, it revealed Natsu standing alone. His eyes were empty, his expression hollow. No fire, no anger, nothing. He stared blankly at the space before him, while Bramblethorn turned slowly and began to lumber away from the village, its purpose seemingly fulfilled.
'Natsu...' Happy whispered, his voice breaking as tears filled his eyes.
Lisanna struggled to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her. Panic gripped her chest, her heart pounding as she called out. "NATSU!" He didn't move. He stood there, still and hollow, as if he couldn't hear her at all. The sight was almost too much to bear, her vision blurring with tears. She forced herself forward, stumbling until she reached him, her fingers brushing against his shoulder.
"Are you-" she turned him to face her. What she saw made her blood run cold. His eyes were empty—devoid of life, the spirit that had always been there. It was like she was staring at a shell.
"No, no, no… You wouldn't leave us like this… NOT YOU!" Lisanna's voice broke, and her hand trembled as she shook him, desperately trying to find some sign of life. "NATSU!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the clearing, but it was no help. He remained silent, unmoving.
Happy poked Natsu's leg with his paw, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. "W-What happened to him?" His small voice quivered.
Chief Borbo approached slowly, his back slouched and his face pale. He paused beside Lisanna, his eyes downcast. He took a deep breath, his voice shaky. "It seems... Bramblethorn took what it wanted." His words felt like a dagger in her chest, her breath catching painfully. He choked slightly and pinched the bridge of his nose. His next words were mortified, barely above a whisper. "It did what it came to do: Sated its hunger. I'm… so sorry, child."
Lisanna's body shook as the realization crashed into her. Tears blurred her vision, and her heart clenched painfully. She let out an anguished cry, her voice cracking, "WHY? WHY HIM?!"
Borbo sighed. "You know why, don't you?" he said quietly.
Lisanna closed her eyes, her mind racing. She did. It was his pain, his fear, his doubt—it had all drawn Bramblethorn to him. She swallowed hard, tears streaming down her face as she turned back to Borbo, her voice trembling. "Is there... any way to save him?"
Borbo hesitated, his expression pained. "The Bramblethorn doesn't simply feed on negative emotions—it traps its target within themselves, and makes them face their greatest despair and doubt."
"So what you meant to say is… It makes Natsu feel more negative emotions so it can harvest it again?" Lisanna bit her lip.
"Precisely. The only way it can be undone... is if Natsu himself wills it. He must find the strength to break free and take back what was taken." Borbo took a deep breath, his eyes darkening with worry. "If Natsu cannot overcome this... if he doesn't manage to break free from the spirit's hold... then I fear the next time Bramblethorn returns, it will be the end of us all. We may not be able to stop it then."
Lisanna's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing in frantic circles as she looked at Natsu. Everything felt like it was spiraling out of control, slipping further and further from her grasp. The weight of the situation bore down on her—Natsu's lifeless eyes, the looming threat of Bramblethorn, and the terrified villagers depending on her.
She swallowed her hesitation and looked at Chief Borbo. "Is there anything I can do to help him? Anything at all?"
Taking his time to consider, Borbo frowned deeply for a moment and then nodded thoughtfully. "Talking to him might help. Sometimes, a familiar memory can trigger a response. You have to reach the part of him that's still alive somewhere in there."
"Thank you, Chief Borbo," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She turned to Natsu, gently taking his hand, her heart aching as his fingers barely responded. There was still something in him– some primal instinct that allowed her to guide him, but it offered her no comfort. Step by step, she led him by hand back through the village, her gaze focused ahead, refusing to let herself falter.
The villagers' eyes followed them, some with anxious glances, while others clenched their jaws, their brows furrowed in seething frustration. A few of them crossed their arms tightly over their chests, their glares like daggers aimed at Lisanna and Natsu as they passed. One of them pointed at Lisanna and shouted, "Chief Borbo! You have to kick them out... they brought nothing but trouble. I bet they even drove that thing here to torment us!" A murmur of agreement passed through the crowd, whispers and nods of suspicion.
Lisanna froze in her tracks. "W-What?"
Borbo's expression darkened, and he snapped, "Not another word, Ardin! I won't have you slander our guests." His voice cut through the murmurs, silencing the crowd. "Natsu and his companions are not here to harm us. They saved us from Bramblethorn's attack. They mean us no ill will!"
But the crowd was restless. Angry. One villager stepped forward, his face contorted. "That boy is cursed, Chief! Look at him!" He jabbed a finger in Natsu's direction, his voice rising above the mumbles of the crowd. "That thing will come back for us! And it'll punish us for harboring him!"
A wave of agreement rippled through the villagers. Their eyes were locked on Natsu, who stood there, silent and detached, his gaze distant, unaware.
Lisanna's heart clenched painfully as she looked at Natsu. His light was gone. And now these people—these fearful, desperate people—were turning on him. The people he… They protected. She couldn't let this happen.
"Natsu isn't cursed!" Lisanna shouted, stepping forward, her voice trembling with emotion. "He's just lost! He needs time to find himself again, but he's not your enemy!" She spread her arms wide, her stance protective, as she positioned herself between Natsu and the crowd.
But just as her words left her lips, something shifted.
Suddenly, Natsu screamed, a sound so raw and full of terror that it cut through the noise of the mob like a blade. His hands shot up to his head, clutching it as though he were trying to hold his very mind together. "NO! STOP!" he cried out, his voice cracking, as if something was crushing him. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, his body trembling violently.
Some villagers lowered their pitchforks, hesitation flickering across their faces. One man stepped forward, his expression softening, while another's eyes narrowed, his grip on the handle tightening. "He's just a boy," someone muttered from the back, but their voice was quickly drowned out by the panicked accusations of others
Lisanna gasped, rushing to his side, her heart pounding in her chest. She knelt beside him, her hands hovering, unsure where to touch, how to help. "Natsu, please, it's me!" Her voice was thick with desperation, her eyes wide with fear.
But Natsu didn't respond. He only shook harder, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he pressed his forehead to the dirt, his scream still reverberating in the air.
The villagers recoiled in shock, and for a moment, there was silence. But then—"SEE?!" a voice screamed from the crowd. "He's cursed! Look at him!"
The mob surged forward again, the tension reigniting, their fear now magnified by Natsu's sudden outburst. "It's happening! Bramblethorn's curse has taken him over!" another villager shouted, eyes wide with terror.
Lisanna could barely breathe. She placed her hands on Natsu's shoulders, trying to still his trembling, her heart breaking with each second she watched him suffer. "Please..," she whispered, though she wasn't sure if she was pleading with Natsu or the villagers.
A rock whizzed past her, missing by inches as it landed with a dull thud at Natsu's forehead. Her blood ran cold as she realized what was happening. They were blaming him.
"No!" Lisanna shouted, her voice cracking as she threw herself in front of Natsu, her arms spread wide, protecting him. "Leave him alone! He's not your enemy! It's Bramblethorn—the spirit that will take everything from you if you don't snap out of it!"
More rocks followed, pelting her arms, and her legs, but Lisanna didn't move. She shielded Natsu as best she could, her voice breaking as she screamed at them to stop. "PLEASE! He's not cursed—he's just... he's just lost!"
The villagers hesitated, their rocks still raised, but doubt flickered in their eyes. They didn't know what to believe, their fear clouding their judgment.
Borbo, standing at the forefront, shook his head in disbelief. "I thought we were better than this..." His voice was low, mortified. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his shaking hands.
Another voice rose from the crowd, shrill and accusatory. "Chief must be affected too! It's the only explanation...!"
The murmur of agreement swelled again, and the villagers raised their pitchforks and rocks, ready to drive Lisanna, Natsu, and Borbo out of the village for good.
Lisanna's heart raced. She couldn't let Borbo suffer for this. She had to do something. "WE'LL LEAVE!" her voice pierced above discontent murmurs. "Borbo doesn't have anything to do with this! Let us go, and no one else will get hurt."
The crowd quieted for a moment, but Lisanna could feel their stares. Borbo turned to her, his face pale with shock.
"Lisanna..." Borbo's voice trembled, disbelief etched into every line of his face.
She met his gaze, with a resolve. This wasn't defeat. Her expression said it all. I won't leave you to suffer.
Borbo choked back his tears, understanding the gravity of what Lisanna was doing. He nodded slowly, his throat tightening with emotion. "You heard her." He turned to the villagers, his voice steady but thick with sorrow. "If any one of you dares to harm her on the way out, you'll answer to—"
"US."
The word came sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. Elsy stood behind the chief, her presence suddenly commanding the crowd's attention. Her eyes blazed with an intensity that sent a ripple of fear through the mob.
At the sight of Elsy's killing intent, the villagers hesitated, taking an involuntary step back. Their eyes darted nervously from one another, fear creeping into their voices.
They parted like a wave as Lisanna, Natsu, and Happy walked through. Not a single villager dared to raise a hand as Elsy's gaze followed them, promising retribution to anyone foolish enough to disobey.
The dirt path crunched softly beneath Lisanna's feet as she led Natsu and Happy away from the village. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, turned down at the corners, her heart heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. The air was still and thick, but it wasn't the peaceful stillness she had once known. It was the silence of something broken.
Happy fluttered beside her, his eyes wide and filled with worry. "Lisanna, what are we going to do?" His small voice trembled with confusion, like a child lost in the storm, desperately looking to her for answers.
But Lisanna didn't have one. She glanced down at Natsu, his steps slow and faltering, his gaze still distant and unfocused. His shoulders slumped, his body hollow, as though he were just a shell of the boy she had grown up with. Just yesterday... just yesterday, he had still been Natsu—her Natsu, full of fire and strength, even if he was struggling inside.
And now...
She swallowed hard, her throat tight as the guilt began to gnaw at her. She wanted to say something—anything—that would ease Happy's worry, that would reassure herself, but the words wouldn't come. How could they? She had moments ago watched Natsu get turned into this empty shell. And now, they were being driven away, cast out by the very people they had tried to protect.
The guilt twisted in her chest like a knife.
She tried to focus on the path ahead, but her mind kept spiraling, replaying what had just happened over and over. Bramblethorn. Natsu consumed. The villagers throw rocks, calling Natsu cursed. And for just one, brief moment, she had let the anger inside her flare up, the frustration and pain bubbling over. She had been more worried about Natsu's breakdown, more terrified of losing him, than anything else. For a heartbeat, she had thought that the village could burn down and she wouldn't care. They had hurt Natsu. Turned their backs on him.
Her lips trembled as she bit back the wave of emotions threatening to swallow her whole.
But then... she had seen Borbo's face.
That look of utter sorrow, of helplessness, had cut through. His eyes had pleaded with her, not with anger, but with pain—the pain of someone who knew he was powerless to stop what was happening. Borbo, who had welcomed them, and trusted them, was now watching his people turn against them. Watching his village fall apart.
The moment she saw his face, she regretted it. What was I thinking? She chastised herself, shame flooding her chest. She had let her anger cloud her judgment, let her desperation make her forget what these people had gone through. Their homes were in ruins, their loved ones hurt, and the only thing they had left to direct their fury at... was her. Was Natsu. They were scared, just as she was.
They have every right to be angry.
She glanced back at the village, the faint outline of the buildings just visible on the horizon. Smoke still rose from the destruction Bramblethorn had caused. She could almost hear the lingering cries of pain and fear carried on the wind. The truth weighed on her: these people had suffered. And they had every reason to want Natsu gone, to see him as a threat. He had been powerless to stop Bramblethorn. And now he was lost.
A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it. She wiped it away quickly, glancing at Happy, who was still watching her with those wide, questioning eyes. I have to be strong. She had to hold it together for him, for Natsu. But the guilt sat like a heavy stone in her chest, pressing down harder with every step.
Her thoughts spiraled further. Maybe they were right. Perhaps they shouldn't have come. Maybe all they did was bring more pain. She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they clung to her relentlessly, refusing to let go.
"Lisanna...?" Happy's voice broke through her haze, his small body hovering just in front of her, his eyes pleading. "What are we going to do?"
Gasping heavily Lisanna blinked, trying to find the words. All she could do was give him a soft, tired smile. "I... I don't know, Happy," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "I don't know."
Lisanna led the group to the top of a small hill, her steps heavy, the weight of the last few hours pressing down on her shoulders. From the crest, the village was still visible, its silhouette shadowed against the starry sky. Smoke still rose faintly from the damage Bramblethorn had caused, a painful reminder of everything they had been through.
She glanced over her shoulder at Natsu and Happy. Natsu followed silently, his gaze fixed on the ground, his expression as hollow as it had been since the villagers' attack. Happy hovered near Lisanna, his usual lightheartedness replaced by a deep, unsettling quiet. Her heart ached for both of them.
At the top of the hill, Lisanna stopped, exhaling a shaky breath. "We can set up camp here," she said softly, though the weight of uncertainty hung in her voice. "We'll gather food and... try to figure out what to do next." She scanned the area. It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do. The village was still in view, just distant enough for them to have some space to think.
She guided Natsu to sit dead stump of a tree, her heart heavy. His blank expression never changed, and Lisanna's chest tightened painfully. She took a seat beside him, her eyes never leaving his face. Happy quietly fluttered over, plopping into her lap with his ears drooping and his eyes downcast. Lisanna stroked his fur absentmindedly, tears stinging her eyes.
She looked at Natsu sadly, her eyes tracing his still features. She spoke softly, almost as if talking to herself. "You always seemed so strong, you know? Always able to shrug things off like they were nothing. Even when we were kids... no matter," Her voice wavered, and she swallowed hard. "I was always scared of so many things back then. But you always made me feel like everything was going to be okay, just because you believed it would be." She paused.
Lisanna looked at Natsu, her chest heavy with emotions that were too tangled to untwist. She tried to make sense of it all—of Natsu's hollow expression, the battles they'd fought, and the person he had become. She knew Natsu was still there somewhere, deep within, but she couldn't help feeling afraid. What if he was too far gone? What if Bramblethorn had sunk its roots so deeply that there was no coming back?
A painful realization gripped her. Natsu was always the one who led them forward, the one whose fire burned bright enough to lead them out of any darkness. She had never imagined that there would come a time when he'd need her to lead him out of his despair. The thought terrified her. She was no leader—she wasn't fearless like him, wasn't brave enough to believe blindly that everything would be okay. But now, she had no choice. She needed to find a way to carry them both until he found his way back.
Lisanna swallowed her fears, taking a deep breath. Maybe she wasn't Natsu, maybe her fire wasn't as fierce, but she had something just as powerful—love. She loved Natsu fiercely, even now, even while he was lost. She couldn't let herself fall apart, not when he needed her the most.
The idea of calling the guild flickered in her mind. Would they know how to help? Could Erza or Gray do something that she couldn't? A part of her wanted to run to them and ask them to save Natsu as they always had. But she couldn't—she wouldn't abandon Natsu here. Not when Bramblethorn still lurked, not when every second counted.
"I can't. Not now," she whispered to herself, her voice barely holding together as her trembling hand reached for Natsu's. The cold, unresponsive touch of his fingers made her heart twist painfully in her chest. The familiar warmth that always seemed to surround them—his warmth—was gone. Lisanna could feel her world crumbling around her, every heartbeat aching with fear and desperation. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff, and all it would take was one more push to send her spiraling into the abyss.
Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she thought she might break under the weight of it all. The overwhelming sense of helplessness crushed her, making it hard to breathe, making it hard to think. How did it come to this? How could Natsu, of all people, be so... lost?
Her vision blurred, and she leaned forward, her forehead resting against Natsu's shoulder. With trembling hands, she cupped his face, her thumbs brushing softly against his cold cheeks. She could barely speak, her voice cracking under the strain of her emotions.
"You'd better apologize when you come back," she whispered with a fragile tone. "You really hurt me, Natsu."
She was scared—terrified of losing him—but the anguish in her heart went beyond that. The thought of a world without Natsu's fiery spirit, his laughter, his unwavering presence... it was unbearable. Tears welled up in her eyes, slipping free before she could stop them, each drop carrying a piece of her heart with it. "But I'm not giving up on you. Not now, not ever. Because that's what family does."
Her fingers lingered on his face, holding on to him with everything she had left, but inside, she felt like she was suffocating. Despite her words, she was still shattering, every ounce of her strength crumbling away. So much for walking beside him. Being an equal. What use was that promise if she was going to break when things got tough? Natsu didn't, right? He never did. But then, she quickly corrected herself—no, he just didn't show it. She bet that inside, he was terrified, scared, just like she was now.
But then, she felt something gentle. Happy's small paw rested on her arm, a soft touch that pulled her out of the dread. His eyes, though sad, held a determined glimmer. He wasn't crying—he was trying to be brave for her. "Natsu will be okay," he said, his voice soft but steady. "He'll come back, and then we'll eat lots of fish together." The numbness in her heart began to ease, just a little, at his quiet courage.
Without thinking, Lisanna pulled Happy into a warm embrace, holding him close to her chest. "Thank you," she whispered.
For that brief moment, the ache in her heart dulled, soothed by the presence of the exceed. But as she let him go, she found a glimmer of courage. She turned her attention back to Natsu, placing her hand gently over his, and Happy, without hesitation, placed his paw on top of hers. The warmth from both of them, even in this small gesture, gave her something to hold on to. The void was still there, but she wasn't alone.
"Come back to us, Natsu."