Chapter 2: The Roar of Flames

"Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, and favorited this story so far! Your support means the world to me and keeps me motivated to continue this journey with Natsu and Lucy. I hope you enjoy this next chapter, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts. Let's dive back into the action!"

Natu's POV

The morning air was sharp and carried a quiet stillness, cool against my skin as I stood outside the Fairy Tail guild hall, staring at the horizon. The rising sun painted the sky in streaks of gold, but it didn't soothe the tension in my chest. Something didn't feel right—like the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to break.

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at the clear blue sky. Lucy had been gone for days—too many days. Sure, she told me not to follow her, that she wanted to do this on her own, but it didn't stop the restless energy thrumming inside me. I could almost hear her voice, steady and determined, saying, "I've got this, Natsu." It should've been enough. But it wasn't.

Happy landed gently on my shoulder, his wings disappearing as he settled beside me. "Do you think she's okay?" he asked, his small voice soft but filled with worry, cutting through the quiet like a plea. His wide eyes flickered with the reflection of the sky, and for a moment, I could feel how heavy the silence between us had become.

I forced a grin for his sake, trying to project confidence even as doubt gnawed at me. "Of course, she is. Lucy's tough." The words felt hollow, and I could feel the tight ache in my chest growing as I said it. Part of me wanted to believe it with everything I had, but the fear that something might have happened to her lingered, heavy and unshakable.

Happy didn't look convinced. His ears drooped as he followed my gaze to the distant forest. "I dunno... something feels... wrong."

He wasn't the only one who felt it.

Behind me, the guild hall buzzed with the usual morning chaos—Gray arguing with Erza over something trivial but loud enough to shake the walls, Mirajane's bright laughter ringing out as she tried to restore peace, and Macao and Wakaba deep in yet another dramatic card game, their shouts and cheers echoing through the room. But none of it drowned out the unease gnawing at my gut, like a quiet roar that refused to be ignored.

"Lucy'll be back soon." I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince Happy or myself.

"Natsu," Erza's voice called from behind me, calm but tinged with concern. I turned to see her standing with her arms crossed, the sunlight catching in her red hair. Her expression softened, but her eyes were sharp, weighing my every move. "You've been standing out here for hours," she said, her voice quieter now, almost like she knew what I was thinking and was trying to ground me before I lost myself in worry.

"So?" I shot back. "I'm just... keeping watch."

Her eyes softened a little. "She said she needed time. You have to trust her."

"I do trust her!" The words came out like a growl, sharp and raw, surprising even me. The heat behind them made my chest tighten. But what if something happened? That thought echoed through my mind, louder than anything Erza or Happy could say. I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of uncertainty press against my resolve. I hated feeling this powerless.

Before she could respond, the shimmer of starlight appeared, right in the middle of the guild hall. The glow brightened, drawing gasps and startled glances as Loke appeared in the center of the room, adjusting his coat with a grave expression. My heart thudded as I took a step forward, the room falling quiet as everyone watched him.

"Lucy sent me," Loke said, his voice urgent and heavy with concern as his gaze swept over the room. The usual glimmer of mischief in his eyes was replaced by grim determination. His usual grin was gone, replaced by a tight frown. "She's safe... for now—but she's running on fumes." He took a step forward, spreading his arms as if to make everyone understand the gravity of the situation.

"She fought off a horde of cursed creatures—twisted beings warped by dark magic. From what Lucy saw, they looked like shadows of people, gaunt and cracked like stone, with glowing red eyes and claws sharp enough to cut through steel. But even she doesn't know what they really are—they moved like hunters, with a purpose." His tone sharpened as he spoke. "She sent me to warn you—this isn't just some isolated attack. It's spreading."

My heart pounded as he spoke. Each word felt like a stone sinking deeper into my chest. Alone? The thought tore through me, making every muscle in my body coil with tension. My fists tightened, flames flickering briefly at the edges of my vision. Loke's eyes locked onto mine, serious and steady. "She didn't want you to worry," he said, his voice low but insistent. "She saw a burned-out clearing in the field—a perfect circle, like magic had been torn apart—and she doesn't even know how many more of those things are out there. She's holding on, but if more show up... she won't be able to stop them alone."

The room was deathly silent. Everyone was processing what he said, but my mind was racing. She's out there, fighting alone... Why didn't she let me go with her? I felt something twist inside me—worry, frustration, and something else I didn't know how to name.

Loke's voice softened, but his urgency remained. "She trusted me to come to you because she knew you'd understand how serious this is. She needs you."

That was all I needed to hear.

The moment he said that, something inside me snapped into place.

Erza started to give orders, her voice steady but intense. "Everyone, we need to prepare—"

Mirajane spoke up, her usual calm replaced with a rare urgency. "If this is spreading, we need to secure the town before it's too late."

Gray clenched his fists, scowling. "Damn it... Lucy shouldn't have had to fight alone."

Levy's eyes widened as she grabbed a book from the table. "What if it reaches other villages? We need a plan."

Elfman pounded his fist on the wall, his voice booming with conviction. "A real man stands by his family!"

The room filled with overlapping voices, worry mixing with resolve. Makarov's voice cut through the noise, calm but heavy with authority. "Quiet, all of you," the guild master said, stepping forward onto the center table with his small frame commanding the room. His gaze swept over his guild members with a mix of pride and concern. "We've faced darkness before, but this..." he paused, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Natsu, "...requires all of us to be strong. Natsu, I trust you, but remember—we are your family. Don't carry this burden alone." Erza nodded and lowered her hand, deferring to Makarov as the room quieted, all eyes on Natsu.

But before Makarov could continue, I stepped forward, flames flickering around my fists as the room grew still. My heart pounded with resolve. "No," I said, my voice cutting through the noise with fierce clarity. Lucy's out there alone. The thought wrapped around my mind like a chain. "You all stay here and protect the town. Warn everyone. Be ready." I glanced at my guildmates, the weight of their trust settling on my shoulders. "I'm going after Lucy. I won't let her face this alone."

Gray frowned, narrowing his eyes as he stepped closer, his jaw tightening with concern. "What's your plan, flame brain?" His voice held a mix of skepticism and worry. Natsu could feel the weight of the question—Gray wasn't just questioning him out of habit. He's scared too, Natsu realized, the thought unsettling. For a moment, the usual banter felt distant, replaced by the unspoken fear they both shared.

"Natsu!" Erza stepped forward, but I was already running.

Happy flapped beside me. "I'm coming with you!"

"Alright, come on," I said, glancing at him as I slowed just enough for Happy to catch up. "You're the only one who can fly me there fast enough." Happy's wings flared to life as he grabbed my shoulders. "Hang on, Natsu!" he said with a determined glint in his eyes as he took off, carrying us above the treetops and toward the forest at full speed.

The wind rushed past, whipping through my hair and stinging my skin, but I barely felt it. My mind was on Lucy, the way she must have felt out there alone. Happy grunted, his wings straining as we soared over the sprawling canopy. "We're almost there," he panted, his grip steady despite the strain. I could see the faint glimmers of smoke from where the village must be.

"You're doing great, buddy," I said, trying to encourage him even as dread twisted in my gut.

Finally, Happy's wings faltered, and he began to descend. "Sorry, Natsu... I can't... hold it... much longer," he gasped, his breathing labored.

"It's okay!" I reassured him, tightening my grip as we touched down on the edge of a clearing. Happy's wings disappeared as he slumped slightly but stayed on my shoulder instead of falling to the ground. "You've done enough. Rest while I keep moving," I said. Happy let out a tired breath but nodded, resting his small paws against my head. "Just... be careful," he murmured. "I'm with you, Natsu."

I gave him a small, reassuring smile, even though my heart was pounding in my chest. "I know. I won't let her down."

I turned toward the woods ahead and started running, my feet pounding the earth as the forest closed in around me. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating, the same way Loke had described. Each breath carried the scent of burnt wood and something sickly sweet—like decayed magic. The trees blurred past, shadows twisting in the corners of my vision. My ears caught distant snarls, low and guttural, mixed with the crack of shifting branches. My senses sharpened, tracking the faintest sounds: claws scraping bark, leaves rustling unnaturally. The hum of something unnatural vibrated in the distance, sending a shiver down my spine. Hold on, Lucy. I'm coming.