Chapter-5: Reborn
28 Days Later, with Erza
Nearly a month had passed since their harrowing encounter with Bayle. Over the last few weeks, the guild had worked tirelessly to adapt to their new powers, facing both the challenges and the exhilaration that came with their evolving abilities. Natsu wasn't the only one who had undergone a transformation; all of them had changed in ways they hadn't fully understood yet.
Erza, especially, had undergone a profound shift.
Her once neatly styled hair had grown to knee-length, becoming wild and untamed, like it had been charged by an unstoppable force. The tips of her hair had taken on a subtle flame-like pattern, a mix of scarlet and gold that hinted at the dragon power now coursing through her. Her hair no longer just framed her face; it was an extension of the energy that pulsed within her.
Her eyes, once a striking brown, had shifted to a glowing star-like hue. They flickered and shifted in intensity with her emotions and energy levels, a constant reminder of the Dragon Magic she now carried inside her. When she channeled her newfound power, her eyes seemed to burn brighter, the glow increasing with her focus and determination.
Her skin sometimes shimmered with a faint scarlet and gold light when she tapped into the depths of her Dragon Power, further enhancing the aura around her. It was as though she was always on the cusp of something greater, a force that could consume or protect depending on her will.
Her armor had also evolved. No longer the Heart Cruz Armor she had worn so many times before, she now wore a black bodysuit, a sleek and practical design that allowed for agility and freedom of movement. The sides and back of the bodysuit were left exposed, a subtle nod to her new connection with Dragon Magic, as if the armor itself was adapting to the change in her body. Over it, she wore a matching mini jacket, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, paired with a black cloth wrapped around her waist like a battle skirt, and knee high black heeled Boots.
Her black leather gloves, decorated with gold bracelets, completed the look.
Erza stood in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with an intensity she hadn't felt before. The scarlet and gold light flickered across her skin as she focused, the power of a dragon now coursing through her veins, a promise of strength far beyond what she'd ever known.
"I'm digging the Biker-Goth look," Natsu remarked, arms folded. Though he could hide his demon claws, he preferred to keep at least one out, letting the silver glow catch the light.
Natsu had changed too. He wore black pants with brown holsters on his thighs, combat boots that went up to his shins, and a simple dark red muscle shirt. Over it, he had a black long coat with red lining inside and a large hood. His sleeves were folded at his elbows, giving him an effortlessly rugged look.
Erza couldn't help but smile at his teasing. His new appearance, though jarring at first, had become undeniably him—bold, unpredictable, and infused with that same mischievous energy that always radiated from him. She caught sight of his demon claws again, their silver glow faint but always present. Natsu wore his new power with a strange mix of pride and caution, though beneath the cocky grin, she could see the depth of what he had become.
"Digging the Biker-Goth look, huh?" she teased, running a hand through her knee-length hair, now wild and untamed, taking on a life of its own.
"Yeah, it suits you," Natsu said with a grin, his gaze roving over her, obviously impressed. "You've got that dragon vibe, real fierce."
Erza laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. "Sush now, handsome devil."
"Sush me, darling," Natsu replied, his voice lowering with a playful edge as he stepped closer. His silver eyes locked with hers, a brief moment of something deeper flickering between them before he quickly grinned, returning to his usual mischievous self. "Just don't go setting anything on fire, alright?"
"I can set you on fire," Erza retorted with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"That sounds really kinky," Natsu shot back, his grin widening. "I thought you couldn't get any more creative."
Erza raised an eyebrow, amused by his banter. "Are you complaining?"
Natsu moved closer, his grin never faltering. "No, never," he said softly before, in a bold move, he stole a quick kiss from her, catching her off guard but making her heart race all the same.
"Cheeky devil," Erza muttered with a smile, shaking her head.
Natsu chuckled, his playful side surfacing. "I'd wager you're more 'cheeky' than me, with all that—" He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes gleaming, "—ass."
Erza laughed, playfully hitting his arm. "Careful, Wendy might hear you again and start asking questions. She's still too young for that kind of talk."
Natsu grinned, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll keep it Wendy-Friendly. For now."
The door suddenly opened, and the small Blue Haired Girl asked, "You called me?" she asked with wide innocent brown eyes.
Erza and Natsu froze for a moment, both caught in the awkwardness of the moment. Natsu, ever quick on his feet, managed to flash a grin at Wendy.
"W-Wendy! You... uh, you heard all that?" Natsu stammered, his silver eyes widening in surprise.
Erza quickly composed herself, clearing her throat. "Natsu was just... making sure I'm not being too mischievous. Right?" She shot Natsu a pointed look, half-amused, half-warning.
Wendy blinked innocently, tilting her head slightly as she looked between the two. "I didn't hear anything," she said, smiling sweetly. "But you two were talking so quietly, I thought you were planning something secretive."
Erza sighed in relief, her expression softening as she reached out to ruffle Wendy's hair. "We were just... talking, Wendy. Nothing to worry about."
Natsu, still slightly flustered, added, "Yeah, no big deal. Definitely nothing worth getting curious about." He gave a thumbs-up, though the awkwardness was still evident.
Wendy nodded, smiling even more brightly. "Okay! Let me know if you need anything, I'll be in the other room!"
As she left, Natsu exhaled, letting out a dramatic sigh. "That was close."
Erza smirked, crossing her arms. "I thought you said you could keep it Wendy-friendly?"
"Hey," Natsu protested with a shrug, "I didn't expect her to show up right then!"
Erza chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Well, you'd better watch yourself, or one of these days she's going to catch on to your... less-than-innocent comments."
Natsu rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah. I'll behave. For now."
She smirked, leaning against the wall, her golden-red hair cascading over her shoulder. "You're lucky she's as innocent as she is. She probably thinks you're some kind of quirky older brother."
"I mean, aren't I?" Natsu countered with a playful grin. "The coolest older brother ever."
Erza crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Coolest, huh? I don't think 'cool' and 'constantly getting into trouble' go hand in hand."
Natsu laughed, shrugging nonchalantly. "Hey, I haven't even really started getting into trouble yet. I'm a demon now—got a whole new level of chaos to explore."
"You're hilarious," Erza replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"I know, right?" Natsu shot back with a cheeky grin, his silver eyes gleaming with mischief.
Erza couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head. "Just don't let that new 'chaos level' of yours backfire. I'm not bailing you out if you summon something we can't handle."
Natsu placed a hand over his heart, mock-offended. "Erza, I'm hurt. Have some faith in me! I'd never summon something I couldn't punch back into wherever it came from."
"Your confidence is... endearing," Erza said with a teasing smile, her voice laced with amusement. "But let's try not to test that theory any time soon."
Natsu winked, his grin playful but carrying a trace of concern. "No promises."
Erza's expression softened as she straightened her jacket. "You and Mira are heading to Aurelia?"
She nodded firmly. "Yes, we are. We've got this."
"Rumors say two of Bayle's Commanders are there," Natsu said, his tone serious. "I can come with you if you want. Back you up."
Erza placed a hand on his chest, her gaze steady but warm. "No. Your mission is more important, Natsu. I know you're worried about me, love, but I can take care of myself. That's part of why we got together, isn't it? Because we're both warriors?"
Natsu hesitated, his silver eyes flickering with unease. "Yeah... but I'm still worried."
Erza's lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "And I'm worried about you too. But I have faith in you, just like you have faith in me. We'll both win, and then we'll meet back here—together."
Natsu sighed but smiled back, his voice warm. "Alright, I trust you, dragoness. Tear them apart."
Erza chuckled, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Yes, limb from limb."
Natsu laughed, shaking his head. "It's so weird hearing you speak like that."
Erza raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips. "Guess it's a dragon thing? How long until I start swearing in Dragon Language about taxes?"
"Hopefully not long," Natsu said with a wink, turning to leave. He waved his clawed hand over his shoulder. "Later, love."
"Later," Erza replied, watching him go with a soft smile, the weight of their shared words lingering in the air.
With Gray, Juvia and Lucy
"Are you girls ready?" Gray asked, his voice slightly impatient but with an undercurrent of concern.
"We are, unlike the naked Ice Wizard," Lucy replied with a teasing grin. "Juvia! Gray's naked again in front of girls!"
"Y-you bitch! I don't realize I do this! It's not my fault!" Gray stammered, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Lucy smirked. "Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that."
Juvia giggled softly, shaking her head at the antics of Gray and Lucy. To her surprise, she found herself amused rather than annoyed. Over time, Gray and Lucy had become like siblings, so Lucy was no longer a 'love rival' to her. Instead, she could just enjoy their antics without worrying about her feelings.
"Let's go. We're wasting too much time," Juvia said, a hint of urgency in her voice. "And Gray, here's your clothes," she added, handing him his attire.
"Thank you," Gray muttered, quickly getting dressed.
The trio was on their own mission, heading to Solvang, a town overtaken by demons. The rumors spoke of a perpetual winter in the area, with anything within a 20-kilometer radius of it being canes in a Snow storm.
"Any news about the other guilds?" Gray asked as they set out.
Juvia nodded, her tone grave. "Lamia Scale had their city attacked by some Dark Guilds and a few demons, but they were able to repel them. Mermaid Heel, Blue Pegasus, and Quatro Cerberus allied together and managed to protect their cities and retake some of the small towns around them. The Magic Council called the Wizard Saints to Era for protection, but they've been useless this last month. Some of the Wizard Saints refused to answer the call. Crocus hasn't had any attacks, though. It's likely Bayle doesn't even acknowledge King Toma as ruler. However, the royal family did manage to contact the Order of Tenebrae Susuri."
"The Order of Tenebrae Susuri? Are you for real?!" Gray exclaimed, shocked.
"Umm, who are they supposed to be?" Lucy asked, confused.
"The Order of Tenebrae Susuri is an ancient group that has never answered to any government or kingdom," Juvia explained, her tone serious. "They're older than most empires in Ishgar, even older than the Magic Council itself. It's rumored that the order was formed after the Dragon Civil War, composed of Dragon Slayers, Devil Slayers, demons who rebelled against their own kind, and all types of slayers—none of them are normal mages. A few hundred years ago, the Magic Council tried to take control of them. But the order retaliated by slaughtering every Wizard Saint at the time, nearly bankrupting the council in the process."
"They're that powerful?" Lucy asked, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Unbelievable... so it's like a whole guild of people like Natsu and Erza?"
Gray nodded, his expression grim. "Yeah. Either they're all Slayers, or they aren't human at all. There've been rumors about some of them living for hundreds of years."
"Do you think they'd want something to do with us?" Lucy asked, her brow furrowed with concern. "We have four Dragon Slayers... and Natsu, who's also a Half-Demon on top of being a Dragon Slayer. Now Erza's a Half-Dragon too?"
Gray's eyes darkened slightly as he crossed his arms. "I think Gramps mentioned something about this. We've all grown a lot in the past month, but Erza and Natsu's changes definitely caught some attention. Especially since Natsu practically always walks around with his Demon Claws out. People started calling him a 'Devil Slayer.' In the last month, he's killed more demons than anyone else in the country. You heard his new moniker? 'The Silver-Eyed Devil.'"
Juvia nodded thoughtfully. "If that nickname's spreading, it means there's a lot of eyes on him now. And Erza... she's changed too. Her new power is unlike anything anyone has seen before."
Gray looked out at the horizon, his expression serious. "Whatever's coming, I have a feeling we're all going to be caught in the middle of it. We'll just have to be ready."
With Laxus and Gajeel
The two Dragon Slayers stood side by side, looking down from the cliff overlooking Drakemire. The city sprawled before them, shrouded in an ominous silence, the air thick with the scent of blood and charred flesh. Their enhanced senses picked up the unmistakable presence of demons—there was no mistaking it. The once-thriving city had fallen to ruin, its streets now a battleground for the demons that had claimed it.
"This is gonna be bloody," Gajeel muttered, his voice low, eyes scanning the city below with a hardened gaze.
Laxus, his arms crossed and his usual calm replaced with a sharp focus, nodded grimly. "Heard they killed a Wizard Saint here. Victor of the Spear, I think."
Gajeel smirked, his lips curling slightly. "Then this is gonna be fun."
Laxus let out a short, bitter laugh. "Fun for us, maybe. But a whole city's already been slaughtered. We'll have to make sure we finish the job right." He narrowed his eyes, his electric aura crackling faintly around him, a warning of what was to come.
"We will," Gajeel said, his voice steady. He cracked his knuckles, the sound almost like a prelude to the chaos about to unfold. "But no one said it was gonna be easy."
Laxus glanced at him, his smirk returning. "When's it ever easy?"
With that, the two Dragon Slayers leapt off the cliff, their landing making the earth tremble beneath their feet. As they stepped into the decimated city, the sounds of distant screams and clashes filled the air. But they were undeterred, their mission clear. The demons wouldn't stand a chance against them.
"The demons are in for a shock," Gajeel grinned, cracking his neck as he let his iron dragon slayer magic rise.
Laxus flexed his fingers, electricity dancing between them as his eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Let's make sure they remember what happens when you mess with Dragon Slayers."
The two moved forward, a deadly force in motion, ready to face whatever hell the demons had left in their wake.
With Erza and Mira
Erza and Mira stood at the outskirts of Aurelia, gazing at the city in the distance. What was once a thriving trade hub, known for its bustling markets and vibrant streets, had now become a graveyard. The air was thick with a haze of poison clouds, swirling around the city like an invisible predator waiting to strike. Giant bones, some towering several stories high, jutted from the ground like grotesque sculptures, remnants of the battle that had taken place here.
"This place..." Mira's voice trailed off, her eyes scanning the desolate scene. "It used to be beautiful. Now it's just a monument to destruction."
Erza clenched her fists, her gaze hardening as she took in the sight. "Demons... they've turned it into a tomb."
The poison clouds rolled through the streets like a living thing, making it nearly impossible to see what lay beyond the skeletal remains. The once vibrant cityscape was now dark and decayed, with the distant echoes of demonic laughter ringing out in the distance, teasing the wind.
"We need to move fast," Erza said, her voice firm, with a determination that was as cold and sharp as her sword. "The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it will get."
Mira nodded, her usual playful demeanor replaced with a somber focus. She had seen this kind of devastation before, but it didn't make it any easier to stomach. "We have to stop whatever is causing this, or the poison will spread beyond the city. If it reaches the surrounding towns…"
"We can't let that happen," Erza interrupted, her eyes blazing with fire. "We'll purge this city of the demons, no matter the cost."
Mira gave a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Then let's get to work."
The two women exchanged a glance—one filled with a shared understanding and the promise of what was to come. With that, they moved forward, ready to face whatever horrors lay ahead in the shadow of Aurelia's ruined walls.
Unknown
Far from the reaches of any towns, nestled deep in the heart of a mountain range circled by towering, ancient trees, lay a gaping hole in the earth. It was vast, easily the size of a small town, and pulsing with an ominous red glow that seemed to seep into the surrounding forest like poison. This was Bayle's gateway, the source from which he unleashed his demonic forces upon Fiore.
The pit was no ordinary cavern—it was shrouded in ancient magic, a barrier of sorts. Bayle's stronghold, protected by unyielding enchantments, couldn't be breached by any conventional means. Nothing could enter or leave, so he had devised an alternate method to ensure his army's reach remained unchallenged. The hole housed a colossal portal, a gateway to a twisted sub-dimension. Within that dimension were countless smaller portals: some linked directly to Bayle's castle, others to the depths of the Demon Realm itself. Together, these gateways formed part of the Hell Gate, a sprawling network that served as the lifeline of Bayle's forces.
Destroying this segment would cripple Bayle's ability to summon reinforcements, severing his connection to the abyssal hordes. But the cost of such destruction would be high, and Bayle could always create more "tents" elsewhere if not stopped entirely.
At the edge of the pit stood Natsu, his silhouette illuminated by the hellish glow of the portal. Queen rested on his shoulder, its edge gleaming with a faint, otherworldly light. His right arm, now a demonic claw, held the blade steady, while his left, still human, gripped Ebony, one of his newly acquired firearms.
Around him, the ground was littered with the bodies of demons, twisted and grotesque, their forms varying from monstrous hulks to slithering horrors. Each bore the brutal marks of their demise—slashed, burned, and torn apart. Most were lower demons, their malformed shapes a testament to their lack of power compared to the higher-ranking fiends.
Natsu's silver eyes glowed faintly as he surveyed the carnage. His chest rose and fell steadily, his expression calm but deadly serious. The smell of blood and charred flesh hung heavy in the air, but he didn't flinch. To him, it was just another battlefield—one of many he'd walked through in the past month.
He crouched at the edge of the portal, his gaze narrowing as he studied the pulsing vortex below. A low growl escaped his throat, his instincts warning him of the dangers that lay beyond. If he stepped through, there was no telling what horrors he'd face, but that wasn't what made him pause. His mind was on the bigger picture—the consequences of his actions, the lives that depended on him succeeding.
"Guess this is it," he muttered, his voice low but firm. His claws tightened around Queen's hilt, and Ebony's barrel glinted in the dim light. "Let's see just how deep this rabbit hole goes."
With a final glance at the bodies scattered around him, Natsu took a deep breath and leapt into the portal. Arms outstretched and his coat flapping wildly in the surge of energy, he plunged into the unknown. Colors whirled and shifted around him, flashing chaotically like a storm of light and shadow. For a moment, the sensation was disorienting, as though he were falling through an endless void.
Then, suddenly, the chaos subsided. The environment around him grew eerily still, and the light gave way to dim, flickering illumination. Natsu landed hard, his boots slamming into the stone floor with a thunderous impact that sent cracks rippling out from the crater he created. Dust and debris shot into the air, obscuring him from view.
When the dust settled, the world revealed itself. He stood in what appeared to be an underground temple of colossal proportions. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, almost vanishing into shadow. Massive, dark root-like structures crisscrossed the cavern, twisting and spiraling upward like grotesque pillars. The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and decay, and faint, otherworldly whispers echoed through the vast space.
Demons, their grotesque forms hunched and contorted, turned to face him, their glowing eyes narrowing with alarm. Some snarled, baring jagged teeth, while others hesitated, seemingly spooked by the sheer force of his entrance.
From within the cloud of debris, a figure emerged, his silhouette cutting an imposing figure against the dim, flickering light of the dark dimension. Natsu stepped forward, his boots crunching against the cracked stone floor as he brushed the dust from his long coat with casual indifference. His silver eyes gleamed like molten steel, sharp and unrelenting, carrying a promise of devastation. Resting on his shoulder, Queen hummed with an ominous resonance, its blade glinting faintly as if hungry for the fight ahead.
"Guess who, boys?" Natsu drawled, his voice dripping with mockery and challenge, carrying effortlessly across the cavernous space.
For a brief moment, the cavern was silent. Then, like a wave of dread spreading among them, the whispers began. Soft at first, like the hiss of escaping steam, they grew louder, passing from demon to demon, their voices trembling with fear and reverence.
"Silver-Eye…"
"Dragneel…"
"Dragneel…"
"Silver-Eye…"
"Silver-Eye…"
"Dragneel…"
"Silver-Eye…"
"Devil Kin…"
"Devil Slayer…"
"Burning One…"
"Demon of Death…"
"Dark Slayer…"
Each title resonated through the cavern, a chant of fear and recognition. The demons' glowing eyes darted nervously toward him, their monstrous forms shuddering with unease. They shifted restlessly, claws scraping against the ground, wings twitching, their primal instincts screaming at them to retreat. Yet their numbers gave them the courage to stand.
Natsu's grin widened, baring sharp canines that glinted in the faint light. Flames flickered to life around him, wild and untamed, licking at his frame and casting monstrous shadows on the cavern walls. His voice, low and calm but laced with menace, cut through the rising tension like a blade.
"Looks like my reputation made it here before I did." He tilted his head, his silver eyes narrowing, and his aura flared like a solar eruption, suffocating the room with intense heat. "Guess I'll have to live up to it."
The demons snarled, their fear melting into frenzied aggression as they charged, their roars filling the cavern like a thunderstorm unleashed. Natsu's flames surged in response, the heat of his power igniting the air itself.
With a feral grin, he raised Queen, the blade erupting in a blaze of crimson fire, and leapt into the horde with a roar of his own. The whispers were drowned out, replaced by the sounds of battle—roaring flames, clashing steel, and the cries of demons falling one by one.
The legend of the Silver-Eyed Devil was being carved into reality, one swing, one flame, and one demon at a time.