Chapter-9: The Devil and The Goddess
Natsu was forced to stay on his feet, his head lowered, his hair hanging over his face like a dark curtain. Blood dripped steadily from his chin, staining his chest and hands. His arms were wide, held in place by long, dark chains, the weight of the chains like a curse upon him. And embedded deep within his chest was the Yamato—its blade piercing through him, but Natsu's breathing was shallow, yet steady.
He was broken, but not defeated.
A feminine figure appeared before him, stepping from the shadows. She was dressed in a black dress with purple accents, a large cloak draped over her form. Her face was mostly obscured by the hood, but her porcelain skin peeked out from under the fabric, her slender arms and the lower part of her face the only visible features.
"Natsu Dragneel? Are you still awake?" her voice was gentle, almost melodic, but there was an undercurrent of something far darker in her tone.
Natsu tried to respond. He wanted to curse, to taunt, to threaten, but his body refused to move, his mouth dry, his strength failing him. He could do nothing but listen.
"You have been defeated by Bayle. The Yamato now stands stabbed in your chest," she recounted his predicament, her voice calm, detached. "Your arms are chained to the weight of a Dwarf Star each. The fact that you remain in one piece speaks volumes of your innate power."
Natsu struggled to understand. Why was she telling him this? Was she not aligned with Bayle? Wasn't she his enemy?
"The Yamato's Space-Time manipulation is currently working its hardest to break the Seal on the Demon Realm," she continued, her words sharp and clinical. "I have been ordered to cast a spell that will hasten the process."
A mix of anger and confusion swelled within him, but Natsu still could not form a coherent thought, his body too battered to respond in any meaningful way.
"...Why... are you telling me this?" he forced out, his voice weak and strained.
The woman's amethyst eyes locked onto his silver ones, a gaze that seemed to pierce through the pain and darkness. "This is your last chance to escape."
Natsu's mind spun, and his heart hammered in his chest. "Why… do you care?"
"I do not want to serve Bayle," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But the Dragon owns my soul. I cannot directly oppose him." She took a slow step toward him, her expression unreadable. "If you can break free, if you can use your power to absorb me... I will be eternally in your debt. We will speak of this another time."
Natsu's head buzzed with the weight of her words. His body was on the verge of giving out, and now, she was offering him a way out? Absorb her? But... how? And why?
"I… I can't..." he muttered again, his voice barely more than a whisper, but the words were drowned out by the rising anger that swelled within him.
The voice responded again, softer this time, but the bitterness was unmistakable. "Pathetic," it whispered, low and cruel. "Tell me, why is it you are here?"
Natsu's mind, clouded with frustration, barely registered the question. He clenched his fists, his teeth grinding together. "I lost...," he breathed out, his voice breaking. "I lost..."
"Why did you lose?" the voice probed again, cold and relentless.
"I don't... don't have..." Natsu struggled to find the words. "Power…"
"Power... of course," the voice mocked, "Without strength, you cannot win. You cannot even protect yourself."
Anger surged within Natsu, raw and untamed. His fists tightened around the chains that bound him, his body shaking with the force of the emotions crashing through him. "I need... strength!" he growled. "I need... power!"
His voice cracked, the desperation palpable. "I need more power!"
His vision blurred, his heart pounding against his ribcage as the weight of the words settled into his bones. The Yamato embedded in his chest began to pulse with an eerie glow, its energy stirring in time with his heartbeat. Natsu's eyes snapped open, burning with an intense, silver blaze that reflected the fire roaring in his soul.
"I'm not done!" he roared, his voice rising to a fever pitch.
With a burst of raw strength, Natsu yanked at the chains with everything he had, his body crackling with energy as the Hell Gate itself seemed to tremble at his power. The chains—those cursed chains that had bound him for what felt like an eternity—began to crack, the dark magic around them splintering under the force of his will.
He pulled harder, his body convulsing with the effort, his mind locked on one singular goal: freedom.
With one final, desperate surge, the chains shattered completely, the sound of their breaking reverberating through the air like a crack of thunder. The Hell Gate trembled violently, its ominous energy faltering under the sheer force of Natsu's unleashed will. Blood and sweat dripped from his body, but he stood tall—unbroken. His chest heaved as he breathed deeply, his silver eyes glowing like molten metal, radiating an overwhelming aura of defiance and raw power.
The Yamato embedded in his chest continued to pulse, its light intensifying as it fed Natsu with an unrelenting surge of energy. It wasn't just his strength returning; it was something far greater—something deep within him awakening. A power he had yet to fully understand.
The woman in the black cloak watched him in stunned silence, her amethyst eyes wide with disbelief. "Unbelievable…" she whispered, almost to herself.
Natsu turned to her, his body still crackling with energy as his wounds visibly began to close. His Demon blood and the Yamato's influence worked together to heal him at an unnatural pace. His gaze, fierce and unyielding, locked onto her.
She took a step closer, her voice steady despite the awe in her tone. "I will be ordered to attack you in a few moments," she said. "If you want to break free completely, now is your chance. Absorb me."
Natsu's clawed hand twitched, the power coursing through him resonating with her words. He stepped toward her, his movements purposeful and deliberate. "I'll remember this," he said, his voice low but filled with an unshakable resolve.
The woman tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile beneath the shadow of her hood. "So will I," she replied softly. "We'll speak again."
Natsu raised his clawed arm, the air around it shimmering with raw magic. It began to glow, a fiery light emanating from within as he focused on her essence. The woman closed her eyes, accepting her fate. Her body began to dissolve into radiant energy, her form breaking apart into streams of raw power that flowed into Natsu's outstretched hand.
The energy surged through him, filling his soul with new strength and understanding. He felt her presence settle deep within him, a strange but comforting connection forming in the recesses of his mind. She was still there, a part of him now.
As the last of her essence fused with his, Natsu's power surged to an overwhelming peak. The Yamato embedded in his chest flared with an intensity that illuminated the entire chamber, its radiance casting dancing shadows on the trembling walls. Natsu's silver eyes burned with a brilliance that seemed to pierce through the fabric of reality itself, and the fiery aura enveloping him pulsed with raw, uncontainable energy.
He flexed his clawed hand, the sheer force of his presence causing cracks to spiderweb across the ground beneath him. His gaze locked onto the Hell Gate, now quivering as though it could sense the immense power awakening before it. The oppressive weight of the demon realm's influence, once suffocating, had begun to dissipate, replaced by an unmistakable undercurrent of fear.
Natsu tilted his head, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "What… what's your name?"
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, her voice echoed in his mind—calm, yet carrying an ancient weight. "Amaris, a Goddess of the Night and Magic."
Natsu froze mid-step, processing her words. Then, unexpectedly, he burst into laughter, his voice booming with amusement that filled the chamber. "Oh, my fucking luck!" he exclaimed between breaths. "I thought you were a demon, not a GODDESS! Ha! If I wasn't a demon already, I'd definitely be condemned to hell for absorbing a goddess."
Amaris's voice returned, tinged with wry humor. "You're rather cavalier about this, considering the gravity of what's happened."
"Cavalier? Lady, I'm way past worrying about that kind of thing," Natsu shot back, grinning despite the situation. "But hey, thanks for the power boost. And don't worry, I'll make sure this 'god-devouring demon' doesn't waste it."
Amaris sighed softly in his mind. "You're an unusual one, Natsu Dragneel."
"I get that a lot," he replied, his gaze dropping to the Yamato embedded in his chest. Wrapping his hand firmly around the hilt, he began to pull. Pain surged through him, but it wasn't just physical—the blade had pierced deeper, cutting into his very soul. Yet, instead of harming him, it seemed to empower him, strengthening his core.
"What exactly did happen here?" he asked, his voice steady despite the strain.
Amaris's voice echoed gently in his mind. "The Yamato drew upon your latent potential. Instead of killing you, it amplified you, unlocking what lay dormant within."
"What about the demons I absorbed? And you?" he pressed, the Yamato still glowing faintly in his hand.
"The demon souls you absorbed prior to this moment have been fully broken down and assimilated into your essence," Amaris explained. "As for me, considering our absorption was consensual—"
"That really sounds dirty, you know?" Natsu interrupted with a smirk.
Amaris chuckled, a surprising sound from a goddess. "Naughty, are you always like this, or did you learn it from your redhead?" She paused, then continued, "Anyway, because the process was voluntary—and I am a goddess—my soul was not destroyed or broken down. Instead, I'm now bound to you."
"Is that different from what Bayle had with you?"
"Bayle, that bastard dragon, performed a ritual to bind me partially. He siphoned much of my raw power to summon the Hell Gate and create his demon army. Our bond, however, is far more complete, and I trust you'll use it more wisely."
Natsu nodded thoughtfully. "So, can you see exactly what's changed with my power?"
"Your raw power has increased significantly," Amaris replied. "Your demon energy is more potent than ever, and the Yamato is now fully awakened. As for your magic, the Yamato was in the process of fusing the new Demon Magic you absorbed from Belial and Beowulf with your Dragon Magic to create something entirely new. Unfortunately, the process was interrupted when you pulled the Yamato out, but I can finish it myself."
"You can do that?" Natsu asked, intrigued.
"Goddess of the Night and Magic," she teased. "Have you already forgotten? You've got a god of magic whispering in your ear now."
Natsu chuckled. "Fair enough. So, what's the plan?"
Amaris's tone grew more thoughtful. "The blueprint the Yamato was following combined elements of Fire, Light, and Solar Magic. The Light Devil Slayer Magic you gained from Beowulf carries a faintly holy essence. I can enhance that by weaving in Holy Magic and blending it with Solar and Star Magic. Your Fire Dragon Monarch Slayer Magic already uses the Flame of Destruction—a unique creation of Igneel's, derived from Primordial Fire. That alone is incredibly powerful. By combining these elements, the new magic will take on a cosmic nature, rooted in Cosmic Fire and Cosmic Light. How does that sound to you?"
"Sounds powerful...but with so much focus on fire and light, it kind of reminds me of a Seraphim," Natsu mused.
Amaris paused before responding, her tone carrying a spark of intrigue. "Hmm, that's... perfect! Seraphic Dragon Monarch Slayer Magic. It sounds unique, regal, and fitting."
Natsu chuckled, a grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah, I like it."
"Good. That covers what the Yamato and the demon souls have done for you. Now, let's talk about what I can do."
Natsu raised an eyebrow. "You're not done yet?"
"Not even close. Since I wasn't broken down like the demons, you didn't gain the full extent of my power. While your strength did increase from absorbing me, it wasn't as dramatic as with the others. However, I can further draw out your dormant potential. Consider it a second boost—about 30% of the increase you just experienced."
"That's not bad," Natsu admitted. "But what about abilities?"
"Ah, now we're getting to the fun part. I can either teach or grant you magics I possess. First, I'll give you access to my Darkness Magic. For you, it will manifest as Night God Slayer Magic. It's a potent form of Darkness Magic with additional elements of Lunar Magic and minor traces of Sky Magic."
"Night God Slayer Magic?" Natsu repeated, his silver eyes glowing with interest.
"Correct. It's not just destructive; it's versatile, allowing you to manipulate and consume darkness. Given your unique physiology—a combination of Dragon and Demon traits—you'll be able to eat darkness just like Bayle does. More importantly, this magic will bypass Bayle's immunity to darkness-based attacks, giving you a crucial advantage."
Natsu smirked. "That's a game-changer."
"Indeed. Additionally, since the Yamato already unlocked Space-Time Magic for you, I'll teach you some advanced spells in that domain. With your strength, these abilities will only grow stronger over time."
"Sounds like I'm getting an arsenal," Natsu quipped. "Let's get started, Amaris."
Natsu turned to face the Hell Gate. Cracks had formed along its surface, remnants of the struggle where he had shattered the chains, but the gate still pulsed with dark, malevolent energy, stubbornly remaining active.
"All right," he muttered, his voice low and laced with determination. "Time for you to fuck off. It's not time to go to war with the Demon Realm yet."
His claws ignited with raw power, glowing with a fiery, Demonic energy infused with darkness. Each step he took radiated authority, the ground beneath him trembling. As he approached, massive spectral claws materialized around his own, mirroring his movements. The ethereal claws shimmered with cosmic fire and shadow, gripping the edges of the Hell Gate with immense force.
Natsu's muscles tensed as he began to push the gate shut, his aura flaring violently. The resistance was overwhelming; the gate fought back, its dark energy roaring like a storm, trying to stay open. Yet Natsu's resolve didn't waver.
The spectral claws tightened their grip, and with a ferocious roar, Natsu channeled every ounce of his newfound strength, drawing on the combined power of the Yamato, the demons, and Amaris's divine essence. Slowly but surely, the Hell Gate began to close, its dark energy dissipating with a defiant howl.
Natsu breathed out heavily, yet a demonic satisfied grin appeared on his face, "And now," he turned and looked out of the tower towards the Palace, where Bayle was, "You die, Dragon."
With Bayle
"Impossible… the gate was closed?!" Bayle howled, his voice reverberating through the throne room, a mixture of shock and fury.
A sudden, stricken laugh interrupted the tension, drawing his piercing gaze. Erza had started laughing, her hysterical cackles echoing defiantly.
"Hahaha! HAHAHAHA!"
Laxus and Gajeel exchanged grins, Gray chuckled under his breath, and soon enough, the entire group of mages burst into victorious laughter.
"Classic Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed, a mix of relief and pride evident in her voice.
Bayle's muscles rippled with anger, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Amaris... What has she done?" he muttered under his breath, sensing the massive drain on the energy he had stolen from the Goddess of the Night. The power meant to fuel the city and the Hell Gate was vanishing at an alarming rate.
His fury boiled over, his magic power surging wildly. The air around him crackled with raw energy, and his guttural voice spat a phrase in an ancient tongue, "Krii'thon Vahzun! Zu'u fen naal ok golz los aan hofk!"
The Mad Dragon turned back to the mages, his rage palpable. "All you've managed is to delay the inevitable, brats. The Seal of the Demon Realm will still fall."
"Yes, but not today."
Before Bayle could react, a force like a meteor slammed into him, sending him crashing into the wall with a deafening impact.
From the dust, a familiar voice rang out, dripping with his trademark confidence.
"Sup," Natsu greeted casually, standing amidst the wreckage, his silver eyes glowing with untamed energy.
Erza's wide smile broke into a mixture of relief and fury. "You ass! You scared me!"
"Sorry, love. I was busy being awesome," Natsu teased, flashing her a cheeky grin.
Erza laughed, tears brimming in her eyes as the tension eased. "Cheeky as ever," she whispered fondly.
Natsu turned his attention back to Bayle, who had pried himself from the wall, his glare seething with hatred and disbelief. "How did you acquire such strength?" Bayle demanded, his voice trembling with barely contained rage.
"Fuck you, that's how," Natsu replied, his tone mockingly nonchalant, his silver eyes alight with defiance.
Bayle growled, his claws flexing. "Amaris... She must have aided you."
"Perchance~" Natsu purred mockingly, his smirk widening as he tilted his head. "But you know what? It doesn't matter. 'Cause I'mma kill you."
Bayle's fury erupted as his power surged uncontrollably, his voice bellowing in challenge. "You are a million years too young to even think that!"
"Am I?" Natsu shot back with a grin, his silver eyes igniting with relentless confidence.
Bayle - (Demon Black Dragon 99.999% of Power Lost Eons Ago Full Power) - 6.1 Billion
Natsu Dragneel - (Cambion Demon Base Adapting) - 5.9 Billion
In a heartbeat, they closed the distance between them, standing face to face, both of their fists pulled back, primed to unleash destruction.
"Black Dragon King's Unholy Fist!" Bayle roared, his fist crackling with dark, ominous energy. The very air around it seemed to warp with its malice.
"Seraphic Dragon Monarch's Destruction Fist!" Natsu declared, his own fist blazing with a scorching fusion of Cosmic Fire and Light. The raw heat emanating from it seemed to warp the air itself.
Their fists collided with earth-shattering force, the impact releasing a cataclysmic explosion that reverberated throughout the entire city. The ceiling of the throne room disintegrated, and shards of rubble rained down, while immense waves of destructive power surged through the atmosphere. Above them, strands of raw energy manifested as dark and purple lightning, crackling across the sky like a violent storm, striking the earth below with destructive force.
The two warriors' auras clashed violently, a massive shockwave spreading outward from their fists, rattling the very foundations of the city. The force of their battle sent tremors through the streets, crumbling buildings and sending waves of pressure outwards, knocking anyone too weak to withstand it unconscious. The sky above them crackled with dark lightning, and the air itself seemed to warp as the earth beneath trembled.
"We need to get the hell out of here," Gajeel said, his voice tight as he glanced at the devastation unfolding around them. "We'll only get in the way."
The mages nodded and began to retreat, Erza taking one last glance at Natsu. He caught her gaze, giving her a small nod that spoke volumes. He was ready.
As the mages made their way out of the battle zone, Bayle's voice broke through the chaos. "You must have absorbed Amaris... No, she let you absorb her."
Natsu tilted his head in acknowledgment, a mocking grin tugging at his lips. "Right."
Bayle's dark eyes narrowed, his power surging even higher as the weight of the situation settled in. "It seems that I will have to kill you after all. A shame."
Natsu smirked, his silver eyes gleaming with defiance. "Shame indeed," he said with a cold grin. His aura crackled as the fight escalated further, the final clash drawing near. He was ready to end this, no matter what it took.
The two warriors met once more, Bayle cloaked in a dark purple aura, and Natsu in a silver one. They exchanged thousands of blows in mere seconds, each impact sending shockwaves that shook the very foundations of the city. Natsu ducked under Bayle's massive frame, jabbing the dragon's left ribs. He teleported just in time to avoid the full brunt of Bayle's retaliatory fists.
In a flash, Natsu appeared above Bayle, his leg raised and glowing with divine power.
"Seraphic Dragon Monarch's Talon!"
With an explosive kick, Natsu sent Bayle crashing through several floors, the impact shaking the entire structure. Without missing a beat, Natsu pulled out his guns, charging them with Demonic Power, and unleashed a barrage of tens of thousands of bullets toward the spot where Bayle had fallen.
But Bayle wasn't out. With a flash of dark energy, he countered the attack, shooting small bullets made of pure darkness, disintegrating most of Natsu's projectiles before they even reached him.
Before Natsu could react, Bayle appeared behind him. His eyes widened in realization.
He ducked just in time, placing his left hand on the ground and pushing himself upward, propelling his leg into Bayle's face. The Dragon King grabbed Natsu's leg mid-air and threw him with terrifying force into the streets below.
"Black Dragon King's Roar!"
Bayle's roar erupted like a beam of pure darkness, rushing toward Natsu just as he was recovering. Without hesitation, Natsu summoned the Yamato.
"Dark Slayer: Shattered Fate – Void Slash!"
The blade of the Yamato cleaved through the beam with precision, splitting it in two as the dark energy blasted past him. Natsu grinned, inhaling deeply as the darkness began to gather around him.
Bayle's eyes widened in shock. "He can eat my Darkness?! Impossible! Not even Amaris could absorb my—Igneel! The boy's Dragon Power allows him to eat elements he possesses, this means Amaris must have granted him her Night Magic!" The Black Dragon's mind raced in disbelief.
Natsu exhaled slowly, a dark beam of energy shooting from his mouth.
"Night God's Howl!"
The beam surged toward Bayle, bearing the image of a clear night sky. It struck the Dragon King squarely, pushing him back. Bayle managed to stop the advance, his claws digging into the earth, but the moment he tried to absorb it, he recoiled in disgust.
"What—what is this?" Bayle spat out, his face twisted in disbelief.
Natsu smirked. "You didn't think I'd let you do what I did, did you? I mixed in some nasty magic with it—nasty enough that it isn't pure Darkness. Nasty enough to poison you."
Suddenly, beams of brilliant light descended upon Bayle's position, obliterating the entire palace and turning it to dust.
"Light Devil's Unholy Descent," Natsu whispered with a laugh. He looked at the destruction he had wrought, the dust settling around him. "Do we have a light spell like this for Seraphic Dragon Magic?"
"Yes, a similar one. And more powerful. But it's in the Secret Art Class," Amaris replied in his mind. "I must admit, even by itself, Light Devil Slayer Magic is formidable."
Natsu grinned. "Speaking of Belial..." He made a motion with his hand, and Queen flew toward him from the rubble. He caught the blade with his right hand and immediately drove it into the ground.
"Dark Slayer: Flame Style – Scorching Vortex."
Cracks spread from the point where the sword struck, shooting outward in all directions. Massive pillars of Silver Fire erupted from the ground, one even larger than the rest emerging directly beneath the palace. Together, they spiraled, forming a massive vortex of fire that enveloped the entire city.
Amaris's voice echoed in Natsu's mind with a playful tone. "Ah, you used the fire you obtained from Belial? Smart. It's now a prison. The fire won't be put out until you give the command. No one can escape unless you release them."
Natsu's grin widened, his confidence radiating from him. "Exactly."
Bayle's fury boiled over, his form soaring above the ruined palace. His dark eyes burned with rage as he locked onto Natsu. The Black Dragon's roar echoed through the skies, a sound of sheer defiance and frustration.
"Someone's angry," Natsu called up with a teasing grin. "You want a Snickers? You know what they say, you're not you when you're hungry."
Bayle's wings beat furiously, his massive body diving toward Natsu with the force of a storm. His eyes glinted with murderous intent as he descended in a flash of dark energy.
Amaris's laugh rang in Natsu's mind. "Oh, this arrangement of ours is going to be amusing."
Natsu stood his ground, a smirk tugging at his lips. He took a few steps forward, ready to meet the oncoming attack.
Bayle was upon him in an instant, his massive claws grabbing Natsu by the throat. The pressure was immense, but Natsu didn't flinch. Instead, his right claw shot forward and dug deep into Bayle's chest with brutal force.
"Chill, dude," Natsu mocked, his voice calm despite the dangerous situation. "You're gonna pop a vein."
"Petulant child!" Bayle snarled, his voice thick with venom. "I will tolerate your existence no longer!"
"Fuck you too," Natsu retorted, the fire in his voice unmistakable.
Without warning, a surge of Darkness exploded from Natsu's body in the form of a massive wolf's maw. His eyes flashed with ferocity as he unleashed the attack.
"Night God's Black Fangs!"
The ethereal wolf's jaws sank into Bayle's left wing and shoulder, the force of the attack sending the Black Dragon crashing back into the city with a thunderous roar. The ground trembled as Bayle skidded across the streets, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
Natsu leaped from the dust cloud, landing gracefully with an amused grin on his face, his body still crackling with power.
"Yeah," he chuckled, surveying the damage. "I'm pretty sure you're not done yet, but damn… you're a mess."
Natsu's smirk widened as the pieces fell into place. He could feel the power of both his Seraphic Dragon Monarch Magic and his Night God Slayer Magic swirling within him, an overwhelming potential to unleash something far beyond what Bayle was prepared for.
He spoke aloud, his voice laced with determination. "Alright, let's do this. Time to end this."
"Amaris," Natsu called again in his mind, his voice tinged with excitement. "If I use two high-level Night God and Seraphic Dragon spells—one Darkness and one Light—force them to clash… what kind of effect would that have? Big explosion? Fusion of Light and Darkness into unstable Twilight Energy?"
Amaris's voice was a whisper in his mind, both teasing and approving. "Unstable Twilight Energy, then a massive explosion. It's volatile magic that could completely shatter anything in its path."
Natsu grinned, the excitement building. "Big enough to kill Bayle?"
Amaris paused, assessing the power at hand. "Hmmm... if you use the secret Arts... yes, it would work. Smart! Very smart! This is exactly what we've been waiting for, Natsu. The combined force of Light and Darkness, crashing together—unstable and chaotic. It will be enough to overwhelm even Bayle. But you'll need to weaken him enough to have the time to cast them."
Natsu nodded, bouncing lightly on his feet as if warming up. "Yeah... I can manage that."
With a flick of his wrist, Natsu summoned Yamato once more, charging the blade with raw Demon Power. His energy crackled around him, ready for the final push.
Bayle lunged forward, a furious roar escaping his throat. Natsu didn't flinch. Instead, he darted forward to meet the Black Dragon in a head-on collision.
In the blink of an eye, Natsu unsheathed the Yamato, the blade gleaming with dark energy.
"Dark Slayer: Silver Devil - Rebellion Fury!" Natsu shouted, unleashing a flurry of high-speed strikes. A side slash, followed by an upward strike, then a downward slash, each blow aimed with precision to damage Bayle. The momentum was relentless, Natsu's speed almost impossible to follow as he sheathed the blade for just a moment, before drawing it again in a rapid succession of hundreds of slashes, crossing Bayle's body in a storm of devastating cuts.
Bayle grunted in pain, blood pouring from his wounds. He staggered back, fury burning in his eyes as he clenched his claws into fists, ready to strike back. But Natsu wasn't done.
In one swift motion, Natsu took a step back and spun, delivering a final, devastating slash to Bayle's stomach. The Dragon stumbled, spitting blood as he staggered back, trying to regain his bearings. His chest heaved, his movements slower now, the weight of Natsu's onslaught clearly taking its toll.
"Got him... he's losing his focus," Natsu thought, watching Bayle with a calculating gleam in his eye.
Bayle, still bloodied and enraged, charged once more. But before he could reach Natsu, the ground beneath the Dragon suddenly erupted in a massive pillar of Light, blasting him into the air. The Light was so intense that it seemed to drain the last bit of composure Bayle had, sending shockwaves of energy through the ruined city.
Natsu smirked, watching Bayle struggle to regain his footing. "Perfect," he murmured to himself. "Just a little more..."
Natsu's smirk faded as Bayle roared in anger, the Darkness around him spiraling into a chaotic storm.
"That's... a problem," Natsu muttered, sensing the intensity of the situation shifting.
Massive spears of Darkness descended from the sky, each one the size of a city block. They rained down with terrifying speed, their jagged tips glowing with malicious energy. When they hit Natsu's flame barrier, they detonated violently, sending shockwaves rippling through the entire battlefield. The ground cracked beneath the force, and the air shimmered from the sheer intensity of the explosions.
"Black Dragon King's Unholy Descent."
Natsu gritted his teeth, his flame barrier flickering under the assault but holding firm. He quickly raised his hand to strengthen the barrier, pouring more energy into it, but even his fire was being pushed to its limits.
Bayle's laughter echoed through the destruction. "You think your flames can protect you from this?! I am the Black Dragon King! Your fire will burn out before my Darkness!"
Natsu's silver eyes gleamed with anticipation as he clenched his fists, ready to turn the tide of the battle. "You're a stubborn bastard, Bayle," he muttered under his breath. "But I've got a few tricks left."
With a swift motion, Natsu's hand rose, and he spoke with undeniable confidence, "Space Magic - Portal Tear!"
In an instant, a tear in space appeared right in front of him, a swirling vortex of energy. Bayle's barrage of massive Darkness spears, just inches from striking Natsu, were sucked into the portal with terrifying speed. The spears, warped by the sheer force of the magic, were swallowed whole before they could hit their target.
Before Bayle could even register the sudden change, a second portal tore open directly above him, its swirling maw filled with the spears that had been pulled from the sky.
The Darkness spears, now turned against their creator, rained down with brutal speed, each one piercing through the Black Dragon's massive frame.
Bayle roared in agony as the spears dug into his body, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the surrounding area. His massive wings flapped desperately, trying to shake off the assault, but the spears continued to pierce through his flesh, creating deep, searing wounds.
Natsu landed gracefully in the midst of the chaos, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "How does it feel, Bayle?" he taunted, watching as the Black Dragon struggled to free himself from the spears lodged deep within him. "Not so invincible now, are you?"
Bayle's eyes burned with fury, but the blood dripping from his wounds told a different story. "You... you dare—"
Natsu didn't wait for him to finish. "Yeah, I do."
Amaris's voice echoed through his mind, calm and resolute. "It's time. You know what to do."
With the knowledge of the Secret Art flooding his mind, Natsu's body became a conduit of pure destructive energy. "God Slayer Secret Art: Eternal Night - Darkness Rise!"
He moved with a swift motion, as if grasping something unseen from the ground and hurling it into the sky. In an instant, a colossal vortex of pure Darkness exploded from the earth, rising upward like a monstrous storm, its dark tendrils pulling Bayle into its swirling abyss. The Black Dragon roared in defiance, but it was swallowed whole by the expanding vortex, his form barely visible beneath the churning mass of darkness.
But Natsu wasn't done yet. With a determined expression, he raised his hand to the sky. "Dragon Monarch Secret Art: MorningStar – Lost Paradise!"
In an instant, the heavens seemed to crack open as hundreds of massive pillars of Light descended from the sky, each one aiming directly at Bayle. To any onlooker, it would appear as though the heavens themselves had unleashed their wrath upon the Earth, the pillars of Light piercing through the darkened sky like divine judgment.
The two forces — Darkness and Light — collided with deafening fury. Bayle, trapped in the heart of the collision, could do nothing but endure the overwhelming onslaught of cosmic forces. The impact shook the very foundations of the land, creating an explosion of energy that sent shockwaves far beyond the city.
The collision formed a towering pillar of raw energy that stretched into the heavens, a storm of Light and Darkness that seemed to engulf the very landscape. It was as if the Earth itself was shaking under the power of the clash, the ground splitting open, trees uprooted, and debris flying in all directions.
The massive fusion of energies looked like an apocalyptic force, a colossal tree of Light and Darkness bigger than the mountains themselves, its form slowly beginning to consume everything around it. The winds howled, debris swirling into the vortex as the forces fought for dominance.
Natsu's heart pounded in his chest as he leapt back, narrowly avoiding the growing chaos. He could feel the intensity of the fusion of the two energies, the darkness slowly being consumed by the light, and vice versa. The swirling vortex continued to grow, sucking in debris from the ruined city, twisting the landscape into a disorienting whirlwind of chaos.
"Is it working?" Natsu asked, his voice steady but filled with anticipation.
Amaris's voice resonated within his mind, urgency rising. "Yes! Get away! It's going to explode!"
Natsu didn't need to be told twice. He immediately dashed backwards, moving with incredible speed as the collision of Darkness and Light reached its peak. The air vibrated with a deafening roar, and the ground beneath him seemed to shake apart. He leapt to a safe distance, watching in awe as the vortex began to destabilize.
The clash intensified, the energies growing ever more unstable. The very sky seemed to fracture as a blinding light consumed the battlefield. And then—BOOM!
A massive explosion of light and darkness engulfed the area, sending shockwaves through the land for miles around. The air itself seemed to ignite, creating a shockwave that flattened everything in its path. Buildings were torn apart, the earth cracked open, and the sky was lit up with an ethereal glow.
The massive collision of powers, now in the form of pure chaos, collapsed inward with such force that it tore the very fabric of reality itself. The explosion sent Natsu flying back, his body crashing into the ground with a thud, but he quickly recovered, pushing himself to his feet.
When the dust settled and the earth stopped trembling, there was nothing but a deep, eerie silence. The vortex was gone. The explosion had left a massive crater where the city once stood, a scar across the land. And in the middle of the crater... there was nothing left of Bayle.
Natsu stood at the edge of the devastation, breathing heavily but with a satisfied grin on his face. "Guess that did the trick," he muttered to himself.
"Natsu!"
Natsu turned around, a wide grin spreading across his face as Erza and the rest of the group came running toward him.
"Hey guys, enjoy the show?" he asked, still catching his breath.
Erza launched herself at him, and without missing a beat, Natsu opened his arms and spun her around in a joyful embrace. "What was even that? Light and Darkness? Since when can you use this?"
"Since now," Natsu replied with a chuckle. "Long story."
He gently set Erza back down, her scarlet hair flowing around her face, her eyes wide with awe, her smile more radiant than ever. The star-patterned glow in her eyes reflected her admiration.
Laxus, surveying the massive crater that stretched out before them, whistled. "Goddamn... that shook the entire country, I think."
Gajeel stood, arms crossed, inspecting the aftermath. "To think there's power even beyond this? We've got a long way to go."
"Yeah, yeah, we do," Gray agreed with a grin. "But that's the fun part, isn't it?"
Natsu winked at Gray. "You're right about that, Ice Princess. Or should I say... Ice-Devil Slayer - Princess?"
Gray snorted, shaking his head. "Fuck off, ya monster. What did you do to get to this level of power, huh?"
"Got stabbed by the Yamato," Natsu replied with a smirk. "Then absorbed a goddess who's currently chillin' in my head."
"...Come again?" Gray's eyes widened in disbelief.
Natsu just laughed. "Long story."
Erza, slightly narrowing her eyes, pushed her face into his chest. "You have a goddess in your mind? You better not be thinking anything funny, Natsu! You're mine."
Natsu chuckled, his heart warming at her possessive tone. "I'll tell you the whole story, love."
"Good," she said with a satisfied smile before kissing him quickly. "I was worried, you oaf."
Natsu smiled as she pulled away, feeling the weight of their bond in that simple gesture. "Yeah, yeah. I'm a handful, I know." He pulled back slightly, giving her a wink. "But I promise, no funny business. Just... power. And a whole lot of it."
Laxus grunted, still scanning the massive crater, the echoes of the battle slowly fading. "Well, I'm just glad you didn't destroy the entire country, Natsu. But I gotta say... that was one hell of a show."
Gajeel leaned against a broken pillar of stone, arms crossed. "For someone who says he's not 'evil,' you sure know how to make things go boom. But seriously, what's this deal with the 'goddess' you're talking about? Is she really... inside your head?"
"Pretty much," Natsu answered with a shrug, trying to hide how odd it still felt to have Amaris in his mind. "Her name's Amaris. It's a bit of a weird setup, but she's been a big help. It's... complicated."
Gray gave Natsu a knowing smirk. "Tell us about it over drinks, then, man. You've got some explaining to do."
Natsu grinned. "After all that destruction? I think a drink sounds perfect. But I've got some more stuff to figure out first." His gaze grew serious, looking out over the ruined landscape. "This is just the beginning. Hell gates are going to be easier to open now, and we don't even know how many demons came from the Demon Realm and spread over Earthland."
Lucy nodded, concern in her eyes. "Figured as much. There were more than just Bayle's army that passed through here."
"Exactly," Natsu said, his tone grim. "And we still don't know what else is out there. More demons, more threats. It's far from over."
Erza stepped forward, her sword still at her side, determination in her eyes. "But we've got ourselves some serious power-ups now. And we'll keep moving forward, facing whatever comes next. We'll fight, and we'll win."
Mira stepped in, her smile wide and confident. "And we should talk with the other guilds. I heard there's a battalion from the Council heading here, probably to try and take the credit for all this." She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not that they'll get away with it. I made sure to record the whole thing. I had other mages filming too. We've got footage of everything that happened here. Plus, the Council's been hiding in Era for the whole month. They're going to be seriously reprimanded for that."
Natsu scoffed. "Typical. Can't ever count on the Council to be where they're needed."
Mira winked. "Don't you worry. With the footage we have, they'll have no choice but to take the blame. It's all on record now."
Laxus cracked his knuckles and turned toward the others. "We'll take this to them, then. If they want to get involved, we'll make sure they know exactly who was here and who did the work."
Natsu gave a low chuckle, his fists clenching in anticipation. "Yeah, they won't be able to hide behind their titles. Let's make sure everyone knows what really happened here."
Erza smiled warmly at Natsu. "But for now, let's regroup. We've earned it."
Natsu nodded, glancing around at his guildmates—his family. The battles ahead would be tough, but with them by his side, he knew they'd face whatever came next. Together.
"Well," Natsu said with a grin, "let's get those drinks. We've got a war to win."
And with that, they all began to move toward the horizon, their bonds stronger than ever as they prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.
In the Sky, above the battlefield
In the sky, above the battlefield, two figures hovered, observing the aftermath of the chaos below.
"Well, well, well... seems like he did not need help after all?" a male voice said, dripping with sarcasm.
A woman chuckled lightly in response. "...Suppose not. But then again, that is Dragneel down there."
"Ah? A Dragneel? And you said nothing?" the man responded, his tone teasing.
"It's not my fault you never read the reports," she replied flatly.
"That's cold, boss. Even for a Vampire like myself," he teased, but his voice carried an edge of amusement.
The man known was an imposing figure, a tall, elegant presence in the sky. His pale skin contrasted sharply with the midnight black of his long hair, and his glowing red eyes pierced through the atmosphere. He was dressed in a refined, albeit slightly outlandish, business suit, a crimson coat flowing around him like a regal cape. Round glasses perched on his nose, and a matching hat completed his striking appearance.
Member of The Order of Tenebrae Susuri
Leader of the Creature of the Night and Demon Branch
Vampire Slayer
Demon Slayer
Hunter of all Night Creature
A Once King of Vampires
The Ultimate Undead
Alucard
"Well, did you keep track of the demons that escaped?" the woman asked, her voice calm, yet with an undertone of curiosity that matched the gravity of their conversation.
Alucard allowed himself a low chuckle, his voice rich with amusement and a dark satisfaction. "Blizgor, the Ice Devil, the last King of the First Circle of Ice Hell... but it seems he's granted his power to Gray Fullbuster. You can see him down there, alongside Dragneel."
The woman's eyebrow arched as she absorbed this information. "Fullbuster? So that's why Silver chose to retire... He had a child. It makes sense now why he perished against Deliora. He most likely gave up his power at some point, and now his son wields a power identical, yet superior, to his own? Interesting outcome. Who else?"
Alucard's lips curled into a knowing grin as he rattled off the fallen demons, his tone as if he were recounting a list of trophies. "Belial, King of the Sixth Fire Hell… but he was slain by Dragneel, as was Beowul, the Light Beast. Alastor, Ifrit, Azazal… a few of the big names. There were others I didn't recognize, but some had quite a lot of power. And lastly, the biggest problem... hopefully the only one: Cain."
The woman's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Cain? THE Cain? The First Murderer and the first Human who became a Demon?"
"Allegedly," Alucard replied with a sardonic chuckle. "But yes... the same one."
The woman sighed heavily, her fingers drumming against the air as she processed this new development. "Great... we have a Primordial Human turned Demon. The implications of that are... far-reaching, to say the least."
Alucard's lips twisted into a wicked grin. "But it will be fun, don't you think, Veyra?"
Member of The Order of Tenebrae Susuri
Elder of the Obscura Concord
4th Seat of the Obscura Concord
Leader of the Dragon Branch
Ancient Dragon Hunter
Storm Dragon Slayer
Veyra Vanbrant
Veyra, her blue eyes glowing like twin storms in the midst of a tempest, cast a side glance at Alucard. Her long, electric blue hair whipped around her as the wind caught it, framing her pale face in a halo of light. She was the picture of effortless power, a woman both dangerous and captivating. Her form was striking—voluptuous, with all the right curves, her skin an ethereal shade of white that seemed to shimmer against the darkness of the sky. She wore a sleek, form-fitting bodysuit that accentuated her every movement, the edges of a long coat resting on her shoulders, the fabric catching the breeze like the wings of a storm.
Veyra's lips curled into a half-smile, a smile that promised destruction as much as it suggested intrigue. Her voice was cool, yet full of an underlying thrill. "I suppose you're right. I've fought dragons and demons, but a Primordial Demon—now that's something new. The real question is... how long before Cain becomes more than just a nuisance?"
Alucard leaned against the air, watching the distant battlefield below, the chaos fading as the dust settled. His crimson eyes glinted with quiet amusement. "Only time will tell. Now then, what of the Fairy Tail Mages? Aside from Dragneel, who's a Perfect Devil Hybrid, wielding power from Lord Igneel and now absorbing a Goddess of Night and Magic—lucky bastard—what of the others?"
Veyra's expression remained sharp, her focus unwavering. "We'll most likely convene a meeting to discuss them all. There's a Half Devil with Dragon and God power, as you've already mentioned. And I'm certain the Half Dragon is Irene Belserion's child, a powerful legacy to bear. Then there's the Take Over Mage—she's a quarter Demon, and her bloodline will only continue to evolve. Along with the two other Dragon Slayers, and a third one too young for today's battlefield. Finally, there's the Devil Slayer."
Alucard smirked, his gaze focused now on the horizon. "A colorful bunch. Who do you think we'll talk most about?"
Veyra considered the question for a moment, the wind tugging at her hair as she gazed over the landscape below. "Dragneel, obviously. His name alone warrants a meeting. But the fact that he's also a Cambion Demon, with power from one of the most powerful Dragons, and a Goddess of the Night and Magic—he's a wild card. Besides him, Erza will definitely be of interest. The Half Dragon, that is. Her mother's reputation is... well, legendary. And don't forget about Gray Fullbuster. He's gained the power of a Demon from the First Great Demon War. That's no small feat."
Alucard nodded slowly, his amusement turning into something more calculating. "Quite the collection of powerful individuals. All tangled up in this mess. It's almost too perfect."
Veyra's eyes gleamed with a quiet thrill as she looked back at Alucard, her voice low and measured. "Indeed. And while we focus on them, there's still the matter of Cain—and the rest of the demons that are bound to follow. This game is far from over."
Alucard gave her a sharp glance, his eyes flashing with predatory excitement. "Indeed. And we shall see how it all unfolds. Let the fun begin, Veyra."
Veyra's smile deepened, the thrill of the coming storm reflecting in her eyes. "Let it begin."