Chapter 3: Ruby & Gold
The three Fairy Tail mages walked along the winding dirt road, the familiar silhouette of Magnolia growing larger on the horizon as they made their way back to the guild.
Their mission had been a success, though Lucy felt a tinge of disappointment that they were returning empty-handed.
Despite the reward money being refused, she couldn't be too upset. Helping Kaby Melon had been the right thing to do, and she had even managed to obtain a new Celestial Key in the process.
Still…
Her gaze drifted toward Naruto, who had been unusually silent for the past several minutes.
His hands were in his coat pockets, his icy blue eyes staring ahead, expression unreadable.
Something was bothering him.
Lucy reached out, gently tugging on his sleeve.
Naruto finally looked at her.
"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked, offering a soft smile.
Naruto exhaled through his nose, pausing for a moment before speaking.
"…I need to show you something when we get back to your apartment."
Lucy blinked in curiosity.
"What is it?" she pressed.
But Naruto ignored her, shifting his gaze back toward the road.
Lucy pouted.
"Naruto," she whined, but he pretended not to hear.
"What?" he finally sighed.
"Carry me."
Naruto came to a dead stop, turning his head to stare at her blankly.
His eyes flicked down, examining her perfectly functional legs before looking back up.
"They seem to be working just fine."
"Shut up!" Lucy huffed, hands on her hips. "Just carry me!"
Without warning, Naruto suddenly scooped her up, one arm under her knees and the other supporting her back, bridal style.
Lucy let out a surprised "Eeep!", instinctively gripping his shoulders.
"I'm starting to think you're treating me like a personal servant," Naruto muttered, continuing to walk without missing a beat.
Lucy frowned, a hint of guilt creeping into her expression.
"A-Am I treating him like that?"
Natsu, who had been walking ahead, turned back toward them—his grin wide and mischievous.
"You're so spoiled, Lucy!" he laughed.
Then, with a teasing smirk, he added, "It's tough having a girlfriend, huh, Naruto?"
Lucy immediately turned red.
"H-H-He's not my boyfriend!"
Naruto, however, didn't even bother denying it.
Instead, he let out a dramatic sigh.
"She's my princess," he muttered. "I have to do whatever she says… even if it's infuriating."
Lucy felt her face burn hotter.
"D-Dummy!" she stammered, flustered beyond belief.
"I don't get this romance stuff," Natsu said bluntly, grinning.
Lucy, eager for a distraction, latched onto the topic.
"Don't you have someone special?" she asked curiously.
Natsu tilted his head, thinking.
"Well, everyone in the guild is special to me. They're family."
Lucy smiled softly. "That's sweet, Natsu. But I meant… someone more than a friend. Like a girl you really like."
Natsu frowned slightly, as if searching his memories.
Then, his eyes lit up.
"Ah! Lisanna!" he said, nodding to himself.
Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Lisanna?"
"Yeah! She's special, and she's my best friend. That's more than a friend, right?"
Lucy grinned, leaning forward slightly. "Oho?~ So where is she? Why haven't you made a move yet?"
Natsu's grin immediately faded.
His expression darkened for the first time since she met him.
"…She's dead."
Lucy felt her stomach drop.
"…Oh. I'm sorr—"
"No, it's okay!" Natsu interrupted, forcing a grin onto his face. "It's been a long time."
But even as he said that, Lucy could tell—
He was masking the pain.
Naruto, who had been quietly watching, confirmed her thoughts.
He had seen that expression before—the look of someone hiding grief.
Someone who hadn't let go.
After a brief pause, Natsu perked up again.
"I'll scout ahead, see if any enemies are waiting for us!" he said cheerfully before sprinting off.
Lucy watched him go, a small frown on her face.
"He's really hurt…" she murmured. "Lisanna must have meant a lot to him."
Naruto simply hummed in response, offering no further comment.
—
After a few moments of quiet walking, Lucy suddenly looked up at Naruto.
"Hey, Naruto… what was my mom like?"
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"Look in a mirror."
Lucy puffed her cheeks.
"Really?! That's all I get?"
Naruto smirked faintly.
"She was stubborn," he added. "And determined. Just like you."
Lucy sighed, still not satisfied but accepting the answer.
"Then… how come you're not angry all the time?" she asked. "You're Wrath, aren't you?"
Naruto's expression didn't change.
"I'm always angry."
Lucy sweat-dropped.
"I find that hard to believe…"
Then, before she could stop herself, she asked:
"A-Are you seeing someone?"
Naruto glanced at her briefly.
"No."
Lucy let out a subtle sigh of relief, then immediately froze.
"W-Why am I happy about that?!"
—
Before Lucy could spiral any further, Naruto suddenly stopped walking.
His gaze sharpened.
Lucy blinked. "Huh? What's wrong?"
Naruto didn't answer.
Instead, he gently set her down, eyes locked on something ahead.
Lucy followed his gaze—
And her eyes widened.
In the distance, smoke and fire clashed against ice, sending small shockwaves through the area. Unknown to them, Natsu already charged ahead once he saw a black haired individual.
Two figures leaped apart, both landing on opposite sides of the road.
One was Natsu.
The other was a shirtless dark-haired mage.
"Why is he in his underwear?!" Lucy shrieked.
Natsu and the dark-haired mage locked eyes, their expressions shifting from hostile to something almost playful.
"You wanna go, Flame Brain?!" the ice mage sneered.
"Bring it, Ice Princess!" Natsu shot back.
Lucy face-palmed. "Oh, for the love of—do they fight all the time?!"
Naruto, however, wasn't paying attention to them anymore.
He had sensed something else.
Something lurking nearby.
Without a word, he turned and began walking away.
Lucy noticed immediately.
"Hey! Where are you going?!" she called.
"I'll be right back," Naruto muttered. "Meanwhile, you try and calm those idiots down."
Lucy sighed, already feeling exhausted.
The dark-haired mage noticed Naruto walking off and frowned.
"Who's that guy?"
Natsu blinked. "Huh? Oh yeah! That's Naruto! He and Lucy joined the guild yesterday!"
Gray snorted. "Took you long enough to mention that, Flame Brain."
"Shut up, Ice Block!"
"Make me, Flame breath!"
Lucy, watching them bicker, groaned.
"This is so infuriat—"
She froze.
Then her eye twitched.
"DAMN YOU, NARUTO! Now you've got me saying it!"
Naruto stood hidden in the shadows, his sharp gaze locked onto a small group of mages gathered just outside a dimly lit tavern.
They were whispering among themselves, their voices low and cautious. He wasn't particularly interested in them, at first—just another bunch of rogue mages struggling with hunger and exhaustion.
But then—
"Lullaby."
The moment he heard the word, something in his mind stirred.
Naruto frowned.
Why does that sound familiar…?
He couldn't place it, but something about the way they spoke the name set off alarms in his head.
Without another thought, he snapped his fingers.
Immediately, the entire group collapsed onto the ground, snoring loudly, their bodies limp and unconscious.
"That should do it," he muttered, brushing off his coat.
He didn't know what Lullaby was, but if it was important enough for them to discuss in secrecy, then it was better left alone.
With that, he vanished, teleporting straight to Lucy's nearest position.
—
A Sudden Return
Naruto blinked in mild surprise as he reappeared in front of Fairy Tail's guildhall.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Huh. She should still be about 30 minutes away…
That meant she was rushing back for some reason.
Before he could ponder on it further—
"Erza's back!"
A loud voice erupted from inside the guild, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps.
Naruto barely had time to react before someone shoved past him in excitement.
A young man with spiky orange hair darted inside, his face full of enthusiasm as he spread the news.
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
For some reason, that boy felt familiar.
But before he could think on it, something else caught his attention.
Or rather—someone.
A woman strode toward the guild entrance, carrying an enormous horn over her shoulder with ease.
Her long scarlet hair flowed behind her like a battle flag, and her presence alone radiated authority.
Naruto immediately knew—this wasn't just any mage.
This was Titania.
Erza Scarlet.
The strongest female mage in Fairy Tail.
She came to a halt, her sharp brown eyes locking onto him.
"What business do you have with the guild?" she asked, her tone firm and commanding.
Naruto didn't answer.
He simply stared at her, expression unreadable.
A tense silence stretched between them.
The energy around Erza subtly shifted, her grip on the horn tightening slightly.
"If you refuse to answer," she continued, her voice colder, "then move aside, or face the consequences."
The other guild members inside the hall fell silent, peeking out to watch the potential confrontation.
Two powerhouses were staring each other down, and no one dared to interrupt.
Seconds passed.
Then—
Naruto suddenly looked away, a small, barely noticeable blush dusting his cheeks.
"…Cute."
The single word slipped out so casually, yet it hit Erza like a blast of fire magic.
Her eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush crept onto her own face.
"I am flattered by your compliment," she said after a brief pause, regaining her composure. "But if you have no business here, then I ask that you step aside."
Naruto shrugged, as if completely unaffected by his own words.
"Sure."
Without another glance, he simply turned and walked away, heading toward the middle of town, where Lucy's apartment was located.
Erza watched him go, her cheeks still warm.
She had anticipated a challenge, perhaps even a duel—not an unexpected, offhanded compliment.
Yet, as she stepped into the guild, a lingering thought remained. Compliments were nothing new to her, nor did they ever faze her—and yet, for some reason, this time was different.
Shaking her head, she turned toward the guild doors.
She had more important matters to deal with.
Like the absolute disaster waiting for her inside.
Fairy Tail had misbehaved while she was gone—
And now, it was time for punishment.
Apartment
Naruto sat on the small couch, his arms crossed as he examined the golden Zion Key resting on the coffee table in front of him.
It pulsed faintly with a divine glow, a stark contrast to the Obsidian-colored Trihexa Keys he was familiar with.
Naruto frowned.
He knew some of the angels, but the design of this key wasn't familiar to him. The patterns engraved into the handle were delicate, intricate, unlike the more rugged, jagged designs of the demonic keys.
Who did this key belong to?
Before he could think further, the door swung open, revealing a very exhausted Lucy. She was tired from their first mission and all the introduction at the guild.
She barely stepped inside before groaning, dragging herself toward the sofa, and flopping down beside him.
"Where were you, Naruto?" she muttered tiredly, resting her head against the back of the couch.
Naruto didn't respond at first, his gaze still fixed on the Zion Key.
Lucy let out a small huff, before something shiny on the table caught her attention.
Her eyes widened.
"A key?!" She quickly grabbed it, inspecting it closely.
It was beautiful—unlike Naruto's dark, foreboding key, this one radiated warmth. The golden sheen of the key glowed softly under the room's dim light.
"Where did you find this?!"
"Back at the mansion," Naruto finally answered, stretching lazily. "It was hidden inside a safe."
Lucy's grip on the key tightened slightly.
Her heart pounded.
A Zion Key…
She had only ever read about them in old celestial records. While Trihexa Keys were shrouded in dark legends and fear, Zion Keys were considered mythical, said to be the remnants of angels who once walked Earthland.
Lucy turned to Naruto.
"How do I summon this?" she asked.
"Do you guys have the same contract process?"
Naruto shook his head.
"As far as I know, they don't do trades."
Lucy gulped, her fingers brushing along the key's smooth surface.
"S-Should I try making a contract now?"
Naruto simply shrugged.
"Your decision."
Lucy blinked, tilting her head.
"E-Eh? You're not against me making a contract with an angel?"
She looked at him with slight suspicion.
"Aren't you guys, like, natural enemies?"
Naruto gave her a flat stare.
"…Who the hell told you that?"
Lucy faltered.
"E-Everyone knows that! You know, good versus evil? Light versus dark?"
Naruto's expression deadpanned.
"You think I'm evil and dark?"
Lucy's entire body stiffened.
"N-No! I-I mean—"
Naruto leaned forward, his piercing blue eyes holding her in place.
"We've been together for, what? Three days?"
Lucy gulped.
"A-Alright! I'm sorry!" she cried, waving her hands in panic. "I didn't mean to!"
A beat of silence.
Then—
Naruto suddenly laughed.
Lucy blinked in surprise, her expression shifting into confusion.
"Baka!" she huffed, her eyes slightly watery. "I thought I really offended you…"
Naruto smiled, reaching out to place a hand on her head.
"Don't worry about it," he said softly. "You can call me names, beat me, do whatever you want—I won't get mad at you."
Lucy's face turned red.
"W-Why?" she stammered.
"Because I'm a devil and you're my contractor."
He pulled his hand away, and Lucy pouted slightly at the loss of warmth.
"To be honest," Naruto sighed, "I was Layla's stress ball."
Lucy giggled.
"That sounds… very infuriating."
Naruto let out a dramatic sigh.
"You have no idea."
Lucy suddenly wrapped her arms around him, hugging him softly.
"Thanks, Naruto," she murmured.
Then—
SMACK.
She lightly punched his stomach.
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"…What was that for?"
Lucy pouted. "That's for kissing Mira-san."
Naruto sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"If you wanted a kiss, you could've just asked instead of getting jealous."
Lucy turned red.
"J-J-Jealous?! I'm not jealous!" she huffed, turning away. "A-And who would want to kiss you?!"
Naruto smirked.
"Layla kissed me all the time."
Lucy froze.
Her head snapped toward him.
"Y-You kissed my mom?!"
"Correction, Princess." Naruto leaned back, unbothered by the fact.
"She kissed me."
Lucy bit her lip.
"T-Then fine! K-Kiss me!"
She squeezed her eyes shut, leaning forward slightly, her heart hammering against her chest.
What will it feel like?
Will it be like the romance novels she reads?
Her lips puckered slightly—
Then—
A soft, gentle pressure against her forehead.
Lucy's eyes snapped open.
Naruto pulled away, smirking.
"There," he said lazily.
"Happy?"
Lucy gawked.
"T-That doesn't count!" she shouted.
Naruto shrugged. "Well, too bad. Now, go summon the angel and make the contract."
Lucy puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms.
"Meanie…"
—
Lucy took a deep breath before standing up.
"W-Well… here goes nothing…"
She lifted the golden key into the air, doing a swiping motion.
"Open! Gate of Heaven!"
A burst of golden light exploded inside the room, forcing both Lucy and Naruto to shield their eyes.
When the glow faded—
An incredibly beautiful woman hovered before them.
She had long, golden curls, cascading down her back like liquid sunlight. A radiant halo floated gently above her head, and behind her, twelve magnificent white wings stretched outward, shimmering with divine power.
She wore a flowing white toga, her figure voluptuous yet graceful, elegant yet overwhelming.
Her soft violet eyes gazed upon them, and when she spoke, her voice was like the gentle chime of sacred bells.
"Hello."
She slowly descended, her feet touching the carpeted floor.
"Such soft grass you have…" she murmured, smiling.
Lucy blinked. "U-Uhmm… t-that's a carpet."
The angel tilted her head.
"Ah, forgive me. It's my first time being summoned to the human world."
Lucy gulped, her heart racing.
Unknown to her, she was in the presence of a not your only ordinary angel but a Seraph.
Naruto, meanwhile, was looking away, his expression mildly annoyed.
"Another blonde… Infuriating."
The angel turned toward Lucy and smiled warmly.
"My name is Gabriel, one of the four great Seraphs, and the Angel of Diligence."
Lucy was stunned by the revelation.
"A-Ah! My name is Lucy Heartfilia." She took a deep breath. "Can we… make a contract?"
Gabriel's smile widened.
"Of course," she whispered.
"Now… close your eyes."
—
A warm sensation spread through Lucy's chest as she felt a gentle touch against her skin.
Gabriel's delicate fingers rested lightly over Lucy's heart, and for a moment, it was as if she were wrapped in an invisible embrace—a comforting warmth, like being held by her mother on a cold winter night.
It was… peaceful.
Calm.
Lucy's eyelids fluttered open, and she found Gabriel smiling at her, her violet eyes glowing softly.
"I have looked into your heart, Lucy Heartfilia," the angel murmured, "and I see no darkness within you."
Lucy let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Only sadness, sorrow… but also love, determination, and joy."
Gabriel tilted her head slightly, her expression gentle but curious.
"And your growing feelings toward—"
"A-AH!"
Lucy immediately whipped around toward Naruto, her face exploding into color.
"N-Naruto, could you please leave the room for a second?!" she stammered.
Naruto, who had been lounging on the couch, raised an eyebrow but didn't move.
Instead, he smirked.
"Oh? Why so nervous, Princess?"
Lucy's eye twitched.
Before he could say another word, she grabbed him by the jacket, dragged him toward the door, and shoved him outside.
"OUT!"
Naruto stumbled slightly, then turned back toward the door just as Lucy slammed it shut in his face.
A long pause.
Then, through the door—
"…Infuriating."
Lucy groaned, rubbing her temples.
Gabriel, on the other hand, simply giggled behind her hand.
"My, my~" she hummed. "You two have such interesting dynamics."
Lucy, still flustered, cleared her throat.
"I-I'm sorry about that!" she said quickly, bowing her head.
Gabriel simply smiled.
"There is nothing to apologize for, Lucy," she assured. "As I said, your heart is pure and kind. Only those with unwavering light in their souls can form a contract with us."
Lucy bit her lip.
"A-And you don't mind that I have a contract with… y-you know… Naruto?"
Gabriel's smile never wavered.
"It does not break our contract," she said softly. "In fact, I find him quite… fascinating."
Lucy blinked.
"Fascinating?"
Gabriel turned toward the door where Naruto had exited.
"He is different from what I imagined," she admitted.
"Devils are supposed to be vile, treacherous, and consumed by sin. But that one…"
Her wings fluttered slightly, and her expression became one of thoughtful curiosity.
"His soul is… unusual."
Lucy tilted her head. "Unusual how?"
Gabriel's gaze softened.
"It does not radiate darkness like others of his kind," she explained. "Nor does it possess the corruption I would expect from the Devil of Wrath."
She turned back toward Lucy.
"Instead… his soul feels like it is burning."
Lucy frowned slightly. "Burning?"
Gabriel nodded.
"Not in rage, nor in hatred… but something else."
She placed a gentle hand over her own chest, as if trying to put it into words.
"It is like a flame struggling against the wind… refusing to be extinguished."
Lucy's heart clenched slightly at the description.
She didn't know why, but she felt an odd pang of sadness.
Before she could dwell on it, a voice muttered from outside.
"You guys done yet?"
Lucy jumped slightly, looking toward the door.
It phased slightly, as if it were no longer solid—Naruto's head poked through, his expression bored.
Lucy yelped.
"HOW ARE YOU DOING THAT?!"
Naruto ignored her.
He simply stared at Gabriel, his blue eyes sharp.
Gabriel, on the other hand, smiled sweetly.
"Oh my… I forgot about you, little devil."
Naruto's eye twitched.
"Do I look little to you, ditzy angel?" he deadpanned.
Gabriel giggled. "A little hotheaded, you are."
She floated toward him slightly, her wings gently fluttering.
"Now, tell me thy name."
Naruto clicked his tongue. "Naruto."
Gabriel clasped her hands together. "A lovely name~"
Naruto sighed and waved her off.
"Okay, contract's done. Now go back to your realm or something."
He turned on his heel and flopped back onto the couch, lying down.
Gabriel, however, grinned.
"Oh, I think not," she said, hovering above him. "I have finally formed my first contract, and I would like to explore this world."
Naruto groaned loudly.
"Infuriating." He draped an arm over his eyes.
"Go bother Lucy instead."
Gabriel turned toward Lucy, smiling.
"Shall we explore, Lucy?"
Lucy let out a tired breath, rubbing the back of her head.
"It's been… an exhausting day. Can we start in the morning?"
Gabriel nodded.
"Of course!"
Then, with a bright smile—
"May I request to sleep with you?"
Lucy paused.
She glanced toward Naruto, who simply snorted.
"Good luck with that," he muttered.
Lucy sighed, but smiled.
"Sure, Gabriel. I don't mind."
Gabriel beamed, clapping her hands together.
"Wonderful!"
Lucy had no idea how she was going to explain this in the morning… but for now, she let the exhaustion take over.
Tomorrow was going to be… interesting.
The next day
Lucy stretched her arms, letting out a content yawn as the morning sunlight peeked through the small window.
She blinked sleepily, rubbing her eyes before glancing at the other side of the bed—
It was empty.
Gabriel was gone.
"Where is she…?" Lucy mumbled, scratching her head as she got up.
Still feeling groggy, she shuffled toward the living room—
Only to freeze mid-step as her eye twitched violently.
Gabriel was sound asleep—on top of Naruto.
The angel's head rested comfortably against his chest, her legs straddling his waist, while Naruto's arm was wrapped around her, holding her close.
And as if to add fuel to the fire…
Gabriel let out a soft moan, her face nuzzling against Naruto's neck as his hand absentmindedly squeezed her butt.
"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!"
Her furious shout echoed through the small apartment like a sonic boom.
Both blondes jerked awake, Naruto's eyes snapping open while Gabriel slowly lifted her head, blinking in confusion.
"Ah~" she sighed, stretching her arms gracefully.
Then, as if nothing was wrong—
"Good morning, Lucy-sama!"
Gabriel giggled and floated off of Naruto, gracefully hovering toward Lucy like a sleepy butterfly.
Meanwhile, Naruto sat up, rubbing his eyes with an annoyed look.
He still felt drowsy, and for some reason, he had felt unusually at peace last night. The warmth of whatever was on top of him had been… surprisingly relaxing.
"I thought I was hugging a soft pillow…" he muttered.
Lucy's eye twitched even harder.
"Pillow?" she hissed.
"Why were you sleeping with Naruto?!" she demanded, pointing an accusing finger at Gabriel.
Gabriel simply smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Lucy-sama, but I sometimes float in my sleep! I must have drifted on top of Naruto-kun."
Naruto's eye twitched this time.
"…Kun?"
Gabriel nodded, her wings fluttering slightly.
"I read some of your novels last night and learned about these honorifics."
She beamed.
"You're a good writer, Lucy-sama!"
Lucy's face turned red instantly.
"P-P-Please don't touch my stuff without permission… But thanks…" she mumbled, hugging herself shyly.
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"You write?"
"I-It's just a hobby!" Lucy said quickly, turning away.
Gabriel clapped her hands together.
"Lucy-sama! Is it fine for you to show me around now?"
Lucy sighed, already too tired to argue.
"Alright… Just let me take a shower first."
With that, she grabbed her towel and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Naruto and Gabriel alone.
—
For a moment, the two celestial beings simply stared at each other.
Gabriel's face was filled with pure joy and curiosity.
Naruto's?
Annoyance.
"You should smile more, little devil!" Gabriel giggled.
Naruto deadpanned.
"Bite me."
Gabriel tilted her head, genuinely considering the idea.
"You want me to?"
Naruto facepalmed.
"You're an airheaded and oblivious blonde."
Gabriel pouted and floated closer, crossing her arms.
"Mou~ That's mean."
Then, as if just remembering something, she suddenly blushed slightly.
"Ne, Naruto-kun…"
Naruto stiffened.
"…What?"
Gabriel twirled a strand of her golden hair, looking away shyly.
"While we were sleeping… y-you were…"
She pressed her fingers together, her face becoming slightly pink.
"You were touching my chest area…"
Naruto's soul left his body.
Gabriel's wings fluttered excitedly.
"And it felt good!" she said brightly. "Can you do it again?"
Naruto choked on his spit.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU DITZY ANGEL?!"
Gabriel tilted her head innocently.
"You were touching them like this—"
Without shame, she cupped her own breasts, gently squeezing them in front of Naruto.
Naruto's brain shut down.
His eyes locked onto the soft, bouncy movement happening right in front of him.
Gabriel let out a small moan.
"Ah~ Your hands are better than mine."
Naruto snapped out of it instantly.
"STOP THAT!"
In a blur, he moved—pinning Gabriel to the floor in an instant.
Her golden halo tilted slightly, her violet eyes blinking up at him in surprise.
Naruto's face was red, his breathing slightly ragged.
"Do you have any idea what you're saying?!" he growled.
Gabriel simply smiled up at him.
"Nope! But I like your reactions!"
Naruto felt a vein pop in his forehead.
"Infuriating."
—
At that exact moment—
The bathroom door creaked open.
Lucy stepped out, her damp golden hair clinging to her shoulders, a towel wrapped snugly around her body.
She had a small towel in her hands, drying her face—
Until she froze.
Right in front of her—
Naruto was on top of Gabriel, pinning her down.
Gabriel was smiling innocently beneath him, her hands placed suggestively near her chest.
A long, dangerous silence.
Naruto slowly turned his head, his blue eyes locking onto Lucy.
Lucy's eyes twitched.
Her entire body trembled.
Her fingers tightened around the small towel in her hands.
Naruto instantly knew.
Danger.
"…Infuriating," he muttered.
Lucy took a deep breath.
Then—
"YOU PERVERTED DEVIL!"
With a speed only possible through sheer feminine rage, Lucy picked up the nearest object—a chair—and hurled it straight at Naruto's head.
Lucy sighed as she gently adjusted the hem of Gabriel's borrowed outfit, a simple white sundress with a blue ribbon around her waist.
It was modest yet elegant, allowing the angel to blend in more easily—except for the fact that Gabriel still acted like an overly curious child in an adult's body.
The day had barely started, and Lucy already felt mentally exhausted.
Convincing Gabriel to hide her angelic traits had been… well, an ordeal.
At first, the blonde angel had genuinely struggled to understand why she needed to hide her wings and halo.
"But Lucy-sama!" Gabriel had pouted, her wings fluttering dramatically. "I am an angel!"
Lucy groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"I know, Gabriel, but if you go around looking like an actual celestial being, people will start panicking!"
Gabriel had tilted her head innocently.
"Why?"
Naruto, standing off to the side, muttered, "Because people are stupid."
Lucy glared at him. "That doesn't help!"
Gabriel, however, looked genuinely hurt.
"I… I do not wish to lie about what I am."
Lucy softened at that.
She had to remind herself—Gabriel wasn't being difficult on purpose. She was simply pure and innocent, untainted by the cynicism of the world.
Lucy placed a gentle hand on Gabriel's shoulder.
"It's not about lying," she said softly. "It's about keeping unnecessary attention away."
Gabriel stared at her for a long moment before finally nodding slowly.
"I… understand, Lucy-sama."
Naruto snapped his fingers, and in an instant, Gabriel's halo faded, and her wings retracted into her back.
She giggled slightly.
"Oh! That tickled!"
Naruto sighed. "This is infuriating."
Lucy exhaled in relief.
"Alright! You officially look human enough."
Gabriel beamed.
"Does that mean I can act like a normal human now?"
Naruto raised a brow. "Define normal."
Gabriel clasped her hands together. "Like this!"
Then, she immediately tried to walk—
And tripped over her own feet.
Naruto facepalmed. "This is gonna be a long day…"
Lucy sighed.
At least the hardest part was over.
…Or so she thought.
—
As expected, Gabriel was fascinated by everything.
From the bustling market stalls to the simplest street signs, the angelic curiosity knew no bounds.
"Lucy-sama! What is that metallic beast?"
"That's a train, Gabriel."
"Amazing!"
"Naruto-kun! What are those floating orbs?"
"…Balloons."
"Delightful!"
Lucy and Naruto both sighed in exhaustion as they dragged their overly excited angel through town.
After stopping by a few shops and cafes, they decided to take a break by a fountain near the guild.
Just as Lucy was about to sit down, a familiar voice called out.
"Lucy."
Lucy turned around to see Erza Scarlet standing nearby, her arms crossed, exuding an aura of commanding authority.
"Erza-san!" Lucy quickly jogged toward her.
"I'm sorry I'm late!" she said, bowing her head slightly. Before she left the guild last night, Erza already talked about meeting her at the station the next day.
Erza shook her head. "It's fine."
Her sharp gaze swept over the group before returning to Lucy.
"I need you for this mission," she stated plainly. "I heard you knocked out a Vulcan with a single finger. That kind of strength will be useful."
Lucy's face stiffened.
'That was Naruto…' she thought nervously.
Still, she hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"Do you mind if I bring some company?"
Erza's expression remained unreadable.
"That depends. Are they useful?"
Lucy smiled, glancing behind her.
Naruto stood with his usual annoyed expression, and Gabriel looked like a child in a candy store, still fascinated by the fountain behind them.
"They're useful, trust me," Lucy assured.
Naruto let out a small sigh.
"This better be worth my time."
Gabriel, still in awe of the water, clapped her hands together.
"Water is so fascinating~"
Lucy facepalmed.
Erza nodded approvingly.
"Alright. If you vouch for them, I will allow it."
She then turned to the other two mages she brought with her.
Natsu and Gray.
Surprisingly, the two weren't fighting—they looked like they were best friends.
Lucy squinted. "What happened to you two?"
Gray grinned.
"Oh, me and Flame Brain had a good fight earlier. He's not completely hopeless."
Natsu smirked. "Same to you, Ice Princess."
Lucy sighed. "So this is how boys bond…"
Naruto, standing off to the side, scoffed.
"Idiots."
After the group boarded the train, Naruto, Natsu, and Gray sat on one side, while Lucy, Gabriel, and Erza sat on the other.
As expected, Lucy had to explain their relationship, while avoiding the whole 'summon' topic.
"So, you're Lucy's guardian," Erza said, nodding at Naruto.
Then, she turned to Gabriel.
"And you are…?"
Gabriel smiled brightly.
"I am Naruto-kun's girlfriend! And Lucy-sama's girlfriend too!"
Erza froze.
Her face immediately turned red.
'T-That's indecent!' she thought, her mind flashing back to the smut novel she had been reading last night.
Naruto, already rubbing his temples, groaned.
"For the last time, you Ditzy Angel, the term boyfriend and girlfriend means there are romantic feelings involved!"
Gabriel blinked. "Oh~"
Naruto sighed deeply.
"Long story short, she's a distant cousin."
Gabriel tilted her head. "I'm not—"
Lucy quickly interrupted.
"I-Is Natsu gonna be okay?!" she asked, pointing at the motion-sick Dragon Slayer.
Erza simply smiled. "I have a solution for that."
Gabriel floated over to Natsu, placing her hand on his forehead.
Her hand glowed gold, and instantly, Natsu's face relaxed.
"There!" Gabriel chirped.
Erza's eyes widened slightly.
"Healing magic. That's an incredible skill," she praised.
Gabriel beamed. "Thank you, Erza-san! I'm more of a support mage than a fighter. I try to avoid violence."
Natsu, now fully recovered, grinned at Gabriel.
"You're the best!"
Gray muttered, "Great… Flame Brain's back."
Meanwhile, Naruto, still unimpressed, finally asked:
"What kind of mission are we doing?"
Erza's expression turned serious.
"We are retrieving an item called Lullaby. A dark guild named Eisenwald plans to use it for something dangerous."
Naruto blinked.
"Lullaby… I heard some mages mention it yesterday."
Erza nodded. "They were likely deserters."
Lucy frowned. "Lullaby… like a song to put children to sleep?"
Gabriel's expression darkened slightly.
"A Lullaby is meant to bring peace to children," she murmured.
Erza nodded.
"But Eisenwald's ace, Erigor, is planning something deadly with it."
Lucy shivered.
"T-They sound scary…"
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A massive explosion rocked the train.
Lucy's eyes widened in horror.
"What the heck was that?!"
The Underworld – The Council of the Seven Sins
Deep within the Underworld, past the endless blackened wastelands of despair, sat the grand Obsidian Citadel—a fortress so vast and ancient that even time itself had failed to wear it down.
At the very heart of this citadel, in the Throne Chamber of the Seven Sins, a great round table stretched across the void. Its surface was carved from the bones of fallen gods, pulsating with raw malevolence, glowing faintly with the embers of past destruction.
Seated around this table were six imposing figures, each exuding a presence that could make lesser demons crumble in terror.
The Seven Deadly Sins—or at least, six of them—were present.
But the seat of Wrath remained empty.
Floating above the center of the table was a holographic projection—a radiant, golden key, unlike anything seen in centuries.
A God Key. its tip sharp like an arrowhead, resembling the plume of an angel's feather.
The stem of the key bore the outline of a single feather, elegant yet unnatural in its perfection. But it was the bow of the key that demanded true reverence—
It was shaped like a pair of angel wings, with a cross embedded at its core.
This was no ordinary Zion Key.
It was something greater.
Something lost to time.
Something meant to stay hidden.
One of the figures finally spoke, her voice cold and commanding.
"Where is Wrath?"
The question came from a female figure, seated at the head of the table.
Unlike the others, her presence dominated the room. Even among the Deadly Sins, she was supreme.
Trihexia—the Mother of Sin.
The ruler of the Underworld, the first and greatest of the Demonic Beings, and the only entity said to have rivaled the gods themselves.
Her piercing golden eyes shimmered with something between curiosity and amusement as she gazed at the holographic God Key.
One of the other Sins—a voluptuous figure cloaked in shadow, her voice are very flirty tone in it—spoke next.
"He was summoned in the human world, Trihexia-sama."
A beat of silence.
Then, Trihexia smiled—slowly, deliberately.
"Summoned…?"
She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin against her knuckles, her expression unreadable.
"Interesting," she murmured.
Her fingers tapped against the armrest of her throne in a slow, methodical rhythm.
Then, she exhaled, as if indulging a particularly amusing thought.
"Fetch him immediately."
Her voice was soft—but the sheer weight of her command sent an eerie pulse of magic across the chamber, causing the very air to quake.
The Sins shifted slightly at her authority but remained silent.
Trihexia's gaze never left the God Key.
"It seems…" she continued, her smile widening ever so slightly.
"…We have finally found the God Key."
—
For now, we're focused on catching up to the latest chapter and just fixing some stuff here and there. Once we're there, though, it's time for a fresh start! I've actually forgotten my original plan, so we'll be taking a new direction. Not rushing this time.