Hello everyone!
This is literally my first story on . I usually stick to AO3, but I figured the Fairy Tail fanbase is more active here. Please don't blame me for any weird formatting errors, haha, I really struggled just to figure out how to post something on this site. Also, I'm not a native English speaker, so I can't promise everything will be perfect (though I don't think there are any mistakes — but who knows). It's also been at least four years since I last watched Fairy Tail, so some memories are a bit blurry. If something feels off, it's either because I rewrote it to suit my needs… or I forgot how it actually went. Or both.
In this story, Natsu has black hair like Zeref (yes, he was born with it — don't come after me for it), simply because I wanted it that way. I wanted a slight change between the canon Natsu and my version, so that translated into a physical change. I love his pink hair, but… I also wanted to reinforce his resemblance to Zeref. So yeah, let's say he inherited their mother's hair color too.
The main ship is Natsu x Erza, I'm their number one fan, so if you're expecting NaLu or JerZa — this isn't for you. I did consider Natsu x Irene, but ultimately, I prefer him with Erza.
Also, yes, Natsu meets Erza when she's a child in this story, but rest assured: there is no pedophilia. There are no romantic feelings from Natsu until she's an adult. They fall in love after she comes of age, and I'm very firmly against problematic ships like that. The only reason he meets her so young is to establish a strong bond from the start, one that naturally evolves over time. No harem either, that trope genuinely disgusts me in most anime fandoms.
Anyway! Enjoy the story, and feel free to share your thoughts, as long as they're kind or constructive!
April 7, X773, Near Rosemary Village,
Kingdom of Fiore,
Continent of Ishgar
A man with jet-black hair sat in the shade of a tree, somewhere deep within the forest. His hair was wild, an imposing scar cut across his cheek, and his onyx eyes were sharp and piercing. He wore a beige short-sleeved tunic with white trim and a high collar. A red sash was wrapped around his waist, and a white, scaly scarf crossed over his torso from his right shoulder. His pants were military-style, olive green with black stains, and he wore black combat boots.
A calm smile formed on the man's lips. "You hear that, Aelius? I think we're near a village."
His Dragon Slayer ears could catch sounds from dozens of kilometers away if he wished. A curse when trying to sleep—but generally useful.
Aelius gave a soft growl of agreement, his tail swaying slightly. His master quietly reflected, weighing the pros and cons.
"It's been a long time since we've run into any humans..." He thought aloud.
He'd left Alvarez five years ago, and hadn't seen the members of Tartaros in three. But they weren't humans anyway. He knew Mard Geer was waiting patiently—but he didn't care. He preferred going about his own business.
Besides, his dear brother was out and about too, somewhere roaming freely. He was surely far from the Empire by now. He preferred a different continent for peace, so there was no doubt—his brother was somewhere on Ishgar.
He briefly wondered who ruled the Empire now, since neither he nor his brother were there.
"Probably August," He deduced. Larcade would be the second choice for a stand-in, but nothing beat a true prince like himself. He had no real preference between his nephews—one was his flesh and blood, the other born from the same creator, merely adopted. He was, by far, the most perfect of the Demons of Zeref's Books.
After himself.
Etherious Natsu Dragneel.
That was his real name. The resurrected younger brother of the Black Mage Zeref. He retained the human form of the boy who had died over four hundred years ago. But inside, he was a demon. The Demon King, to be precise. The most powerful and destructive, feared even by Acnologia, the self-proclaimed Dragon King.
He also wielded Dragon Slayer Magic. After his resurrection, Zeref entrusted him to Igneel, the Fire Dragon King. Igneel and five other dragons took five children under their wings with a single plan: to send them to the future, on July 7th, X777, to defeat Acnologia.
But he hadn't been sent like the others. No—he'd remained in the land, Igneel sealed inside him to prevent his draconification. An E.N.D. turned Acnologia would've been a catastrophe. More likely, though, he would have died—the Dragon Seed and Demon Seed would've clashed.
His aging stopped when he turned twenty, condemning him to the promised immortality of Zeref's Demons.
In the beginning, Mard Geer guided him. He still had much to learn—how to be what he was: E.N.D., the Demon meant to kill Zeref. His own brother.
That's what he tried to do for the first three hundred years—before giving up. He no longer cared. Following his demonic instincts, Zeref's will... He wanted to follow his own. And killing his own brother wasn't part of it. So, he rejected his very purpose.
Zeref hadn't taken it well at first. Their bond had fractured even more. He even tried to revoke Natsu's existence in anger—but couldn't bring himself to do it. Despite everything, despite his wish to die, another desire had led him here: the wish to bring back his beloved younger brother.
Even though he allowed Natsu to live and didn't destroy the book, he cut all ties.
Until Mavis Vermillion.
That young woman was the first to reunite the two brothers after centuries. Even after her death—when Zeref fell into madness and wanted to die again—he never tried to convince Natsu to be his executioner.
The arrival of August strengthened their bond. At first, Zeref had no idea he was his son—with Mavis. He'd come across a nameless child, alone, strikingly similar to his late lover and with unmatched magical potential. Naturally, he was intrigued—and moved. He brought him to Alvarez, still in its founding stages.
Natsu, however, had no trouble figuring out who the boy was. His instincts and sharp nose did it for him. And he'd never been afraid to ask uncomfortable questions.
The arrival of a child born of Zeref and Mavis—the woman he'd loved so dearly—and a nephew for Natsu, brought the Dragneel family closer than ever. Larcade was finally, truly seen as a son by Zeref.
Zeref had thought Mavis was still alive when the child was born—he'd never sensed or seen her pregnant. She wouldn't have hidden such a thing. Plus, she'd died shortly after their first (and only) night together.
The two brothers visited Fairy Tail, but Precht quickly disappointed them. They found out about his experiments on Mavis's body—its crystallization. She was dead, but her corpse... still held magical power. It was like she was stuck between life and death. And her spirit still wandered.
Zeref had never wanted his lover's body to be turned into an experiment—but he couldn't do anything else. Mavis had become a hidden weapon for Fairy Tail, and removing her from the crystal would have truly killed her. So he stayed silent. He didn't start a war. He and Natsu left—with a child to raise.
Now, August had grown up...
Natsu stood, ending his reflection on the past.
"Maybe we should move, Aelius? I wouldn't want to scare the humans—" He stopped cold, catching a scent and footsteps. His wolf tensed too, ears pricking up.
Natsu turned slowly, facing the approach. "Easy, Ael. It's a child. I can smell it. They're coming toward us."
The wolf calmed slightly, though the interest remained. Natsu, too, missed interaction, if he were honest.
A few minutes passed—and a child emerged. A girl, no older than ten. And she had—his eyes widened.
What's with these kids and their massive magical containers these days? He thought. Though... hers doesn't seem awakened yet. She probably doesn't even know she's a mage.
The girl's eyes widened at the sight of a lone man beside a giant wolf. She trembled with fear, likely on the verge of collapsing from the overwhelming magical pressure.
Any normal child would've passed out if Natsu weren't suppressing his magic.
She stood frozen. Only now did he get a better look at her.
"Your hair..." He murmured aloud, eyes widening. "It's the same color as..."
He didn't finish. His instincts screamed, and his nose never lied. The girl's scarlet hair, mixed with a scent he knew far too well—
There's no doubt. This child is Irene's. I didn't even know she had one... What is she doing here? On a whole different continent from her mother? In a forest in Fiore? Why didn't Irene take her with her? The thought shook him.
Even Aelius recognized the scent. That beast had always been more familiar with Irene than Natsu was. The Spriggan woman had a strange fondness for animals, beneath her cold exterior.
He whined and leapt toward the girl.
"Aelius, no!" Natsu didn't have time to stop him. The child fell beneath the wolf's weight, her face assaulted by sloppy licks.
The Demon King sweatdropped, his hand still raised in mid-command.
The girl screamed, shrill and desperate, trying to push away the massive wolf licking her face with excessive enthusiasm. Her hands trembled, her heart pounding with irrational fear. The beast looked like a monster—black and red fur, glowing eyes, jaws open in a joyful bark. He looked ready to devour her, but instead, he smothered her with wet kisses.
Natsu sighed—irritated but slightly amused, like someone dealing with a minor annoyance of life. "Aelius, stop." His voice was dry, no room for disobedience. The wolf obeyed immediately, sitting back, ears drooping like a scolded dog.
The girl remained on the ground, shaking like a dead leaf. She hadn't moved, still paralyzed with fear, breathing ragged, eyes full of terror.
Natsu knelt beside her, his gaze softening slightly. He observed her silently for a moment, trying to read her. There's something in her. An energy... a power. Something I don't yet understand, but... He brushed the thought aside, focusing on the scene before him.
"Don't worry," He said, voice calmer now. Less commanding. "I'm not going to hurt you." He slowly extended a hand—never touching her.
She raised her head slightly, frightened brown eyes meeting his. Her lips quivered, and a faint breath escaped. "Who... who are you?" She stammered, voice barely audible.
He didn't answer immediately, brow furrowing slightly as he processed her words. A bit of courage, kid. He felt the forest wind on his skin, branches trembling overhead.
He stood up slowly, putting some distance between them.
He glanced around once more, as if searching for something—or someone. Then he finally replied: "I'm... a traveler. And you, you're far from home, aren't you?" His eyes locked onto hers, a knowing look behind them, like he already had the answers. "What are you doing here all alone?"
Silence fell as the girl hesitated. Finally, her trembling lips murmured something less than satisfying. "I'm... I'm lost."
Natsu shrugged, expression nonchalant. "Everyone gets lost sometimes." He turned toward Aelius, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity, then looked back at the girl. "There's nothing wrong with that. But... maybe it's time for you to go home."
Although still fearful and wary, the child seemed more willing to speak. "I… I don't know where my village is…" She murmured softly, looking sad and lost.
Something clicked in Natsu's mind and he knelt down again. "Your village...? How did you get lost?" He asked gently. He hadn't been good with children before August, but now he knew how to handle them.
Irene's daughter hesitated before timidly answering, "The village elders let us play hide-and-seek in the forest with my friends, because today's my birthday. But I went too far trying to find a good hiding spot, and when I wanted to go back… I got lost…" She admitted, looking downcast.
Natsu gave a faint smile as he listened to her story. It was sad to think that Irene had abandoned her. She was adorable—nothing like her mother.
"What's your name?" He asked with a nod.
"Erza," She replied, short and simple.
"That's a beautiful name, but… no last name?"
At that, her expression shifted into a mix of anger and sorrow. "No. I'm an orphan."
Of course. Idiot. He glanced at Aelius, who seemed equally unimpressed by his dumb question.
"Well then, happy birthday, Erza. I know there's a village nearby—can I take you there?" He offered, hoping she'd accept.
Erza appeared to consider the offer, suspicious. "How do I know you're not just some creepy guy who's after kids?" She asked in a flat tone.
Natsu blinked several times, completely caught off guard by the kid's bluntness.
He took it back. She was Irene's child.
He burst out laughing once the shock wore off, drawing a hesitant smile from Erza.
"You've got guts, kid. But I'm not interested in children." He smiled—genuine and soft. Aelius seemed to approve of his master's approach and moved to sit beside Erza, distracting her.
"Uh…" She raised an eyebrow, skeptical as the massive wolf, nearly her size, approached. He was majestic—and terrifying.
Aelius sniffed her again, seeming to grow even fonder of the child. He nuzzled his snout against her hand, seeking affection.
Natsu chuckled at Erza's wide eyes. "You can pet him. He won't hurt you. Actually, he really likes you."
She looked at him, then at the clingy wolf, hesitant. "Why does he like me?" She asked, confused.
The Demon King gave a faint, sad smile. "I think you remind him of someone he cares about a lot."
That seemed to half-satisfy the girl's curiosity, and she lowered her hand to pet the large wolf's snout. He purred under her touch, and she smiled, her eyes sparkling.
"What's his name?" She asked, her fear gradually fading. She wrapped her other hand around his neck, running her fingers through his thick red-and-black fur.
"Aelius. It means 'sun' in an ancient language," He replied, sitting fully beside them.
Erza's eyes lit up. "Oh, that fits him!" She grinned as Aelius licked her cheek.
Natsu smiled, his heart warming for some reason.
"Well then, I think I should take you back to your village." He pressed his hands to his knees and stood up gracefully, offering a hand to Erza to help her up.
Irene's child stopped playing with Aelius and looked at the large, calloused hand of the man she knew nothing about. She blushed slightly, but took it anyway.
Erza's eyes widened innocently. "Y-Your hand…! Why is it so warm?" She asked, amazed. It was so comfortable to hold!
He smiled faintly and helped her to her feet. "I'm full of secrets, kid."
Erza was reluctant to let go of his hand once standing, but returning to her village gates with worried adults while holding hands with a total stranger probably wouldn't look great. So she settled for stroking Aelius's thick fur instead, which clearly pleased him.
When Natsu set off in the direction Erza had come from, she sweatdropped, realizing she had been walking in the opposite direction of her village this whole time.
Erza was reluctant to let go of his hand once she was standing, but returning to her village's gates hand in hand with a strange young man while the adults were worried sick about her disappearance probably wouldn't look too good. So instead, she opted to pet Aelius's thick fur, who seemed more than happy with the attention.
When Natsu started walking in the direction Erza had originally come from, she broke into a cold sweat, realizing she'd been walking the wrong way this entire time.
"By the way, how do you even know where my village is? It's super isolated in this forest. Do you live near Rosemary or something?" She asked, her small brown eyes filled with curiosity.
"Not at all," The Demon King replied with a smile, looking down at the child. He couldn't help but think again how different she was from her mother—so different, in fact, that he almost doubted they were even related. "Actually, it's thanks to my hearing and sense of smell. I can hear people's voices from miles away... and smell them too."
"No way!" She gasped, her eyes wide as saucers. Aelius whimpered when her hand stopped petting him, but she was too caught up staring at the stranger to notice.
"Is it your magic that lets you do that?! I felt it when I saw you—it was the most amazing and terrifying thing I've ever felt! You're the first mage I've ever met! Can you fly on a broom too?!" She practically exploded, words tumbling out in frenzied excitement.
Yeah... This kid has no idea who she is. She thinks she's just some regular, magicless girl. He found the thought amusing.
He was still stunned. The girl couldn't be more than ten years old, which meant Irene had given birth right before joining Alvarez. That also meant she'd been with someone—willingly or not—about nine months prior. Given Irene's disdain for others and her overbearing pride, the idea that she'd ever chosen someone to lie with was baffling. Who on earth would she even consider worthy? Would she ever want a relationship in the first place?
He didn't know much about his subordinate, in the end. But one thing was clear: Erza's father was human. She had barely any draconic essence in her—so faint it was hard even for him to sense. Her Dragon Seed probably would never awaken, buried forever.
"Mages aren't witches, Erza. That's a different thing—we don't fly on brooms," He said with a small chuckle. "And yeah, I can do all that because of my magic. It enhances my senses."
They ventured deeper into the forest, and Erza crept a little closer to him, afraid of getting lost again.
"That's so cool! What kind of magic do you have?" She asked, tilting her head up toward him, eyes sparkling.
How the hell did E.N.D end up babysitting Irene's kid? He briefly wondered if he should bring it up to the dragon-woman once he returned to Alvarez.
He stepped over a twig and replied, "Fire Dragon Slayer. That's what my magic is."
Erza froze, eyes going wide again. "No way! That's only in fairy tales!" She shouted, pointing at him accusingly.
Natsu sweatdropped. If only she knew I'm the Demon King from Zeref's books. I am the fairy tale.
"Well, it's a lost magic. But a few rare people still use it. I know five others, personally. Four of them are about your age—or even younger," He added calmly.
That shocked the girl even more.
"H-How's that possible?! I read that you can only learn that magic from dragons! But they're all gone! Does that mean you learned from one too?! And if there are six Dragon Slayers, that means there are still six dragons alive!" She cried, practically shaking with excitement. The thought alone seemed to thrill her.
Natsu couldn't exactly say, "Oh, hey, yeah—your mom's a dragon too, by the way..."
"Yeah. I learned from my adoptive father, I guess. He raised me. His name was Igneel. He was the Fire Dragon King. Sadly, he's dead now. But the other five dragons? You might have a chance of meeting them one day," He smiled, purposefully ignoring the mental image of Irene. Poor kid...
Erza looked saddened by the thought. "Oh... I'm sorry your dad died. What was he like? Was it cool, having a dragon dad?" She asked, still excited, though now more respectfully.
He brushed off her sympathy. He'd grieved Igneel long ago, though the dragon's absence still ached in his chest every day.
"Yeah, he was a great father. Strict, though. He wanted me to become a proper son—a good Dragon Slayer. But he was also amazing. Strong, funny, affectionate... He was the best father I could've asked for." Natsu sighed, lost in the memory. It had been centuries ago, but remembering Igneel still twisted something inside him—both joy and sorrow at once.
Erza had stars in her eyes. She didn't even notice how close they were to the gates of her village. "Wow... He sounds amazing. I never thought about what having a dragon parent might be like before. That sounds way cooler than human ones!" She grinned honestly, though a flicker of pain passed through her smile.
Aelius felt it and gently nudged her chest with his muzzle, comforting her. She stroked his head in response, softening.
It tugged at Natsu's heart. Damn you, Irene, for leaving behind a child with a heart that pure.
He could at least leave her with something.
"You told me you didn't have a last name, right?" He said, noticing her bittersweet expression as they approached the village gates. Likely happy to be home—but sad to part ways with her newfound 'friends'.
She turned to him, confused and slightly bitter at the reminder, but nodded.
Natsu took a deep breath. "Listen, I once knew an ancient and wise dragon. He was the one who came up with the idea of Dragon Slayer Magic—to give humans a fighting chance against evil dragons. Want to know his name?" He asked, though a part of him wondered if this was a terrible idea.
Erza didn't answer right away. Her brow furrowed. "But if he taught the first Dragon Slayer Magic to humans, that must've been centuries ago... How could you have met him?" She asked, frowning in confusion.
"Hehehe..." Natsu scratched the back of his head. This kid was too smart. "Dragons don't age, Erza. They live until something kills them—not from old age. Anyway, I met him when I was a kid—Igneel introduced us. So, wanna know his name or not?"
They stopped near Rosemary's gates, and Erza turned to him. She looked a little sad from the first part—realizing that if all the dragons were gone, it was because they'd been killed, not by time. Including this man's father.
But she did want to know. "What was it?" She asked, excited again.
He smiled and ruffled her crimson hair. "Belserion. He was the Dragon of Wisdom," He revealed, and her eyes lit up.
"That name is so beautiful!" She gasped, a real smile blooming on her face.
Natsu hesitated, then added, "So... since you mentioned dragon parents and all, and you don't have a surname... I was thinking of giving you one. That's why I brought up the dragon. Erza Belserion—it suits you, don't you think?" He smiled and winked.
If Irene ever found out her abandoned child was walking around using Belserion as her last name because of E.N.D...
Let's just say she would not take it well.
But it felt right. Erza was her daughter. She deserved a last name. And Natsu had just handed her her true family name, without her even knowing. Two birds, one stone.
The child looked deeply moved by his words, and it made his heart beat a little faster. Maybe he'd done a good thing after all.
Erza blushed, her smile radiant, "Erza Belserion... I love it. It's like I've always had it…" She whispered, then looked up at him. "Thank you!"
Natsu blushed awkwardly and scratched at the scarred side of his cheek. "It's nothing. Everyone deserves a last name—something that belongs to them. It's a piece of your identity," He said, softening as he gave her his warmest smile. "And I guess... this will be your birthday present."
Erza nodded eagerly, eyes misting with emotion. The way she looked at him—so full of gratitude and... devotion? He'd never seen anyone look at him like that before. It freaked him out, but it also fascinated him. Good thing he'd been kind to this special little girl.
No one could blame E.N.D for doing good deeds during his hermit breaks.
"And you? You never told me your name!" The child practically bounced, looking at him with pleading eyes.
"..." It was the first time Natsu hesitated when introducing himself. To the world, he was E.N.D…
But to her, he supposed another name suited him better. His true name—his identity as a person.
"Natsu Dragneel. That's my name." He gave her a wink, beginning to back away when he heard people rushing toward the gates. The child was probably being searched for, after all. And he didn't want to linger too close to humans.
Aelius whimpered, not wanting to be separated from Erza, but he obeyed his master's unspoken order and backed away after licking her face.
Erza's face suddenly turned sad, almost lonely. It hit Natsu harder than it should have.
"Where can I find you...?" She asked, sensing the moment was ending.
It should've been a simple question.
Nowhere. You'll probably never see me again.
You can't find me.
Don't leave your village anymore. It's dangerous.
That's what he should've said.
"...I... I'll be around. There's a small stream to the west, where you found me. I'll know if you come into the forest." He smiled and tapped his nose, though even he was confused by his own words.
Even Aelius seemed incredulous at his master's behavior, but he only gave him a surprised look.
Erza's face lit up, full of hope, just as people burst through the gates.
"Erza! Oh my god, you're here!" A woman rushed out, dressed like a nun, and ran toward Erza.
She wrapped the girl in a tight hug, but Erza's eyes never left Natsu's.
"Where were you? We searched everywhere!" She pulled back to look at her, checking for any signs of injury.
"And who are you, young man?" Another sister locked eyes with Natsu—and with the massive wolf beside him.
I'm three hundred times older than you, witch.
Luckily, he had completely suppressed his magical aura. Otherwise, they'd already be on their knees.
"I'm the man who found Erza in the forest. She was lost, and I brought her back to your village." He raised his hands in a peaceful gesture and kept his tone sincere, almost naive, to manipulate them.
Erza nodded when the women looked at her. "Yes, Sister Iris, it's true! Natsu-san found me and brought me back! He was really kind and didn't want to hurt me at all." She said with conviction, easing the women's nerves.
"Well, then I thank you sincerely, Natsu-san." Sister Iris bowed her head to him, relieved, as did the other nun. He gave them a simple nod in response.
"Would you care to join us for dinner tonight? So we may properly show our gratitude?" Offered the other sister sincerely, and Natsu's eyes widened.
Erza looked absolutely thrilled by the offer, silently pleading for him to accept with her hopeful eyes.
A village full of humans... Natsu shuddered, knowing he was rusty when it came to socializing with ordinary people. Just his presence could make them faint, and he'd have to hold back constantly.
A glance at Erza—and he melted.
"Alright. Just for tonight." He agreed, to the child of Irene's great delight.
"Yes!" She pumped her fist into the air, to the amused smiles of the village sisters.
"In that case, I suppose we should head back. Also, Simon-kun and Kagura-chan were very worried about you, Erza-chan. They'll be happy to know you're safe!" Sister Iris took Erza's hand and guided her toward the village gate, motioning for Natsu to follow.
The other sister looked at the man's companion with doubt and fear. "I don't believe your... wolf is allowed to enter, Natsu-san."
At that, the Demon King halted and looked at Aelius, whose tail drooped in sorrow. He probably thought his master would leave him behind.
Not a chance.
"Shame. Because I'm not coming in without him." He said plainly, and Erza turned back to look at them in concern.
"Sister Maria! Why won't you let Aelius in? I promise he's super kind and not dangerous at all!" She pouted, letting go of Sister Iris's hand and running to Natsu and Aelius.
The two sisters exchanged glances, tension thick between them.
"He's too big, Erza-chan. He's a wild animal—possibly magical... We can't allow him into a village that has no mages." She said gently, staring at the two strangers with wariness and fear.
"He's not a wild animal," Natsu refuted calmly, ignoring the small hand clutching his tunic. "He's been my companion for over ten years. He's more civilized than most humans. He's more a protector than a destroyer."
That shut them up, with little argument left to make. And then Erza spoke.
"Please... let him come. If he can't, Natsu-san won't eat with us! He's the one who saved me—I could've gotten even more lost or run into dangerous people! Please trust him!" She begged, eyes wide with her best puppy-dog look.
What an adorable child. She must take after her father's personality—otherwise, it's inconceivable.
(If only Natsu knew just what a bastard her father truly was.)
That expression cracked through the women's resolve, even if reluctantly. Sister Iris sighed.
"Very well. Natsu-san and his companion can both enter. But at the first sign of hostility, for the safety of this village, they will both be asked to leave." She gave in, but with clear rules.
"Fair enough," Natsu nodded, placing a hand on Erza's small back to guide her forward. And so, the five of them entered the village together.
Etherious Natsu Dragneel had no idea just how much this decision would become a turning point in his story.