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kiliinstinct · 11 days

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Chapter 31

Rating: R Pairing: Nalu FF.Net || AO3 [Ch: 1] ||| [Prev] | [Next] Happy Birthday to me! Here’s an Update! Remember to thank @phoenix-before-the-flame for their Beta work! May Update: 17th See This Post For News About Future Updates

Levy squinted through her reading glasses at the paper she worked on, fighting off the beginning of a headache. The soft flickering of candle light was too bright for her tired eyes. If she kept at it, the small headache would blossom into a migraine, but she stubbornly continued her work. There was simply too much for her to do and not enough time to do it in, especially now.

Her beautiful archive was still a hazard to traverse. It was covered in precarious stacks of books and tomes, piled higher than her head in tight, winding walkways. All thanks to the story she painstakingly searched for in an excited haze. That same story still rested atop one of the covered tables, tightly bounded and shielded by charms and protective spells. It was a mess she needed to fix, but hadn't had the time to attempt in weeks.

But she itched to return to her safe haven— to tuck herself into the comfort of her well filled den, longing to rest and reorganize in peace. Unfortunately, she was bound to her duties set upon her shoulders by Makarov. Noticing a small mistake in her writing, she resumed her work, quietly chastising herself as the quill moved across the paper with a quick correction.

Levy couldn’t afford to mess this up as it was another enhancement spell to help bolster one of Freed’s many barriers.

She'd been at this for four days; Kage's cell was more than fortified now. He had yet to try anything. Levy doubted he had the strength to attempt his barrier breaking stunt with her and Freed’s current adjustments, but it was a risk the rune mages weren’t willing to take. They made certain that no loophole or crack could be found, tightly interweaving their codes in a cycle to keep the incarcerated Roma’s abilities useless. The strain this caused on Levy’s mind and magic was immense, making her feel stretched to the ends of her very being, but she couldn’t rest. It didn’t feel right to back down while her partner remained diligent in his duties.

The small Romni was no stranger to the pinpricks of jealousy that occasionally stabbed at her, but watching the smooth actions of Freed from his corner — scarcely taking breaks and working through his written codes at a steady pace— was a sight to behold. It outshined her best efforts despite him still in recovery. She gnawed her bottom lip as envy swelled in her chest like a rising tide, only to be quashed down beneath her guilt. His stamina was something to be envied and she would do all she could to match it.

Their magics were similar and possibly branched off from the same family. She knew if she dug deeper she might find greater connections, but a part of her didn’t want to find out. Not when he outclassed her by such a wide margin.

Refocusing her attention, Levy pushed the errant thoughts aside. There were more important things to focus on: like the new barriers she was working on.

Kage’s original containment was a matter of the past after the explosion of rage Natsu had caused two days prior. Levy and the others were lucky enough to get out with hardly a singe to their clothes. Everything else had been consumed by the black flames. The intense heat had burst through the windows, shattered stone walls and twisted angrily towards the sky. So large was the blast, it cast a darkness upon the northern sector of the villain that seemed to devour the sun itself.

The villagers were sent into a frenzy, reminded of the previous chaos that had ruined the festival. It was natural for the guards along the border and many of the denizens inside to take up arms and amass themselves to the keep, prepared for a battle against any enemy they’d come across.

But there was no invasion. There was only a decimated keep and a wounded Makarov. The Chief met the horrified crowd, remaining tight-lipped as they pressed him for answers. He’d sworn Lisanna, Levy and Freed to secrecy before the crowd crashed upon them. It was a promise that made tears brim in her eyes but Levy still followed it to the letter. She was a witness to Natsu’s meltdown and the situation was greater than she could imagine. It wasn’t ideal, but she understood why Makarov chose to keep the information quiet for the time being.

Another tick of her quill against parchment and Levy sighed. These calculations were almost complete and she resisted the urge to yawn, having gone without a full night of rest the day before.

”Perhaps a break?“ Freed suggested softly from his corner, eyes lifting from his own line of work to peer at her exhausted form, ”I can handle the rest if needed.“

Shaking her head wildly, she dismissed the gesture, ”And let the man who’s still recovering finish up all my work? No way. The only way I'm taking a break right now is if you take one with me.”

The green-haired rune caster blinked owlishly at the response, lips quirking up after a few seconds of consideration. ”Fair enough, my hand was starting to cramp a bit.” He twirled his quill deftly between his fingers before setting it aside in its inkwell. He shook out his hands and eyed her expectantly. She noticed a rare gleam of mischief twinkling in their depths. “Well? Aren’t you going to set yours down?“

Wait, Levy flushed, she had intended for him to leave her be as they continued work, not take her up on her bluff!

”But-“

“Quill. Down. Please.”

Her expression soured, but she relented, drying the tip to set it aside as she idly mirrored him, shaking free the cramps that had settled in her wrists. Not only did it help bring feeling back to the tips of her fingers, it defused the nervous energy still rattling in her bones.

How was she supposed to take a break where there was still so much to do?

One of the barriers — the one surrounding Natsu’s hut— had yet to be finished. Its new codes were mixed in the messy stack of charms to her left. (Or was it on her right? She wondered.) They waited patiently for Levy to review and refine them before joining Freed to set them back in place.

Before that, though, they needed to ensure Natsu could remain in control; Enough to trust him in his quarters. It was a shock to see the last one completely burned away, as if it had never been there to begin with. If he had another outburst like the one at the keep, neither she nor Freed could assure a new one would hold.

Natsu’s home, the keep itself and new cells for their current prisoner. So many enchantments to make as soon as possible.

Then there was her own home: That cluttered, blissful archive she so desperately wanted to dive into. It would be her safe haven from this confusion, her escape from the world to the quiet monotony of cleaning to clear her mind and prepare for Summer. She could enlist help, maybe. Anything to distract herself from the current events weighing on her mind.

And Jet and Droy, her closest companions. Levy bit back an exhausted groan. She’d skipped dinner with them for three days now. While they understood she was busy, Levy still felt awful about it.

“If you're that restless,” Freed’s amused chuckle dragged her from her mind. His stretches were long finished as he now propped his chin on one hand, watching her patiently. “You could talk to me, you know. We are clansmen after all.”

Heat blossomed down her neck in embarrassment and she folded her arms, effectively hiding her face, “Is my thinking that obvious?”

“Only just a little, but it's fine. There is a lot happening. It’s natural to be thrown off by it all.”

Levy respected his calm temperament as it was a welcome balm to her frazzled brain. Her shoulders sagged as she sank further into her chair, burying her face deeper into the crook of her arms.

“I just don't understand what's happening,” she admitted quietly, voice muffled, “Natsu’s always been wild but he’s never gotten any of us hurt. I’ve seen his black fire before, when we were kids, but never like this. But the Chief –” She sucked in a tumultuous breath, eyes stinging, “It’s been day’s and his wounds don’t seem to be doing much better under Porlyusica’s care. I heard Lucy healed slowly, too, but somehow- Makarov looks… so much worse.”

Pausing mid-rant, she peeked her eyes upward over the curve of her arm, looking for reassurance from Freed. He was quiet, but his gaze never left her, listening to her every word. Despite their possibly distant blood relation, Levy had never sat down and just spoken with him for more than a few minutes at a time since he'd joined. She was on uneven ground, uncertain how he’d react, but realizing he intended to let her unload was as welcome as it was surprising.

How had Laxus of all people befriended such a guy? She'd question it later, if she ever had the time; Or if the nosy need for information gave her the courage to ask, whichever came first. Clearing her throat, Levy let herself sink even further into her bones, secretly enjoying their little break.

“And then there's the new guys that I can't figure out at all….”

Levy removed her reading glasses with a swipe of her hand, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She recalled seeing Lucy sprinting towards them as she was first pulled from the broken keep. Pale from worry and fright, Levy had been too busy assuring through her own daze to take notice of the man beside the blonde. He had watched, wide-eyed and slack jawed as Lucy and Erza both sought to help the others.

“The Erza knows, Jellal I think? He seems alright. And I think that he has some relation to Lucy which I hope is a sign that he isn’t trouble but…”

Here she paused, thinking back to the other two. She never cared for Kage, knowing that he was hunting Lucy was enough to distrust him. After the damage he caused, she had the quiet, bitter thought that she'd prefer him rotting in his cell over anything else.

This wasn't a thought she felt should be shared. But that left her with...

“That other one. Gajeel, was it? The Draconis. There’s something off about him. He feels dangerous even when he's not moving. Like something is just crawling up my back preparing to strike from behind. It's so uncomfortable and yet here we are, locking Natsu up while he's practically roaming the halls freely now-“

She had to stop again, sucking in a quick breath after realizing she hadn't breathed once during her rant. Peering back to Freed, she worried her lip between her teeth until it felt raw.

None of it felt right to her. That's what she wanted to say, what stuck to the tip of her tongue and refused to fall.

The fallout had been ugly. Struggling to stay on his feet, Makarov made Natsu his first priority. He doled out orders through seething teeth, Lisanna was sent out to manage the crowd racing up to them while Free and Levy carried Natsu to one of the many rooms that were still intact. It was all such a rush and Levy had moved on reflex more than anything else in those terrifying moments.

“Keep him contained,” Makarov had said, “whatever spells you have, use them to keep him in before heading outside. And no matter what, speak not a word of what has transpired here to anyone. Now go!”

They scurried off as fast as they could, leaving their chief behind as he breathed heavily and fought the pain lacing through his body. Levy caught a glimpse of Gajeel as they passed. He hadn’t moved an inch, not since knocking the fire draconis out and gone was his earlier cocksure attitude. His expression was impassive, blank, even as the chief spun to him with a hiss of orders Levy failed to catch.

When she finally returned outside, she didn’t have a chance to breathe or help poor Lisanna who still struggled with the frenzied crowd. Instead, Lucy had come upon her, begging for answers she was sworn to hide. The strange man, Jellal, was still by her side, but neither he nor Erza pressed her for answers. Instead, they watched the crowd and waited for Makarov.

It was only when he emerged from the ruined keep, aided by Freed, that the crowd stilled in abject horror. It was rare for the Fairies to be so shocked to silence, but no one dared speak over the Chief’s shaky voice that once boomed across the crowd. Now it struggled to carry to one person.

His words held no substance. They were carefully chosen, hiding the truth behind a carefully constructed lie. His assurances were empty to the disbelieving crowd who any other time would shout back in defiance, demanding better answers. They couldn’t then, not when their leader, a man many saw as their own parent, was barely able to stand.

A few brave members had run off to fetch Porlyusica but many still lingered when the crowd dispersed. Their eyes observed what was left of their ancient keep, horrified.

Fires still burned along the walls, but the embers slowly faded along with the smoke in slow ebbs and curls. Natsu was someone who normally would stand front and center at such a scene, demanding answers and sniffing out his own, but he was nowhere to be seen. It wasn’t hard for the remaining crowd to piece together that their favorite Draconis was involved.

Levy remembered the way the blood had drained from Lucy's face as she caught Makarov on his way back inside. There were tears in her eyes as she demanded to see Natsu, only to be denied. Jellal had stepped in, requesting an audience as soon as possible with the surprising request that Lucy be allowed to see the other, but it too had been denied.

Something was going on, and no one had all the information to piece it all together. Whatever secrets this Gajeel and Jellal had, it pricked the back of Levy's mind and wouldn't let her go.

“... why hasn't Makarov told us anything?” She bemoaned, finally getting to the meat of the matter, “everyones being so secretive and vague and I just... I want everyone to relax again, is that so bad?”

She realized then that tears trailed down her face as tiny hiccups shook her frame. All her emotions were boiling over and she desperately wanted to grasp her quill to get back to work. Anything to stave off the helpless feeling weighing her down.

But Freed remained still, his expression twisted to a somber, sympathetic stare. He reached across the table to grasp her hand and squeezed, voice lowering to a quiet whisper between the two of them.

“You're not alone,” He assured her, while strands of his long hair fell to cover his face, “I feel the same. We all do. This, I'm certain.”

A shudder passed through her, one that dispersed the heavy weight holding her down. Levy returned the squeeze and allowed a tremulous smile to pass her face. “Thank you. That... that helps.”

Perhaps they really did need that break after all, she looked back to her work and shook her head. “... I spent a lot of time ranting there, is there anything you need to get off your chest? A bit unfair to just have you counsel me, after all.”

He withdrew his hand with a kind shake of his head, “No, you've pretty much covered all of my present thoughts as well.” When her eyes narrowed he waved a hand in the air and laughed, “I mean it, I swear. What other issues I might have are things that can't be solved through airing it out.”

Levy snapped her fingers and pointed, ”ah, but that means there IS something.“

She laughed at his expression, mouth slightly agape as he brushed the hair from his face, laughing, ”Stubborn. All of you. My own concerns come from my previous failures with Kage and worrying about my comrades, there's nothing deeper than that, I assure you.“

”... but no one could predict Kage had the ability to hack barriers with his magic,“ She recalled, nose scrunching as if she'd smelled something foul. ”Nope, permission denied. You're not allowed to feel guilty for that.“

”E-excuse me?“ Freed asked, baffled.

She nodded, picking up her quill to spin it between her fingers. When it stopped spinning, she aimed its tip at his befuddled face. ”You heard me. You're already a genius as it is, and you’re out pacing me with the rune magic even though you’re still not at full strength.” She cut off his denial with a sharp wave.

“It’s only been a few weeks, no one recovers from magic drainage that quickly. It was something out of all our hands. Blaming yourself for it is silly. Therefore,” She beamed,”No self blaming is allowed.”

They both looked to the other in a silent battle of wills as he attempted to find any weakness in her expression. Levy gave him none, confidently dipping her quill back into the ink well as her attention stayed in place, stubbornly matching his own. As the candles nearby flickered and melted just a bit more, he laughed and shook his head.

”All right all right. I suppose you win,“ He conceded, pushing back the stray locks that had fallen into his face.

Levy cheered, ”Good! Now let's get back to work.“ Without a second though, she began to write once again, only to blink in stunned silence when the parchment beneath her fingers was whisked away, ”H-hey! Wait just a minute-“

Freed set it carefully atop the nearest stack and swiped the quill out of her fingers. She watched, dumbfounded, as he grabbed her spare hair tie, twisting his own hair into a high ponytail and stood in one fluid motion.

”I do believe,“ He said, lips curved smugly, ”I said we should be taking a break and we've hardly relaxed at all, have we?“

He extended a polite hand for her to take, ”Come now, we're due for a walk.“

”But we-“

His eyes narrowed, ”Levy.“

He didn't need to repeat himself as she took his hand and quickly followed him out of the room.

“You can be really pushy sometimes, you know?”

“Only sometimes?” He mused, locking the door as they went. “ Perhaps I ought to try harder then.”

While the two walked outside for well needed fresh air, the Keep was filled with an uncertain tension. Kage, now sitting in a partially busted Cell, stared hopelessly at the cracked ceiling and debris littering the room. He listened to the strong buzz of the newly enacted barrier, sizzling with magic and sighed. Days blended together with his time in the dark, but he still felt the trembling of the Earth that had pulled him from restless dreams days ago.

What was happening up there with Gajeel? Was there an attack or some other plan afoot? Anxious thoughts floated in his mind, shaking his bandaged legs while nervous eyes flitted from each broken stone in the once closed dungeon.

And far above Kage, paced a fire breathing Draconis. His own binding spells had dissipated a day ago, allowing him free movement in the room. The irony was not lost on him. This was just like his house, wounded and stuck. Now, with his wounds mostly healed, he was more prisoner than patient. He could smell Freed’s magic, but didn’t bother with testing the fresh runes buzzing along the door and windows.

They were right to keep him contained. While his muscles ached with the need to stretch and run, Natsu saw no reason to leave. So he paced. Back and forth with footprints burning into the floor as he waited for any kind of news.

He was far from the only restless person, dying for answers. Down below, ducking into shadows, as Lucy, quickly making her way towards the destruction with tenacity leading the way. She was going to find answers, whether the others wanted her to have them or not.

It didn’t take much consideration over her dinner to make this decision. She was resolute in her desires while she slinked off without notice. Circling through the village, she dared to pass by Natsu’s home, hoping that her suspicions to his current whereabouts would be proven wrong. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed in light of his empty house, urging her onward to the keep.

Along the way, she spied Freed and Levy walking by, too deep in amicable conversation to notice her as she ducked inside an open door.

Down the first floors, unbeknownst to anyone Lucy poked her head inside, checking the messy unkempt halls with a scrunched nose as she considered her trajectory before tip-toeing her way towards a set of stairs

Further inside, far from Lucy, laid Makarov, unmoving as he rested on a round chair full of feathered pillows, his body freshly cleaned and rebandaged by Porylusica who'd rushed from her home to sit by his side, worrying over him like an angered hen. She clicked her tongue and shuffled around to ensure his leg was held up, muttering curses beneath her breath as she did.

“I can't believe you let yourself get injured like this,” she spat, taking a drink of water to cool herself down, “Not just the leg, but your hips and torso at that. You’re lucky you can move.”

Makarov wriggled his nose and grumbled, “I appreciate your faith in my abilities, Porly, but this is not something I wanted.”

“You expect me to believe that brat caught you off guard? Truly?”

“Did you not see the damage done to the keep, woman?! It’s a miracle I'm still standing!” He snapped, rubbing the bridge of his nose in consternation, “It was all Freed and I could do to hold him back and ensure the others weren't injured.”

Sucking in a deep breath, he motioned for her to sit down. “I'm sorry, but until I've finished with what needs to be done, I have to ask that you stay here awhile. Wendy can't be expected to keep a constant eye on me after all, and I would hate to put her through so much stress.”

Porlyusica rolled her eyes. “And what- I can? I’m not your personal nurse.”

“Certainly not. But I'd like to think of it as keeping your medical skills sharp in your old age.”

At the old womans scoff, he gave her a curious look, but no other words passed between them. She'd been a part of the Fairies for quite some time, long enough to have aged right by Makarov's side. He'd seen her long before she willfully locked herself away on a hill just as she'd seen him in his youth. In all things she was his closest confidant, but her ire over injuries left much to be desired. Not to mention her bedside manner that seemed to have worsened ...

As if sensing his wayward thoughts, Porlyusica sent him a terrifying glare that left the old Chief swallowing thickly and looking anywhere but her. Which was perfect as he had other things to focus on after all; and one of those things stood at the entrance to the meeting room- Makarov's current place of residence far from his office - , waiting with arms crossed and a food tapping impatiently.

“Ah, Laxus,” Makarov greeted, “Right on time. I trust the others are with you?”

His grandson nodded, kicking open the door behind him so others could file inside. Jellal and Gajeel came first, with one wearing a bemused expression as he examined the room before settling on the Chief whilethe draconis looked too relaxed as he strolled in. Raising a brow at Laxus, he snorted as he sauntered past. The two claimed a seat side by side at the table.

Erza brought up the rear, sharing a nod with Laxus who stayed by the door, watching her and the others take their seats. She pointedly set her seat between the men and Chief and settled down with an intense gaze. Her eyes were sharp and focused as were Laxus’, whose gaze burned holes into the backs of the stranger’s heads.

The old chief felt a swell of pride watching them. While they were on their best behavior, and Erza adamantly affirmed her trust in the celestial man, she still kept to her duty, prepared to fight at a moment's notice. Likewise, Laxus managed to curb his own temper, listening in rather than reacting on impulse.

Yes, most of his children had grown well, now if only he could get to the bottom of everything else happening around him. That would be nice.

“Considering Gajeel has done as I asked and not riled Natsu up any more than he has,” Makarov pointedly started, casting a glare at the bulky draconis who shrugged non committedly, “It seems pertinent to have our meeting now that everything has calmed down. Now both of you, I want no vague mysteries, no secrets, no lies. If either of you want to realize your separate goals, then I'll need absolute transparency. Am I clear?”

There was no true power in Makarovs words. With Gajeel and Jellal being outsiders, they weren’t beholden to listen if they chose not to. But they were still in his territory, and he was still at the head of this clan for a reason. His wounds did not leave him frail and vulnerable as much as others would believe and the power that flared from his body at his question was testament to that fact. It shook the floor and made the table quake, vibrating down the halls in warning.

Jellal and Gajeel felt it, instantly stiffening as they looked between each other and him. The others, unsurprised by the strength of their leader, merely looked on, waiting for the time to spill their own thoughts. What those opinions could be entirely depended on what Makarov was soon to learn this very day.

“Well?” He prompted. Gajeel grunted, far less amused today than he'd been when riling Natsu. Jellal, however, cleared his throat and nodded.

“I’ve no secrets to hide ,” He admitted, glancing back at Erza, “She has been my friend for many years and I would be a poor one in turn if I continued to rouse your suspicions.”

“Pretty words,” Makarov said, “let's see if you can back them: you may go first. What is it that you wanted to speak with me about that's so important?”

It was then, Gajeel chose to interject, lips sneering as he grumbled, “First you gotta understand, old man, he ain’t got anything to do with my clan.”

“I'm sure he can answer for himself. You've done enough damage.” Was Makarov's snapping rejoinder, gaze bearing down on Jellal in interest, ”Besides, I'm already aware he was incarcerated by Jose. Erza's more thorough than you give her credit for.“

If Jellal was surprised to know Erza had already told the chief what she knew, he didn't show it. Instead he cleared his throat and withdrew the book he'd been reading from his sleeve, ignoring the raised eyebrow Gajeel gave in the process.

”This may offer a few answers in regards to Lucy.“ He began. He offered the book to Erza, who set it before Makarov. ”I don't know how this came into Gajeel’s possession, but I assume he took it from Jose. It holds everything you need to know about why the Phantom Clan has been apprehending or killing any Celestial Roma they can get their hands on. It’s my belief that their search would end if they were to ever get their hands on her.“

The iron draconis whistled lowly, ”Gihee, so ya got your confirmation then? Ya sure it's wise to say that with me here?”

”Considering you set me free,“ Jellal pressed on, not bothering to look Gajeel in the eye, ”I doubt you have any plans to send her Jose’s way. So I'm choosing to take this risk and believe that those here would defend her if you choose to prove me wrong.“

When he didn't reply, Jellal continued, watching as Porlyusica snatched the book from the table and handed it to Makarov unceremoniously.

It held an unexpected weight as he turned it over with mild disgust in his tired eyes. The cover was covered in a high, cracked with age, and yellowed bones lined the book’s spine. He held it gingerly as the aged leather felt different from any leather he’d seen before. At Jellal’s beckoning, he eased it open, spying the unusually thick pages falling open with a heavy slap.

”There is a ritual,“ Jellal explained. ”One that states it can imbue entire groups of people with unparalleled heavenly power. It is said to give all who participate longevity and magical strength far beyond our imagination. I can't attest for how accurate this supposed ritual is, but Jose believes in it enough to have scoured the lands for what it requires. He has gathered everything needed so far. But it’s all useless without the key to bring the ritual to fruition. That being the right Celestial to sacrifice.“

Erza leapt to her feet in protest as Laxus stepped away from the door with venom in his eyes. They were furious at the implication this meant for Lucy. Even Porlyusica’s expression soured.

Before they could form a question or demand more answers, Makarov lifted his hand, urging them to fall quiet.

“And what, pray tell," he said, voice quivering in a quiet rage, "makes you believe that our Lucy is the celestial that Jose truly requires?"

Jellal fell silent, considering his words as he folded his hands within his sleeves. He sported a calm facade within the quiet room as they waited. Away from their eyes he gripped his arms tightly, tight enough for the knuckles to turn white.

How best could he word this truth he'd been hiding from Lucy the moment he knew she could hear the stars with little effort?

”My clan and its sister branches all share the same legends and culture,“ he murmured, voice a low drawl, ”and with it came the knowledge passed down through generations that one of our clans would someday give birth to the original starseeker:The origin of our clans. It is my belief that Lucy is this origin and her clan realized this. Our travels north were merely in a bid to bring her to safety before others learned of her existence and sought her out.“

He withdrew his hands from his sleeves and held them aloft. His fingertips were glowing with a soft energy, calming pinpricks of light that grew to shape themselves into a star system resting within his palms. He stared intently at its depths. It didn’t match the skies above but swirled lazily as he pondered it with a furrowed brow.

Erza broke the silence before anyone else, voice harsher than intended, “And what is so important about this origin?”

“The importance, my dear Erza,“ He said gravely, ”Is that she is most likely the spiritual embodiment of the Moon itself.“

The room became deathly silent before erupting into tense shouts. Porlyusica had to grasp Makarov's shoulder to keep him from jumping from his seat, her grip so tight the elder chief paled and coughed into his hand.

Erza recounted the story of Lucy's clan in her mind. While she had not been with the camp when Lucy originally spoke of it, Levy's transcription was expertly done and easy to read. She remembered perusing it, feeling as if there was something there to explain Natsu's odd fascination with the girl, only to be mystified when she found nothing.

But this? She whirled on Jellal, eyes blazing fiercely, “You must truly be mad to give us this information while a man of Phantom sits beside us!” Before he could reply, she held a hand up, silencing him, “don't repeat yourself! I don't care about your reasoning, confirming this with him in the room is foolhardy!”

”If he's correct, you mean,“ Laxus added, having stayed put at his chosen post, but the stiffness of his jaw spoke volumes towards his racing thoughts.

”What are you implying?!“

The larger man shrugged, ”Just that there's no proof.“

She didn't know who to direct her fury to. Towards Jellal for his seemingly poor decision making, or Laxus for doubting his assessment. The clan would never understand the trust she'd formed with the man through the years, not with him being an outsider and yet the logical skepticism infuriated her.

Surprisingly, Gajeel also shot up to his feet, brandishing his arm before a baffled Jellal as if protecting him from the others' scrutiny. ”Maybe ya' should let the man finish before jumping to dumbass conclusions, eh? Have I even tried to touch that girl since coming here?“

“No, you only showed that you could if you really wanted to!”

Erza and Laxus both answered, voices echoing off the walls in angry snarls. Their feelings suddenly matched, both upset at the recent events forcing one of their own to be shut away.

“Your attempts at baiting Natsu is enough reason to doubt your motives!” Erza opined, voice trembling with unconcealed rage.

Jellal cleared his throat, batting away Gajeel's arm from his face as he thought over his words, ”As awful as his methods are, I'm sure Gajeel had his reasons, Erza. Like I had mine when speaking with Lucy.“

It was then Makarov chose to interject, ”If you children are finished arguing,“ glaring at Porlyusica for holding him down as he grunted in slight pain. His voice turned their attention back to him, all having the decency to look sheepish under his scrutinizing gaze, “I'd very much like to hear these reasons properly. From both of you.”

The return to topic was enough to settle Erza back in her seat, but her blazing, ferocious eyes never left Gajeel's as he reseated, a fanged grin splitting his face. It raised her ire like no other as she fought the urge to sink her fist in his face. But Makarov wanted answers, and she would hold herself back long enough to get them.

“To be frank, Lucy's abilities are similar to my own, but vastly different,” Jellal muttered, glancing towards the metal draconis and back again, “All Celestials— regardless of clan, have the ability to read and listen to the stars, but not without extreme focus and intent. For the most skilled it can take hours of meditation and high concentrations of magical output to achieve results. For others it takes weeks to commune; often being done in groups to share and strengthen the magic.”

“... that sounds,“ Makarov's nose twitched, imagining the amount of work invoking a celestial's power took, “very involved.”

Jellal nodded, “It is. I myself boast other abilities outside of that, but even so Lucy's own connection to the stars is quite different from what I know it to be. She confided in me that she can hear them speak to her at any given time, day or night.” He paused, taking in a breath as his words sank in, their weight filling the empty air with a harsh tension.

“The last known Celestial to do this was our origin: the half of the moon struck from the skies to live on Earth. It is said she's been reborn countless times, but this is the first time her spirit has returned to a celestial tribe in centuries. And whether or not you believe what I say, without a doubt Lucy is far more powerful than she’s aware of. If Jose is aware of this he will not stop hunting her until she is in his grasp.”

”And that-“ Gajeel interrupted, his harsh voice cutting through the tension as he smacked a heavy hand on the table, eyes gleaming, ”is where I come in. He can keep the Blondie with his stars and moon talk. But that hothead that’s been hiding in your clan is why I’m in this mess. And he’s only gonna get worse before he gets any better.”

Laxus's laughter boomed through the room, the man of thunder and lightning hunched over with shoulders shaking, “What? Are you gonna say he's the sun next? I expected a serious meeting today. Not this sudden show and tell of children’s myths-”

“Pfft, you kiddin’ me?” Gajeel cackled, fangs glinting, “Sure we got our stories, but we ain’t as hide-bound as the celestials are. He aint no Sun, he's just a brat with an overheated bloodline.”

“Meaning?” Laxus prompted, his laughter cutting short as if he hadn't been struck dumb with hilarity moments before. His gaze grew cold, calculating and sparks of magic danced across his skin.

Leaning forward, Gajeel tilted his gaze to Makarov and clicked his tongue, creating a metal clanking in his mouth. He spat a fully formed nail that embedded itself in the otherwise pristine table. “Back home’s a fuckin mess. It’s been that way for as long as i’ve known and for as long as he’s known it too.”

He jabbed a thumb at the ceiling in Natsu’s general direction. “ Fire Draconi have been the top dogs for generations. That one up there was next in the line of succession before some got it in their heads that they’ve had enough. They decided to give someone else a go at the throne.”

He paused, giving the others a chance to take this in. Reading the minute changes in their expressions as they were reminded of what Natsu truly was. Whatever front the pyro had put up all these years was obviously a good one if it was so hard for them to wrap their brains around it.

He smirked, “Little Princey’s my one shot at going back home. I got sent out to make sure he was actually dead all this time. So I've been runnin’ all around sniffing out the truth so I can go back. Gotta admit though, findin’ out he’s still breathing does put a kink into things for me.” His smirk grew to a malicious smile, “one that I find hilarious.”

“Your sense of humor is a foul one given the trouble it’s already caused for the boy.” Makarov muttered.

Gajeel pulled the nail from the table with his pinky, playing with the metal as if it were clay and paid the Chief’s intense glare no mind.

“If I walked in here and said your boy was royalty would you have believed me from the get go? Ain’t no way he’d give up the truth. I had to worm it outta him first for ya to see before I said my piece.” He said easily, “the black fire got your attention didn’t it?”

Makarov’s brows furrowed together in thought. Right, those dark flames…It was abnormal, the iron user said it before, which mirrors Jellal's findings about Lucy. The parallels were starting to give the chief a headache as he tried to connect the dots. “When you spoke of the fire before you made it seem a rarity even amongst your clan. That it carries severe implications. Was there any truth to that, or was it all talk and bluster to rile up Natsu?”

”Tch, no bluster about it,“ he snorted, nodding at Erza, ”Your friend has reincarnating moons but the royal draconis line always has one with anger issues and black flames pop up every now and again. It never ends pretty for ‘em. They always go mad and fuck things up for everyone.”

Throughout the entire discussion, Porlyusica had remained quiet. At Gajeel’s blaze explanation, a snarl finally escaped. Makarov almost jumped at the vicious sound, eyeing her from the side. True anger transformed her features: color flooded her pale eyes as the pupils turned to slits while she bared her fangs. Her irritation was palpable. ”To think I've been gone from the clan for so long only to hear the rhetoric of the usurper in my home. What are your actual intentions regarding Natsu, boy?”

Gajeel's demeanor shifted, eyes widening in surprise as he finally recognized the older woman for what she truly was. He straightened in his seat looking her over, almost dumbfounded. “Well, shit, this place is just full of surprises. I knew I smelt draconis on ya but it didn’t click ‘til you spoke. You look just like-”

“Enough!” She barked, voice hissing into a quiet rage. Harsh winds ripped through the room, rippings papers and books from their shelves and tossing her hair in her eyes. Rising to her feet, she was calm in the growing storm as she stalked over to the younger draconis, towering over him.“Answer my question or I'll have Makarov lock you up as good as that shadow fool!”

“You think you can hold me as easily as him?”

“No.” Laxus said, his voice carrying over the heavy winds. “ What he got is child’s play compared to what we’ll do to you.”

Erza also rose, hand poised, ready to draw her blade that hummed with power. Jellal tilted back in his seat, just enough to stare at Gajeel in disbelief, “Do I need to remind you of whose side I'll choose if you act out, Gajeel?”

The room felt too small for the lot of them, with magics so strong they filled the empty spaces to almost suffocating levels. Makarov stayed in place, watching and waiting, confident in his children's abilities to incarcerate Gajeel if need be. His interest, however, followed the outlines of Porylusica's paling face, sweat dripping from her brow as her magic surged from unused depths.

The wild man threw his hands up and shook his head, “Fine! Seriously, I can't have any fun here, can I? Yer all a buncha stiffs.“ He nodded towards Porly's chair with a rumble in his chest, ”Sit down old lady, I don't wanna see you have an ulcer over nothin'.”

She stayed in place, gaze darkening and he continued, ”Augh, fine, if it'll get ya' to sit down. I’m not here to kill him-”

“-could’ve fooled me.” Laxus muttered.

“-my only intention is getting his ass back on that throne. You might’ve run off but I like my home. And I'd like to get back to it before it implodes from civil war, happy?“

The keep was ancient.

Lucy recognized that within days of her arrival. Pieces of it were no longer serviceable to living with bits of wall and roof crumbling inward. Even fewer areas remained intact after the incident. Lucy remembered the gaping maw that was now the outside of the keep. It was a horrifying sight as the remains of fires crawled along its ancient body.

The halls that were usable smelled faintly of musk, a cloying mix of old sea salt and dust. At first, she found the smell suffocating— enough to make her eyes itch— but with the windows open to the Spring air, it had a refreshing taste to it.

But the walls quaking as magic surged beneath her feet down below, made her all too aware of the fortress' age. It rumbled up and along the walls, shuddering dust and old cobwebs from the ceiling above. It brought a shiver down her spine as she paused, carefully listening for further vibrations.

What had them so riled up down there? she wondered. Lucy knew of the meeting being held, was accustomed to the fact Makarov saved those meetings for his closest confidants unless he felt others were needed, but her curiosity pulled her to retreat back to the lower floors. Perhaps, if she was quiet enough, she could sneak up to the room and listen in, much as she heard many others had done in the past.

No, she shook her head and finished her climb up the last set of winding stairs, she could think about that later. She had more important things to focus on.

Jellal had looked mystified when Makarov refused visitation to Natsu. Lucy's plea to see him, keep him company -anything- had fallen on deaf ears. When his hand fell upon her shoulder in quiet support, urging the Chief to reconsider, she had looked to her kin with a raised brow, curious towards his motives, but the blue haired man wouldn't meet her eyes. She tried to ask, and he pressed a finger to his lips to silence her.

”Do what you feel is right,“ He told her, voice so quiet, Lucy felt the words were being spoken directly into her mind, ”he can forgive you later.“

Before she could think of what to reply, he'd been whisked off alongside Erza for their meeting, leaving the blonde behind with a whirling, conflicted mind.

A conflict that lasted for all, but two minutes before her expression steeled, her mind made up. She would see Natsu for herself when the moment presented itself, whether Makarov agreed to it or not. She was tired of asking permission.

Which brought her here, with more questions than answers, her legs sore from the flights of steps as gentle magic braced her weaker leg. The meditation Jellal taught her helped, and she proudly made it to the west wing without a single stumble.

But now she had to figure out which room belonged to the very Draconis she sought out. Each door was shut, some with rotted wood barely hanging on their hinges. Natsu wouldn't be behind those. Others looked pristine and new. She wondered how often they attempted renewing the keep, and what made them stop.

The hallway was eerily quiet as she sought out her trapped friend. The sounds of the world below didn't make it through such thick stone, and the magic tremors from before had dissipated. It left her feeling isolated, and uncertain if anyone truly was up there.

”I can't believe he'd be left alone like this,“ She muttered to herself, fury rising in her veins, ”it's horrible.“

Why did Makarov think this was necessary? The thought burned in her mind, almost distracting her from a faint glimmer of purple out the corner of her eye. She stopped, doubling back to stare at the familiar magic that coated one of the doors: Freed's runes. She stared quizzically for a time, felt it through the air with her own senses, and lifted a finger to push through as a test.

Nothing happened. Was it there to prevent escape, rather than entry? Settling her nerves with a deep breath, she rapped her knuckles against the hardwood. She felt warmth spilling from the cracks beneath the door. He must be in here right?

No sound.

No reply.

She tried again, hard enough to make her hand sting, ”... Natsu?“ she whispered cautiously.

Suddenly there was nothing but noise. A curse, the sound of a body flailing from a bed, the old frame clacking against the wall as fabric and body tumbled to the floor. All this followed by the hurried, padded steps of bare feet as they ran to the door.

It swung with her hand still in the air, hanging frozen as she stared wide eyed at the most bedraggled Natsu she had ever seen, gripping the door like a lifeline. A wave of heat brushed across her face as all contained in the room rushed out through the chilled hall.

She had gotten so used to seeing bandages wrapping his body in the past weeks. He looked bare without them now. He was always picking at them. Without the watchful gaze of a healer or a guard, he must have given in to the temptation to release himself from his bindings.

Pale scars stood out from the familiar brown as they criss-crossed his body. No part of him was unmarred and guilt rose in the back of Lucy’s mind at the sight. The healing gouges where Kage’s magic sank into his skin, the dark lines that cobwebbed down his side that she knew were the remains of the lightning’s path when it flowed through his body: they were all there because of her.

Her stunned gaze fell to his neck and she had to struggle not to cry. It almost wrapped his whole neck, the fragile healing tissue raised and warped. It was a permanent signifier to how close she came to losing him.

His naked chest heaved as he sucked in heavy breaths of air and steam poured off his skin. Disbelief covered his face as Natsu’s gaze met hers.

”Lucy…?“ A hoarse, tired voice crackled from his lips. She spied the dark circles under his eyes, peering between sweat-slick bangs.

”What ... .what are ya' doing here?“

The question was an obvious one, but Lucy couldn't reply, too stunned by the look of him. Her fingers shook as she reached out for him, flinching back from the heat as she noticed the embedded, charred imprints of his feet in the stone.

Suddenly, her voice, and all manner of reasoning, left her and the romni struggled to remember why she'd come in the first place.

“I- I just,” She stammered, attempting to grasp her words as her eyes continued to examine him from head to toe. "I couldn't just leave you alone...”

Self-doubt reared its ugly head, smashing into her as she chewed her bottom lip, questioning her motives. Maybe Makarov was right, maybe she should have waited. He didn't look like he wanted to -

All thoughts flew from her mind as the heatwave that surrounded Natsu was extinguished in an instant. The burning on the floor turned to smoke and the waves of emanating magic sank within his skin as Natsu watched her with jaw slack and brows disappearing into the fringe of his sweat-slicked hair.

An arm engulfed her like a viper strike, dragging her in and against him, crushing Lucy in a hug tight enough to make her bones pop and the other slammed the door shut behind them. With face buried into her neck, Natsu's hot breath fanned across her skin as his body slumped against her, relaxing considerably.

He said nothing regarding her surprised squeaks, only pulled her further into the room, stumbling over their feet all the while keeping her flush against him. The edge of the mattress connected with the backs of his knees, easily falling to it with Lucy in his lap struggling to make sense of the situation. Her cheeks burnt brightly as the sudden turns of the room left her head spinning.

His arms encased her, but Lucy managed to ease away just enough to peer at his clouded eyes. He shivered as something not quite human gleamed in the depths of his pupils. As if he wasn’t all there.

“What are you doing-”

Yanking her back down with a hand behind her head, cut off her words as lips fastened against hers. Breathing harshly through her nose, she gasped against his chapped lips as a firm hand rested against her hip. It was sudden. Quick. And stole her breath as her mind screamed in a myriad of confused emotions from the action.

Reflex and instinct kicked in as Lucy bit down on his lip hard. A surprised squeak of pain left Natsu, his grip loosening just enough for her to scramble off at the first opportunity. Giving no time to recollect himself, her palm connected with his cheek in a resounding slap! The harsh sound reverberated around the empty room and echoed in their heads like an alarm.

Natsu’s eyes shifted between clarity and confusion as he held his now swollen cheek. Lucy shakily stood with her hand still raised for a second strike, shaking and tense. Her heart pounded hard and fast, as if attempting to burst from her chest and her lips felt swollen and raw.

“It's about time you got here,” He rasped, gaze burning straight through her soul.

Lucy blurted the first thing that came to her mind, “What in the HELL is going on here?”

#Fairy Tail #Fairy Tail Fanfiction #Nalu #Natsu x Lucy #Nalu Fanfiction #Natsu Dragneel #Lucy Heartfilia #whoops #that could have gone better #:3 #I'm sure Natsu will make up for it #probably

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