Tides of Virtue (Fairy Tail Fan-Fiction)

You're Such a Newbie-Kisser

Tides of Virtue – Chapter 25

 

She raised her hand…

 

        The flesh on her forearm began to smolder and glow as a ball of shimmering light collected in the center of her palm. It grew larger and larger until it was about the size of a basketball, and that’s when Serenity released it, letting it soar toward Laxus at such a rapid velocity that Natsu didn’t even comprehend what had just happened until Laxus was sent flying across the room, a huge hole in his shirt from where the glowing ball had burnt through it.

        Laxus smashed into the wall—his eyes wide and bloodshot, his mouth gaping in a silent cry of terror and pain, and his chest red and charred where he’d taken the blow from Serenity’s attack. He fell to the ground in a crumpled heap; a spider web of cracks left behind on the wall where he’d slammed into it.

        Natsu expected him to stand back up, but when he didn’t, a strange feeling of fear and anxiety settle in his jut, making him feel like he might throw up. Swiftly, he rushed over to Laxus’s side, Gajeel right on his heels. Sliding onto his knees, and rolling the mage onto his back, the Fire Dragon Slayer was surprised to find him out cold, a steady stream of blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth. That little attack did this? He thought, looking over his shoulder at Serenity, who was sauntering toward them, a dangerous light flickering in her abysmal blue-eyes.

        Gulping, Natsu stood up protectively in front of Laxus. “Serenity, what do you think you’re doing?” He inquired firmly, his eyes narrowed into slits.

        She tried to push passed him, but he grabbed her arm, stopping her attempt. “I have to finish it,” she replied, her words spoken like daggers, “I have to end his meaningless existence.”

        “Serenity!” Natsu exclaimed as she began to writhe in his grasp, trying to break free of him. “Stop it! You can’t kill him! He’s our guildmate! Are you crazy?! So, he’s done some bad stuff, but you’ve won. You have to stop now!”

        Suddenly, she turned on Natsu, her nails outstretched as they soared right toward his face. Releasing her, he dodged just in time to avoid having his eyes torn out of his skull. “I’m not Serenity! I’m Ciara! And I’ve had quite enough of you! You’re such a dense, little prick!” Lunging forward, Serenity—no—Ciara tackled Natsu the ground and landed a few solid punches to the side of his face, before he was able to kick her off of himself and roll out of her reach.

        Breathing heavily, he stood up from where he’d been crouching, and slowly wiped at the blood that was running down his chin. Sending a sideways glance over at Gajeel who was standing dumbfound in front of the unconscious Laxus, Natsu commanded firmly, “get Laxus back to the guild, and tell everyone to stay away from here. I don’t know what’s going to happen.” Gajeel’s eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded obediently, before picking up Laxus and leaving through a large hole that had been made in one of the walls at some point.

        A solemn air settled around the two Dragon Slayers that remained in the cathedral. Dropping his gaze to the ground, Natsu smiled sadly. “I won’t fight you, because I know you’re in there somewhere, Serenity.” His fists clenched at his side. “I will never give up on you.” Looking up, Natsu looked Ciara right in the eyes. Her eyes were a rich electric blue color that reminded him of Macao’s Purple Flare magic when it was at it’s strongest. Suddenly, he gasped as he thought of something.

        “Hey, you remember our first mission together?” Natsu called over to Ciara who looked at him blankly, her fists, which had been clenched at her side, slowly going slack. “Lucy was complaining about how cold it was, but you…you used me to keep warm. I thought you were weird at first.” He ran a hand through his spiky hair pushing it out of his eyes as a small bashful smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “But then you were a total idiot and jumped to save me when I fell through that hole, and then you beat the Vulcan and saved Macao.” He laughed. “Then we had that brawl and you cheated—“