Keeping Secrets

Released Power

Alright everyone, full disclosure here, I almost did not write this story because of these next few chapters. Evidently, writing narrative parts comes to me a lot easier than writing battles/ training scenes. That said, I'm fairly happy with how these next few chapters came out. I feel like they move a little slower than the ones I've uploaded so far, so I hope you'll stick with me! We do get plenty of brotherly bonding, silly moments and some nice slice of life scenes at the very least.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Also, RIP buffer. June 2024-August 2024 :P

Chapter Art by Sam- Basen  

KEEPING SECRETS CHAPTER 7: RELEASED POWER

Natsu's blissful dream of a forest made of desserts was brought to an abrupt end when Gray showed up and froze everything. Wait.

Natsu breathed in ice cold air. He WAS freezing. And he was sopping wet. Actually, everything was sopping wet. Him, the covers, the mattress. This better not be what I think...

It was exactly what he thought. Looking at the foot of his bed, he saw his brother smiling in a way Natsu could only describe as evilly, holding an outstretched empty bucket.

"What the Hell, Zeref?!" Natsu roared as he launched himself out of bed and lunged towards his brother.

Zeref playfully dodged him and said, "Well I kinda forgot about your alarm lacrima. And I still can't wake you up very well... but it's time to get up. We have a long day ahead."

Natsu's room was still almost pitch black, the sun had not started to rise over the skyscrapers of Vistarion just yet. Natsu sighed. He hated early mornings. He now remembered Zeref always trying to wake him up very early when they were small. He'd say annoying things like 'the early bird gets the worm' and 'you'll sleep your whole day away!' Natsu had usually just ignored him and went back to sleep or just slept through it completely, which would lead Zeref to going to get their dad, who was a master at getting Natsu to wake up, whether it was bribing him with food, promising different types of adventures once he got out of bed, or just tackling him and tickling his younger son till he woke up. Zeref started trying to use those tactics as well, but there was something special about his dad being the one doing it.

I really do wish Dad was here now. Natsu put the melancholy thought out of his head and wiped some of the excess water off his face, scowling at Zeref. "You are seriously the worst, you know that?"

"Well consider it a wakeup call in more ways than one." Zeref's tone became slightly more serious. "Today's training will push you to the very depths of despair."

Natsu blew a raspberry in response. "You're so overdramatic. I've heard enough despair talk from you. So instead," Natsu smirked. "I'll just show you how I overcome it!"

Surprisingly enough, Zeref chuckled. "I truly hope you can keep that optimism going, Natsu." He reached out and grasped Natsu's shoulder.

Natsu felt everything sway for a moment and a gust of wind hit his face. Opening his eyes, he gasped. Instead of his bedroom, they found themselves in a large circular room with a domed ceiling, with several small windows near the top allowing a small amount of light to illuminate the chamber. Given the stones' darkened color and aged appearance, it appeared they were still in the palace.

"I just saved us at least a fifteen-minute walk. You're welcome." Zeref said, smiling.

"Whoa." Natsu said, both at Zeref's teleportation spell and the massive room he found himself in.