Keeping Secrets

Face Everything And Rise

Hello again everyone, welcome back!

Hope you enjoy this battle between dragon slayers!

KEEPING SECRETS CHP. 10- FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE

"Way to go boss! Told ya you had nothing to worry about!" Jackal exclaimed, holding out a water bottle for Natsu.

"Thanks, Jackal, but that was only round one. I got two more to fight, and Ajeel was probably the least strong of the three." Natsu took the outstretched bottle and began to drink.

"Still, you were incredible! You incinerated that entire sandstorm in one attack!"

"I can't believe I'm about to say this, but Jackal is right, Natsu. Ajeel has single- handedly destroyed entire armies. Defeating him is no mere trifle."

Natsu's face lit up as he saw his brother and August had teleported into the locker room he was using in the old colosseum "Hey guys!"

"Hello Natsu. I concur with His Majesty; you did excellent against Ajeel." August added.

"Thanks August. Still, I didn't plan on using fire dragon king mode so early on. Guess I'll have to get creative, 'cause I don't think I got the magic power to use it again today." Natsu sighed.

"That is what those powers are for, Natsu." Zeref said, offering his brother a small smile. "To give you an edge when you find yourself staring down a powerful opponent. And most of the time, fighting enemies isn't so... organized. Don't forget to reap the benefits of that." Zeref reached his hand out, holding another bottle with an unknown liquid sloshing around inside.

Natsu raised an eyebrow and took the bottle, questioning, "What is this?"

"A gift from Dimaria. Go on, try it."

Natsu opened the lid and sniffed, sticking out his tongue in disgust as he did. Whatever this 'gift' was, it smelled horrible. He looked at Zeref in disbelief, but his brother just smiled and nodded, urging him to drink. Natsu took a deep breath and chugged the bottle. "Gross!" he spat, trying not to gag.

"Try and keep it down, if you can." August kindly offered. "Its taste is horrid, but you'll find its effects useful."

"I highly doubt that it... wait what?" Natsu started to contest August's statement but found his exhaustion from the battle gone and his magic power completely restored. "I feel... like I haven't even fought yet!"

"We didn't think it was fair God Serena and Larcade would get to fight you after you'd already been fatigued from your other battles." Zeref explained. "So Dimaria, August, and I came up with this little concoction to restore your energy. I'd still avoid using fire dragon king mode again. That ability is quite powerful and puts a lot of strain on your body, stamina regained or not."

"Yeah, makes sense. I'll try to avoid it. Would have been useful against God Serena's eight dragon slaying abilities, though."

"It probably would have." Zeref admitted. "But remember, you still have plenty of skills left in your arsenal."

"Lord Zeref's right, you've not even used any of your curse power yet!" Jackal chimed in. "That'll hit him out of left field for sure!"

"You need to stop referring to His Majesty as 'Lord Zeref'," August scolded the etherious for a moment before turning back to Natsu, his features lightening, "However, Jackal is correct. God Serena has no knowledge of etherious, despite being around Larcade and Bloodman for several months. He tends to overlook or flat out ignore everyone around him in arrogance. And now," August smirked before saying, "that arrogance will be his undoing."