Book 1: The Sealed Heart (Natsu X OC)

Chapter 25

Brynhildr's P. O. V:

The sound of birds chirping fills my ears as I sit next to Gray in the small boat we're taking to wherever Erza and Happy are, a worried expression on my face. Juvia sits at the prow of the boat, Lucy sits opposite Gray, her right hand on the steering lacrima that controls the movement of the boat, and Natsu has draped himself over the edge of the boat, trying not to vomit into the ocean.

Lucy says worriedly as we sail along tranquil waters, the sky a clear blue above us, "I'm worried about those people who are stuck in the cards. You think they're okay?"

Gray replies, leaning his elbows against the side of the boat, "We let the military know about 'em before we left, so I'm sure they'll be fine."

"I hope so..."

Gray suddenly asks, looking around, "Wait a minute! Where the heck are we?!"

Juvia responds, "Juvia doesn't know. We've been following Salamander's lead."

Looking to the pinkette, Lucy asks seriously, "Natsu, are you sure we're going in the right direction...?"

Her only response was Natsu attempting to keep from vomiting, tears pricking his eyes as beads of sweat appear on his face, drool coming out of his mouth.

Lucy deadpans at him, smiling sheepishly.

Gray snaps in annoyance, his arms crossed over his bare chest, and a yellow tick mark of annoyance throbbing on the side of his head, his eyes annoyed white triangles, "Man!! We're relying on your sense of smell. Pull it together!"

Her eyes angry white triangles, Juvia snaps at Natsu, "How dare you disappoint my love with your childish actions!"

Gray mutters, "Geez! I can't believe how easily they were able to knock us out and kidnap Erza, and Happy. We're pathetic!"

Juvia states, "In our defence, they must've been powerful wizards to beat one as strong as Erza."

"What...?!" Gray snaps angrily, jerking a glare to the blue haired girl. "They didn't beat her! Quit talking like you know her, 'cause you don't!"

Juvia cries, "Juvia is sorry!!"

Lucy cuts in and says in a calm tone, "Calm down! What's your problem? Those goons that attacked us said they were old friends of Erza's. Which makes me wonder... if we know her any better than Juvia does."

We all gaze at Lucy, except for Natsu, and Gray's glare ebbs away a bit.

I just know that Erza has a good heart, through and through. I absolutely refuse to believe that Erza is anything like Sho and his friends.

Suddenly, Natsu looks around, snapping out of his pained state, and mutters as he jumps to his feet, "Huh...? What the...?!" He looks to his right, fist clenched. "I just got a weird feeling."

We glance at him, slightly surprised.

We look at the sky, watching as the birds fly above, chirping. They abruptly fall out of the sky, and drop into the ocean, their song dying out as they fall.

A hand to my mouth, I breathe in shock, "The birds...!"

Gray wonders, "What's happening to 'em...?"

The boat bumps against something solid and we look down. Lucy and I gasp at the carnage scattered around us, wooden planks and logs, and even large dead fish with green coloured scales.

Gray mutters, "Not the fish, too!"

Juvia breathes, "Juvia has never seen anything like it!"

I narrow my caramel brown eyes as I state, spotting an orange flag with a red symbol on it, "That's wreckage from a Fiore naval ship."