Bound by Fire and Stars [Rewritten NaLu Fanfic]

2. The Mysterious Village

2

The floorboards creaked softly under the feet of guild members gathered around the central table. Master Makarov stood at the head, his small stature contrasting with the gravity of his expression. The lively buzz from the guild's usual ruckus had quieted to an attentive murmur. Everyone sensed the seriousness in the air.

Lucy shifted her weight, glancing at Natsu, who stood at her side, arms crossed and eyes flickering with excitement. Despite the sombre atmosphere, Natsu's energy was contagious, and she felt her anticipation brewing. Happy, perched on Natsu's shoulder, swung his little tail, his gaze attentive yet glimmering with the promise of a new adventure.

Master Makarov cleared his throat, drawing everyone's focus.

"Thank you for gathering here, everyone. I have the intel on the quest you are about to undertake," he began, his voice carrying a note of caution that sent a shiver through Lucy. "There's been word of strange happenings in the village of Alderwood, a town just beyond the eastern woods. People have vanished without explanation, and some of the villagers claim to see...lights like orbs deep within the forest at night."

The mention of orbs brought an eerie quiet. Lucy felt a prickle at the back of her neck. Lights like orbs in the forest at night were reminiscent of an old fairy tale but with darker undertones. She exchanged a glance with Natsu, who merely grinned, his eyes alight with excitement.

"Alderwood has asked for help, and I believe this mission requires both power and...caution," Makarov continued, his gaze lingering on Lucy. "Lucy, I'm asking you to join this mission because of your skills with celestial spirits. Your magic may help us make sense of whatever is out there."

Lucy felt a thrill of both honour and nervousness at being singled out. Makarov rarely directed missions toward specific members. But if her celestial magic could provide insight, she was ready to use it.

Makarov leaned on his staff, his gaze serious "I'll say it again: this is not a typical mission. The forest itself holds traces of old magic, and I fear the disappearances may be tied to something powerful. Lucy, your spirits may sense things that ordinary magic cannot detect." "Don't worry, Master. With Lucy's magic and my flames, we'll have this mystery solved in no time!" Natsu grinned.

"I'm sure you will, Natsu... Just remember, power alone won't be enough." The guild master sighed.

Erza stepped forward, her voice steady and serious. "I've heard stories about Alderwood. They say the forest is...old, older than Magnolia, even older than most places in Fiore. The villagers there believe the forest is alive and holds secrets that should remain undisturbed."

Gray, leaning against a pillar nearby, crossed his arms, sceptical. "You really believe that old ghost story, Erza?"

Erza's stern gaze pinned him down. "I've learned not to dismiss tales when lives are on the line. We all should."

Gray held up his hands in surrender, though his face softened with understanding.

Turning back to Natsu and Lucy, Makarov placed a comforting hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Be mindful of the old ways out there, Lucy. This might not be like anything you've seen before."

Lucy nodded, steeling herself. "I understand, Master. I'll keep my wits about me."

"Good," Makarov replied, then turned to the rest of the guild. "And remember, keep your distance. This forest isn't just dangerous; it's different. Don't go getting any ideas about venturing out there without a strong team."

Natsu, grinning, nudged Lucy playfully. "So, Luce, ready to solve this spooky mystery?"

Lucy rolled her eyes, though a small smile escaped her. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Just then, Mirajane stepped forward, a comforting smile softening her expression.

"Lucy, Natsu, Happy, take care of each other. And remember, if anything seems off, trust your instincts."

Lucy felt warmth radiate from her friend's support. "Thanks, Mira," she replied, feeling a little steadier.

Happy, sensing the seriousness, gave a small nod, though his voice still held its cheerful ring. "Aye, sir! We'll get to the bottom of this!"

With final words of encouragement from their friends, Lucy, Natsu, and Happy gathered their belongings. As they left the guild hall, the rest of the guild watched a blend of pride and worry etched on their faces. It was rare that a mission carried so much mystery, and something in Lucy's gut told her that whatever awaited them in Alderwood was only the beginning.

As they ventured further from Magnolia, the cheerful atmosphere began to shift. The sky, once clear and bright, turned a shade darker as if heavy clouds had crept in uninvited. The trees lining the path gradually thickened, their trunks gnarled and twisted, stretching up toward the sky. Shadows deepened beneath their branches, creating an unsettling illusion of movement that made Lucy's heart race.

"Hey, it's getting a bit quiet, don't you think?" Happy fluttered his wings nervously, his ears twitching at the sudden stillness. "I miss the noise of the guild."

Lucy nodded, unease creeping into her chest. "Or maybe you just miss the fish at the guild," she teased lightly, though her voice trembled slightly.

Natsu shot her a playful smirk, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "You scared, Luce?" he asked, nudging her playfully with his elbow.

"Of course not! Just... cautious," she replied, defensively straightening her back, trying to shake off the growing tension in the air. Deep down, she felt a nagging instinct that something was not quite right.

The path ahead seemed to narrow as they approached the outskirts of the forest, the trees towering over them like ancient sentinels. The cheerful birdsong that had accompanied them began to fade, swallowed by an eerie silence that pressed down on them.

"Is it just me, or does it feel like the forest is... watching us?" Lucy murmured, her eyes darting to the looming shadows.

Natsu, ever the optimist, shrugged off her unease. "Come on! It's probably just the trees. They can't hurt us!" he said, though even his voice lacked its usual bravado.

But Lucy couldn't shake the prickling sensation at the back of her neck. The familiar sense of loneliness crept in, amplifying the tension in the air. She cast another glance at the forest, her heart pounding.

"Let's keep moving," she said, her voice firm as they stepped into the shade of the ancient woods, the path ahead darkening under the canopy of twisted branches. As they entered Alderwood, the warmth of the sun disappeared, replaced by a cool, damp air that clung to their skin. The shadows stretched longer, and Lucy felt a shiver run down her spine.