Bound by Fire and Stars [Rewritten NaLu Fanfic]

4. Tavern Encounter

The tavern, a robust structure with a thatched roof and warm, inviting light spilling from its windows, stood at the heart of Alderwood. It seemed to beckon to them, a place where tales of the past might linger among the wooden beams.

The heavy wooden door creaked as Natsu pushed it open, the faint chime of a bell announcing their arrival. The tavern was dimly lit, with flickering candles casting long shadows across the worn wooden tables. The air was thick with the smell of roasted meat and the low murmur of hushed conversations, punctuated by the occasional clatter of tankards.

As they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The few patrons scattered about the room turned their eyes toward the newcomers, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Natsu, ever unfazed, strode to the bar with a grin, while Lucy hesitated, feeling the weight of the villagers' wary glances.

"Let's ask about those lights!" Natsu declared, his enthusiasm undiminished by the sombre atmosphere. He hopped onto a barstool, leaning forward with eagerness.

The bartender, a burly man with a bushy beard and a furrowed brow, wiped his hands on a stained cloth before responding. "What brings you to Alderwood?" he asked, his tone cautious.

"We're here to help with the missing villagers!" Lucy interjected, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. "We've heard about the strange occurrences in the forest."

The bartender's expression darkened, and he glanced around as if ensuring no one else was listening. "You should be careful, then. People don't take kindly to outsiders poking around. They say the lights are the spirits of those who've vanished," he murmured, lowering his voice. "Many believe it's best to stay away from the forest at night."

Lucy felt a chill at the mention of spirits. "Have you seen the lights yourself?" she asked, trying to gauge the reality of the villagers' fears.

The bartender hesitated, his gaze flickering to the shadows. "Aye, but I've never gotten close enough to tell what they really are. Some folks say they're just will-o'-the-wisps, others think they're something far worse," he replied, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And then there's the cloaked figure. Seen 'em wandering the streets at night, just watching."

Natsu's interest piqued. "A cloaked figure? Sounds creepy! Do you know who it is?"

The bartender shook his head. "No one knows. Just... best to avoid trouble. You lot seem capable, but I'd still think twice before heading into the woods tonight."

Happy, perched on Natsu's shoulder, squinted at the bartender. "Do you know where we can find more information? Maybe someone who's seen these lights up close?"

With a reluctant sigh, the bartender pointed toward a corner table where an older man sat nursing a tankard of ale. "That's Old Gunter. He's seen more than most around here. If anyone knows anything about those lights, it'd be him."

Lucy exchanged a glance with Natsu and Happy, their resolve strengthening. "Thank you!" she said, her voice full of determination. They made their way to the table, the eyes of the tavern's patrons following them.

As they approached, Old Gunter looked up, his lined face reflecting a lifetime of worry. "What do you want?" he asked gruffly, suspicion lacing his voice.

"We're here to help with the missing villagers," Lucy said, trying to sound confident. "We heard you might know something about the lights in the forest."

Old Gunter studied them for a moment, his gaze sharp and assessing. "Help? Or get yourselves into trouble?" He took a long sip from his tankard before continuing. "The lights... they draw you in. It's as if they're calling to you, and once you follow them, you might not come back."

Natsu leaned forward, excitement glimmering in his eyes. "But you've seen them? What do they look like?"

Old Gunter's expression softened slightly. "They flicker like lanterns, dancing through the trees. But don't let their beauty fool you. They hide darker secrets. If you're planning to venture out tonight, you'll need more than courage—you'll need to be clever."

The weight of his words settled heavily around them. Lucy exchanged a worried glance with Natsu and Happy, the reality of their mission pressing down like the gathering shadows outside. But in her heart, a flicker of determination ignited. They were here to uncover the truth, no matter how dark it may be.

"Let's keep moving," Lucy said, a sense of urgency driving her forward.

Natsu, Lucy, and Happy gathered near the edge of the forest. The once comforting warmth of the day had surrendered to a chill that seeped into their bones, the air growing heavy with anticipation.

Natsu paced back and forth, his usual exuberance dampened by an undercurrent of nervous energy. He threw out half-hearted jokes, attempting to lighten the mood, but his laughter felt forced, echoing uneasily in the silent dusk. "What do you call a fire that can't stop talking?" he quipped, his grin stretching a little too wide. "A blabber-flame!"

Happy flapped his wings anxiously, hovering close to Lucy's side. "I'd prefer it if the only thing talking tonight is our stomachs. I could go for a fish feast right about now!" His comment, meant to lighten the mood, did little to dispel the tension that crackled in the air.

Lucy chuckled softly, but her heart wasn't in it. She took a moment to steady herself and reached into her satchel, feeling the familiar coolness of her celestial keys. Each key held its own weight, a reminder of the spirits she could summon, each one a fragment of her strength. She let the keys dangle from her fingers for a moment, the metal glinting in the fading light. "I know it's getting dark, but I have to believe that we can handle whatever's out there," she said, her voice steadying with resolve.

Natsu nodded, his expression serious now as he paused to meet her gaze. "We've faced crazier stuff before, right? This is just another adventure!" He attempted to sound confident, but Lucy could see the uncertainty lingering in his eyes, a flicker that mirrored her own worries.

"Yeah, but this isn't just any mission," Lucy replied, her tone softening. "These are people's lives we're dealing with. I can't shake the feeling that we're being watched." She bit her lip, glancing toward the darkening treeline where the forest loomed, its branches swaying ominously in the night breeze.

"Just remember, Lucy," Happy said, his voice a mix of sincerity and fear, "if things get scary, we stick together. Right?"

"Right," they both affirmed, the unspoken bond between them strengthening the determination in their hearts.

With a deep breath, Lucy pulled out her keys, aligning them carefully on a small rock to keep them organized. "I'll summon my spirits if we need help. They can sense things we might not be able to." Each key shimmered in the dim light, a beacon of hope in the gathering darkness.

Natsu stretched his arms, shaking off his nerves. "And I'll blast anything that comes at us with my flames! Nothing can handle that!" His enthusiasm began to return, the familiar spark igniting in his eyes.

"Just... try not to set the forest on fire, okay?" Lucy replied, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

"Noted!" Natsu replied with a mock salute, his playful demeanour returning.

As they prepared, the forest seemed to come alive with sounds—the rustling of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the whispering winds that carried secrets from the depths of the woods. Shadows danced between the trees, and Lucy felt a knot in her stomach tighten further.

Natsu and Happy exchanged light-hearted banter, their voices mingling with the night, but Lucy's mind was focused. She took a moment to centre herself, reaching for the keys again. She felt a surge of energy, a connection to her spirits that gave her comfort.

"Okay, let's go over the plan one last time," Lucy said, her voice firm. "We'll set up camp here. If we see those lights, I'll summon my spirits to help us investigate. We need to stay alert and—"

"Look out for cloaked figures!" Natsu interjected, his eyes wide with mock fear, but Lucy could see the tension in his shoulders.

"Yes, that too," she continued, a smile breaking through her seriousness. "But mostly, we need to keep our heads."

With a shared nod, the trio prepare for a stakeout in the forest.