Bound by Fire and Stars [Rewritten NaLu Fanfic]

8. Natsu's Panic

The oppressive silence of the forest deepened, a suffocating blanket that clung to Natsu as he stumbled through the shadows, calling out for Lucy. "Lucy! Where are you?" His voice echoed, swallowed by the trees, each passing second amplifying the dread coiling in his chest.

He had been prepared for danger, for challenges, for anything that would test their resolve, but losing Lucy, losing her in this dark, twisted forest, was a terror he hadn't anticipated. Panic surged through him like wildfire, consuming the carefree spirit he usually wore like armor. He could almost feel the shadows creeping closer, whispering doubts into his ears.

"C'mon, Lucy! This isn't funny!" he shouted, frustration lacing his words. The fear that had begun as a quiet whisper now roared in his mind, drowning out his thoughts. The forest felt alive around him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that it was conspiring against him. He clenched his fists, flames licking at his fingertips, the heat a stark contrast to the chilling air surrounding him.

"Lucy!" The name felt heavy on his tongue, weighed down by worry and something else, something deeper that had always been there, lurking beneath the surface. He had fought alongside her, laughed with her, but never had he felt so completely unmoored as he did now. The thought of her alone, vulnerable, sent a pang of fear through his heart.

He pushed through the underbrush, his senses heightened, instinctively scanning the darkened landscape. Natsu's usually bright eyes flickered with desperation as he called for her again, his voice more urgent. "Where are you?!"

His heart raced as he recalled her laughter, the way her smile could light up even the darkest days. The bond they shared was unlike anything he'd ever known, and the thought of losing her was like a knife twisting in his gut. I can't lose her. I won't!

Every shadow morphed into a potential threat, every rustle of leaves a reminder of how fragile their adventure had become. He cursed under his breath, frustration boiling over into a simmering rage. Whoever did this, whoever took her... I'll make them pay!

Natsu felt the fire within him ignite, a blaze of determination fueled by an almost primal instinct to protect. He wasn't just fighting for a friend anymore; he was fighting for something more profound, something that resonated within him, a fierce need to keep her safe, to bring her back.

As he took a deep breath, he focused on the warmth of his flames, letting it steady him. "Hang on, Lucy. I'm coming!" With renewed purpose, he surged forward, the fire at his fingertips illuminating the path ahead.

Natsu charged through the underbrush, the branches clawing at him like desperate hands. The forest twisted around him, shadows stretching ominously. What if I can't find her? Panic flickered in his chest, and he shook it off, forcing himself onward, fueled by a fire that burned hotter with each moment. He couldn't let doubt consume him. He couldn't fail her.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees, freezing him in place. Heart racing, he turned to face a twisted creature lurking in the shadows. It snarled, eyes glowing like embers. Natsu met its gaze, and a memory flooded his mind. Lucy laughing as she helped him clean up the guild after a chaotic mission.

"If you keep blowing things up, we'll never finish!"

That laughter, that warmth, he couldn't lose it. With a fierce shout, he ignited his fists, launching into action. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" The flames illuminated the darkness, incinerating the creature in an explosion of light. But as the ashes settled, a hollow victory nagged at him.

Every foe he faced only reminded him of her absence. He pushed forward, breathing hard, recalling another moment when Lucy stood strong against a powerful enemy, her courage radiating like a beacon. "We can do this together, Natsu!"

He had promised to protect her, to stand by her side, but what good was that promise if she was out there alone, trapped?

Pushing through thick brambles, he stumbled into a clearing dominated by a steep cliff, with a raging river at its base. The water thrashed violently, as if mirroring the turmoil in his heart. Each surge reminded him of how quickly things could change, how fleeting their moments together could be.

Suddenly, a sharp growl broke through the air, and another beast emerged, forcing him to jump back. He barely had time to react as it lunged at him, fangs bared. "I'm not done yet!" he roared, summoning fire once more. But as he defeated this foe, he felt his resolve shake. If I don't hurry...

"Natsu!" He shouted Lucy's name into the void of the forest, desperation lacing his voice. He needed her to hear him, to know he was coming.

And just as he thought of her, a memory hit him, Lucy's gentle smile when she first joined the guild, how she brought warmth and light into his life. I can't let her down. I won't lose her.