Keeping Secrets

Higher We Go

Welcome back!

So, this chapter is alternatively titled "The One Wall Wrote" XD. I think I got a little too excited about the airship but oh well.

Hope everyone enjoys!

Actual chapter title came from the song of the same name by Stratovarius

KEEPING SECRETS CHAPTER 25: HIGHER WE GO

Back in Natsu's room, August sat on his uncle's bed waiting for him, holding the file folders with the reports he and Jacob had found. Jackal remembering part of the name of the Grimoire Heart mage was proving to be a turning point in their search.

The door to the room opened, and Natsu entered, followed by Jackal. Jackal stopped suddenly, offering a small bow to August, who chuckled. August thought Jackal attempting any type of formality was comical. At least he's not as insufferable as Larcade.

"Hey August, what have you got?" Natsu said, voice full of enthusiasm.

August smiled. "I believe I've found your man." Pushing himself off the bed, and walking over to Natsu's desk, he laid out the two folders, one marked 'Rose Family of Crocus, Fiore' and one marked 'Grimoire Heart'.

"I found Jacob down in the intelligence division," August "When I told him what we were looking for, he pulled files on the Rose family and Grimoire Heart. We then noticed a very interesting overlap- the only son of Lord Alexander Rose and Lady Tarja Rose was a young boy, named... Rusty Rose."

Jackal's grin grew and he snapped his fingers. "That was it, Rustyrose!"

August nodded, a smirk slipping onto his face. "Indeed, there was a member of Grimoire Heart's Seven Kin of purgatory named 'Rustyrose'. When you shared that name with me, I knew it couldn't be a coincidence." He handed the folder on the Rose Family to Natsu. "I recommend reading the section focusing on Rusty Rose. Though... I should warn you; its contents may upset you."

Natsu nodded, picked up the folder and began to read... only for his face to contort in anger as he did. "Why am I not surprised..." He said through gritted teeth.

"What is it boss?" Jackal asked, curious at Natsu's mood souring.

"Just our old pals at the Magic Council up to their bullshit again." Natsu shook his head, and opened the report marked 'Grimoire Heart'. As he did, his eyes widened and darted back and forth between the two reports. "Yeah, it's him. No question about it. Comparing the pictures between the two confirms it, if nothing else."

As an amused smile formed on the etherious's face, Jackal said, "Wait, Rusty Rose and Rustyrose? Seriously? He used his own name as an alias? What a genius." Jackal laughed loudly.

Hand on his chin, August offered, "In his defense, it makes sense. With his entire family reported dead, who would suspect a child who 'died' years ago? Perhaps using his own name was his only way of holding on to what remained of his identity."

Jackal brought his own hand to his own chin, nodding at August's explanation, looking uncharacteristically in thought. "That's uh... deep. Real deep."

"Well, whatever his reasons, that's definitely him, and we need to find him." Natsu said, turning to Jackal. "You said when he came to Tartaros, he wanted you guys to help him rebuild Grimoire Heart?"

"Sure did. He and those two other guys with him. But when Kyoka used her curse on him, his pals vanished into thin air."

August's eyes widened slightly. "If he's skilled enough with Arc of Embodiment to recreate another human being with it, he is without a doubt the man we need. And the most logical place to begin our search would be the ruins of Grimoire Heart's airship. Based on his apparent attachment to the past, he's likely not far from it.