Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

55 - A Haunting Lullaby

Advanced chapters on my pat_reon page! You can visit it to support me and get some other benefits if you're interested

patreon_com/TeemVizzle

Around 4-10 chapters are available if you want to read them ahead. Chapter 69 should be available by the time this chapter was uploaded.

...

[X784, Phantom Lord guild Building]

— Natsu Dragneel —

Natsu took a whiff into the air and grinned as he picked up a familiar scent. His head whipped to the side as Happy flew beside him.

"I got you, you metal bastard!"

"Wait up, Natsu!" Gray called, but Natsu was already moving.

The two burst into a large, dimly lit room near the heart of the Phantom Lord guild building. Natsu stopped in his steps as he saw the two people standing across from him.

Gajeel's arms were crossed over his chest as crimson eyes narrowed as he caught Natsu's gaze.

Beside him stood a woman with long blue hair, her form wrapped in a dark cloak — Juvia, if Erza's and Lucy's descriptions were right. Her head turned toward Natsu, her eyes widening slightly as recognition flickered across her face.

Gajeel smiled wide, revealing a fanged grin. "I smelled you coming from miles away, Salamander. This has been a long time coming."

Natsu slammed his fist into his palm, matching Gajeel's fanged grin with his own. "Yeah it has, Gajeel! You and I got some personal business to settle!"

"Then I guess I'll fight the water mage," Gray said coolly, shrugging off his shirt. His breath fogged slightly as his magic stirred to life, taking a stance with one hand above his palm. "Happy, find some cover and hide!"

"Aye sir!" The blue cat affirmed as he flew high up into the rafters.

"Let's take 'em!" Natsu shot forward, flames trailing from his fist. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Without missing a beat, Gajeel matched his attack with his own, his hand turning to solid steel.

"Iron Dragon's Hard Fist!"

Their punches collided in a deafening clang, sparks flying as fire met steel. A small shockwave rattled the room as dust rained from the ceiling.

Natsu twisted mid-air, flames flaring from his foot as he spun. "Fire Dragon's Talon!"

His burning kick slammed into Gajeel's cheek, sending the iron dragon stumbling back. But Gajeel grinned through the hit, his arm morphing into a jagged iron rod.

"Too slow, Iron Dragon's Hammer!" Gajeel roared, swinging his metal limb like a hammer.

Natsu barely had time to cross his arms before the rod struck his chest. He was rocketed backward, skidding across the floor as Gajeel rubbed his jaw with a crack of his neck.

"Damn it..." Natsu hissed, forcing himself upright just as Gray shouted.

"Ice-Make: Lance!"

A volley of ice spears shot toward Juvia, but she merely stayed put, her body turning to liquid as the ice passed harmlessly through her. She retaliated swiftly.

"Water Nebula!"

A powerful spiral of water shot toward Gray — but Gray sidestepped, and the torrent blasted Natsu instead.

"What the hell?!" Natsu sputtered, coughing up water as he staggered. "Watch where you're aiming!"

"Have some awareness, flame-brain! She wasn't aiming at you!" Gray snapped.