Child of Magic | jerza

The Last Dragon Lord [4]

"Why are we going back?" Jellal asked.

I didn't know what to say. How was I supposed to tell him that Natsu was a Dragon Lord. Natsu! That stupid fool! Surely after he tamed Igneel, Faust would execute him!

"The Dragon Lord is dead," I told him.

"W-What?!" he asked. "When did you even find him?"

"Her," I corrected. "She was that woman who healed you. She died."

"How?"

I shrugged. "Bandits, I guess."

Jellal sighed. "So now I'm going back to the castle- back to my father- after disobeying him. And I'll have to tell him we failed to find a Dragon Lord. That Fiore has no hope of surviving this dragon attack?"

"I'm sorry."

He looked at me but said nothing.

~ ~ ~

"You disobeyed me."

"I'm sorry, Father," Jellal murmured, kneeling before his father. The king of Fiore looked down at him in cold silence.

"You took the word of a lowly knight over my word?"

"I shouldn't have done it. I regret it."

He pointed to me. "Take her to the prison cells."

Two guards immediately grabbed both of my arms. I struggled briefly but quickly gave up. There was no point.

"Father-"

"Go to your room."

Jellal laughed coldly. "There's a freaking dragon attacking us and you tell me to go to my-"

From outside, Igneel roared and the ground shook. Faust jumped out of his throne and looked at the ceiling as if he was afraid the roof would cave in any minute. It would have been funny if it weren't true. And if I weren't being arrested.

"Father, listen. Please. If I slay this dragon, let Erza Scarlet go."

The king raised an eyebrow. "And if you can't?"

"I'll be dead by then."

I saw the king's face pale. He glanced at Porlyusica who nodded. "Very well. Take the finest knights with you."

The guards released me and I quickly bowed to the king. I ran out of the room. I had to find Natsu.

~ ~ ~

"Natsu Dragneel, child of the dragons. How dare you go against me?" Igneel asked.

Natsu rubbed his head.

"What's wrong, baka?" Gray asked. 

"Someone's talking to me inside my head," he muttered.

Gajeel laughed. "Looks like someone's going crazy!"

Gray elbowed Natsu and said, "He's already crazy!"

Jellal opened the door and yelled, "Put on your armor. We're going out again?"

Gajeel motioned to his injured arm. "Excuse me?"

Jellal sighed. "We have no choice. We need to kill the Great Dragon."

"Stop arguing and hurry up," I shouted from behind the prince.

We were wasting time.

Natsu pulled on his armor and walked behind me, helping me strap on my chest plate. I picked up my battered helmet from the window sill and tucked it under my arm.