Chapter 19 : Shattered Illusions

AN: I just noticed that the story reaches 100k views so here's a bonus chapter. Enjoy and there is an announcement at the bottom.

PS: This is currently longest chapter, 4017 words. 

A few hours had passed since the battle in the village. The villagers had safely evacuated to a makeshift shelter, thanks to the combined efforts of Lucy and Natsu, though the latter's absence now lingered like a heavy cloud over the group.

Lucy stood outside the shelter, looking out over the darkened village. Gray, still battered but recovering, stood beside her, his expression tight with concern. Happy, perched on her shoulder, let out a worried mewl.

"Do you think Natsu's okay?" Lucy asked, breaking the silence. She tried to push the worry out of her voice, but the fear that Natsu hadn't returned yet made her voice crack.

Gray let out a heavy sigh, his usual sarcastic tone absent. "He's Natsu. He'll be fine. He's just... doing his usual thing of running off without thinking."

Happy flapped his wings, agreeing with Gray but still looking troubled. "Yeah, but he's been gone a while. I've never known Natsu to take this long with a fight."

Lucy frowned, pulling her arms tight around her chest. "I know. But... what if something happened to him? He's strong, but he's always rushing in without thinking." She shot a glance at Gray, who still looked distant, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"It's just like you said," Gray responded, his voice softer now, though there was still a hint of frustration. "We're going to find him. It's Natsu we're talking about. He doesn't quit easily."

Happy nodded. "That's right! We're all a team, we'll get him back."

Lucy gave them both a small, forced smile before nodding. "Okay. Let's go find him. I'm not going to just sit here while he's out there alone."

Gray hesitated for a moment before his icy expression softened just a little. "We need to stick together," he said, looking between Lucy and Happy. "I'll go with you. But we'll need a plan."

With that, the trio set off, ready to track down their missing guildmate. The night air was heavy with tension, and the path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was for sure—they weren't about to leave Natsu behind.

...

The sun had barely begun to rise, casting its pale light over the temple ruins. Inside, the air was thick with tension as Lyon stood at the center of the room, observing the altar where the Moon Drip ritual will be held. His expression was unwavering, the coldness in his eyes betraying no emotion. Toby had just finished reporting the defeat of Yuka and Sherry, and though Lyon's lips barely moved, his displeasure was evident.

Toby, panting from his previous battle, stepped forward. "Lyon… the others, they've been defeated. Yuka and Sherry didn't stand a chance."

Lyon waved him off dismissively. "Toby, you disappoint me. But the ritual is almost complete. Nothing will stop us now."

A voice from the shadows interrupted Lyon's thoughts. Zalty, the mysterious figure who had been silent up until now, stepped forward. "Lyon, the Moon Drip is almost complete. You're about to unleash Deliora, but you should know… it would be quite unfortunate if someone were to interfere now, wouldn't it?"

Lyon turned to face Zalty, his expression still calm, though the weight of the situation was not lost on him. "I'm not worried. Deliora will be freed, and I will kill it. No one can stop me. Not now."

Zalty chuckled softly, though there was no warmth in the sound. "It's true, you are strong, Lyon. But there are others. A third party is lurking around here, watching, waiting… and Salamander might be a problem."

Lyon raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "That idiot? He can't possibly challenge me."

Zalty's expression shifted, a glimmer of curiosity flashing through his cold eyes. "Very well, if you say so. But I'll join in the fight as well, just in case things get a little... interesting."

The atmosphere suddenly shifted, the tension mounting, as if the very air was vibrating with the promise of an impending storm. Just as Zalty finished his sentence, the entire building lurched, tilting dangerously to one side. The floor beneath them cracked loudly, and before anyone could react, a section of it broke open.

From beneath the wreckage, Natsu emerged, his hair disheveled and his clothes a little worse for wear. He'd fallen asleep in the woods the previous night, exhausted from his battle with the two subordinates, and had only now managed to make his way back to the temple. His eyes blinked in confusion as he slowly stood up from the debris.

Zalty, his eyes narrowing, studied Natsu for a moment before speaking. "So, it's you… I see you've been causing quite a bit of trouble. No matter, I'm not about to let you spoil the Moon Drip ritual."

Natsu, brushing the dust off his jacket, scowled and took a step forward. "I'm not here to let you get away with whatever you're planning either."

Zalty raised an eyebrow, impressed by Natsu's resilience. "Hmm, you've been quite persistent. But it's clear you don't understand the gravity of the situation. The Moon Drip is nearly complete. If it were to be interrupted now… the ritual could fail, and that would be quite a problem."

Natsu cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "I don't care what you're planning. I'm stopping it, no matter what!"

Zalty's gaze shifted slightly, a sharp look of calculation passing over him. "Interesting... You've been interfering from below the ground. You tilted the ruins to stop the ritual's power from reaching Deliora, didn't you?"

Natsu's eyes flashed. "Got it in one. I'm not letting you unleash that monster."

Natsu's eyes burned with determination as he lunged at Lyon, fire roaring from his fists. Without a moment's hesitation, he blasted himself into what he thought was his opponent, but the instant he collided with the ice, it shattered—revealing a mere ice clone.

Lyon's smirk never faltered. "Too slow."

From the pieces of the shattered clone, Lyon conjured ice eagles with a flick of his fingers, sending them hurtling toward Natsu with deadly precision. But Natsu wasn't fazed. With a grunt, he blew a powerful gust of fire towards the ground, using it to propel himself, narrowly avoiding the sharp talons of the eagles. The moment his feet hit the floor, he fired jets of flames at the incoming attackers, melting them to water vapor before they could reach him.

"Not bad, but you're gonna have to do better than that!" Natsu shouted, spinning on his hands in a sudden move. His body whirled in a blur as fire erupted from every direction, creating a spinning wall of flames that encircled the room. With a fierce roar, he prepared to unleash his ultimate move: Fire Dragon's Roar. His mouth opened wide, drawing in a deep breath to release a concentrated blast of fiery energy at Lyon.

But before he could release the attack, the floor beneath him suddenly cracked, and Natsu plunged downward into the debris below, his blast missing Lyon entirely. Smoke and dust filled the air as the fire fizzled out, leaving Natsu briefly disoriented.

Lyon narrowed his eyes, trying to locate Natsu. "What...?"

A voice rang out from the shadows, one filled with both authority and calm. "That would be my doing."

Zalty stepped forward, his figure emerging from the gloom as he casually observed the wreckage. 

Lyon frowned, his gaze shifting from Zalty to the hole in the floor where Natsu had vanished. "What was that? What magic did you use?"

Zalty's lips curled into a sly grin, being mysterious. "You can't be in danger cold emperor..."

Lyon's frown deepened, but he didn't argue. He was growing impatient. With a single motion, he raised his hand and began to conjure more ice. The temperature in the room plummeted as Lyon's ice magic enveloped the floor, walls, and ceiling. Soon, the entire area was covered in a thick layer of ice, trapping Natsu within it.

"This ends now," Lyon declared coldly, his eyes glowing with resolve. "I'll take care of you myself."

From the hole in the floor, Natsu climbed back up with a grunt, brushing off the dust and debris that clung to his clothes. "Why go through all the trouble of reviving Deliora?" he asked, his voice challenging, his hands ready for battle once more.

Lyon's lips curled into a bitter smile. "So I can surpass Ur!"

Natsu's gaze darkened, his fists clenched. "You think reviving that demon is going to make you stronger than Ur? You should just fight her yourself!"

Lyon's eyes flashed with anger. "She's already dead. And it's because of Gray." His voice quivered with barely contained rage.

Natsu's fists clenched tighter, flames beginning to lick his fingers. "So that's it, huh? You're using Deliora to avenge your pathetic bitterness? You've caused people so much pain for a reason like that?"

Before Lyon could react, Natsu rushed at him, flames burning brightly around him. "You'll pay for what you've done!"

Lyon's eyes burned with cold fury. He swung his hand, summoning ice daggers to launch at Natsu, but the Fire Dragon was already upon him, dodging and retaliating with flames hot enough to melt the very ice that Lyon had summoned.

The battle was far from over, and as the room grew colder, the tension between the two adversaries continued to rise.

Outside the ruined temple, Lucy and Happy stood ready to face Lyon's followers, who had surrounded them. The air was thick with tension, and the weight of what was happening inside the temple was not lost on them. Lucy turned to Happy, her resolve hardening.

"You stay here, Happy. I'll handle them."

"Right!" Happy replied, his small wings fluttering, ready to fight at her side.

Meanwhile, Gray, his face set in determination, was heading for the temple, leaving Lucy and Happy behind. He had one goal in mind: to stop Lyon, to put an end to this madness, and to somehow atone for his past mistakes.

As Gray entered the temple, he made his way quickly through the halls, his thoughts a blur. He could hear the sounds of battle growing louder as he neared the room where Natsu and Lyon were fighting. His heart pounded in his chest as he steeled himself for what was to come.

Finally, he came, his eyes immediately locking onto the fierce battle unfolding between Lyon and Natsu. The room was thick with tension as flames and ice collided, their power crackling through the air like a storm. The force of their battle made the ground tremble, and the heat from Natsu's flames mixed with the biting cold of Lyon's ice, creating an overwhelming sense of conflict. Lyon, noticing a shift in the air, glanced up, surprised to see Gray standing at the entrance.

"Natsu!" Gray called out, his voice cutting through the chaos. "I'm going to take care of this. This is my responsibility. I have to make up for what happened in the past."

Natsu, battered but still standing strong, shot Gray a sharp look, the weight of his words sinking in. He hesitated for a moment, reading the intensity in Gray's eyes, the determination he hadn't seen in a long time. "You sure about this, Gray?" Natsu asked, concern lacing his tone.

Gray's jaw tightened as he met Lyon's gaze, his eyes cold and determined. "I have to do this, Natsu. For what I did."

With a sudden motion, Gray dropped into a battle stance, his body coiled with energy. The room seemed to chill as his magic swirled around him like a frozen wind. Slowly, the temperature in the room began to drop, frost spreading across the walls and floor. Lyon's smirk faltered slightly, his eyes widening a fraction as he registered the spell Gray was about to unleash.

"No... You can't be serious," Lyon said, his surprise evident in his voice, though his stance remained firm.

Gray didn't speak. His focus was unwavering as he gathered his magic, calling forth the ultimate spell he had kept hidden for so long. Iced Shell. His breath came out in small, cold puffs, matching the aura of the magic he was preparing. Lyon watched, his eyes sharp, the cold beginning to creep into his limbs.

"Gray, stop! You don't know what you're doing!" Lyon called out, his voice betraying the slightest hesitation now.

Gray's voice was cold as ice, matching the power he was about to unleash. "I have to. It's the only way to make things right."

The room seemed to freeze in place, the temperature plunging as the ice spread rapidly. The walls, the floor—everything around them became encased in a shimmering layer of frost. Even Lyon, standing at the center of it all, was slowly becoming encased in ice, his movements slowing as the magic gripped him.

"Gray..." Lyon's voice trembled slightly, the first hint of uncertainty showing on his face. "You can't—"

But it was too late. Gray had made his choice.

The air in the room grew heavier, the pressure mounting as Gray stood with his hands raised, ready to unleash the full force of his magic. Ice swirled around him, his resolve clear as the power of Iced Shell began to manifest, its energy crashing against the very walls of the room. Lyon's followers, still outside, were likely unaware of the impending storm, but Gray knew that this moment would determine everything.

"Lyon," Gray's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Take your followers and leave the island. Now."

Lyon's eyes narrowed, his face grew a smirk as his previous expression vanished, though a trace of doubt lingered. "You think you can intimidate me with this magic? You've got a lot of nerve, Gray. I know what you're capable of."

Gray's gaze remained unwavering, his hands trembling slightly, but his determination never wavered. "This is your last chance, Lyon. Leave, or I'll end this myself."

Lyon scoffed, stepping forward with confidence, refusing to back down. "You wouldn't dare. You're bluffing."

A beat of silence passed between them, the air thick with tension. Gray took a step forward, and the ground beneath him began to crack. The ice spread even faster, covering everything in its path, the chill in the air becoming unbearable. His magic was charging, his will resolute.

"This is it, Lyon," Gray said, his voice firm and final. "I won't hold back anymore."

But just as Gray began to summon the full force of his power, a blur of motion caught his eye. Before he could fully cast the spell, a fist crashed into his side, sending him stumbling backwards.

"Gray, what the hell are you doing?!" Natsu shouted, eyes burning with frustration as he stood between Gray and Lyon. "I won't let you throw your life away like this!"

Gray's head whipped to the side, anger flashing in his eyes. "Natsu! This is something I have to end! You have no idea—"

Natsu stepped forward, shaking his head. "I know exactly what you're thinking, but you're wrong. Sacrificing yourself to end this is the same as running away from it! We fight for our guild, Gray. We fight together!"

Gray's breath hitched for a moment, conflicted between his guilt and the truth of Natsu's words. He clenched his fists. "But I need to fix it, Natsu. For everything I've done..."

Before Natsu could respond, a loud rumble echoed through the temple, and the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. The building itself seemed to shift, its ancient structure groaning as it re-aligned. Gray and Natsu exchanged a look, both instantly on alert.

"Wha—what's happening?" Gray said, struggling to maintain his footing as the temple moved.

From above them, a voice rang out, calm and sure. "It seems you're having a little trouble. Allow me to handle this."

Zalty appeared, his form casting a dark shadow over the scene. His smirk was evident, but there was a coldness in his eyes as he surveyed the two mages below.

"You!" Natsu yelled, fury evident on his face as he jumped to his feet. "What the hell did you do?!"

Zalty's voice was smooth and unbothered. "Ah, don't mind me. I merely shifted the temple's alignment. Returning it back to normal..."

Natsu's eyes burned with anger, the flames on his body flickering dangerously. "I'm ending this right now!"

With a fierce battle cry, Natsu rushed forward, flames pouring from his hands as he charged directly at Zalty. Zalty smirked, stepping aside with ease, his expression one of amusement as he observed Natsu's rush.

"Go on," Zalty taunted. "I'll be waiting."

Before Natsu could continue his charge, he paused, glancing at Gray.

"Gray!" Natsu shouted. "Take care of Lyon. I've got the other guy!"

Gray, still uncertain but trusting in Natsu's words, nodded sharply. "Understood. Go!"

With a fierce grin, Natsu turned his focus back to Zalty, his flames igniting once more as he prepared for their battle. Zalty merely watched him, unperturbed, ready for whatever the Fire Dragon would throw at him.

Gray, still conflicted, now faced Lyon once more. His hands clenched, and he slowly advanced toward his old rival. Lyon stood there, waiting, with a hint of hesitation in his gaze. This fight was far from over, but Gray had a different resolve now. He wasn't running from his past anymore.

Natsu's rage fueled his every step as he chased Zalty through the shifting ruins of the temple. His flames blazed brighter with each passing second, the air around him crackling as he relentlessly pursued the man who dared to interfere with his battle. But Zalty, ever calm and composed, was already a step ahead.

Zalty raised his hand with a slow, deliberate motion. The ceiling above them groaned, and without warning, chunks of rock and debris began to crumble down towards Natsu. The cavernous space echoed with the sound of stone crashing to the floor.

Natsu leaped forward, his body ablaze with fiery energy, his resolve stronger than ever. With a powerful roar, he smashed through the debris with ease, the rocks flying away in all directions as his flames consumed the space around him. He landed on his feet, barely phased by the collapse.

"Is that all you've got?!" Natsu yelled, eyes blazing with defiance.

But before he could move forward, a surprising thing happened. The ceiling, once shattered and broken, began to repair itself—stone by stone, the cracks sealed, the rocks returning to their former places. It was as though the destruction had never occurred at all.

Natsu blinked, stunned for a moment. "What the—?"

Zalty's voice echoed from behind him, smooth and uncaring. "That, my fiery friend, is a type of Lost Magic—one that I control."

Natsu narrowed his eyes, his teeth gritting as he whirled around to face Zalty, but the man was already gone. "Lost Magic, huh? You've got some weird tricks," Natsu muttered, his irritation growing.

He took a deep breath, his senses heightened as he scanned the area. Zalty's voice taunted him from somewhere beyond the walls, but the man had disappeared once again, fading into the shadows of the ancient structure.

"Where the hell did he go?" Natsu growled, his eyes scanning every corner of the temple for any sign of movement. His fists clenched in frustration. He was close, so close to catching Zalty, but the bastard had already vanished without a trace.

With his mind set and his heart racing, Natsu continued his relentless chase. He wouldn't stop until he caught Zalty. The Lost Magic user wouldn't escape this time.

...

The caverns surrounding Deliora were thick with tension. Zalty stood at the center, his hands raised to the sky, beginning the preparations for the ritual. The ritual's energies pulsed ominously, dark threads weaving through the air, gathering strength. The Moon Drip hadn't begun yet, but the atmosphere was already thick with anticipation.

Natsu had tracked Zalty to this location, fury burning in his chest. He wasn't going to let this ritual succeed. He had to stop them before Deliora was freed from its prison.

Zalty sensed Natsu's approach and smirked, turning just in time to see the Fire Dragon barreling toward him with a roar. "You're too late," Zalty said coolly, his voice laced with quiet assurance.

Natsu didn't slow down. He slammed his fists together, flames spiraling around him as he lunged toward Zalty with a fiery punch. "I won't let you bring that monster back!"

But just as Natsu reached him, the ground beneath them trembled. A brilliant flash of light flared from the center of the ritual, surging into the ice surrounding Deliora. The energy was volatile, wild, as if awakening from a long slumber. The first drip of the Moon Drip ritual began to descend, casting a pale glow over the ice and igniting the surrounding cavern with an eerie light.

Deliora stirred.

"No!" Natsu growled, realizing the ritual had already begun. The ice began to melt, revealing the demon's frozen form, its presence already stirring with power. "I'll stop that guy first, then we'll take care of Deliora!"

But Zalty blocked his path with a calm, almost bored expression. "Not so fast," he said, raising his hand. "You've got me to deal with first."

Natsu's fists clenched in anger. "I'll make this quick then…" He thought.

With a snap of his fingers, Zalty summoned a small crystal sphere, its surface glowing ominously. The orb shot toward Natsu with alarming speed, a trail of shimmering energy following it. But as the sphere neared, something unexpected happened.

It suddenly shattered into thousands of tiny pieces, each fragment scattering like stardust, leaving Natsu momentarily stunned.

Before Natsu could process what had just happened, a figure appeared in the shadows. The illusion flickered briefly, and Natsu's eyes widened in surprise as he saw a familiar form materialize.

"That's enough," the figure said, his voice low and deliberate.

The figure stepped forward, revealing himself as the one who had shattered Zalty's attack. It was Aurelius Nyx.

Natsu stood still for a moment, processing the sight. "You—what are you doing here?" he asked, his tone a mix of surprise and confusion.

Aurelius didn't respond immediately, his eyes narrowing at Zalty. "I believe I've been watching long enough."

Zalty's expression faltered slightly. He hadn't anticipated this interference. "You," Zalty hissed, his voice dripping with contempt. "Specter..."

Natsu's confusion grew. "Specter? What does that mean?"

Aurelius' gaze flickered briefly toward Natsu before locking back onto Zalty. "It's one of the many names the people gave me... Specter, Master of Deceit, Mirage, and many more..." he said coldly.

Zalty sneered. "Specter, you've only delayed the inevitable. The ritual is nearly complete, and nothing you do will change that."

Aurelius' eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and confidence. "I'm not here to stop the ritual, though... I'm here to protect my guildmates."

With a sudden flash, Aurelius' hand moved, and in an instant, illusions began to dance around the room, cloaking the area in a strange, shifting energy that distorted the surroundings. Natsu blinked, trying to make sense of what was happening, as Aurelius seamlessly manipulated the environment around them.

Zalty's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're playing a dangerous game, Specter. But it's too late."

As the Moon Drip ritual continued to unfold, with the ice demon now beginning to stir, Aurelius met Zalty's gaze with an icy calm, his mind already calculating his next move.

AN: Starting from now, for everyone 100 power stones this book gets, I will release 1 bonus chapter. This would be weekly, and at most 5 chapters will be released through this. Of course, this doesn't include bonus chapters that I will release once we hit milestone, this is just some extra more ways for me to release bonus chapters.