~Natsu~

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Once again Hades asked as the Giver was preparing herself to teleport me Gods knows where. After answering him for the fifth time I rolled my eyes. "For the last time yes. And if you ask again I'll throw you into a wall made of bricks." The Bringer bit his lower lip, contemplating over my decision until he forced himself away. I knew it was best he wasn't near me. Every time Hades asked me that stupid question it meant I didn't make the right decision. Either that or he really didn't think I could do this; stay in complete isolation without any food or water. That and being completely alone with my thoughts. Okay, I can see his point of asking so many times.

"Natsu," I heard my teammates walk closer to me, all eyes holding concern, as they smiled weakly. Erza was first to speak. "I hope you come back soon. Whatever happens, just know you can make it through this. We'll always be with you no matter what happens." The scarlet mage smiled, holding her tummy as if she was hugging herself. That's when she started to cry, which actually scared me, and Jellal needed to step in. Wendy pulled herself in a big hug that we both shared while telling me to be strong. I don't know why but they're making me feel like I'm never gonna see them again. I was only going to be gone for five days, so it wasn't as a big deal they were making it. Lastly, Gray came forward with a passive-aggressive face. For what felt like a long time we just stared at each other never breaking eye contact, until he hurled a punch straight into my cheek. "Oww! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"You better come back Flame Breath! We're all counting on you to bring Lucy back and if you fail I'll never forgive you!" After rubbing my bruised cheek, I returned an uppercut sending him flying into the bar. Luckily Mira dodged with grace still cleaning a used mug. "Thanks, Snowflake! That's exactly what I needed to hear." I meant it, somewhat. If I was unable to unlock my Sight then I wasted five days of searching for Lucy, but I can manage this then we'll be a step ahead of the Gods and the schemes they're currently plotting. Gray pushed himself to stand, wiping away the blood from his mouth, then smirked. "Good. Now, go and be the idiot you are."

I was about to send a Dragon's Roar if it weren't for the Giver clearing her throat implying she was ready. I turned away from my comrades not looking back for my sake as well as theirs. The Giver ordered me to sit with legs crossed and to be sure I only had the clothes on my back, excluding shoes for some reason. "You also need to lose the scarf." I flinched quickly grasping my muffler. "Why? Where I go so does my scarf. It was a gift from my father!"

"Scarves can be used as a pillow, a way of distraction, and also keeps in warmth. You must lose the scarf, Natsu." My fists clenched with aggravation. I've done everything so far for this old lady and now she's telling me to leave the only thing left I have of Igneel. What the hell is wrong with her!? "Hey Nat-zu, I can hold it for you while you're away." Happy's soft voice spoke breaking my attention and rage. My blue Exceed came closer holding back tears to be strong for me. Happy already knew only I could go alone for this, which meant he was stuck at the Guild Hall with Wendy and Carla once more. He's not only lost Lucy but now he's losing me for the time being. "Thanks, Happy. Only I trust you to take care of my muffler." With slow movement, I drew out my scarf that's been wrapped around my neck then placed it into Happy's paws. The Exceed held it close to his chest maybe even hugging it since it smelled like me. I smiled while patting his head like a small child. "Watch over Lucy for me while I'm away okay?" Happy sniffled, nodding his head. "I will. I'll protect Lu-shee while you're gone." I smiled. "I know you will."

"Are you ready?" The Giver questioned breaking my thoughts when I returned to where I was to sit. After crossing my legs, I inhaled, calmly exhaled, and repeated this motion a few more times. "I'm ready," I answered. The Giver raised her hand in front of my face, total concentration in her scowl until a bright light began to succumb around me. There was a loud ringing in my ear that it was beginning to grow harder to hear the final farewells of my comrades. All I could see and hear was the Giver. "Remember Natsu. This is a battle between Mind over Body. You will be tested, deceived, and possibly even lied to depending on the levels of your emotions. You must stay in control no matter what happens. Only you can do this now. Make us proud..." The blinding light took my vision, along with my hearing. Then, everything became dark.

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Gray

With that, Furnace Face was gone. All that was left of his existence was the burn mark on the wood where he sat. The Giver exhaled, due to exhaustion, but continued to stand whilst catching her breath. "He is no longer within my reach. Now it is up to him to unlock his Sight." The old woman, with the help of Hades, went to the nearest empty table as the entire guild surrounded her for answers. "So what do we do now? We can't just sit here and do nothing!" One of my fellow comrades spoke when the Giver raised her hand. "You are certainly right, Romeo. Though we cannot intervene, we can spectate Natsu as he dwells to unlock his Sight." The Giver, once more extending her hand out to the center of the table, a fairly large, purple orb shined to life. It was just dark inside of the center that I actually chuckled. "You gonna start telling fortunes now?" I sarcastically asked that it made the old lady chuckled. "No my child, the orb in front of you can sit and watch for countless days and nights gazing endlessly at the person you wish to spectate. This orb is incredibly powerful which is why it will stay in my clutch. If it falls into the wrong hands who knows what may befall on a poor soul." The Giver scrunched her eyebrows, scowling ever harder than before. "Show me: Natsu Dragneel." With a small tap of her index finger on the sphere, the orb illuminated with power until it was now showing us Natsu. "Amazing." Levy murmured as we all could see Natsu now.

He was passed out cold and was in a dark space that looked incredibly small. "Where the hell is he?" I asked trying to look closer. Hades squinted his eyes to inspect the surroundings like I am, but it seemed to click for him. "I've seen this place before. Giver...you sent him there?" I stood back up. "Sent Natsu where?"

"Earlier today, I explained to Natsu that I sat in a cave that has only been opened once. It's where I meditated for a millennium until I was able to unlock my Sight. However, the cave also holds a power of its own. There's a reason why the cave has never been opened or even been found." The Giver sighed. "Perhaps I should have told him, but if he knew the truth then unlocking Sight would never happen." I could only stand there and wait to see what the old woman was saying. The old lady shook her head. "He is not alone in that cave. A powerful being dwells there, and will feast on any person's negative emotions."

"What!? You mean to tell us you sent out comrade somewhere we can't reach him, and that he may not be able to unlock Sight because of this being in there!? Why didn't you say anything!?" I slammed my hand into the table which startled the old woman. "Most of my time in the cave I had no clue it was one of the children of Aini, a powerful demon that enjoys taking part in the manipulation of humans and their emotions." Levy gasped. "Aini, I've read about him long ago. He was one of the first demons to have existed since he used his powers to control the emotions of humans. He was exiled to the UnderLord after causing great destruction to EarthLand. Are you saying...Aini is in that cave with Natsu?" Levy sounded afraid. Her irises were small as she was starting to shake. "If Aini is trapped in that cave then why didn't you tell us!"

"Aini is sealed in Hell just as the others that forsake the Gods. However, Aini had many children before he was cast down. He manipulated women into carrying his children, but most of them died in childbirth. There are only six that are alive, but all of them have been sealed in separate holy grounds the Gods themselves blessed. There's a lot you don't know since the stories humans have written through time have been jumbled. But, one of Aini's children resides in that cave, forever trapped. If Natsu can overcome the powers of a demon, he will unlock Sight."

"But Lucy didn't have to fight against a demon. It was the Dark One's conscious!" The old lady actually laughed. She covered her mouth with her leathery hands while laughing into her palm. "Do you not believe that we all have demons of our own? The Dark One's conscious may have not been a demon, but it has dark powers of its own. Lucy can't be affected by any demon's sway or trickery. She's too powerful. But Natsu, though he does have a tie with the Balance, cannot control or use the Balance as agile as Lucy. That being said the powers of Light and Darkness still reside in Lucy. Natsu only borrows the power of the Balance. No, Natsu must overcome the deception of a demon in order to have the Sight of the Gods. He must conquer his own demons by allowing a real demon to bring them to life. It will twist and break the boy countless times, and yet if he can fight through the fog of the demon's capabilities, he can overcome the boundary of human sight."

"You're crazy," I whispered until Hades stepped forward. "What did you expect? The Gods are not as gentle as they seem to be! To prove yourself you must overcome the powers of a demon to take the Sight of even one of the Gods! The Giver and I know what we are doing. I have seen it firsthand through the Giver herself. If she can resist against the pulls of a demon's power, then so can your comrade! The Sight of the Gods is the only way you will be able to reach Lucy's fragmented soul faster. But the question is, can he control his mind and body to withstand the manipulations he is about to endure?" There was nothing I could say that would retort what they told us. Hades and the Giver are just as old as the Gods. They know what Natsu has to do, but to not tell him that he's going to come face to face with a demon...it's too cruel.

"He's waking up!" Bisca announced that we all surrounded the table even closer. Natsu opened his eyes, fear already taking hold of him.

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~Natsu~

Where am I and how long was I unconscious? The ground underneath me was hard and uncomfortable like the feeling of a boulder. When I skidded my hand around I realized it actually was a boulder. I was surrounded by rocks in complete, utter darkness. At first, my heart was jumping out of my chest until I attempted to calm myself. "I'm alright. I'm okay..." I repeated over and over. If I was in a cave, then I must be in the one the Giver meditated for over a millennium! But why would she send me here?

I felt a puncture in my foot that I sat up with a yowl. Already I could feel my foot bleeding by what must've been a sharp-edged stone. "Dammit! That really hurt." I cursed as I tried to stop the bleeding.

"You're hurt." I stopped moving. I didn't say anything nor was I thinking to myself. Someone was here. "Who's there?" I warned trying to bring my fist to life with fire only to fail. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you! Using magic here is impossible. This land is cursed which means no one can use magic." The land? I assume the cave is also part of the land this person is talking about. Still, I was suspicious about this unknown voice. "Who are you? Show yourself!"

"I can't! I'm trapped deep within the cave and can't get out! I have been trapped for a long time!" A cold chill passed over me. It was starting to get cold where I was sitting with my injured foot. "Are you, like, a ghost or something? Did you die here?" I shook my head. Why am I even talking to this voice!? I'm supposed to be doing something like meditating as the old lady did! "You can say that. Though you aren't really dead if you can still talk." The voice giggled, almost like a child. "Okay, I guess..."

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Gray

"Okay, I guess," Natsu said to nothing still holding his foot. It was odd the moment he woke up. The shadows appeared to have grown even darker, almost seemed to be moving around him like a predator circling its prey. "Who is he talking to? I don't hear anyone but him." Lisanna asked still staring into the orb.

"It's the demon. Right now it's trying to gain Natsu's trust that way his guard will be down. Once Natsu believes he is safe, the demon will manipulate his mind into showing his worst fears and greatest traumatic memories. Then it will use his weaknesses and fears against him." A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. Natsu can't be that stupid to trust a voice he can't even see. He can't let himself be so stupid! "Gray-sama," I felt Juvia's hands wrap around my clenched palm. "Natsu-chan will be fine. Juvia knows Natsu-chan can do this. Have faith in our comrade." I intertwined my fingers around hers, somewhat feeling better. "Thanks, Juvia," I whispered being grateful that she was by my side. If only Lucy could be here to have prevented this...

Dammit, Natsu don't be such an idiot.

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~Natsu~

"I haven't talked to anyone in such a long time! It's nice to hear another voice in this lonely cave." I rubbed my head. This voice was confusing because I didn't even know if it was a boy or a girl. The voice just seemed like a voice, almost similar to mine? "Are you copying my voice?" I asked it. "That's a silly question for someone that dropped by unexpectedly. I'm not making a mockery of your voice am I?" The voice did have a point. "Sorry," I said continuing to rub my injured foot. It was still bleeding, but not as heavy as before. I still needed to keep pressure until it'd eventually stop. "That looks like it hurts."

"Because it does hurt." I hissed doing my best to dismiss the voice. "Do you want help? I'm sure I could manage to help you." I didn't reply but only focused on the cut. Perhaps I was talking to myself already? Maybe there's no one in this cave but me. "Ouch. Being ignored already now am I? And here I had spare bandages that I could give you." My eyes were adjusting to the darkness that I could faintly see the ground I was sitting, and on my left, a small roll of gauze appeared out of nowhere. It was liked it materialized out of thin air. I grabbed it, and sure enough, it was real in my hands. "How did you do that?"

"Oh I'm sorry, I thought I was being given the silent treatment!" I actually rolled my eyes. "Well, I can't see you so I presumed I'm talking to the air. You may not even be real for all I know, but how did you give me these bandages if I can't see you?" The voice was quiet. While I wrapped my foot tightly with the gauze I thought the voice was gone. Until it spoke once more. "Bad people trapped me here. All because of what I am, I am unable to leave this dungeon of a cave. They even cursed the land that way I can't even attempt to leave."

"Still doesn't explain the bandage." I scratched my head throwing the little remains of the gauze back into the darkness. "I had some alright. Does that answer your question?" I nodded presuming the voice can see me. "Thanks for the gauze. Now, why are you trapped here? Did you do something bad?" The voice scoffed because of my question. "I did nothing but was accused of what my father did. He was the one that lead me to a life of eternal imprisonment. It's because of him that I can't leave."

"That's pretty rough. My dad left me a long time ago, so in a way, I know how you feel." Why was I even trying to talk to this unknown person? For all I know it could be a serial killer that just got unlucky and became lost in the cave! "Do you still love him? Your dad after abandoning you?" It didn't take me a second to reply. "Of course I'll always love him. He's my dad, right? Igneel may have had no choice but to leave me for the time being. But someday, I'll find him because that's what we do if you love someone."

"Is that so? Then, would you do the same for your family?" I glanced to the right side of my shoulder, barely seeing my insignia permanently imprinted on my skin. "Is that even a question? Of course, I'd do the same even for them." The voice was silent once more. "Hmm," It said a moment later. "you appear to have a good-willed heart. Not only that but you cherish your family and friends as well. And with your physical attribute, you appear to be a fighter, so you're strong as well. Interesting..."

"What's so interesting about that?" I asked with my guard up even higher. "Nothing really. It's just that you're a good person, Natsu. There aren't enough people like you in the world ya' know? I wish there were more people that thought a lot as you did." That made me smile. For most of my comrades, I'm seen as a brawler that wanted to do nothing but throw punches. Lucy was one of the few people that actually seen me other than the loving goofball I'm known to be. This voice...reminds me of her. "Thanks. That's really nice of you."

"Why of course. I suppose you are a guest of mine so I should try to take care of you." The voice chuckled to itself. "But it's getting late now, so you should go to sleep." Now that I think about it, I am tired. I don't know how long I've been in the cave already, but at least a few hours if I think how long one been talking to the voice. Before I left the Guild Hall it was close to four in the afternoon right after my discussion in Gramps Office. I found a ledge to put my back against, just so I wouldn't be attacked behind if the voice tries to do anything suspicious. Without my muffler, I felt cold even though there was no wind or air movement to make me chilly. I just didn't want to be apart from it.

My eyes were growing heavier by the second as I was losing consciousness. "Hey," I picked my head up. "What?" I said placing my head back on the rock. "if I may ask, why are you even here? What made you decide to come to my cave?" I wasn't thinking as well due to exhaustion. Before I knew I was falling asleep I gently whispered to the voice. "For the woman I love..." I drifted off, not before hearing the voice one last time.

"Interesting..."

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As always...love you all!❤️