Natsu was sleeping softly on an infirmary bed. He was having multiple dreams. The first dream was that he was in a stable, and most of the animals there wanted to kill him. At times, he would wake up, but he would fall back asleep and have the strange dreams again.
Upon opening his eyes, Natsu met bright caramel eyes that, every now and then, turned cloudy gray. He couldn't move. He could barely feel his body. It felt as if tons of lead had been placed on top of him.
The girl in front of the pink-haired boy was feeding him spoonfuls of something that tasted like popcorn with chocolate syrup and strawberry ice cream, but, strangest of all, it seemed like pudding. Natsu found it odd, what he had thought, since what the girl was giving him tasted great.
– What's going to happen at the summer solstice? – she asked, tucking a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear and then wiping the corner of the pink-haired boy's mouth with a napkin – What was stolen from Olympus?
Natsu, with all his strength, formulated the most fabulous and commonly used phrase in the world – What?
– I want to know what's going to happen at the summer solstice? – she asked again – What's going on? What was stolen?
Natsu – I'm not... – he coughed with difficulty – understanding...
– I want you to tell me... – she was interrupted upon hearing someone knock on the door, stuffing the pink-haired boy's mouth with the pudding that tasted like popcorn with chocolate syrup and strawberry ice cream.
The pink-haired boy fell back asleep. Having more dreams. But upon waking, he saw a man with purple hair staring at him with disdain. His eyes shone dangerously. Then he fell back into a serene sleep.
Natsu was slowly opening his eyes, seeing that he was now lying on a reclined chair, completely comfortable, with soft padding behind his back. In front of him, he saw a vast field with tall, strong trees and a large lake not far from where he was. On the other side of the field, there were children of various ages running around and others riding horses. And, if he wasn't mistaken, some horses had wings. Next to him was a table with a clear glass cup with a straw, containing a red liquid that Natsu thought was apple or strawberry juice.
– Awake, Cinderella? – a voice, which he recognized immediately, teased from in front of him – I thought you'd sleep for a few more days – he laughed cheerfully.
Natsu, recognizing who was in front of him, gave a forced smile – ... Shut up, Gray... – he grumbled, hearing the brunette laugh – You're such an idiot... – he grumbled again, giving a small smile. But upon looking at the brunette, Natsu noticed he looked completely strange: an orange shirt that read *Camp Half-Blood*. He was wearing his inseparable hat, holding a not-too-large box in his right hand, without his crutches, and upon looking at the brunette's legs, he found things that shouldn't be found on humans: forward-curving knees, hooves, and, strangest of all in the pink-haired boy's opinion, goat-like fur covering both of his legs – What? – his voice faltered as he tried to ask.
Gray – Hmm? – he looked at where the pink-haired boy was staring – These? They're my legs... – he hopped from one hoof to the other, smiling.
Natsu – So, last night...? – he couldn't formulate the question, seeing Gray lower his head – Gray! – he complained, angry – Tell me that dream was a lie...
Gray – I'm sorry, Natsu... – he looked into the pink-haired boy's eyes – I was supposed to protect both of you, but... – he lowered his head – I couldn't.
Natsu – No... – he murmured – The most important person to me... – he remembered what had happened the previous night – Was all of that... real? – he looked fearfully at the brunette.
Gray – ... Yes... – he replied, seeing him become stunned – Do you remember what Gildarts said?
Natsu – Mr. Bilger? – he asked, seeing Gray nod – But, that was... – he couldn't formulate, afraid of not being able to handle the answer it would bring.
Gray – A Cyclops... – he looked at the pink-haired boy, seeing him close his eyes tightly – I don't need to hide anymore... – he sighed – Natsu... – he called the pink-haired boy, making him open his eyes – Gildarts will explain everything... – he looked seriously at the pink-haired boy.
Natsu, sighing, looked at the vast lake not far away – Mom... – upon turning his gaze to the small table beside him, seeing the glass of red liquid, he felt something catch in his throat – My throat's dry... – he tried to grab the glass beside him, nearly knocking it over.
Gray – Careful... – he placed the box on the table and held the glass, bringing the straw to the pink-haired boy's mouth – Why does every sick person need a hot, gorgeous nurse? – he teased, joking with the pink-haired boy.
Natsu – Shut up... – he drank a large portion of the juice, realizing it didn't taste like apple or strawberry juice, but rather like caramel and peanut cookies with hot chocolate that his mother used to make. Natsu found it strange, as when he looked at the bottom of the glass, there were ice cubes.
Gray – What did it taste like? – he asked.
Natsu – Huh? – he murmured, looking into the brunette's eyes, noticing how pleadingly he looked at him – ... Oh... Sorry, I should've offered you some... – he felt guilty.
Gray widened his eyes – No! I just wanted to know the taste...
Natsu sighed, relieved – Like my mom's caramel and peanut cookies with hot chocolate... – he gave a forced smile.
Gray – How do you feel? – he placed the glass on the table.
Natsu – Like I could throw a motorcycle on top of Miss Rinza... – he joked, seeing Gray laugh after the jest.
Gray – Great, then... – he gave a sly smile, picking up the box – Here, it's yours... – he placed the small box on the pink-haired boy's lap.
Upon opening the box, Natsu felt his eyes tear up. There was the coin his mother always told him was important. He smiled faintly.
Gray – That was the coin that turned into a spear... – he smiled – Your mother used it to save us...
Natsu sighed heavily. He hugged the coin to his chest, remembering the moments he had spent with his mother. Christmases, New Year's Eves, Easters, among other moments they spent together every year. Even with Kender in the way.
Gray looked at the pink-haired boy, feeling guilty – ... If I had been stronger, I could've saved her... – that was the thought that kept running through his mind – You know, you slept for two days...
Natsu – Seriously? – he asked, surprised.
Gray – Uh-huh! – he smiled – Now come on, get up from there, Gildarts wants to talk to you!
The brunette helped the pink-haired boy stand, supporting him on his shoulder. They walked slowly. Natsu, even feeling better after drinking the strange liquid, still felt his body a bit sore.
– Good morning... – a boy who passed by them greeted. And so it went the entire way, receiving many "good mornings" and questioning looks, as if they wanted to figure out what the pink-haired boy had done wrong his whole life. Natsu shuddered at that thought; he knew well how it felt, his former teacher, Mrs. Rinza, was someone like that. She tried to uncover a person's worst crime with just one look.
Looking ahead, Natsu saw, a bit far from where he was, a huge blue mansion with peeling paint, a porch, and windows.
Gray let out an exclamation, careful!, stepping back a few paces with the pink-haired boy.
Natsu only heard a whistle pass close to his face, along with the wind.
Gray – What's wrong with you guys? – he looked to the side, where there was a small group of boys and girls with bows and arrows – New camper! And, please, have the decency to go train at the archery field! – he started walking with the pink-haired boy.
Natsu – What was that? – he looked back, surprised, seeing the students head to a vast field with many trees and red-and-white circular targets, which he thought was their archery range – Were they armed? – he asked, surprised.
Gray raised an eyebrow at the pink-haired boy – You're carrying a celestial bronze sword in your pocket in the form of a pen and holding a coin that turns into a bronze spear. Want more dangerous weapons than those? – he smiled smugly.
Natsu huffed, then laughed along with the brunette. The pink-haired boy looked around, paying more attention to everything in that place: an open-air cliff with twelve tables, which Gray said was the dining pavilion. Not far from the pavilion, an open-air Greek-style arena with boys and girls fighting with swords, and a circular amphitheater about fifty meters from the arena. The amphitheater was large, almost new, with stones so new they were nearly white. Everything was open to the sky.
As they walked, Natsu and Gray were increasingly greeted. Impressed was an understatement for what Natsu was feeling. Everyone who passed by not only respected Gray – like a hero – but also respected him. They passed by a group of boys, probably seven to nine years old, hiding among bushes, all holding water balloons, and just ahead, some girls around the pink-haired boy's age and others older were looking at themselves in mirrors. Natsu only realized the boys' intentions when they started throwing the water balloons at the girls.
Soaked and completely furious, the girls stood up, glaring coldly at the boys. Each was completely distinct from the others, both in hair color and their different faces. But all of them were exceptionally beautiful in their own way. With flashy clothes and makeup.
Girl 1 – Sons of Hermes and Apollo! I swear I'll kill you! – the one who seemed the oldest, with a beautiful body and curves in all the right places, exclaimed, running after the boys along with the other soaked girls.
Boy 1 – Come on then! You daughters of Aphrodite can't catch us anyway! – one of the boys shouted back, quite far from where he was.
Natsu – What? – he found the names they mentioned strange.
Gray sighed – Do they ever stay quiet? – he complained.
They continued walking. Natsu thought about the three names mentioned earlier: Hermes, Apollo, and Aphrodite... He knew what they meant, and combining that with the cyclops and his best friend being a satyr, he couldn't believe it. *It's impossible*, he told himself. Beside them, strolling, two boys were calmly talking, each on a horse. But what caught the pink-haired boy's attention were the wings the horses had on their sides.
Natsu – So I wasn't dreaming or hallucinating... – he looked, surprised, at the horses passing by. Both horses were beautiful; one was completely white with a long mane, and the other was entirely brown, also with a long mane.
Natsu was even more surprised when he started hearing what the horses were saying in his head:
Horse 1 – Damn it! Why do these cursed half-bloods have to ride on top of us? – the brown one neighed, questioning.
Horse 2 – Shut up, Gerv... – he grumbled, annoyed – These idiot half-humans we carry give us top-quality hay...
Gerv – But, Bond... I don't like being ridden...
Bond – Then don't let yourself be dominated by a bit of hay, you idiot... – they walked off with their respective riders.
Natsu blinked multiple times, stunned – Since when do horses talk? – he murmured.
Gray – Did you say something? – he resumed helping the pink-haired boy walk.
Natsu – Huh? No, nothing... – he gave an awkward smile.
Suddenly, the brunette stopped walking, making the pink-haired boy stop too, since he was leaning on his shoulder. Natsu stared at the huge cabins not far from them. All of them were beautiful. They were arranged in the shape of a Greek omega (Ω). Each had distinct paint, vibrant colors, and some had stuffed animals on the roof.
Gray – ... Those are the cabins...
Natsu raised an eyebrow – Cabins? – he looked confused at the boys and girls going in and out of the cabins – Do they live here? – he asked, surprised.
Gray laughed at the pink-haired boy – Of course not, Natsu... Though there are some year-round campers...
Natsu – Year-round campers?
Gray – That's not the point; Gildarts will explain!
They resumed walking. With each step, they got closer to the mansion.
When the pink-haired boy and the brunette reached the porch of the mansion, they saw a man with dark caramel hair that looked red, with a thin beard, sitting in a wheelchair with his arms resting on a card table, facing a man with curly purple hair and a tangled beard.
Man 1 – Huh? Oh! Natsu! I see you're feeling better, aren't you? – he smiled kindly.
Natsu – Mr. Bilger? – he asked, surprised.
Gray – ... Natsu... – he called the pink-haired boy, making him turn his face toward the brunette – Remember what I said? Gildarts. His name is Gildarts.
Natsu – Oh! – he looked at the man sitting in his wheelchair – Sorry. It's just habit... – he laughed awkwardly.
Man 2 – Tch. That's why I hate insolent kids... – he grumbled, holding the deck of cards up to his face, hiding his features.
Natsu – What did you say, you old jerk? – he asked, irritated.
Gray – Uh? Natsu, I don't think that's a good idea... – he tapped his hoof on the ground, nervous.
Man 2 – What did you say, kid? – he lowered his cards, placing them on the card table, revealing his eyes glowing in a deep purple – Could you repeat that?
Natsu raised an eyebrow – Want me to repeat? – he asked with dull eyes – Old jerk...
The purple-haired man scowled – I think I'll give you a punishment befitting your level, Natsume Dragneel...
Natsu shuddered upon hearing his full name spoken aloud – How does he know my full name? – he coldly stared at the purple-haired man.
Gildarts sighed – That's enough, Mr. D – he complained – And you, Natsu – he looked at the pink-haired boy – At least have some manners with your elders, please.
Natsu – Alright...
Gildarts – Come on, Gray, help him up... – he had the brunette help the pink-haired boy climb the steps.
Upon sitting at the card table, Natsu realized he was between Gildarts and the purple-haired man, who was called Mr. D, but he was startled to see two floating gloves holding cards in front of him. The pink-haired boy placed the small box on his lap.
Gildarts sighed – I have a lot to explain, don't I? – he saw Natsu nod – Well, let's start... – he looked seriously at the pink-haired boy – Natsu, you... – he was brutally interrupted.
– Gildarts, where's the... – she didn't finish her sentence upon seeing the pink-haired boy there – Awake? – she raised an eyebrow.
Natsu – Huh? – he narrowed his eyes, trying to remember the blonde – You were the girl feeding me, right? – he asked, surprised, seeing the blonde nod.
Gildarts – Natsu... – he made the pink-haired boy look at him – This is Lucy Heartphillia – he introduced the blonde to the pink-haired boy – Lucy, as you know, this is Natsu.
With a cold smile on her lips, Lucy stared at the pink-haired boy with those caramel eyes that suddenly turned cloudy gray – Natsume Dragneel... – she made the pink-haired boy pay attention to what she was about to say – ... You drool while you sleep...
With a nervous twitch in his eyebrow, Natsu looked at Gildarts nervously – So, don't you have anything to tell me? – he wanted to change the subject quickly.
Gildarts sighed – Gray must have told you that my real name is Gildarts, right? – he saw the pink-haired boy nod – Well, that makes things a lot easier... – he looked seriously at the pink-haired boy – As you saw – he pointed at Gray – Our little friend here is a satyr... – he was interrupted.
Natsu – Half goat, half man... – he remembered what his mother used to tell him, and again that pang went through his chest.
Gildarts smiled – Yes... That's why you're one of my best students – he ruffled the pink-haired boy's hair – Do you know what you fought two days ago?
Natsu – Yes... – he murmured with dull eyes – A cyclops...
Gildarts – I'm really sorry about what happened to your mother...
Natsu tightly gripped the box against his legs, not wanting to remember his mother's smile.
Gildarts – ... But your mother sacrificed her own life because she knows your life is more valuable.
Natsu raised an eyebrow – My life is more valuable?
Gildarts – Yes...
Mr. D – Yeah, right... – he growled.
Natsu stared at the man beside him with a vein pulsing on his forehead – What did you say, Mr. Dimbulb?
Mr. D raised his eyes to the pink-haired boy, glowing in a deep purple – What did you say, insolent kid?
Both stared at each other coldly.
Gildarts – That's enough, you two – he sighed – Back to it: Yes, your life is very valuable... – he glanced at the purple-haired man, seeing him huff – That's why your mother sacrificed herself to protect you...
The pink-haired boy looked down.
Gildarts – The original plan wasn't to bring you here at twelve years old...
The pink-haired boy's attention was drawn to what he had said. The original plan wasn't to bring him at that age? Why?
Gildarts – ... But rather when you turned fourteen or fifteen... – he sighed again.
Natsu – Plan? – he whispered – What do you mean, plan?
Mr. D – What? – he laughed arrogantly – Didn't your mommy tell you?
Natsu stared at the man coldly.
Gildarts – Mr. D...
The man raised his arms in the air.
Mr. D – I won't interfere... – he laughed, tossing cards to the floating gloves, to Gildarts, and to the pink-haired boy – Gonna play, kid?
Natsu nodded.
Gildarts – ... Natsu, you've already figured it out, haven't you?
Natsu confirmed – That monsters from mythology exist... – he picked up his cards, looked at them, and played his turn – ... The Fury, the cyclops called Tenes... – with each name he said, a thunderclap roared in the sky.
Mr. D – Kid, please, don't keep saying those names out loud... They have power, so don't go shouting them around... – he requested while looking at his cards.
Natsu – Alright... – he looked at the brunette – There's also Gray... – he was interrupted.
Gray – Hey! I'm not a monster! – he protested.
Natsu – Huh? That's not what I meant, Gray... – he gave an awkward smile – It's just that... – he sighed. The pink-haired boy looked up, seeing the blonde leaning against the wall with a lollipop in her mouth – To me, this talk of monsters, satyrs, and... – he widened his eyes, only now remembering – Gods... – he whispered, seeing Gildarts nod.
Gildarts – Yes, child... The gods... – he played another card – Do you remember what I told you in my classes? About the twelve Olympian gods?
Natsu looked at the blonde, who only made a silence gesture with her finger, telling him to stay quiet – Yes... – he looked at his teacher – Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Aphrodite...
Again, every time he said a name, a dry thunderclap roared in the clear sky.
Mr. D growled, looking at the sky – Kid, I told you not to say their names in vain.
Natsu – Yes...
Gildarts sighed – Yes, Natsu... – he played another card on the pile forming in the center of the table – All those gods exist... Just like me... – he placed his cards on the table and brought his hands to the armrests of the wheelchair, as if he were about to stand.
Natsu raised an eyebrow, confused by what he had thought. But he was shocked to see the cloth covering his teacher's legs fall to the ground, revealing the fake legs in place of his real ones.
Gildarts – Here we go... – he pushed himself up. Suddenly, a large horse's torso emerged from the wheelchair.
Natsu was startled to see that. And, upon looking at the wheelchair, he saw it had a black bottom, like a box to hide something – And he had a reason... – he thought, exasperated.
Mr. D sighed – I hate when he does that... – he complained.
Gildarts – As you can see, Natsu... – he stroked his horse torso – I'm a Centaur...
Natsu – C-Centaur? – he murmured, stunned.
Gildarts pulled the chair back, which stayed close to his hindquarters – Now, the worst part... – he placed his hind legs into the magical box in the chair and squeezed until his entire horse rear was inside that box – Ha... – he sighed, relieved – Getting out feels so good... But getting back in is so bad... – he complained.
Mr. D – You're disgusting... – he threw a card on the table.
Natsu stared at the ground, completely pale – ... Cyclopes, satyrs, gods... – he thought fearfully, sweating coldly – But... – he looked at Gildarts – So, if gods, monsters, and other mythological beings that shouldn't exist, do exist... – he looked hopefully at his Latin teacher – Then the Underworld exists, right?
Gildarts – My child...
Natsu – It exists, doesn't it? – he jumped up, startling everyone at the table.
Gildarts – Yes...
Natsu smiled broadly – Then there's a way to bring my mother back, right?
Gildarts – Natsu... – he was interrupted.
Mr. D – Kid, you think you can bring Virgo back? – he looked coldly at the pink-haired boy – No, you can't... Not even a god can...
Natsu slumped back into his chair – It can't be...
Mr. D – "It can't be," says me! – he shouted, standing up abruptly and throwing his cards on the table – I'd like to know why your mother chose that seaweed-brain punk! She knew the risks, and yet she wanted to stay with your father, and you came into this world! If she had chosen me, at least he wouldn't have gotten mad at her and taken her powers!
Gildarts – Mr. D, go to the strawberry fields, please... – he looked sternly at the purple-haired man – They said earlier they needed your help there...
Mr. D grumbled and started walking toward the strawberry fields, which weren't far from the mansion.
Gildarts sighed – He never changes... – he grumbled, placing his cards on the table.
Natsu – What was that? – he was still stunned – What did he mean by choosing my father? – he raised an eyebrow.
Gildarts – You've already figured it out, haven't you? – he looked at the pink-haired boy – Who your father is...
Natsu swallowed hard – M-My father? – he stammered – W-Was he a satyr?
Gildarts sighed – If your father were a satyr, you'd have hooves instead of feet...
With wide eyes, Natsu placed his cards on the table – W-Was he a... – he sighed, calming his heart – A god?
Gildarts smiled – That's right, child...
Natsu – But which god? – he raised an eyebrow.
Gildarts – I don't know... – he smiled at the pink-haired boy.
Natsu stared at his Latin teacher with a vein pulsing on his forehead – You don't know? What do you mean you don't know?
Gildarts laughed – You'll have to find out on your own, Natsu... – he placed his hand on the pink-haired boy's head – Go, Lucy will show you everything you need to know to live here at the camp...
Natsu – Alright... – he murmured, standing up from his chair.
Lucy – Let's go – she grumbled, still with the lollipop in her mouth.
Both started walking, followed by Gray.
Gildarts – Gray... – he called the brunette, making him stop – Please, stay... We have a lot to talk about...
Natsu – Huh? – he looked back, seeing Gray sit across from his Latin teacher – Gray's not coming with us? – he found it strange.
Lucy sighed – Come on... – she grabbed the pink-haired boy's hand – Gildarts wants to talk to him alone, so let them talk...