Natsu and Lucy walked calmly side by side. The pink-haired boy no longer felt the weakness he had experienced when he woke up. His strength was gradually returning, making him feel much better. But his heart still ached.
As they walked through the camp, Lucy calmly explained everything the pink-haired boy needed to know:
Lucy – This is the pavilion... – she announced, pointing to the open-air wooden cliff with twelve tables lined up, which Natsu had already seen when he walked with Gray to the mansion – Each of these tables belongs to a different cabin. And, as I told you, each cabin is for an Olympian god. Only those from the same cabin as you, children of the same Olympian god, can sit at that table, which you'll belong to. And it's permanently forbidden to sit at another cabin's table; the gods hate it.
Natsu nodded, understanding what had been explained to him – So, when I'm assigned to my cabin, my Olympian father's cabin, I'll share one of these tables that belongs to the respective god who is my father?
A nervous smile shone on Natsu's face. He would soon meet his half-siblings, as soon as he discovered who his Olympian father was.
Lucy looked away – Yes, with each of your siblings... Now, let's go?
As they reached the twelve enormous cabins, the pink-haired boy was once again surprised to see those cabins in perfect order, forming a massive Greek omega, with vibrant colors and strange shapes.
Lucy murmured a *let's go*, making Natsu shift his gaze from the cabins.
Natsu – Huh? Oh, yes...
His awkward smile made Lucy give a faint smile, but it quickly disappeared from her face, and with heavy steps, she walked toward the first cabin on the left – followed by Natsu. The cabin wasn't very large, but it was extensive, with trees and flowers everywhere, even sprouting from the roof and windows.
Lucy – This is Demeter's cabin; her children are kind of, uh, cool... – she gave an awkward smile.
Natsu – Kind of cool, you say... But why?
Lucy – They're weird...
Natsu – Weird?
The blonde sighed – You'll understand... As soon as you go inside – she murmured, starting to walk toward the door of Demeter's cabin.
Natsu was even more confused than he already was – *Weirdest girl... Couldn't she at least tell me why they're weird?* – he sighed, defeated, walking beside the blonde toward the door to enter – *It's okay... Everything will be fine, no need to worry... It'll be normal...*
But upon entering Demeter's cabin, Natsu understood why they were weird and why Lucy didn't want to go in there. Yes, the place itself was quite beautiful, with various flowers surrounding the windows and floor; it could be said there was more than a flower shop there. But the real problem was something else – the place stank, and not just a little. The smell of that place was a mix of what Natsu hated most: a cat that hadn't bathed in ten years, wet horse manure (something he despised), and, strangest of all, the smell of rotting guts left to decompose for a hundred years or more. The pink-haired boy knew that smell well; he had lived with it since he was eight, when Kender moved in with his mother. But this smell was ten times worse. Looking to his side, the pink-haired boy saw the blonde cover her mouth and, discreetly, her nose.
Natsu – What's that smell? – he brought his hand to his nose, discreetly, so no one would notice.
Lucy – That... – she pointed to a plant in a pot in the center of the cabin, placed on a cut tree trunk, with only the stump remaining. The plant was medium-sized, beautiful, with lovely petals. But the green mist it emitted – which circulated throughout the cabin – made it anything but beautiful.
Natsu – What's that?
Lucy – Queriaclobes...
Natsu – What? – he looked at the blonde – Can't you say things that are easier to understand?
Lucy rolled her eyes – That's the name of that plant. There are only five in the world – she explained, murmuring – One is here, in Demeter's cabin, a gift from her, and the other four are scattered around the world... – she made a face that, in the pink-haired boy's opinion, made her look cute – Many at the camp don't like coming to this cabin because of the smell. Demeter's children like the smell, believe it or not – she saw the shock on the pink-haired boy's face – Even though I still think they have no sense of smell... – she murmured, still heard by the pink-haired boy, who laughed.
– Lucy-san? – a girl with green hair appeared near the blonde – What brings you here?
Natsu looked closely at the girl with long green hair; she was beautiful, wearing a brown dress slightly stained with dirt, but it didn't affect her beauty.
Lucy – Bisca, where did Brandish go?
A warm smile shone on Bisca's lips.
Bisca – Brandish went with the other counselors to a meeting about... – she didn't finish what she was saying upon seeing the boy accompanying Lucy – Natsu Dragneel?
Natsu – Huh? – he found it strange – You know me?
Bisca – Of course I know you! – she laughed – The guy who defeated Tenes! And who's the son of Virgo Dragneel and...
Lucy interrupted the girl; she stepped on Bisca's foot, making her stop talking.
Bisca – OUCH! – she massaged her throbbing foot – You're mean, Lucy! Did you have to step on my foot?!
Lucy – Gildarts said he has to find out his divine parent on his own.
Bisca – But we're claimed by our divine parents – she crossed her arms – Why can't he know, since he'll be claimed tonight at the campfire?
Lucy – He can't be claimed again.
Bisca furrowed her brow.
Bisca – Why not?
Lucy – For the simple fact that he's already been claimed? – she replied with a serious tone.
Bisca, who was about to say something else, fell silent upon seeing her friend's expression, locking her jaw in place, not wanting to pick a fight with the blonde, as she knew very well what the blonde was capable of.
Lucy sighed – Let's go. The person I wanted to introduce you to isn't here. So, I'll show you the rest of the camp since the cabin counselors are in a meeting.
Outside and already walking, Lucy calmly explained about each cabin.
Lucy – ... The most occupied cabins are those of Ares, Aphrodite, and Hermes...
Natsu – Most occupied? – he found it strange.
Lucy nodded – Uh, Ares and Aphrodite are gods who go out a lot, and since Ares is the god of war and Aphrodite is the goddess of love, both travel the world a lot and end up having many children, so their cabins are always full... – she pointed to Hermes' cabin – Hermes' cabin is crowded because most unclaimed demigods stay there...
Natsu remembered what Bisca had said about being *claimed* when they were in Demeter's cabin.
Natsu – Claimed?
Lucy sighed – Claimed are those demigods who have been recognized by their parents, like: you're in Hermes' cabin, waiting for your divine father or mother to recognize you as their child, then you go to the cabin that belongs to your divine parent.
Natsu perfectly understood what she had said. His stomach turned upside down as he remembered that, that night, he would be claimed by his divine parent. But something occurred to him.
Natsu – Lucy said I've already been claimed and that I won't be claimed again by my divine parent... Does that mean I'll have to find out who my father is on my own?
Soon, the pink-haired boy realized they were entering a forest of trees and more enormous trees.
Lucy – You've already understood everything I said, right?
Natsu looked away – More or less...
Lucy – Are you dumb or just pretending?
Natsu grumbled softly – Sorry for not being that smart.
The blonde sighed and, out of the corner of her eye, glanced at the pink-haired boy.
Lucy – You know, I had some talks with Gildarts, and in one of them, he told me you're quite smart and that you turned one of New York's worst schools into one of the top-ranked ones.
Natsu blushed slightly at what the blonde had said.
Natsu – Seriously?
Lucy – But if your mother hadn't told us who your divine father is, we could definitely say you're a son of Athena, you know, then we'd be half-siblings – she smiled, laughing.
Natsu looked at the blonde with a furrowed brow – Half-siblings? – he asked, confused.
Lucy nodded – You know who Athena is in mythology, right? And what she represents?
Natsu nodded – Yes, I know, daughter of Zeus, Athena is the goddess of wisdom and war.
Lucy clapped her hands, smiling smugly – Look at that, it seems you're not as dumb as you look... – she laughed.
Natsu – You... – he remembered what the blonde had said – Half-siblings? – he asked again.
Lucy – Yes. I'm a daughter of Athena – she looked at the pink-haired boy again – Continuing: did you understand? – she asked seriously.
Natsu sighed – Not really... – he scratched his head – This talk of gods, monsters, and other mythological stuff is really hard to believe.
Lucy sighed again – I'll explain again: we, Natsu, are half-bloods, a term used for those who are half-gods, half-humans.
The pink-haired boy nodded.
Natsu – That part I understood... – he grumbled, annoyed – But how am I the son of a god?
The blonde raised an eyebrow – You don't know? – she asked, rolling her eyes – Well, when a man and a woman fall in love and want to have a more serious relationship, they start kissing, taking each other's clothes off, the man lays the woman on the bed, and finally... – she was interrupted.
Natsu – I know how that happens! – he exclaimed, blushing.
The blonde laughed at how red the pink-haired boy had gotten. Turning to Natsu, Lucy gave a sly smile – Oh, how cute... – she placed her hands on the pink-haired boy's cheeks, turning his face toward her – Ha – she noticed how close they were.
Both had irregular breathing, their faces flushed. But they couldn't stop staring at each other.
Lucy was hypnotized by the beautiful onyx eyes that shone. How could two eyes be as striking as Natsu's? She couldn't even explain it. She just wrapped her arms around Natsu's neck and pulled him closer. Meanwhile, Natsu, who was looking from the blonde's eyes to her breasts – *which are huge for her age* – thought that at any moment, one of them would have to take the initiative for a kiss.
– What are you two doing?
A small voice rang in their ears, and then both (Natsu and Lucy) looked at the little girl with hair at least eight years old, wearing a pink, lacy dress and ballet flats, with an innocent look, watching what they were doing.
Natsu/Lucy – Huh?
Upon looking back at each other, Lucy and Natsu blushed deeply; they moved away from each other, staying far apart.
Still blushing, Natsu looked at the little girl, seeing her confused gaze on both of them.
Lucy – Uh, um... Wendy? Shouldn't you be resting, as you were told?
Wendy gave an awkward smile – You know, I felt lonely in the cabin, so... – she looked away – And since I was feeling better, I decided to walk a bit... – she explained.
Lucy – Even so, that's no excuse... – she replied sternly – You tried climbing the climbing wall and fell, so you need rest, so go back to the cabin now... – she ordered seriously.
Wendy – Alright... – she looked sadly at the ground.
Lucy placed her hand on the blue-haired girl's head – Go back to the cabin, after I do what Gildarts asked, I'll play with you... – she smiled gently.
Wendy smiled – Yes! – she hugged the blonde – I'll go back now and wait for you, Onee-chan!
Wendy started walking, practically skipping, out of the forest, looking back with a slight melancholic smile – *Finally... you've returned to me... Onii-chan...*
And she walked toward Athena's cabin.
Lucy – Kids... – she whispered, watching the girl leave.
Natsu – Who was she?
Lucy – My younger half-sister... – she looked at the pink-haired boy and, upon meeting his eyes, blushed, looking away to the other side.
Natsu also looked away as soon as their eyes met – Sister, huh...
Lucy – Yes. Wendy Marvel. A few weeks ago, she was brought to the camp by her guardian... – she took a deep breath, starting to walk again – Come on, I'll introduce you to the cabin counselors.
Natsu just stared at the blonde in front of him, who was quickly walking out of the forest. Now, walking calmly beside the blonde, Natsu asked something almost every moment, and the blonde responded with quick words.
Lucy – Hurry up, you're so slow... – she grumbled, quickening her pace.
Natsu – *What a bipolar girl...* – he looked at the blonde's back, who walked without waiting for him – *At least she could act like a guide...* – he sped up until he was beside the blonde – You said cabin counselors? – he looked at the blonde, still trying to keep up with her.
Lucy sighed, slowing her quick steps a bit – Yes. The head counselors of the cabins are those who evaluate the best demigod in their cabin and keep order in it, you know, kids with powers are pretty problematic – she explained.
Natsu – And why are you taking me to these people? – he asked, confused.
Lucy looked at the pink-haired boy – Because they'll help you with whatever you need...
Natsu – Whatever I need? – he found it strange – Why?
Lucy – Because you're his son...
Natsu – His? Who are you referring to? – he narrowed his eyes at the blonde – Why do you all make such a big deal about keeping my father a secret?
Lucy – For the simple reason that you need to find out who your father is on your own – she smiled at the pink-haired boy, making him even more irritated – We're here... – she announced.
Natsu – Huh? – he looked ahead – Are you kidding me? – he asked, annoyed – We walked all around just to come back here? – he exclaimed irritably, pointing at the large blue mansion in front of him.
Lucy – ... Yes... – she smiled – Come on, we have a meeting with the head counselors of the cabins.
Natsu found the house beautiful, even though the paint was peeling. But inside? Hmph. There was no comparison. Inside the mansion, the place completely changed: a leather sofa facing a fireplace, and above that fireplace was the head of a leopard, and unbelievably, the leopard followed the pink-haired boy's every step. Looking behind the leather sofa, Natsu saw a ping-pong table, around which were boys and girls of various ages – *Fourteen and up...* – he thought, realizing everyone there was older than him. The pink-haired boy also saw Gray there, but it seemed the brunette wasn't really present, as he wasn't even paying attention to what was in front of him: a plate full of peanuts, a jug of milk beside him, oranges, and, strangest of all, half-eaten soda cans.
The boys and girls looked at the pink-haired boy seriously. Natsu felt a chill. He knew that look meant: *You're screwed.* That was the look the head counselors gave the pink-haired boy. Looking to the side, Natsu saw his Latin teacher, sitting in his wheelchair, calmly approaching them.
Gildarts – Natsu? Lucy? Back from the private tour? – he smiled mischievously.
The pink-haired boy and the blonde turned red as they remembered that, on the first day they met, they had almost kissed.
– Well, well. Looks like something happened, didn't it? The question is, what happened?
A girl with long, almost pure white silver hair smiled mischievously at Natsu and Lucy.
Lucy – It's not like that, Mirajane! – she shouted, with her cheeks puffed out and flushed – Nothing happened – she grumbled softly, looking away.
The albino laughed at the blonde.
Gildarts – Natsu, Lucy. Sit down, please. We need to talk.
The pink-haired boy and the blonde obeyed Gildarts, sitting side by side.
Gildarts – Alright – he moved his wheelchair to the table – Everyone, as you know, this boy at the table is Natsu Dragneel – he made everyone look at the pink-haired boy – He's the son of Virgo Dragneel, the great heroine who saved the world and who is a daughter of Zeus.
Natsu – Daughter of Zeus? – he furrowed his brow, confused.
Gildarts – Didn't I tell you? – he saw the pink-haired boy shake his head – Oh, sorry, I must've forgotten to mention. But your mother, Natsu, is a daughter of Zeus – he left the pink-haired boy shocked.
Natsu – Zeus? Like, uh, the all-powerful god with lightning bolts and a Tarzan loincloth?
A thunderclap roared in the sky as if warning Natsu about his blasphemy toward the great god.
Gray – Uh, Natsu... – he called the pink-haired boy – You know? Here at the camp, we don't insult the gods, especially the lord of the skies, since he can pulverize you with lightning.
The pink-haired boy furrowed his brow – But I didn't insult...
Gildarts – Let's put that aside and continue our talk with you, Natsu. Your mother was an incredible heroine. Like all other demigods, she also had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Natsu – All demigods have ADHD? – he found it strange, seeing everyone around him nod.
Gildarts – Didn't Lucy tell you? – he looked at the blonde, seeing her shake her head – Well, uh, let's say the ADHD that you, Natsu, and other demigods have are highly developed reflexes. You can't stay still; they're fighting instincts that will always live in you. If humans have five senses, demigods have six, or more senses.
The pink-haired boy looked confused at his teacher – So, ADHD is something all demigods have?
Gildarts nodded – Exactly, Natsu – he smiled – Now I'll introduce you to the head counselors of the cabins – he pointed to the albino who teased Natsu and Lucy – This is Mirajane, but she likes to be called Mira; she's the deputy head counselor – the albino waved her hand while smiling kindly. – She's a daughter of Aphrodite. And next to Mirajane is her half-sister – he pointed to a girl with purple hair beside Mira – Her name is Kinana, also a daughter of Aphrodite and the head counselor of Aphrodite's cabin... – Kinana gave a little wave to the pink-haired boy, smiling kindly.
Natsu – Beautiful... – he whispered softly – They're totally my type...
Lucy heard the "beautiful" that the pink-haired boy murmured and, overcome by a fury that awakened in her, stepped on the pink-haired boy's foot, making even the floor crack.
Natsu – Ow! What's your problem? Why did you step on my foot? – he asked angrily, feeling his foot throb intensely – *How did my foot not break with all that strength from this girl?!*
Lucy turned her face – You annoy me, you filthy pig – she grumbled.
Gildarts – That's enough, you two – he saw that the pink-haired boy was about to jump at the blonde's throat and strangle her right there – Let's continue... – he pointed to a blond boy – That's Laxus, deputy head counselor of Apollo's cabin, and next to him is Midnight, his older brother and also the head counselor of Apollo's cabin.
Both nodded toward the pink-haired boy, who found them both very strange.
Gildarts – The redheads there – he pointed to two grim-faced redheads – Flare Corona, head Counselor of Ares' cabin, and next to her, her half-sister, Erza Scarlet, deputy head counselor.
Natsu felt a chill under the gaze both gave him: *You won't last a single day...*
Flare tilted her head to the side, smiling coldly – Hi, pinkie... – she gave a sinister laugh.
Natsu felt a shiver seeing the girl's smile – *It's like a scene of a psychopath greeting their victim before killing them...* – he discreetly ran his hands over his arms, completely goosebumped.
Gildarts – And this, Natsu – he pointed to a boy with red hair and a girl with dark honey-colored hair – is called Loke, head counselor of Hermes' cabin, and next to him, his half-sister, Ougui.
The girl smiled, waving at the pink-haired boy.
Loke – Pleasure – he extended his arm across the table, reaching toward the pink-haired boy, greeting him – Loke Verbiglion – he smiled.
Natsu blinked a few times – Natsu Dragneel – he gave an awkward smile, shaking the redhead's hand – A normal guy...
Loke – I know. Who doesn't know the kid who killed the cyclops Tenes?
The pink-haired boy gave a wry smile.
Erza – Oh, big deal – she grumbled.
Natsu looked at the redhead and saw that she seemed irritated.
After finishing introducing all the head counselors of the cabins, Gildarts reviewed everything Lucy had told the pink-haired boy.
Natsu – I have a question, Gildarts – the redhead nodded, urging him to continue – Who is my father? – he gestured calmly.
Gildarts sighed – You still haven't figured it out? – he saw the pink-haired boy shake his head – Well... – he sighed – I'll have to tell you then, since you haven't figured it out yet. Your father, Natsu, is...
Erza – Wait, Gildarts – she interrupted the centaur – How about I help him figure out who his father is on his own? – she smiled coldly at the pink-haired boy.
Gildarts – How? – he asked, confused – Help him figure it out on his own?
The redhead nodded – Can I? – she saw Gildarts nod – Great! – she exclaimed, standing up from her chair and marching toward the pink-haired boy – Let's go. Soon, you'll know who your father is... – she smiled menacingly, grabbing the pink-haired boy by the collar of his shirt, lifting him from his chair.
Natsu sweated coldly as he realized the redhead was much taller than him; from his perspective, the girl seemed taller than Tenes, but in reality, she was only five centimeters taller than him – *Is she a monster?* – he thought, terrified, turning pale.
Lucy stood up, grabbing the redhead's hand – Erza, I don't think it's a good idea for you to test him... – she tried to stop the redhead.
Erza – What's that, Lucy? – she looked coldly at the blonde – Are you trying to protect your little boyfriend?
The blonde let go of the redhead's hand, blushing – What? Of course not! He's not my boyfriend! – she exclaimed.
Erza – Then stay out of trouble, Lucy – she looked at the pink-haired boy – We'll only be sure he's the guy from the prophecy when I test him – she smiled.
The redhead began pulling the pink-haired boy, who tried to free himself from her hands. Upon reaching a door not far from there, Erza opened it and threw the pink-haired boy inside with brutality.
Natsu, looking around and realizing he was in a bathroom, stood up – What...
He couldn't continue speaking, as the redhead grabbed his head and shoved it toward the toilet, holding onto the edges so his head wouldn't be plunged into it. Erza put force on Natsu's head, trying to dunk it into the toilet.
Natsu – What are you doing?!
Erza laughed – What am I doing? – she asked, more to herself, smiling smugly – Why, just testing you, of course!
Natsu held onto the toilet's edges tightly, trying to keep his head from going in there – *My head is not going in there! No, it's not!* – he thought, pushing back. Suddenly, Natsu felt a pressure in his stomach, and that same sensation was spreading through his body. He could slowly feel something like a fluidity in the air.
Gildarts – Erza! Stop that! – he tried to intervene.
Erza – Stay out of this, Gildarts! – she made the man stop in his tracks – This worm thinks he's "the guy" just because he's his son? No, he's not! So I'll teach him things from "Erza's survival manual"! Like, not getting your head shoved into a toilet! – she laughed, putting more force into her hand, pushing the pink-haired boy's head even further.
Natsu stared at the toilet water with disgust. His strength was no match for Erza's, and with her on top of him, it gave her a huge advantage. The contraction in his stomach got worse, and his eyes increasingly shifted from their usual onyx to a glowing sea-green.
Behind the pink-haired boy and the redhead, Lucy stepped back from the commotion – *This isn't good...* – she felt the ground beneath her feet tremble – *He's not messing with all the plumbing, is he?* – she looked at the pink-haired boy, seeing his eyes now glowing brightly – *Shit!* – she ran to the stairs, climbing to the top step.
The counselors and Gildarts were confused seeing Lucy run upstairs, but they soon understood as they felt the ground beneath their feet tremble strongly. Suddenly, the toilet water started gushing, not hitting the pink-haired boy, and went straight toward Erza's face, soaking her completely.
Erza – What the hell is going on? – she put her hand in front of her face, trying to block the water from hitting her.
Natsu, watching the water push the redhead back, stood up calmly, leaning against the wall. The pink-haired boy watched the redhead struggle against the water, breathing rapidly, completely startled. A rage surged through his body, something only Kender could unleash. And, as if that weren't enough, all the pipes under the house burst, making water gush over everyone there.
Minutes later, Natsu was seated again, with the blonde beside him and all the other head counselors around the ping-pong table.
Gildarts – What did we learn today? – he asked calmly.
Everyone – Never let Erza conduct interrogations or anything like that! – they replied in unison.
Erza – Hey! – she protested, wringing out her shirt, letting droplets of water fall to the floor.
After Erza tried to shove the pink-haired boy's head into the toilet, an explosion in the plumbing had been triggered, soaking everyone in the house.
Gildarts sighed, running a towel over his hair to dry it – So, Natsu? Do you know who your father is now? – he asked, catching the pink-haired boy's attention.
Natsu looked at his former teacher seriously. Now, after what he did there in the bathroom, he knew perfectly well who his divine father was and which cabin he belonged to.
Natsu – Yes. Poseidon, right? The God of the Seas.
Gildarts smiled – Yes, Natsu – he nodded, affirming – Poseidon. Lord of Earthquakes. Stormbringer. Father of Horses. You, Natsume Dragneel, are a son of the Sea God.