1,224Chapter 66...
The kill squad members of the infamous Duella family were back at their base of operations. While Treya went to go assist her mother in rigging the forest with alarms, Natsu was left at the mercy of the Bloody Jewel's sharpshooter Vivian and her equally "unique" daughter Lillian. Natsu just sat there while the ever-stoic Duella member wrote in a notebook while sitting next to him on the couch. As if she were taking down his information.
"I'm quite surprised," Lillian said with a calm and professional tone. "Normally we're taught to not leave loose ends. I suppose the chance to take in your bodily fluids influenced her decision to spare you." She worded rather bluntly. "
"It sounds weird when you put it that way..." The salmon-haired young man let out a sigh at the similarities of their family's choice of words. "It's like a vow between dragon slayers. It was an ancient custom by a vanished race of dragon worshippers. To be honest I thought it was weird she sucked my blood for the first time." He yanked a bit of his thick scarf down and touch the spot she nearly slit open and sunk her fangs into.
"Is it a routine thing?" Lillian asked as she shifted her purple eyes to him.
"No. Once is enough." Natsu pushed his scarf up to cover. "It's the act alone that cements the vow. Pledge of always having a connection. Probably something she's wanted since her dragon left her." Natsu explained as best he could, but in truth, he was just assuming at this point. Treya rarely mentioned her dragon Ravalla. But she was ready to spill a sea of blood if her dragon's honor was besmirched in any way. "At least she's still out there somewhere." He sighed.
"Aunty Ingrice always says family connections are more important than outside ones. A fact she always reminds me of whenever I go out with her." She stopped writing for a moment and placed the notebook gently on her lap. She brushed a bright green strand of hair behind her ear. "But my mother always tells me that family is about acceptance and acknowledgment. While I do respect both my aunty and mother, I can't quite grasp outside relationships." The young lady blinked and stared at the family portraits of the current generation of Duella's. "I don't socialize much with anyone so the concept eludes me. I do not know how to form an outside connection."
"We're talking right now aren't we?" Natsu tilted his head with a confused look. "A connection is formed when you greet and interact with that person over time."
"Oh, I'm just assessing whether or not mum should shoot you before dinn-ah." She put a hand to her mouth as if it were a slip of the tongue. Though it was poorly executed on her part. "Sorry, I meant to say what to feed you for dinner."
"Ah yes, dinner. Of course." Natsu thought as a vein popped on his forehead. Was he truly safe in this house? It was like he would be on edge for his entire duration here, whether he was fighting pirates, or making sure this Duella family didn't pull a fast one on him.
"I was joking. I figured you'd be more comfortable if I lightened the mood." She explained with no emotion.
"Bullshit." The azure slayer scoffed to himself. But he let it slide considering Treya was more or less the same in her mannerisms. "No, I took that the wrong way. Your cousin does the same thing, took me a little while to get the gist of whether or not she was serious." He cleared his throat while putting his fist to his mouth.
"I apologize if I come off as misunderstood." She bowed.
"Just be yourself. I'm not one to pander or be pandered to. Express yourself however you want." Natsu dismissed it as no big deal.
"...oh." Lillian looked away and blinked a couple of times. It was like she had a small revelation or spark of inspiration.
"I see you two are hitting it off rather well." A voice said as Vivian approached in a black and white western-style housekeeping uniform. She was smiling slightly at the fact her own daughter was able to have a conversation with someone her age. "Is everything going alright, Lili?" Vivian asked as she stopped with her hands resting in the front pockets of her apron.
"Yes, mum." Lillian got up and nodded. "We've been discussing my cousin's time away from the mansion. It was a lot of insight, to say the least. Different from what aunt Ingrice told me." She pointed out a contradiction that Natsu's version had when comparing it to Ingrice's.
"Your aunty is one to make mountains out of molehills when it concerns this family, and vice versa when we are out in the field." Vivian put a hand to her head, annoyed that her older sister was rattling off on her child again. "Speaking of which, she should be coming back soon. Would you join our dinner table, Natsu Dranigon?" She offered with a slight bow.
"Is that okay?" Natsu raised a brow.
"No one eats in this house alone. That includes family, guests...loose ends." She smiled with a slightly dark undertone.
"...Ha..." Natsu could do nothing but have his jaw hang open from that last line.
"Tis' but a joke, young man. I have nothing against you in particular. It's just been a while before anyone other than a Duella stepped foot in this house. If Treya saw it fit to bring you here, I will abide by her wishes and treat you as one of our own." She giggled.
"I'm filled with nothing but warm fuzzy feelings of comfort and joy..." Natsu seemed to adopt the monotone-like style of his green-haired companion. He would have attempted to awkwardly laugh it off, but the main reason was he could tell she had something in her pocket that was pointing right at him.
"Oh, you noticed!" Vivian smiled as she pulled out a handgun that was...rather larger than what he originally thought. The damn thing would probably put a golf ball-sized hole in his chest if she fired that. It looked like a single shot, but if the size of the barrel was any indication, that's all you'd need. The art of concealment was truly a mind-boggling technique.
"Projectile weapons have a distinct look to the way they poke against pockets...or cooking aprons. " He deadpanned.
"Sorry, I just wanted to test you a little...maybe tease you once more." She concealed the weapon with a satisfied smile. "But the running gag has outlived its warranty. Come, the food is getting cold." She turned and proceeded back down a hallway. Natsu just blinked and looked at Lillian for an answer.
"She wouldn't have shot you." She assured him.
"Really?" Natsu didn't sound convinced.
"Not unless I gave her a signal."
"What the hell is wrong with this family?" Natsu could only be confused about how these Duella people adopted a sense of humor like this. Though it was probably the only way they could express themselves when you're trained since birth to have no emotional attachment to people and kill with no hesitation.
Outside.
"That's the last one." Ingrice nodded while pulling a pin on a mechanical device she affixed to the ground. She stood up as Treya copied what she did in another spot not too far from her.
"I am set here as well," Treya answered dryly. "Though, I am unsure why you would use the Caps instead of a silent alarm." She referred to the devices they set up all over the tree line.
"Having them all swarm towards one area isolates their numbers. Besides, those sea rats will find this place eventually. The fact they even came to the right town means they know exactly where the mansion is. Reducing their numbers takes priority. I'm half tempted to just burn the mansion to the ground." She sighed in frustration as she sat down to rest, next to a tree.
"I see." Treya nodded at her decision. She stood beside her mother without so much as looking her in the eye but glanced over her shoulder. Hadn't seen her for almost 3 or four years, and she didn't seem to be one to make small talk as usual. She just sat there in silence while uncaring about the rainfall. Treya was awaiting her next order, but she seemed to not be giving her any. After what seemed like an eternity, the cold-blooded Apex leader spoke.
"What is it, child?" Ingrice didn't need to look to know Treya was looking at her from behind. A sixth sense she had when raising her. Even if Treya looked blind, Ingrice could tell when her daughter was lost in thought by just the presence she had.
"...Are you angry with me?" Treya frowned slightly and held her hand tightly behind her back. The very question she wanted and didn't want to ask while on the way over surfaced.
"I'm not one for clinging to past issues. You left, I allowed it. It happened. Nothing to discuss on that point." Ingrice responded without so much as looking at Treya.
"I feel I have let you down, mother." Treya felt differently.
"Really?" Ingrice scoffed. "You are a grown young lady now, Treya. Your choices are independent of my own. You needed an out, I needed your father expunged from the world. The way I see it, we both got what we wanted. Why would you doubt that decision now?" She sounded a bit irritated by Treya's choice to leave to be with Ravalla.
"I just wanted your blessing," She said with a tinge of guilt. "You know better than anyone I was not cut out to carry on the weight of this family's-"
"How you feel, and what is, is just the difference between us." Ingrice slid one of her legs back and propped her hand on her knee. "It is not a sin for seeking comfort, but that is when you are most vulnerable. I learned that long ago from your grandmother." She recalled the instance in her mind. How unjustly her own mother was taken from the world for merely letting her guard down. "I have already lived longer than my own mother. And that is because I protect this family from the cruelty of this world. I do not let emotions cloud judgment any longer. That is why I am alive, why Vivian is alive, and why you are also alive." She turned with a blank expression at Treya. Her pink eyes pierced her soul like a knife. Treya couldn't help but feel immobilized by her words. There was nothing she could follow up with. What Ingrice did was nothing short of neglecting Treya from a happy life like any other child, but it was an irrefutable fact she lived to this day because of all the skills her mother taught her since birth. Cruel, maybe, but just as the huntress pointed out, she stuck to her own code, and she was living proof of it. "Would I have done it differently? Never. I would not hesitate to cast aside your happiness if it meant you lived but a day longer. That goes for everyone here. That is my responsibility. If you didn't kill your father, he would come after you, and then he would use you to come after the rest of us."
"..." Treya placed a hand on her dagger pommel as she thought about the deed she had done that day.
"I wouldn't have let you go if I wasn't certain you could have been a liability. I have no regrets about what I had to do to use you. To be honest I had no further use for you after you killed your father. I decided that since the day you cried in my arms as but a child with no vision." Her words were not minced in the slightest. Icy barbs coiled around Treya's heart every time she heard her mother speak of her as if she was just a tool. But in the end, it's all she ever was. Just a weapon in her mother's arsenal. "You are just a means to an end, Treya. A weapon that moves on its own is more dangerous than one that doesn't. That is why I do not have qualms about you leaving when you did." She stood up and turned to Treya, looking down at her. "Despite how things unfolded, It makes no difference to me whether you choose to go where you want. You're an adult now. Choose your own fate." She then turned away and began heading back. "Let us go. Your aunt should have dinner prepared."
"...?" Treya was honestly a bit confused. She thought her mother would have been mad at her more, but that was unexpectedly normal. She recalled her aunt saying she was different ever since she left, but she wasn't sure why. Her mother only saw her as a means to an end, but...
Was it really that way?
Treya thought back to the day she left the household, staring off into the distance. That day when everything was supposed to change her life around. The day she cast aside her heart.
Flashback...
"..." It was about four years into the past, and Treya was barely 15 at this point. She looked worse for wear though. She was waiting with much anticipation, that her crystal dragon mentor and mother figure was ready to take her in. The first day was a bit odd because she was supposed to meet her right here and now. She stayed up all night, not wanting to miss the sight of her. The second day came. Still no sign of Ravalla in her majesty. She got up and decided to check the surrounding area. Maybe she went to the wrong meeting place? Impossible. She knew this forest like the back of her hand, and Ravalla was always at this spot. It held a special meaning to her, and that's why she always found it with no difficulty. It was getting late, but she was patient. Perhaps she was just out on some business or something to that equivalent. She could wait as long as it took.
The next day arrived.
Still no sign of her. She had a few fake-outs with the local forest life, and her expectations had just rose and been crushed in mere seconds. She stayed determined though. Ravalla would not be late if she had a good reason. Perhaps it was taking longer than she thought. She could wait a day more.
Another day arrived.
At this point, Treya had taken to just practicing her Dragon Slayer abilities while combining them with her assassination techniques. She got absorbed in it till night approached. The lost dragon was still absent.
And just like that, another day passed with no sign of her anywhere. "It's been almost a week...mother should be here soon...she never leaves this spot. She told me. Maybe she's testing me...no, she's far too kind for that. Perhaps my apex training is still taking hold of me. Mother probably is relieved to see me gone now. I wish it didn't come down to it though." She sat comfortably in a pile of leaves. It was painful, but she had decided for the first time in her life to choose for herself what she wanted, she had never been so sure in her whole life. This was the day. This was the day she started a brand new life apart from taking out targets and receiving harsh lessons from her real mother. It would be a wholesome experience with her and Ravalla.
The fifth day arrived.
Treya was just coiled up against her dragon's usual seat of grass she often sat near as Treya wept on her lap about her problems at home. It was still empty. "Where are you, Ravalla? I'm here, just like we promised. If I did something wrong, please tell me. I want to apologize for it. It's my fault. I'm ignorant, and just a foolish girl. If I'm supposed to do something just tell me. I'll do better, I promise. Just come back."
The sixth day passed...
"I'm not angry, I could never hate you. You showed me how to embrace my feelings. I don't want to lose them. I feel better after you showed me how."
Seventh-day passed...
"I'll wait..."
Eighth day...
"I can wait..."
Tenth day...
"Any time now, I know you'll be back."
Thirteenth day...
"What is taking so long?"
Fifteenth day...
"Did I...do something wrong?"
Seventeenth day...
"Was I too quick in my decision?"
Nineteenth day...
"I left it all behind. To be with you. I promise you I'm ready..."
Twenty-third day...
"Mother..."
Twenty-fifth day...
"I messed up. I know I did. You're punishing me for it, I know you are. I accept it's my fault. I know it's my fault. I know I did it. I'm a stupid girl. I don't know anything. I'm just a fool who doesn't know better."
Twenty-Sixth day...
"Just tell me what I did wrong...I can't learn if you don't tell me. Is it my conviction? I promise you I'll never leave your side, I'll do whatever you need me to. Even if it hurts, even if I get nothing. I'll sacrifice myself if you just come out and tell me what I did wrong! Don't leave me here. I just want to see your smile. I want you to rub my head and tell me it's alright. Even if it's just for a second...please! Please I beg you Ravalla...don't leave me here out here by myself...I'm cold...I'm sorry...I'll never complain again, just don't cast me aside. I know you're angry. If I earned your spite, please just come out and strike me down like my mother. I can't learn unless you tell me what I did wrong...I'm sorry! I'm complaining again!"
Twenty-ninth day...
"...she's not here. I'll wait one more day..."
Thirtieth day...
At this point in time, Treya had waited a whole month to be united with her chosen mother, but as the time dragged on she slowly began to realize that her patience was all for not. Perhaps Ravalla was testing her resolve. Leaving Ingrice was a difficult decision, despite her longing for Ravalla. But she had decided right then and there that she was done with the Apex group her mother led. It should have been a most remarkable moment, a turning point in her life. With a confident attitude, and firm resolve she set out on her own to experience the world with her dragon parent.
Only for it all to be in vain.
"..." Treya's sleepless eyes gazed upward as the final day of the month arrived. She watched as the sun beamed through the forest upon her. These heavenly rays were rare, but they often highlighted positive moments or were good omens of a brand new day to be thankful for. But this was the marking of the final day Treya could wait. Her hair is a mess, and her body is sore and dirty from sleeping outdoors for so long. As the sun's rays passed over her tears just poured down her eyes. She didn't want to believe it. She refused to believe. The one individual to make her feel like she mattered, that made her feel hopeful for her future, she had to accept the fact that Ravalla abandoned her. There was no sobbing, there was no whimper, just an emotionless stare as tears just streamed down her cheeks, as if her meaning for living was ripped out of her. "I finally get it...Ravalla...mother..." She said out loud in a raspy voice. "I'm...not worthy of either of your love..." She looked up as the sun was fading fast until she was the only thing being highlighted in the light. "I am not loved..." She was in a daze as the light disappeared. "I don't deserve it...because I am just a tool. Because I am helpless without either of you..." She was now alone in the dark as the thunderheads rolled in. "What did I do wrong, I don't know...but...it was probably my fault." Her eyes no longer filled with lively pink were now a faded grey of her poor vision.
She stood up and slowly began walking forward. She wobbled a little and felt so tired and weak. She looked down and saw a track from a large reptilian creature imprinted in the earth. She bent down and pressed her small hand against the track that was larger than her. She stood up and with no emotion to show anymore, she began to walk away leaving only her handprint on the ground. It was at this point, that her hopes were crushed. It was at this point she locked her heart away. It was at this point, that she hit rock bottom.
It was at this point...the girl known as Treya Duella died...and the Bloody Jewel was born.
"I'm sorry, mother. Truly, I am."
End of Flashback...
Treya recalled her younger self as the rain trickled around her. She had come far from that day, And she never held it against Ravalla. She just wasn't sure why she just up and vanished. It seemed like the whole world turned its back on Treya, but she still gripped hope after meeting Natsu. She looked at her mother's tall domineering figure as she walked away from her. She blinked and then followed after her.
Later...
Time had passed and the family had gathered to share a meal together for the first time in a while. It was a rather small dining area, but the family's standard design choice put many an interior decorator to shame. The table was large enough to seat more than their own number, but it seemed to work out fine for any number. The menu of the Duella's seemed to consist mainly of vegetables, fruit, and meat. How Vivian managed to whip this all up on such short notice was impressive, to say the least. As they all partook in their much-awaited meal, a conversation took place.
"I wonder if maybe Bojack is even here?" Lillian wondered as she slowly sliced a potato on her plate.
"Oh, I'm sure he's lurking behind his fleet like a coward." Vivian scoffed at her daughter's question. She had changed her attire to a one-sleeved purple kimono and wore thin black pants. "If he just stepped out to catch a breath of fresh air, it would be the last one he took."
"That sea louse wouldn't be caught dead off his ship. I'm more interested in how he knew that this place was in the area." Ingrice twisted her fork around her plate. "Only we all know. Unless this is your way of getting back at me for leaving you with observation duty last month." The head of the household chuckled.
"Sister, if I was in the business of sending you off to meet mother, she would come back to haunt me." Vivian sighed.
"You were always her favorite." Ingrice raised her brow at her as she drank her water in a glass cup.
"Mum had no favorites." Vivian reminded her sternly.
"If you say so." Ingrice scoffed lightly. "So tell me, daughter," Ingrice spoke out to Treya who had barely touched her plate. "Is your manservant any good in a fight?" She referred to Natsu who just discreetly had his eye twitch as he took a sip of tea.
"He is very capable, mother," Treya responded.
"So you say, but all I saw were corpses. And anyone can kill brigands of that caliber with minimal training." She fixated on Natsu very carefully. Natsu was feeling a tinge of annoyance. She was clearly trying to bait him, but he held his tongue for now. "Unless you brought him for emotional support, I don't quite see what he brings to the table." She put her hands together.
"Ingrice." Vivian sternly said to her sister.
"So tell me, young man. What can you do to help us stave off this pestilence?" She asked of him, ignoring her younger sister's warning. "I need to know exactly what type of weapon you are before I use you."
"What type of weapon?" Natsu just raised his brow. "Lady, I am not your tool. I'm here to kill people. If you want a resume I'm not quite sure what you're looking for beyond that." He wasn't sure why she was riding his case right now. If killing these pirates was the objective, then what else did you need?
"Touche`. But I would like to have a little bit more on who I'm working with. I do not know what Treya has told you before coming here, but you should be ready to die if you do not perform up to my standards." Her ominous presence seeped out with malicious intent.
"..." Natsu wasn't the least bit fazed but the amount of killing intent he got from her was no joke. Any lesser of a man would have choked by now. He stared her dead on and just blinked. "The ONLY reason I'm here is to help Treya. Now, I am more than willing to put my life on the line even if it's a one-way trip." He retorted as they all remained silent. "Your priorities are your family and company interests. Anyone or anything outside of that is irrelevant. They're just..."things" to be removed like a minor inconvenience." He continued as Ingrice just maintained her stone-cold look. "I'm sure you view me as the same, so I won't waste my breath." He stated sternly in a calm and collected tone. "Treya is the sole reason I'm here. I don't touch this kind of stuff anymore because of the same problem you find yourselves in right now." He accused.
"..."Ingrice seemed to be tapping her finger slowly.
"If you want to know whether I can be trusted, that's a stupid question. Do I look like I give a crap about your internal affairs?" He rhetorically asked. "Let me make this clear as humanely as possible," He leaned forth with a reddened stare. "I, am here, to clean up, your mess." His cold dialogue was about as gouging as any promise he made to any friends or enemy. Not only was his delivery direct, but he believed it. "So get over it."
"..."
"..."
'..."
"..."
"Hmmhmhmhahahaha." Ingrice just giggled and let out a laugh of pure amusement. Vivian and Lillian just looked at her with their mouths hanging open in disbelief. Why was she laughing, Vivian wondered. She had killed people for far less, so she figured she would have to step in before her sister became bloodthirsty and wanted to absolutely erase every trace of his existence since the day he was born. But she had never seen her sister laugh in such a long time it sent shivers down her spine.
"Ah, I like this young man, dear daughter." She turned to Treya who widened her eyes slightly. She had a devilish smile on her lips now. She sat back and crossed her legs. "Okay, I suppose you are somewhat useful, if not to me, more to my daughter."
"What?" Natsu furrowed his eyes with confusion.
"If you had spouted some naïve and self-righteous bullshit, or had taken this moment to build yourself up in some grandiose fashion, I would have put you six feet under." She revealed her reasoning. "I deal in death and business. Morality, good, evil, black, and white have no place in my circles. I have lived this long because I do not adhere to obligation, favoritism, or debt. I decide whether something is beneficial or not. There is no conflict in my company because I nip it in the bud. I have the final say, period." She explained. "Any disagreement I have is only allowed with my sister, if it were anyone else, it would be grounds for termination." She simplified. "My company is the most successful in all of Fiore. I cannot endanger it for any reason whatsoever. Even if it was for a family member that no longer associates with me." She looked over to Treya for a moment and then back to him. "Treya is only allowed here because I have some use for her. I'm already taking a risk by allowing even you to know this location. So I think you can appreciate my sense of caution during these troubling times." She seemed a lot more professional now as if she was conducting business.
"...hmph." Natsu reluctantly agreed.
"Eat up everyone. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. With any luck, those maggots will give us four hours of much-needed rest." Ingrice told them all with a raised glass.
Later...
Natsu just stared out the window of his bedroom. Compliments of Ingrice, if any. He wasn't really so much as tired, so much as he couldn't sleep. He just didn't feel safe there no matter how he thought about it. He wasn't sure if it was because there were enemies out in the woods, or if Treya's family was waiting to catch him with his pants down. But this wasn't really the pressing issue on his mind. As his half-open stare was affixed towards the woods, he was thinking back earlier when he cut down those less-than-impressive pirates that came at him in the woods. It was only brief, but that burning sensation he felt in his emotions at the time was similar to when he nearly lost his sanity and attacked Kagura. It worried him. There was no warning when it happened. At first, he thought it was the rage in the heat of the moment, but each person he cut down made him feel some things other than rage.
Rage was replaced with thrill.
The thrill was replaced with amusement.
Amusement was replaced by enthrallment.
And when the screams of fear, hatred, and defiance ceased, he felt like he just committed something unforgivable. Though, it was alright by him. He was gonna die anyway. He'd welcome death with open arms after all the life he extinguished. That was his penance. That was his endgame. Dying young in this type of life was nothing strange. Rather, the fact he survived again and again while something else disappeared was puzzling to him. Granted he didn't want to die unless it was after sticking it to Vallith, but recently he wondered if he was just wasting his time. It's like the Dragon of Storms was not even of this world anymore. But after that run-in with E.N.D., he felt a renewed sense of fulfillment...which also pissed him off, because E.N.D.'s little zing about his purpose in life struck a nerve about why he was doing all of this. Had his purpose been robbed of him? Of course not. There was no point in living then. That would mean everything he did would amount to nothing. He'd wasted years of his life to kill something that was no longer there. And killing all those dark mages in retaliation for his village before that...he'd never felt so much emptiness in his soul after he had finally done it.
It felt good after burning those animals to nothing but soot, but when he had finally done it...that was it.
There was no sense of fulfillment, there was no warm feeling of relief, and he didn't feel like he thought he would. Logically speaking, he was glad to have finally put those dark wizards in the ground, making them pay for all the crimes and sins they committed. But there was nothing left. There was no one else he could kill that had anything to do with it. No one else to focus all that unfairness, hatred, frustration, sorrow, and pain at. His expectation was that he'd feel better after wiping out the slave ring and dark guilds that wronged him and his fellow villagers. But the cold reality of it was that he had nothing to look forward to. And after Venigon died, it was a good thing Mindy took him in because left to his own devices, he was a lost cause. His heart couldn't take it anymore. Losing so many people, but being the sole survivor was the shittiest thing he ever felt. So from that point on, he decided to help those in need so they would never feel that helpless. Even at the cost of his own life. Maybe Venigon would scold him in the afterlife, but at least he'd have a convenient excuse for why he kicked the bucket earlier than most.
"I wonder when is a good time to die?" Natsu wondered as the raindrops struck the window outside the mansion. "I never really thought about it. Any day you wake up could be your last. It's like a freak accident, but people move on afterward. I wonder if everyone thinks about it. I wonder if Mindy would move on if I died. Would Treya? Sting? Rogue? Ultear?" He felt the wound that Knightwalker pierced him with. The pain was finally starting to fade, but the soreness remained, just like the rest of his battle scars. If he didn't have the healing factors of a dragon, he'd have probably kicked the bucket long ago. He slowly unzipped his vest to check to see if the bandage on his back was in need of a new dressing. But his eyes shifted towards the door to see one of the green-haired Duella's standing near the door. It took him a second, but he identified the faint scent as Treya, to which he let out a sigh of relief.
"I came to see if you're feeling well," Treya stated her purpose. She was in a pale robe that was tied around her waist. Her hair was down and her eyes were glowing slightly pink from her using magic to see better.
"About as good as usual," Natsu answered sarcastically. "It just rains on and on around here doesn't it?" He noted the unchanging weather pattern.
"I apologize if my family gave some rough treatment of you. My mother in particular is strict when it comes to anyone outside the family." She explained as she walked in and stood in front of him.
"Oh no, It's perfectly normal for me to get attacked upon first meeting, someone." He sarcastically put. The sad part about it was that it was true to some extent.
"Seems that way." She agreed with a frown.
"Not even going to deny it, huh?" Natsu chuckled. "Your family is...interesting to say the least." He scratched the back of his head. "Especially your mother. She definitely strikes me as a no-nonsense kind of person."
"She is unmatched in her field," Treya said as she sat down next to him. "She has around four hundred confirmed kills under her belt that I know of."
"Damn." Natsu whistled. "Were they all people that went against the company?"
"Yes and no," Treya explained. "Individuals that conflict with the company's interests are assigned to a branch that handles negotiations. If it is deemed that the conflicting party is unwilling to reach a compromise, it is then kicked up to another branch that looks for any dirt on them. If nothing is being done under the table, they abandon the asset and look for a different one."
"Do they normally cave?" Natsu asked curiously.
"Reputation is everything to a company. Would you buy wood from a lumberjack that had a termite problem?" She gave an example.
"Fair point." Natsu nodded. "How does your Apex group fit into this?" Natsu asked curiously.
"My take on it is that Apex is more of an enforcer unit. When I was still with them, we targeted mainly criminals that operated in our territories. Crime bosses were also included, along with high profile targets, corrupted employees."
"People like me?" Natsu joked.
"..." Treya just looked at him and blinked.
"What?" Natsu wasn't sure what he said that opted for such a reaction.
"You'd be under a category of targets that my mother would have to personally oversee." She crossed her slender legs while explaining.
"I'm assuming that's a very short list?"
"Mm." Treya nodded. "Though I think the information she may have on you is a very limited profile that she hadn't touched for a while." She put a hand to her chin. "Your alias only came up once, and that was during my final time with my family. How old were you when you were in Black Rift?"
"Hmm, I don't know. 15? 16? It was right before..." He stopped mid-sentence.
"...?"
"..right before Venigon died." He sighed slightly.
"I'm sorry." She apologized.
"It's fine. You were saying?" He brushed it off.
"From what I understand, your elimination of Tainted Suns and the Devil's Trident guilds had actually knocked about forty percent of the crime rate that our family was dealing with down. My mother thought it best to just leave things as they were. If we didn't need to get involved, and the criminals were killing each other, it inadvertently benefitted the family business. She didn't have your profile, but she had you marked as a no-contact target."
"What's that mean?" Natsu raised a brow.
"In simple terms, if you were going to be killed, you'd need at least someone of my mother or aunt's level accompanied by at least ten senior Apex members." She raised her finger and explained.
"Are they that strong?" Natsu sounded serious.
"My mother trained me in the art of concealment, disarming techniques, martial arts, and intelligence gathering. My aunt taught me magic theory, tracking, and weapons training. From a certain age, which is around ten years old, if someone in the family business decides to become an Apex member, they undergo a special body enhancement using a combination of altered drugs and physical training. Faster reflexes, stronger muscles, improved eyesight. The whole package."
"I always thought you were abnormally strong for your build." Natsu thought it made more sense now why she always was able to pin him down sometimes with little to no effort.
"I did not get the enhancements." She revealed.
"Huh?"
"You have to keep this in mind. Body modification is a very costly investment. The pharmaceuticals alone cost billions of Jewels." She pointed out as imaginary piles of jewels drowned out a health icon.
"B-billions?!" Natsu nearly fell off the bed in utter shock. "W-wait, if it's that crazy good of an investment, why didn't you get it? You are the direct next of kin, wouldn't your mother want you to be souped up as humanely as possible?"
"In my mother's eyes, I was not worth investing in a small fortune. I had to complete the course without the enhancements." She recalled the painful long months of getting in shape and constantly falling behind the other members because she was weaker than them. "I just barely made the cut." She shrugged.
"How is that fair?" Natsu was outraged at such unfair conditions. "How is that even supposed to measure up to their standards, if you are given such a huge handicap?"
"It's not about being fair, it's about being efficient." She said as if the very words left her mother's mouth. "You have to understand, my mate..." She grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes. "I was not expected to pass. I was not supposed to complete the course. My mother did it to keep me out of her hair. I was useless to her after I turned ten. The jobs got harder, and she couldn't take care of me and fight on her own. One day she sustained an injury trying to keep me safe, and that was the last straw. I thought she'd kill me outright then and there. Instead, she threw me into the Apex training grounds and told me I was not allowed to return until I had proven myself."
"...?!" Natsu just shook his head in disbelief.
"After two years I had gotten out of the Apex training, I returned to the household, and my aunt and mother took me back. And then...Ravalla blessed me with her blood." She sounded more light-hearted. "It was uncomfortable after having my body ingest it, but after about a day's worth of it I was perfectly fi-"
"Wait a DAY?!" Natsu gawked. "I was given that almost immediately and nearly fucking died after about a week's worth of pain and agony! I thought my organs were getting rearranged!" He protested in disbelief. The consuming of Venigon's blood made him nearly pass out from the pain. Days of reeling with his insides feeling more painful as time went on, and here his assassin/dragon slayer friend only was subject to it for a mere 24 hours?!
"A week? Your body must have rejected it strongly." Treya blinked and was curious. "A mere drop was all it took from Ravalla. She said though my affinity for magic was not very high, I still had a very strong grasp on its lower-tier spells."
"A..mere drop you say?" Natsu felt his eye twitch.
"Yes." She nodded.
"I had to drink a whole gallon of my dragon's blood! He said if I didn't I couldn't learn his magic!"
"Strange. Ravalla just told me a drop was all that was required. She didn't give it to me before because she said a weak person would be suffering until death if they tried to drink the dragon blood of her species. A stronger body is required. After my training in Apex, my body was strong enough to brush off most of the recoil."
"...you don't SAY." Natsu felt a tick mark form.
Flashback...
"That's disgusting! Do I look like a vampire?!"
"You dare call my lost, ancient blood DISGUSTING?!"
"Why do I gotta drink this?! Can't you just teach me that magic stuff?!"
"This is necessary to mastering Dragon Slayer Magic of my caliber. If you attempt to follow the path of a Lost Dragon Slayer, you must inherit a lost dragon's blood. This in turn makes you stronger than most dragon slayers."
"But this is lik-! This is like a...uh...darn it, what was that measurement again? Uh...Ga-galle..? YES! A Gallon's worth, you stinky lizard vampire!"
"You little shi-just drink it, and I'll teach you everything you need to know about dragon slaying magic."
"mmmngh..."
"DRINK."
"F-fine! This smells weird...(gulp)..!? PLAAACK! EWWGH~!"
"WHY DID YOU SPIT IT OUT!? YOU MUST DRINK ALL OF IT!"
"I REFUSE TO BELIEVE ANY NORMAL PERSON COULD DRINK THIS NASTY STUFF!"
"NASTY-?! WHY YOU SKINNY WRETCH! DRINK IT TILL THERE'S NOT A DROP LEFT! EVEN IF IT KILLS YOU!"
"IF I DRINK THIS IT WILL KILL ME!"
Flashback end...
"That fucking bastard...! If you didn't die, I'd so have loved to kick your ass for that." Natsu gritted his teeth when his initiation began. Not only did Venigon force him to chug his life waters like he was participating in a drinking contest at the local bar, but he also neglected the part about how his frail being was not optimal for the god-damning whiplash he'd receive afterward. "He gave it to me after the third day he found me. I hated him for a month straight." He sighed in annoyance.
"My condolences." Treya had a bead of sweat roll down the back of her head.
"It's in the past now, you were saying?" Natsu didn't want to discuss it any further.
"After I received her blood, it compensated for the lack of enhancements that Apex members have. However..." Treya furrowed her brow, which she rarely did. "I've never beaten her before."
"..." Natsu just stayed silent.
"There is no one else I fear more than her. And no other killer whom I respect more." Treya just looked away and felt a bit ashamed. "I'm...not worthy of her." She said heavily and leaned against Natsu's arm. "I could never hope to be what she wanted. But maybe...its a good thing."
"..." Natsu could tell this was weighing heavily on her mind.
"I mean, I met you...and Ravalla." She pointed out. "I certainly don't regret it now." She closed her eyes and laid her head on his shoulder. "Thank you for accompanying me. To be honest... I'm not sure I could have faced my family if you hadn't come along." She thanked him sincerely.
"...yeah. Anytime." Natsu nodded with a slight smile.
"My mate?"
"Hm?"
"Can I stay like this for a bit?"
"Sure." Natsu saw no problem. She had probably been very stressed about this whole trip since the beginning. And after what he saw of her family so far, he could understand why she was hesitant about it, but it didn't stop her from rushing to their side when they needed help. He could respect that.
"..."
"..."
"I feel like we should take off our clothes."
"Uh-huh, sure." Natsu deadpanned.
"And then lay down.
"Mm."
"And then fuc-"
"Treya."
"...just a suggestion." She discreetly smiled. Natsu sighed as the two gazed out the window.
Don't know if anyone is still reading this, BUT I'M BACK AFTER A FEW YEARS HIATUS! Finally getting my life in order, and I'll just leave it at that. I won't make promises like uploading frequently, but I am going to attempt to finish this story no matter what! I think I'm just gonna focus on this one since I still know how I'm gonna end it. Then after that, I'll focus on my other stories. Thanks for blowing this story and my others up the popularity rankings! I never would have imagined everyone would have liked this story as much as I did! Keep your feedback coming, and HOPEFULLY, I can work out a writing schedule throughout the week. As I said, I've got my life on track, and growing up is not fun, however, my love for anime has not waned in the SLIGHTEST! I've seen and gotten inspiration from a lot over the years, so I figured I should strike while the iron is hot! And even if no one is reading this, I'm just gonna get it back up and running anyway!
Read/Review/Rate!
Laters!
P.S.
The lot of you who mentioned Grammarly, thank you! That's gonna speed up my correction process! Seriously, thank you!