In an atmosphere charged with tension, Natsu was stared at by everyone at the ping-pong table.
Lucy – Is he okay? – she looked at the pink-haired boy carefully, noticing he wasn't making any noise.
Natsu – So, my father is Poseidon? – he raised his face, looking into the eyes of the redhead beside him.
Gildarts nodded.
Natsu – But why didn't I know? – he clenched his fists – And why didn't he or my mother tell me? Why have I never met my father? If he's the so-called powerful god of the seas, why didn't he ever tell me who he was?
Gildarts sighed – I'm sorry to tell you, Natsu. But the gods have very important things to do... – he looked seriously at the pink-haired boy – That's why your mother didn't tell you who your father was.
Natsu – Huh? – he was confused.
Gildarts – Your father, Natsu, as one of the Big Three, has many responsibilities... – he explained calmly – And because of that, he can't spend much time with you.
Natsu – But I've never met him... – he narrowed his eyes – And what do you mean he can't spend much time with me?
Gildarts – Until you were two years old, your father, Poseidon, stayed by your side, Natsu – he explained calmly – But after that, he couldn't stay with you anymore.
Natsu – Why? – he asked with dull eyes.
Gildarts – As I said, Natsu: the gods have important things to do... – he was interrupted.
Erza – Do you think your father cares about you? Of course not, idiot! He doesn't care about you! – she laughed scornfully – The same goes for your mother! – she smiled coldly.
Lucy – ERZA! – she exclaimed, slamming her hands on the table.
Erza – What, Lucy? Going to defend your little boyfriend again?
The blonde blushed, though it was hard to tell if it was from anger or embarrassment.
Natsu lowered his face, clenching his fists on the table – I don't care about my father... – he said softly – But I won't tolerate anyone talking about my mother like that... – he raised his face, revealing his eyes now glowing a vibrant sea-green.
The blonde was startled to feel the ground shake, as if something wanted to burst out – *Is he doing this?*
The ground trembled strongly, even knocking some paintings off the walls. Like an earthquake, the mansion's walls began to crack, startling everyone.
While being stared at in astonishment by everyone, Natsu felt his blood boil with rage. He had let slide everything the redhead had said, but when she spoke of his mother, he lost his temper.
Erza felt the water on her body dry completely – What? – she was shocked. Her breathing became irregular, feeling all the air in her lungs empty completely.
Gildarts – That's enough! – he hit the pink-haired boy on the head, making Natsu's eyes return to their normal onyx.
Natsu – Huh? – he looked around, seeing that everyone was completely dry and breathing irregularly – What happened? – he asked, confused, looking carefully at everyone.
Lucy – He doesn't remember? – she breathed heavily – That's strange. He completely dried everyone's clothes and almost left us without air... – she looked seriously at the pink-haired boy, seeing him look at everyone's faces, utterly confused – *Impressive, there's no doubt the prophecy is about him...*
A few minutes later, Gildarts calmly explained to the pink-haired boy what had happened.
Natsu – So I pulled the water out of your bodies? – he furrowed his brow – And made you stop breathing for a while?
Everyone nodded.
Natsu – I can do that? – he looked at Gildarts – I mean, I'm a son of Poseidon and all, but can I make people stop breathing?
Gildarts furrowed his brow at the pink-haired boy – No, you shouldn't be able to do that – he sighed – But since you're the son of Virgo, and therefore a grandson of Zeus, you might have some abilities.
Natsu – Like what? – he asked, confused.
Gildarts – Your blood, Natsu, is very ancient. You might not just have some abilities, but many.
Natsu – What do you mean?
Loke – Let's put it this way, Natsu – he caught the pink-haired boy's attention – The Dragneels are kind of an ancient family. And maybe you're a descendant of other gods – he smiled – But we don't know which ones, so it's hard to know what kind of abilities you might have.
Natsu nodded thoughtfully – But how is my family ancient?
Gildarts – Let's say that you, Natsu, are an heir to many gods and demigods. Because of that, you've acquired incredible abilities. You could be the most powerful person of this generation...
The pink-haired boy looked at his teacher, giving an awkward smile – More powerful? Me? Never... – he laughed.
Brandish – Why do you think that? – she asked, confused.
Natsu – I only controlled water earlier out of pure luck or instinct to defend myself... – he explained – And when I dried all of you just now and made you stop breathing, it was out of irritation at what Erza said about my mother. I don't feel any power I can use – he sighed – So it's pointless to say I have powers...
Lucy – ... *He's "the guy," I'm sure of it...* – she looked seriously at the pink-haired boy, but as her gaze dropped to his lips, she blushed – *What if that kiss had happened?* – she wondered – *Would it have been good? Losing my first kiss to him... Would it be good?* – she blushed intensely – *What am I thinking?* – she shook her head negatively, making her face return to normal – *I can't be thinking about this... Not with him!* – she looked at Loke, blushing again – *Why is he so nice even when he's serious?* – she gave a faint smile.
Gildarts – ... LUCY! – he snapped the blonde out of her thoughts.
Lucy – Huh? – she looked at Gildarts, confused – W-What? – she stammered, noticing everyone at the table was staring at her.
Gildarts – We were asking what you think?
Lucy blinked a few times, confused – Think about what? – she asked, puzzled.
Gildarts sighed – About Natsu being on your team for the Friday night games... – he explained.
Lucy – Oh! Got it... – she gave an awkward smile.
Mirajane – Oh, Lucy, what were you thinking so much about? – she smiled mischievously – Could it be a boyfriend I don't know about?
Lucy blushed – Of course not! – she exclaimed – I was just planning for the Friday night games – she lied.
Mirajane – Hmmm... – her mischievous smile grew – Sure...
Lucy looked away – Believe what you want... – she sighed – But back to the topic: you want Natsu on my team? – she looked at Gildarts, seeing him nod – Alright. He can be on my team – she looked seriously at the pink-haired boy – But remember: I give the orders, and you follow them. Got it?
Natsu nodded quickly, intimidated by what the blonde had said – *She's so scary!* – he sweated coldly. But his attention shifted to something he had forgotten – Games? – he looked at Gildarts – What games?
Gildarts – The camp games – he smiled, as if that explained everything.
Natsu stared at the redhead with a vein pulsing on his forehead – Can you stop trying to hide things from me? – he asked, annoyed.
Gildarts sighed – Of course. You're right. I won't hide anything from you, except for one thing... – he caught the pink-haired boy's attention.
Natsu – You're still going to hide something from me? – he asked with dull eyes, seeing the centaur nod – What thing? – he narrowed his eyes.
Gildarts sighed – Something related to your future, Natsu...
Natsu – ... My future? – he raised an eyebrow.
Gildarts – ... Something I'm scared to even think about... Imagine if it actually happens... – he finished speaking, sighing afterward.
Natsu – What would that be? – he asked, lost in what he was saying – I'm not understanding very well.
Gildarts looked seriously at the pink-haired boy – Something even the gods fear, Natsu...
Natsu's eyes grew dull – I told you: I'm not understanding what you're saying...
Gildarts – Do you remember how your father, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus rose to the throne? – he asked, hearing the sky roar with howling lightning.
Natsu nodded affirmatively – By overthrowing Cronos, the lord of time... – with what he said, the pink-haired boy heard a much deeper and stronger thunder rumble in the sky – But what does that have to do with my future?
Gildarts – ... A prophecy...
Natsu – Prophecy?
Gildarts – This prophecy is very dangerous, and what might happen in it will decide the fate of the world...
Natsu – And could you tell me this prophecy? – he saw Gildarts shake his head – Why? – he asked, feeling the vein on his forehead pulse harder.
Gildarts – For your own good and your sanity...
Natsu widened his eyes – For my own good and my sanity? – he swallowed hard – I don't understand... – he looked around, seeing everyone silent and listening to what Gildarts was saying to the pink-haired boy.
Gildarts sighed – I won't recite the prophecy, Natsu... – he looked seriously at the pink-haired boy – I'll just tell you some things you need to know... I'll summarize a part so you can understand: a child of the Big Three will be born, and with them, they will bring either the salvation or the destruction of Olympus.
Natsu – So, this child... – his breathing became irregular – Is it me? – he asked.
Gildarts nodded – You, Natsume Dragneel, are the hope of Olympus, or its destruction...
A few hours later, Natsu walked calmly with Lucy by his side and Gray on the other. The pink-haired boy tightly held the box in his right hand, remembering that it contained the last memory of his mother.
Natsu – ... Salvation or destruction... Hope... – he sighed, thinking about what he had discussed with Gildarts – It's not possible... – he whispered.
Lucy – What's not possible? – she moved the lollipop in her mouth to the other side, tasting the sweet flavor it released.
Natsu – Why me? – he murmured – Me, the slow and stupid kid with ADHD, am a son of one of the Big Three gods, grandson of the lord of the sky, and descendant of several other gods! – he said it all without taking a single breath – Did I forget anything? – he looked at the blonde.
Lucy – Well... – she placed her hand on her chin, thoughtful – You're also the son of the greatest heroine of this generation... – she smiled.
Natsu – Thanks for reminding me... – he gave a cold smile, with a vein pulsing on his forehead, but then remembered – The greatest heroine of this generation?
Gray – Well... – he bit the aluminum can in his hand – Let's say your mother, Natsu, neglected a right that was granted to her...
Natsu – Neglected? – he whispered – What did she neglect?
Lucy sighed, feeling her cheeks flush – How can I put it? – she smiled – She's the greatest heroine who ever existed. Strong, determined, with a strong sense of justice...
Natsu – That sounds kind of weird...
Lucy – ... With immense character. She was the heroine who saved Olympus, and even though she refused the privilege of becoming a goddess, she chose to remain a mortal...
Natsu – The privilege of becoming a goddess? – he murmured, confused.
Gray looked at the pink-haired boy with a mocking smile – Yes. A goddess. Virgo Dragneel could have become a goddess. An assistant to Zeus. But she chose to remain a demigod.
Natsu – She would've become a goddess? – he looked surprised at both of them – Like, a goddess with superhuman powers and everything?
Lucy – Yes. But as I said: she neglected that right that was given to her – she sighed.
Natsu – But why would she do that? – he murmured thoughtfully.
Lucy – Many say she was already pregnant with you... – she caught the pink-haired boy's attention – Others think she wanted to humiliate the gods by saying that being a mere mortal was better.
Natsu – Hmm... – he murmured – She gave up being a goddess? For me? – he gripped the box – *Mom... I don't know why you refused such a gift... But I'll still ask you why you did it...*
Gray – We're here! – he announced, snapping the pink-haired boy out of his thoughts.
Natsu – Huh? – he furrowed his brow – We're here? This is the cabin you wanted to bring me to? – he asked with a sweatdrop.
Lucy – It's Poseidon's cabin – she informed, leaving the pink-haired boy surprised.
Natsu – My father's? – he blinked a few times, even more surprised – ... *I called him my father...* – he looked back at the cabin in front of him – But it's not ugly... – he smiled, looking closely at the house in front of him: not too big, but wide and spacious. Painted a dark blue, you could tell the stones came straight from the ocean floor, as many still had dried moss – *Really beautiful...*
Gray – Poseidon's cabin is considered one of the most beautiful cabins... – he smiled at the pink-haired boy – Come on. You need to see the inside.
Upon entering Poseidon's cabin, Natsu was completely surprised to see what it was like inside: very spacious, the floor polished to a glossy black/blue, three black sofas in the center of the room, all facing a fireplace. Next to the fireplace was a staircase to the second floor, and beside it, several doors, which must lead to other rooms.
Natsu – Wow! It's really beautiful... – he looked around, awestruck by everything he saw – It's a great place to live... – he smiled, then remembered – Huh? Where are the others who should be here? – he looked at the brunette and the blonde, seeing them look away – Gray? Lucy?
Lucy sighed – Isn't it about time to tell him? – she asked the brunette – He'll find out one way or another.
Gray nodded – ... You're right... – he looked at the pink-haired boy – Natsu. You don't have siblings – he was direct.
Natsu – What? – he furrowed his brow – I don't understand.
Gray – You don't have siblings – he repeated.
Natsu – What do you mean? – he stared at the brunette with a vein pulsing on his forehead – I don't have half-siblings?
Lucy – Natsu, you're the only son of Poseidon... – she explained.
Natsu widened his eyes slightly – What do you mean? – he blinked multiple times, surprised by what he heard – I'm the "only" son of Poseidon?
The blonde sighed – I don't want to stand, so let's sit – she walked to one of the sofas, settling on the one to the right – Come on, you two, sit – she smiled smugly, as if she owned the place.
Natsu stared at the blonde with a vein pulsing on his forehead – ... Thanks... – he growled, giving a forced smile – *What a cheeky girl!* – he sat on the middle sofa – So, talk.
Gray sighed – Remember how in mythology the gods had many children?
Natsu nodded – Yes. The gods always had many children. And many of them became famous for their heroic deeds.
Lucy – Yes... – she sighed – But about seventy years ago, during World War II, a prophecy was recited.
The pink-haired boy furrowed his brow – The prophecy Gildarts didn't want to tell me about? – he asked, seeing the blonde nod – But I still don't understand. How is it about me?
Lucy – As Gildarts said: a child of the Big Three will be born, and with them, they will bring either the salvation or the destruction of Olympus – she repeated what Gildarts had said – Some time ago, I managed to read this prophecy. In fact, all the head counselors know the full prophecy... – she sighed.
Natsu – So why am I the only one who can't know about this prophecy?
Lucy stared at the pink-haired boy with a vein pulsing on her forehead – Haven't you figured it out yet, idiot? – she grumbled.
Natsu – Why don't you explain it better? – he retorted with a question.
Lucy – Who's the slow and dumb one? – she shouted, completely enraged.
Natsu – Who's slow and dumb? You pharmacy blonde! – he growled.
Lucy – Pharmacy blonde... – she whispered – Dragneel, how dare you! You pink panther! – she stood up, ready to hit the pink-haired boy, but was held back by the brunette.
Gray – Lucy! Calm down! – he held the blonde by the shoulders – You two shouldn't be fighting, so stop!
Lucy – Alright, Gray... – she sat back on the sofa – But next time he talks to me like that, I swear, I won't have mercy.
The pink-haired boy stared coldly at the blonde.
Gray sighed – Don't you think you should stop? – he shook his head – ... Natsu... – he looked seriously at the pink-haired boy – I'll explain quickly and directly – he saw the pink-haired boy nod – You, Natsu, are the son of Poseidon and Virgo Dragneel. And since your mother was a daughter of Zeus, that makes you a grandson of the Lord of the Sky – he sighed – After World War II, the Oracle recited a prophecy: a child of the Big Three will be born, and with them, they will bring either the salvation or the destruction of Olympus...
Natsu – But what about the part where I can't know about the prophecy? – he asked, confused.
Lucy – That part Gildarts said you can know – she explained – What you can't know is the rest of the prophecy.
Natsu nodded, confirming.
Natsu – I can save Olympus, right? – he asked, looking into the brunette's eyes – But why can I save Olympus? Aren't there any other children of Poseidon? And if the prophecy is about a child of the Big Three, doesn't that mean it could be another child?
Gray – I'm getting to that part – he sighed – Since World War II was practically a fight between the children of Zeus and Poseidon on one side, against those of Hades on the other, that war was considered a catastrophe for demigods... But when it ended...
Lucy – ... Zeus and Poseidon made Hades swear on the River Styx that they would have no more children because of the prophecy, since their children won.
Gray – And since a swear on the River Styx is worth more than anything, they couldn't break that oath... – he sighed – But there were some incidents...
Natsu – What incidents? – he found it strange.
Lucy sighed – Zeus and Poseidon didn't keep their word – she explained, leaving the pink-haired boy even more confused – When you make an oath on the River Styx, you must follow it to the end... – she looked seriously at the pink-haired boy – But since Zeus and Poseidon didn't keep their word and had children...
Natsu – ... Then the pact meant nothing – he completed – But why? If they had made the pact, why did they have children with mortals? – he didn't understand.
Gray – The first was Zeus – he caught the pink-haired boy's attention – Having an affair with a demigoddess, daughter of Demeter, and from that union, a little girl was born: Virgo Dragneel...
Natsu – ... My mother... – he stared at the brunette, surprised.
Lucy – ... Hades and Poseidon were angry. Even though Zeus had the idea of not having more children, he had another child – she sighed – And as punishment, Hades and Poseidon pursued that child more and more, trying every way to kill her...
Gray sighed – But a few years later, that little girl had grown into a beautiful, strong, and determined woman – he smiled – And because of that, her father, Zeus, decided to give her a mission: to retrieve something that rightfully belongs to the gods. But something went wrong: she ended up stranded at sea. On the verge of death, Poseidon decided not to kill her, taking her to an island. There, he ended up falling in love with your mother.
Natsu gave a slight blush.
Lucy – Upon successfully completing the mission given by Zeus, Virgo returned. Zeus decided to give his daughter a gift, and since she showed her courage, he decided to make her a goddess... – she was interrupted.
Natsu – But she refused that divine gift... – he clenched his fists – All because of me.
Gray sighed – Don't blame yourself, Natsu.
Natsu – But... – he was interrupted.
Lucy – Gray already said: don't blame yourself, idiot – she turned her nose up, giving a mocking smile – Know that one of the reasons Virgo didn't accept that gift was... – she stopped, widening her eyes slightly.
Natsu – Was...? – he raised an eyebrow, confused.
Lucy – Forget it – she gave an awkward smile – Come on, Gray. Let him explore his new home.
Gray – Alright – he smiled – See you tonight, Natsu. And remember: as soon as you hear the dinner call, go immediately, since Gildarts doesn't like delays much.
Natsu – Okay – he agreed, watching the brunette and the blonde leave – Now that I'm alone, what am I going to do? – he wondered to himself – Let's go! Explore this house! – he smiled, starting to explore the house.
Hours later, Natsu stared at the lit fireplace in front of him, thinking about everything that had happened so far.
Suddenly, a sound of a conch shell echoed through the house, snapping the pink-haired boy out of his thoughts – *That must be the dinner call...* – he sighed, standing up from the sofa – Let's go – he walked to the door, opening it shortly after. The pink-haired boy started walking out of his cabin, but as he looked to the side, he saw lines coming out of the other cabins, but Natsu found it strange that no one came out of two cabins to his right, and that the third cabin on the left, glowing with a pale light, also had no one come out – *How strange...* – he thought, furrowing his brow – *Why didn't anyone come out of those cabins?* – he sighed, shrugging, and started walking toward the pavilion.
Upon arriving at the open-air pavilion, Natsu felt uncomfortable seeing that all the demigods, satyrs, and, what the pink-haired boy found strange, girls glowing with a moss-green color, were staring at him – *They're all staring at me...* – he felt a shiver seeing the look the blonde was giving him – *Why the hell is she staring at me like that?* – he wondered, giving an awkward smile.
Gildarts – Natsu! – he caught the pink-haired boy's attention – Come on, come over here.
Natsu blinked a few times, confused – Oh, alright – he walked to his teacher, noticing he wasn't in his wheelchair, but rather with his horse torso.
Gildarts – As everyone knows... – he caught everyone's attention – This is Natsu Dragneel. Son of Poseidon and Virgo Dragneel. Go on, Natsu, introduce yourself.
Natsu blushed seeing everyone staring at him – Well... – he gave an awkward smile – *WILL SHE STOP STARING AT ME LIKE THAT?* – he noticed the blonde staring at him coldly – My name is Natsu Dragneel. I'm twelve years old. I studied at Yand Academy. I'm in the seventh grade. And... – he looked away, blushing even more – I'm single... – he murmured, hearing the girls let out squeals.
Girl 1 – Did you hear? He's single! – she let out a squeal – Maybe we have a chance!
Girl 2 – Yes, yes! – she also let out a squeal – One of us, daughters of Aphrodite, will win his heart!
Natsu just stared at all the girls with a sweatdrop – *What's going on?* – he wondered to himself.
Gildarts – ... Natsu – he snapped the pink-haired boy out of his thoughts – Sit at that table – he pointed to an empty table – That table belongs to Poseidon's cabin.
Natsu nodded. He walked to the table, sitting down shortly after – *Alone...* – he whispered, looking at the long table where he sat alone.
Lucy – You're the only son of Poseidon, so you sit alone – she explained, catching the pink-haired boy's attention.
Natsu – You were there? – he asked, surprised, turning around, seeing the blonde sitting at the table behind his – Hey, why were you staring at me like that? – he whispered.
The blonde blushed – Shut up! It's none of your business! – she exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.
Natsu gave an awkward smile – Alright. Forget it...
The pink-haired boy blushed hearing the comments from the girls at the table next to his:
Girl 3 – Damn! Is Heartphillia already making a move for Natsu's heart?
Girl 5 – I don't know. But she could be a tough competitor.
Girl 7 – We need to eliminate her! She's too dangerous!
Natsu stared at the girls who said that with a sweatdrop – *This isn't going to end well...* – he thought calmly.
Lucy – SHUT UP! – she exclaimed, standing up abruptly – I would never be with that guy! – she pointed at the pink-haired boy.
Natsu – Uh, Lucy? – he gave an awkward smile – You know, it's my first day and all, so could you not make me look bad?
Mirajane – Come on, Lucy. No need to lie – she smiled mischievously – Wendy told me you two almost kissed.
Lucy turned her face robotically toward the albino – What did you say? – she smiled coldly – Wendy's still delirious from the fall she took. Don't believe what she says...
Gildarts – Alright – he intervened – The nymphs will bring the food to the tables. So eat and drink! – he stomped his hoof on the ground.
Natsu was surprised to see floating girls bringing plates and plates of food to the tables – *Much better than waiting in line...* – he thought calmly. When a nymph passed by him and left a plate in front of him, the pink-haired boy saw that the plate had some strange things: a glass with a reddish hue, which he thought was the same thing he drank when he woke up, a plate with something creamy that looked like whipped cream, another plate with food and meats, and another glass with a blue liquid.
Gildarts – Eat – he caught the pink-haired boy's attention, appearing out of nowhere – You need to recover. The ambrosia and nectar of the gods will help you improve.
Natsu nodded robotically, confused. But he was surprised when he took a spoonful of the whipped cream-like dish – *It's like... my mother's food...* – he tasted the sweet flavor of his mother's desserts – *I also taste the savory dishes she made...* – he smiled, also tasting the sandwiches his mother used to make – *Damn it, again?* – he felt his eyes well up.
Gildarts smiled seeing how the pink-haired boy reacted. He turned and left, leaving the pink-haired boy alone at his table.
While eating, Natsu noticed that the boys and girls were getting up and heading toward a fire pit, throwing part of their food into it – *What are they doing?* – he whispered.
Lucy – Offering part of their meals to their divine parents – she explained.
Natsu – Huh? – he didn't understand what she had said.
Lucy sighed – They're offering part of their food to the gods. It's a way to communicate with your divine parent. That's why they're doing it – she explained – My turn – she stood up with her plate in hand, walking to the fire pit and throwing part of it in.
Natsu looked at his plate – *Could it be?* – he wondered hopefully – *Maybe he'll answer me...* – he gave a faint smile – *Here goes...* – he stood up, walking toward the fire pit.
Girl 4 – Look, look. He's going to make an offering.
Girl 7 – Awesome! Will he let me talk to my future father-in-law?
Girl 9 – Stop being an idiot! I'm the one who'll be his girlfriend!
Natsu just walked past, completely flushed by the comments – *What weird girls...* – he thought with a sweatdrop – *Here goes...* – he whispered, standing in front of the fire pit. Raising his plate, Natsu threw everything into the fire without hesitation – ... *Dad...* – he thought – *If you're listening to this, please... Answer...* – he took a deep breath – *If my mother is alive, give me a sign... Please... If you really loved her and do care about me, answer me, please...* – he let out the breath he hadn't even realized he was holding – *Give me a sign... That's all I ask... And a way to save my mother...* – he turned, walking back to his table – *Just give me a sign...* – he whispered, sighing afterward.
Gildarts – Finish eating! Tomorrow morning, we'll have archery training! And the head counselors will evaluate all the campers! – he smiled – So drink, eat, and have fun! – he raised a glass to the sky, followed by all the other campers.
Natsu smiled at everyone's enthusiasm – *I know I'll be happy...* – he sighed – *But why do I feel like something's missing?* – he wondered to himself – *Oh, right... My mother...* – he looked up, seeing the moon shining – *What does the future hold for me?*