After everyone had eaten, Gildarts made his announcement – As you all know – he caught the attention of all the demigods – Friday night will feature the games... – he was interrupted.
Everyone – YEAH! – they exclaimed enthusiastically.
Boy 1 – We're going to win again!
Boy 2 – Of course! We're on Erza's team, we'll definitely win!
Lucy sighed upon hearing that.
Gildarts – Silence! – he exclaimed, being heard by everyone – Continuing: as we'll have the games, there will also be prizes.
Erza – What will they be this time, Gildarts? – she smirked – Because I'm definitely going to win! – she looked at the blonde, giving a mocking smile.
Lucy stared coldly at the redhead – I wouldn't be so sure...
Boy 3 – Why do you think that, Heartphillia? – he questioned – You know very well we always win! – he laughed.
A blue-haired girl, standing next to Lucy, stood up, despite her short stature – Quiet! We're going to win this time! Because now, he's on our team! – she pointed at the pink-haired boy.
Natsu looked at the girl with a sweatdrop – You know, I wouldn't put so much confidence in me... – he gave an awkward smile – I'm not good at fighting.
Erza laughed loudly – Levy, Levy, Levy. Do you think this trash can beat me? – she stood up from her seat – I'm the best warrior in this camp! You'll never beat me! – she stared at the pink-haired boy, pointing at him – Especially this trash that everyone thinks is the child of the prophecy! – she smirked, looking coldly at Natsu – He may be the son of Virgo Dragneel, but he's nothing like her! He's just a son, who I bet she never even wanted! – she laughed scornfully.
Gildarts approached the redhead, hitting her head with a flick – That's enough, Erza! – he said seriously.
Erza – What? I'm just saying what I think! – she looked at the pink-haired boy – And he knows I'm right, don't you, Dragneel? – she asked ironically.
Natsu, who had kept his head down since Erza started speaking, let out a loud laugh, startling everyone with the intensity of his laughter.
Erza – Huh? Why are you laughing? – her eyes grew dull – Have you gone mad? – she smiled.
Natsu stood up from his table, walking calmly toward the redhead – How about we make a bet, Erza? – he asked coldly, with dull eyes.
Erza – What kind of bet? – she questioned, smiling coldly.
Natsu – I'm on Lucy's team, and you're on another, right?
Erza – So what? – she furrowed her brow, confused.
Natsu – If my team wins, you and your cabin will obey Athena's cabin for a year – he smirked.
Erza – But if my team wins... – she pointed her finger in the pink-haired boy's face, smirking – You'll run around the entire camp in panties and a bra – she saw the pink-haired boy blush slightly, both from anger and embarrassment – And you'll wash the clothes of everyone in Ares' cabin.
Natsu – Deal! – he extended his hand toward the redhead.
Erza – Alright! – she gripped the pink-haired boy's hand tightly, hearing the crack of his bones – You're going to regret this, Dragneel.
Natsu – But... – he caught the redhead's attention – I want you to swear on the River Styx that you'll keep your word – he smirked, hearing the sky roar fiercely.
Erza – *I'm not going to lose anyway...* – she thought calmly – *... So it doesn't hurt to swear...* – she smirked – Sure! But get ready, because I'll pick out a cute teddy bear panty and a polka-dot bra for you.
Natsu stared at the redhead with dull eyes – Then swear!
Erza – I, Erza Scarlet, swear on the River Styx that, on Friday night, during the games, if I lose, my cabin will be subservient to Athena's cabin for a year! – she smiled, hearing a loud rumble echo in the sky – Your turn...
Natsu – I, Natsu Dragneel, swear on the River Styx that if my team loses on Friday night, I'll run around the entire camp in panties and a bra. And I'll wash the clothes of everyone in Ares' cabin – once again, a thunderclap roared in the sky.
Lucy sighed, seeing what the pink-haired boy had done – *Damn it...* – she lamented – *There's no turning back now...* – she shook her head – *He'll have to win...*
Gildarts smiled, seeing the confident look of the pink-haired boy – *Just like her...* – he thought calmly, with a serene smile on his lips – Alright! Return to your cabins immediately! And grab whatever you need! The campfire is about to start!
Upon hearing Gildarts say that, all the demigods rushed to their cabins.
Erza, who had stayed behind, smirked, looking at the pink-haired boy with dull eyes – Remember, Dragneel: I'm going to win. And you're going to run around the entire camp in just panties and a bra! – she walked away from the pink-haired boy, heading toward her cabin.
Natsu – *What a weird girl...* – he whispered, sighing afterward.
Lucy approached, standing beside the pink-haired boy – You have no idea... – she gave a forced smile – But... – she glared at the pink-haired boy, making him shrink – What's your problem?
Natsu – What do you mean? – he gave an awkward smile.
Lucy – Why the hell did you make a bet like that with Erza? – she questioned, irritated – And swearing on the River Styx, no less! – a thunderclap roared in the sky – I'll ask one more time: what's your problem?
Natsu smirked – ... I don't know...
Lucy blinked multiple times, surprised – What?
Natsu – Let's just say I didn't like the way she was talking – he smiled serenely, looking into the blonde's brown eyes – So I decided to beat her in the games.
Lucy – But why make her obey Athena's cabin? – she crossed her arms, unintentionally pushing up her chest, making her average-sized breasts appear fuller – Well?
Natsu blushed seeing the blonde's chest like that – ... Well... – he gave an awkward smile – I'm the only one in my cabin, since I'm the only son of Poseidon and all. And since you're smart, I know you'll know what to do if we win... – he sighed.
Lucy – You got that right – she caught the pink-haired boy's attention – "If we win" – she smirked – I think I'll help Erza pick out a cute panty and bra for you! – she started walking out of the pavilion.
Natsu – Huh? Lucy? You wouldn't do that! – he ran after the blonde, trying to change her mind.
Gildarts smiled at what he saw. He walked to the fire pit, tossing a small piece of meat into it, clasping his hands together and murmuring prayers – Great Hestia, goddess of the hearth and fire, please protect this camp and these children from the evil that approaches... – he turned, galloping out of the pavilion.
Right behind the redhead, the flames crackled strongly, and a face appeared among them – Don't worry, Gildarts... – the face in the flames smiled – I will protect your home... – her face disappeared, giving way to normal flames.
A few minutes later, Natsu left his cabin and saw that all the boys and girls coming out of the cabins were heading toward a campfire between the cabins.
The pink-haired boy started walking. The closer he got to the campfire, the more he heard a serene and sweet melody coming from it. Upon reaching the campfire, Natsu saw that the blonde was already there. He went to her, sitting beside her.
Lucy turned her face toward the pink-haired boy, smiling and singing the melody of the song – Beautiful, isn't it? – she pointed at the campfire.
Natsu looked at the campfire, seeing it crackle in red/yellow/orange – Yes. Beautiful – he smiled – ... *She's beautiful...* – he blushed, seeing that the blonde was only wearing a loose dress, laced at the edges, with a small flower in her ear, and her hair down. The pink-haired boy was completely hypnotized by the blonde's beauty.
Natsu only snapped out of his thoughts when he heard someone speak nearby:
– There's the couple of the year!
The pink-haired boy and the blonde blushed, and they grew even more embarrassed when they heard the giggles of some girls passing by – IT'S NOT LIKE THAT, GRAY! – they exclaimed.
The brunette laughed – Really? – he questioned, sitting beside the pink-haired boy – You know, you two, here, so close to each other... – he smirked mischievously – I don't know!
Lucy glared at the brunette – Next time you say something like that, I swear I'll shave your head, and I won't let your horns grow.
Gray shrank, putting his hands on his head, desperate at the "silent" threat the blonde made – Please, no... – he whimpered.
The pink-haired boy and the blonde burst into laughter. But both stopped laughing when they heard an annoyed voice nearby:
– Lucy, you're mean, you know that? – she approached the brunette – Threatening my boyfriend like that!
Lucy huffed, turning her nose up – Hmph! It's his fault for being such an idiot! – she smirked – But how are you, Juvia? – she looked at the blue-haired girl in front of her, smiling kindly.
Juvia sighed – I'm fine... – she returned the smile – But you're still really mean. And you always keep your promises, so don't shave my boyfriend's head! – she sat beside the brunette – And I still want Gray's horns to grow big! – she kissed the brunette's cheek.
Gray turned red at what the blue-haired girl said but smiled broadly.
Natsu looked closely at the blue-haired girl. He furrowed his brow, noticing she was wearing a blue dress, a pearl necklace, and pendants in her hair, which was in a ponytail.
Juvia looked at the pink-haired boy, not recognizing him – Who's that? – she asked, pointing at the pink-haired boy.
Gray smirked – He's "the guy" – he made air quotes with his hands.
Juvia stared at the pink-haired boy with wide eyes – The son of Poseidon? – she asked, seeing the brunette nod.
Natsu was startled when a blue figure appeared out of nowhere in front of him. But he calmed down when he realized it was the blue-haired girl.
Juvia extended her hand toward the pink-haired boy, smiling – Nice to meet you. My name is Juvia Lockser. I'm a Naiad.
Natsu – Uh, Naiad? – he didn't recall what that name meant in mythology.
Juvia – Uh-huh! – she nodded – A spirit of rivers and lakes. But you can call me the goddess of lakes. Because I'm the one who rules the lake here on Long Island.
Lucy – Yeah, right! – she coughed fakely.
Juvia stared coldly at the blonde.
Natsu shook the blue-haired girl's hand, giving a forced smile – Natsu... Dragneel.
Juvia – That's it! – she exclaimed, startling the pink-haired boy – Now the other Naiads, who think they're all that because they've had intimate encounters with other sons of Poseidon, will see. Hmph! They think they're a big deal just because they slept with sons of Poseidon once or twice? – she laughed loudly, startling the pink-haired boy – I shook the hand of the son of Poseidon! And he's the boy of the prophecy! – she pointed at Gray – You saw, didn't you, love? I shook the hand of the son of Poseidon!
Gray gave an awkward smile – Of course, my love. I saw you shake Natsu's hand. So don't worry. If anyone says it was a lie, I'll deny it! – he smiled.
Juvia – That's right! – she shouted again.
A cheerful song started playing, and with it, several boys stood up, inviting girls to dance, leading them near the campfire, dancing joyfully.
Juvia – Haaa... – she smiled – Come on, Gray! Come on, Gray! Come on, Gray! – she grabbed the brunette's arm – Time for us to dance.
The pink-haired boy just watched the brunette sigh and follow the blue-haired girl to the campfire, starting to dance with her.
Lucy – She never changes... – she smiled.
Natsu – Huh, what do you mean? – he didn't understand what the blonde said.
Lucy – Nothing! – she laughed.
Natsu sighed. Then he looked at the campfire, blushing as he noticed that he and the blonde were the only ones not dancing, except for the boys singing and playing instruments and other girls chatting in the corners – *What do I do?* – he wondered – *Should I ask her to dance?* – he glanced at the blonde, seeing her smiling while humming the song's melody – *But what if she says no? Won't it be awkward?* – he looked to the side, seeing a boy approaching him and the blonde, blushing – *Is he planning to ask her to dance?* – his eyes grew dull – *No, I won't let him!* – he stood up, extending his hand toward the blonde – Hey, Lucy, want to dance? – he gave a nervous smile.
Lucy blinked multiple times, surprised by the sudden request – Uh, y-yeah... – she blushed, taking the pink-haired boy's hand.
The boy who was approaching smirked, realizing what Natsu had done – *I did what you asked, Aphrodite... Now I'm out...* – he thought calmly, disappearing like smoke.
Natsu led the blonde near the campfire, starting to dance with her. He smiled nervously. He barely knew how to dance, but he was doing his best.
Lucy – You're really bad... – she commented, laughing at how clumsy the pink-haired boy was.
The pink-haired boy turned red with anger – Shut up! – he exclaimed, hearing the blonde laugh.
And so, the night went on. With jokes and laughter from everyone.
Later that night, in his cabin, Natsu stared at the ceiling of his new room, deep in thought – *This place is beautiful... But...* – he sighed – *It's so lonely* – he turned to the window on the wall, staring at it intently – *I should go to sleep...* – he whispered, closing his eyes – *Damn it!* – he opened his eyes quickly – *No! I can't!* – he got out of bed, walking out of the room – *I'll grab something to drink...* – he murmured, heading toward the kitchen.
Upon reaching the kitchen of Poseidon's cabin, Natsu opened the fridge – *How is there electricity here?* – he looked confused at the light coming from the fridge – *I didn't see any electrical wires or a generator...* – he sighed – *Why am I thinking about these things?* – he grabbed a can of soda, opening it and taking a long sip – *Cold...* – he whispered, smiling.
After finishing the soda, Natsu started walking back to his room – *I feel lonely...* – he sighed again – *At least at Yand, I didn't feel so lonely, since Gray was in the same dorm as me* – he opened his room's door, entering shortly after. But as he turned, Natsu jumped back at what he saw inside – *A-A horse?* – he looked in shock at the beautiful blue-coated horse, with a long mane, fluffy tail, and incredibly white teeth.
The horse looked at the pink-haired boy, smiling – *Yo! Boss! Long time no see!* – it neighed, stamping its hooves on the floor – *Good to see you've grown!*
Natsu stared at the horse with wide eyes, startled to hear it in his head – *Who are you?* – he gave a shaky smile.
The horse neighed – *I've been called many things!* – it bent its front legs, kneeling and lowering its head – *But you nicknamed me Happy!* – it raised its head, returning to its normal height.
Natsu furrowed his brow – *Happy?* – he questioned in thought, confused.
Happy – *Yup, boss!* – it neighed.
Natsu covered his mouth, completely startled – *You can read my thoughts?*
The horse neighed again – *Of course, boss! Have you ever seen a son of Poseidon who can't talk to horses?* – it responded with a question.
Natsu raised an eyebrow – *What do you mean, talk to horses?*
Happy – *Come on, boss. Everyone knows all sons of Poseidon can talk to horses* – it explained, pacing back and forth.
Natsu was confused by what the horse said but then remembered what Gildarts had told him:
*"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."*
Natsu – *Oh! My father created horses, right? So that's why I can hear them in my head?*
Happy neighed in agreement – *You can not only hear them but also speak mentally with all horses, aquatic creatures, and other things related to Poseidon* – it explained, neighing afterward.
Natsu nodded – *Got it... But...* – a vein popped on his forehead – *BUT HOW DID YOU GET INTO MY ROOM?* – he glared at the horse angrily.
Happy – *Calm down a bit, boss. No need to get mad!* – it neighed, laughing – *I'll explain everything, so sit down* – it pointed with its hoof to the bed where the pink-haired boy had been lying.
Natsu walked to his bed, sitting on the edge – *Go on! Explain.*
Happy – *Alright, boss. I'll be direct* – its voice grew more serious – *As I said: you have the power to talk to animals directly related to Poseidon...*
Natsu – *But you still haven't explained why you're here.*
The horse neighed again – *Your father sent me!*
Natsu – *What?* – he stared at the horse in shock – *My father sent you?* – he asked, surprised.
Happy – *Hey, boss. I think it'd be better if you spoke mentally. It's much easier to talk* – it snorted.
Natsu – *O-Okay...* – he gave an awkward smile with a sweatdrop – *But could you explain?* – he looked seriously at the horse in front of him.
Happy – *Not here...*
Natsu – *Huh?* – he didn't understand.
Happy – *I need to take you to Lua...* – it stood up, getting back on its feet – *Let's go! Get on me! I'll take you to the house your father built for you!* – smoke came out of its nostrils.
Natsu jumped up, startled – *L-Lua? What do you mean?* – he found it strange.
Happy – *Stop being scared, boss!* – it neighed – *I won't let you fall!*
Natsu – *That's not the problem!* – he got irritated – *What do you mean by Lua? Are you planning to take me to outer space?* – he looked nervously at the horse, with a nervous twitch above his eyebrow.
Happy – *Of course not, boss* – it snorted – *Let's go. The faster, the better. So take off that pajama and put on some clothes* – it started galloping toward the open window and, like a bolt, disappeared into the air.
Natsu choked on what he saw – *What?* – he walked to the window, looking through it. But as he looked down at the ground, he saw the horse there, neighing and calling for him:
Happy – *Come on, boss! Hurry up and get ready! The faster you get ready, the faster we'll get there!* – it exclaimed, neighing louder and louder.
Natsu stared at the horse with a sweatdrop – *I'm coming! So be quiet!* – he exclaimed in thought, hearing the horse neigh in agreement.
Natsu ran to his wardrobe, which surprisingly had clothes that fit him perfectly. After getting dressed, the pink-haired boy ran outside his cabin, reaching the spot where the horse was waiting.
Happy – *You took forever!* – it complained, neighing angrily.
Natsu – *... Sorry...* – he gave an awkward smile.
Happy – *Come on, get on me already!*
The pink-haired boy sighed in defeat. He walked to the horse and mounted it shortly after.
Happy – *Hold on tight, boss!* – it gave a jolt in its body, making the pink-haired boy jump upward.
Natsu – *Slow down!* – he exclaimed.
Happy – *Here we go, boss!* – flames surrounded the horse's hooves, startling the pink-haired boy. The horse started to float, then bolted forward.
Natsu clung to the horse's mane, trying not to fall. Looking to the side, he saw they were moving at an incredibly fast speed. At that moment, Happy was running at high speed across the sea. The pink-haired boy smiled, stretching his hand to the water, touching it while laughing and feeling the wind hit his face. He knew that, in less than seconds, the horse was already halfway across Long Island Sound.
Happy – *Hey, boss!* – it called to the pink-haired boy, snapping him out of his thoughts – *We're almost there. So hold on, because I'm going all out now!*
Natsu – *Huh?* – he didn't understand. But seeing the horse's hooves spark with more flames and now lightning bolts coming from them, he held onto the mane tighter, feeling the horse speed up like a bolt of lightning.
Minutes later, Natsu spotted a thin strip on the horizon, realizing it was an island.
Natsu – *An island...*
Happy – *Yup, boss! That's Lua Island!* – it responded, hearing how confused the pink-haired boy was while looking at the island that was getting closer.
Natsu stared at the horse with a sweatdrop – *Do all horses read my thoughts?* – he questioned, confused.
Happy – *Yup!* – it neighed – *But let's put that aside!*
Natsu – *Alright...* – he sighed, looking at the island that was now close.
When Happy landed on the island's ground, Natsu dismounted, looking around – *What is this place, Happy?* – he saw that the beach had nothing but rocks, sand, and, ahead, large trees hiding the island's interior.
The horse passed by the pink-haired boy, walking toward the trees – *Come on, boss. This way* – it neighed again.
Natsu furrowed his brow, confused. But he just followed the horse, not wanting to ask too many questions.
Minutes later, inside the island's forest, the pink-haired boy looked around – *Everything here is beautiful...* – he saw the different flowers on the ground, the trees, and many other things that made the place even more stunning.
Happy – *Let's go, boss. We're almost there* – it galloped faster.
Natsu – *Hey, wait for me!* – he tried to run alongside the horse, seeing he couldn't keep up with its speed. But suddenly, he felt his body hit something; the horse's rear – *WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?* – he massaged his nose, hearing it make sounds it shouldn't.
Happy – *You're so clumsy, boss. Let's go* – after saying that, neither spoke again.
Both Natsu and Happy remained silent.
Natsu, despite seeing strange things in just one day, was happy to see the horse again – *See again...* – he thought calmly, widening his eyes slightly.
Happy looked back, staring at the son of Poseidon – *Boss?* – it neighed, confused, stopping its walk.
Natsu stared at the horse, surprised – *We already knew each other, didn't we?* – he murmured, blinking.
Happy neighed, laughing in thought – *You only remembered now?* – it retorted with a question.
Natsu – *Since when have I known you?* – he furrowed his brow.
Happy – *From your perspective, since you were seven* – it explained.
Natsu – *My perspective?* – he found it strange.
Happy neighed, shaking its head – *Yes. You met me on the field trip you took when you were seven. But I've known you forever. Since your birth* – it explained.
Natsu – *So you knew my mother?* – he saw the horse neigh in agreement – *But she never told me about you.*
Happy – *If she had told you about me, the mist protecting you would've dissipated, and you could've become a target for creatures from the depths.*
Natsu – *Mist?* – he found it strange – *What do you mean?*
Happy stared at the pink-haired boy with flared nostrils, then snorted, flames coming out of them.
Natsu jumped back, startled – *FIRE?* – he exclaimed.
Happy – *Yes, boss* – it snorted again – *But don't worry. I won't burn you. It wouldn't work even if I tried.*
Natsu stared at the horse, confused – *What do you mean?* – he found it strange.
Happy neighed again – *I'll explain later, boss. But for now, we've reached where I wanted.*
Natsu furrowed his brow at the cave ahead. Looking around, the pink-haired boy realized they were surrounded by the island's forest, completely at the mercy of any animal or monster that might attack them.
Happy contracted its back, bending its hind and front legs, lying on the ground – *Let's go, boss* – it looked at the pink-haired boy, nodding – *Get on me. From here on, you can't go on foot.*
Natsu furrowed his brow – *What do you mean?*
Happy – *Just get on* – it grumbled.
Natsu sighed. He walked to the horse, mounting it.
Happy stood up. Its hooves ignited with flames again, along with lightning sparks. The horse bolted into the cave, leaving the night's dimness to enter the strange cave.
Natsu found one thing odd: the cave wasn't really a cave. Inside, there was a polished floor that shone. The walls weren't too wide, with drawings of tridents and moving water – *Where are we going?* – he found it strange.
Happy – *You'll see soon, boss* – it neighed happily – *Sleep a bit. The journey to get there might take a while.*
Natsu found the horse's behavior odd but didn't want to argue. He rested his head on the horse's mane, closing his eyes and soon falling asleep, slipping into strange dreams:
*"On a field trip in the middle of Central Park in New York, a pink-haired boy looked around, completely lost. Heavy rain fell from the sky, and thunder roared, as if angry.*
*Natsu – The sky is angry... – he murmured with closed eyes – I'm alone again... – he hugged his legs, hiding his face between his knees – I had to get lost... – he sighed.*
*The pink-haired boy snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a neigh. He looked to the side, seeing only fog and intensifying rain. He heard another neigh. The pink-haired boy narrowed his eyes toward the trees, seeing a strange shape coming toward him. But upon realizing what it was, he was surprised – A horse? – he murmured, his voice muffled by the rain.*
*The horse neighed, approaching the pink-haired boy calmly – How you doing, boss?*
*Natsu moved his head side to side, looking for a person, then stared at the horse – Me? – he found it strange.*
*The horse neighed, laughing – You've grown, you know? – it approached the pink-haired boy, lowering to his height – Come on, get on me – it nodded.*
*The pink-haired boy stood up, facing the horse – Alright – he mounted with the horse's help – Where are we going? – he felt the horse start to walk.*
*The horse looked at the pink-haired boy, neighing afterward – To your mother. She must be worried – it looked forward again – Lie down and sleep. We'll get to your mother soon.*
*Natsu nodded, lowering and resting his body on the horse – Warm... – he whispered.*
*The horse neighed again.*
*While sleeping, the pink-haired boy didn't notice the horse's body ignite in flames, starting to float, then bolting toward the horizon."*
Natsu woke up when he felt the horse call him:
Happy – *Hey, boss! Come on, wake up! We're here!*
Natsu – *Huh?* – he opened his eyes slowly, looking at where he was: in a huge room, with Greek pillars scattered everywhere, torches lighting the walls, small columns with strange artifacts on top. But what really caught the pink-haired boy's attention was the Trident, dark sea-green, standing in the center of the room – *Wow!* – he dismounted from the horse, looking around in awe.
Happy neighed, walking beside the pink-haired boy – *Like it, boss?*
Natsu nodded, smiling. But then he looked at the horse, furrowing his brow – *What is this place?*
Happy – *Poseidon's Temple...*
Natsu widened his eyes slightly – *My... father's?* – he questioned himself in a murmur, sighing afterward – *But where are we, more or less?* – he looked at the horse, seeing it stomp its hoof on the ground.
Happy – *Well below the island, at fifteen thousand meters deep* – it explained.
Natsu choked, surprised – *Fifteen thousand meters deep?* – he questioned himself, blinking in shock.
Happy – *Yup!*
Natsu quickly covered his mouth upon hearing the horse speak in his mind – *I still find this weird...* – he sighed, turning his gaze to the Trident in the center of the room – *A Trident...*
Happy neighed, catching the pink-haired boy's attention – *Come on, boss. Place your right hand on Poseidon's Trident!*
Natsu stared at the horse, surprised – *Is that the real Trident?*
Happy laughed – *Of course not, boss! It's a copy. But it has as much power as the real one* – it explained – *Come on. Touch it.*
The pink-haired boy sighed, slowly approaching the Trident, feeling his right wrist burn, as if someone were scorching his arm. But he kept moving forward. Standing in front of the Trident, the pink-haired boy felt the same pressure he had when Erza tried to shove his head into the toilet. And it had the same effect; a wonderful sensation coursing through his body. But he still felt his wrist burning intensely.
Happy neighed, urging the pink-haired boy to go further – *Come on, boss! Just touch it!* – it shouted more and more words to keep the pink-haired boy going.
Natsu sighed. He looked forward again, seeing the Trident glow brighter with each step he took – *Here goes. I can do this* – he raised his arm toward the Trident, but upon seeing what was burning on his wrist, he froze, not taking another step. He swallowed hard, staring wide-eyed at the Trident forming on his wrist – *Shit!* – he grabbed the standing Trident at once, holding it tightly.
The room reverberated with a roar.
Natsu pulled the Trident with force. He managed to remove it, lifting it upward, feeling his heart race.
Happy let out a loud neigh, galloping back and forth, stomping its hind hooves on the walls – *That's it! The boss did it! He's the best!*
Natsu looked at the horse, confused, his breathing steadying – *What do you mean?* – he didn't understand.
Happy stopped galloping, moving closer to the pink-haired boy – *Let's go, boss. I'll explain on the way* – it bent its front legs, kneeling so the pink-haired boy could mount – *Get on quick, boss. The sun's already up. By the time we spent down here, it must be almost seven in the morning up there.*
The pink-haired boy widened his eyes – *Seven o'clock?* – he mounted the horse quickly, feeling it lift its body and start galloping out of the temple – *How are we getting out of here? Aren't we fifteen thousand meters deep?*
Happy – *Don't worry, boss!* – it looked at the pink-haired boy out of the corner of its eye, then faced forward – *Just hold on!* – its hooves, both hind and front, sparked with flames, then crackled with lightning bolts.
Natsu – *Again?* – he whimpered.
Happy neighed – *YEAH!* – it exclaimed, charging toward the wall of water being held back.
At an incredible speed, Happy cut through the bubble like it was wet cardboard.
Natsu was amazed to see that, in less than seconds, they were already at the surface. He smiled, feeling his body absorb the water. But his attention was drawn to what he was holding in his right hand – *What's this?* – he asked in thought, holding the Trident closer to the horse's eyes.
Happy – *Poseidon's relic* – it explained, leaving the pink-haired boy confused.
Natsu – *Relic?*
Happy nodded – *Yup, relic. You must've noticed some cabins had animals or symbols on their roofs, right?*
Natsu nodded, bringing the Trident to his face – *So this is Poseidon's symbol?*
Happy – *Yup.*
After Happy's response, neither spoke. They remained in complete silence.
A few minutes later, Natsu saw they were approaching Long Island.
Natsu – *We're getting close, Happy. Land near the pavilion.*
Happy looked at the pink-haired boy, neighing – *Got it, boss. I'll land "real close"!*
At the camp, in the dining pavilion, all the cabins were gathered, each demigod with armor, swords, spears, and bows on their bodies, eating breakfast at their respective tables. At Athena's table, behind Poseidon's, Lucy and Gray sat side by side, talking in whispers:
Lucy – *He wasn't in the cabin?* – she asked, surprised – *What do you mean?*
Gray looked around, checking if anyone was listening – *I went to call him, but when I got there, no one was there. Not even his ghost.*
Lucy glared at the brunette – *And did you, by any chance, look properly?* – she growled.
Gray gave an awkward smile – *Yes, I...* – he was interrupted by a loud crash that startled everyone. The brunette stared in shock at the dust cloud near the fire pit.
All the demigods stood up, brandishing their weapons toward the dust. But they all furrowed their brows when they heard someone coughing and a horse neighing.
– *You should be more careful, you know?* – the voice coughed with difficulty.
Everyone heard a horse neigh, as if disagreeing with what the pink-haired boy was saying.
Lucy was surprised to recognize the voice – *... Natsu?*
Attention turned to the blonde, then to the pink-haired boy, as the dust slowly cleared.
Natsu – *Huh?* – he looked around, seeing he was indeed in the pavilion – *When I said to land near the pavilion, I didn't think you'd land THIS close!* – he looked at the horse, completely furious.
Happy neighed, disagreeing with the pink-haired boy.
The pink-haired boy sighed. But his attention was drawn to Erza, who was brandishing a spear in his direction. He smiled, seeing the look the redhead gave him. He brandished the Trident, still in his hand, toward the redhead, smirking.
Natsu – *Get ready, Erza! Because I, Natsu Dragneel, son of Poseidon, will defeat you on Friday night* – he smirked – *And I won't have mercy!*
Many cabins raised their weapons in the air upon hearing what the pink-haired boy said:
Boy 1 – *YEAH! That's the spirit, Dragneel!*
Boy 2 – *We're going to win!*
Lucy smiled, seeing that the pink-haired boy had started a big argument between the two teams – *There's no changing this* – her smile only grew – *He really started a war between the two teams.*