Greetings, people! One Half here!
This is the last (for now) world-building chapter, time to begin preparations for Edolas arc. I also wanted to include here another humorous omake here, but this update already took too much time. I've got an eyes illness, so for now I can't write more than an hour per day, too bad, because I actually got a lot of ideas for next chapters. Omeke will in the next chapter (38), in which I'll be tying up some loose ends, and Edolas arc will begin in 39.
Now, answers for the reviewers:
JNDragneel: Thanks for the review, we've discussed everything via PM, so I guess there's no need to answer anything here. If you've got more questions – PM me again.
Cliché Edgy Name: Thank you for the review. Natsu only cares about those, who can become his… no, not allies, more like accomplices. Natsu cares about his guild, yes, but he also uses it – as a talent agency, where he can find some good mages. Whilst they're guildmates, Natsu can see what those people are capable off.
dalvinman: Thanks for the review, here's another update.
FanFictionHunter: Hi there. We've discussed everything via PM, so here I'll only confirm one thesis – Natsu isn't a hero.
Goal be Quick: Thank you for the review, here's an update. Yeah, I didn't read the chapter enough times to fix all the misprints, but that was because a lot of people were asking for the update xD.
Guest: What Natsu's second domain could be? For now, honestly – no idea xD.
Rajo: Thanks for the review, and since we've already talked about a lot of things via PM, I'll just say that Natsu won't "dump" anyone to anywhere – he has a very good negotiation skill, he doesn't need to be rude :-).
KadeBear: Welcome to my fanfic, and thank you for your reviews! I promise – I'm doing my best to keep up the good work.
I hope I haven't forgot anyone, if so – my deepest apologies. Now, let's go to the chapter. Its composition is a bit unusual, but that should do. Information about golems is at the end. Good reading!
…
Falshback, About 12 years ago, Arx Tenebris
About six years old boy (maybe a few months older) was thoughtfully looking into the mirror. Beautiful lady, with six white wings behind her back, approached him. "Natsu-sama, don't you want to go outside?" She asked.
"What for?" Boy asked in reply, not diverting his eyes from the mirror, "So that you two could provoke another monster and make me to use all my cunningness and okā-sama's authority to save you?"
"Ōji-sama! I'm begging you, please, don't remind me about that!" Another beautiful lady, with a pair of black wings, asked a boy with pleading voice.
"I'm wondering," Natsu said thoughtfully, ignoring both Lakshmee and Reishena actions, "In the mirror, we see left and right to be swapped, but that's not right. In fact, the back and forth are swapped, i.e. not X-axis but Z-axis is inverted. So… if we also invert X-axis – will those inside of the mirror become exactly like us?"
"Natsu-sama, your mind never ceases to amaze me," Lakshmee admitted.
"I don't need flattery, I need information," Natsu finally stopped looking into the mirror and turned to two women. "Tell me all you know about a Sphere of Inverted Reflections…" He ordered.
Chapter XXXVII – Sphere of Inverted Reflections
…
January 27, X785, Morning, Location unspecified.
It was a small but relatively deep valley, covered with tall trees with purple leaves. The power of darkness element was quite strong in here. In the very middle of the valley, a silver-haired girl was sitting on her knees with her eyes closed. Her lips were moving slightly, as if she was quietly reciting something. Few bunches of weird stuff were around her – two dozen of metal ingots (of some dark, glimmering metal), several planks of some purple wood, something that looked like a part of some monster's skin, two sacks with something very strange, and several flasks, filled with very suspicious, slime-like liquid. The girl was none other but Mirajane Strauss.
"How is it going?" A man's voice asked as someone appeared from beneath the trees.
Mirajane opened her eyes and looked at approaching Natsu. "Just… give me a few more minutes… I want to recite everything one more time before I begin…" She replied. Actually, she looked a bit nervous, but that's understandable, considering what she is attempting to do.
"Take your time," Natsu said casually as he took out an apple and took a bite. "Honestly, I'm surprised how quickly you've gathered everything, and that you decided to start without delay…" He admitted.
"No sense in waiting," Snow-haired girl shrugged. "I'm getting older with each passing day…"
"You're exaggerating," Natsu shook his head, "But don't get me wrong – I'm not trying to reassure you, in contrary, I'm with you on this matter – the earlier you'll start – the more time you'll have to become a real expert."
Mirajane nodded in agreement as she again closed her eyes. About five minutes passed in silence as Mira was reciting something while Natsu was eating the apple.
"Alright, I think I'm good to go," Mirajane said as she stood up and opened her eyes, which were glowing with determination. "Let's do it," She added as she took off her goth-styled boots.
"Don't be hasty during the process," Natsu advised, "Outside, it will be only two weeks or so, I'll cover for you during that time. But it'll be fortunate if you'll be done with this until your 20th birthday (which will be at 19th February), that will make my job a bit easier," He added.
"I hope so, but I don't want to wait," Mirajane replied, removing her blouse, "This is too important," She added as she took off her black skirt.
"Agree," Natsu nodded.
"Don't you want to turn away?" Mirajane asked as she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"No," Natsu replied imperturbably as he took out another apple and began to eat it.
"You're worst man ever!" Mirajane snorted as she started to remove her bra, despite Natsu was still looking at her.
"Hmm… I'm hearing this quite often recently… I wonder why…?" Natsu thought aloud.
"Because it's truth!" Mirajane shouted as she threw the bra, which she just took off, at insolent god.
"So unladylike…" Natsu shook his head as he caught the silken piece of cloth. "I just want to take a good look at you to compare the current you with the result," He explained.
"Neither current me, nor the result, have anything to do with you!" Mira snorted again as she took off her panties, leaving herself completely nude.
"Perhaps," Natsu shrugged as he approached the naked girl and took from her a bag to where she put all of her clothes. "I just wonder – where's the one who should have something to do with you, at least with current you?" He asked as he put Mira's bra into that bag and took a few steps away from her.
"Ugh…" Mirajane grunted and pouted resentfully. Seemingly, her relationships with Gray currently weren't perfect.
"Well, no sense to bother with that at this point," Natsu encouraged Mirajane, "You can proceed now."
"Right," Mira shook her head, throwing away all unneeded thoughts. "Wish me luck," She added as she again sat on her knees, right in the middle of the strange stuff she gathered with some help from Natsu. "Here goes nothing!" She announced, closed her eyes, and began to form some strange hand seals, drawing a magical seal beneath herself. The seal looked like a pentagram, with resources gathered at five vertices and Mirajane herself in the very middle of it. When the last hand seal was formed, the magical seal elicited a bright flash and Mira has been encased into blood-red cocoon, cowered with strange runes. As Natsu was looking into this half-transparent cocoon, he literally could see the Mirajane's disappearance – her skin, then her muscles, then internal organs, and finally, her bones – within twenty minutes, everything was disassembled. Only her mahosui (manapool), her meridians and her soul remained intact, the rest of her body turned into a chaotic vortex of ethernano as Mira started her first re-origination, refining a Magical Avatar Physique. She completely undressed so her clothes wouldn't have been destroyed.
Natsu nodded with satisfaction, "Good luck to you, Bloodshadow Valkyrie Mirajane," He said and headed off to another place.
About ten minutes later.
"Mirajane has begun her re-origination?" Luciferona asked as Natsu appeared on a dark meadow, at another side of the valley. Despite that she changed a lot (and despite the idiotic incident six weeks ago), she and Mira decided to stay as a team (with two of them, Gray, and Elfman), so she stopped using an honorific, addressing Mirajane.
This place was about ten miles away from the place where Mirajane was refining a new body for herself. Currently, Luciferona was in her 'battle mode', with shackles, made of dark violet energy on her wrists, chain-like belt, made of the same dark violet energy, on her waist, a collar, made of dark violet energy, on her neck. Collar and belt were connected by a single chain, stretching along girl's spine. In her arms she was holding a Sōko no Yumi [Azure Rift Bow]. Currently, she was working on her archery skill.
"Yeah," Natsu replied. Curious tiger-girl actually was very interested in looking at Mira's re-origination, but Natsu intentionally didn't let her to look at the very beginning – he didn't want her to accidentally remember patterns that she doesn't need – she's a bloodline inheritor, so her re-origination will start differently, comparing to Mirajane, who's refining a Magical Avatar Physique.
Instead, Natsu brought Luciferona here, to this sunless valley – this is the training ground he promised to the girl in exchange for her help with SS-class mission. And three-tailed girl was making a full use of it – here, beneath the sunless skies and dense, dark trees, temperature was about +3 °C, but Luciferona, who was wearing only a sport underwear, was cowered with sweat all over – she's a hardworking girl. "Sorry about that this place is so small," Natsu apologized, seeing Luciferona's training enthusiasm, "But this is as big as it can be with my current resources…"
"Magister, what are you saying?!" Girl exclaimed as her eyes widened a bit – she was really surprised with Natsu's words. "This place is amazing! Ethernano density in here is at least two times bigger, and it is much more active too! Not to mention the time flow difference!"
"Yeah, whatever…" Natsu shrugged. "Just don't overdo it with training, remember to come out from time to time," He reminded. This place, rich with ethernano, is very good for training, but if person will stay here for too long – he or she then will have troubles using magic in environment with normal ethernano density (similar to troubles that a person will have if he or she will be breathing in air too rich with oxygen for a long time). But this doesn't apply to people who are in process of re-origination, because they're virtually bodyless. "And, when you're outside, show yourself in the guildhall, from time to time…" Natsu added.
"Of course, Magister, I remember," Girl nodded, "Four days here, three outside, per week."
"Yes, that should do for now," Natsu approved. "And while you're training here, look at how's Jane is doing, will you?" He requested, "Of course – if something will go wrong there's virtually nothing any of us can do, but at least we'll be prepared… thought, I don't really think that anything can go wrong."
"As you wish," Black-haired girl bowed to Natsu.
"Alright, I won't be distracting you anymore," Natsu waved his arm, prompting Luciferona to return to her training. "I'll go look at what's outside, and then I'll be in thunder zone," He informed as he turned around and started to walk away.
"Understood," Luciferona reported as she raised her bow again.
Twenty-five minutes later.
But before he could go, there was another person, who Natsu had to visit. Less than half an hour ago, he was in dark forest, but now he was in a land of fire. Lava was constantly flowing out of three large volcanos, whilst in the middle of the land itself was a big lake of magma, with multiple burning rivers flowing into it. In the very middle of the lake, was a small island, about a hundred feet in diameter. It was made of some unusual material, as burning magma couldn't engulf it. But most uncommon thing here, of course, was in the middle of the island – a golden cocoon, which was floating about one foot above the stone surface.
Natsu crossed the lake of magma (he was flying on his sword), and landed on the small island, near cocoon. Since neither his attribute nor his magic have anything to do with fire, it wasn't easy for him to be here, but he could endure for some time so he could take a look at his beloved wife. "I hope you like this place, my love," Natsu addressed Erza, who was about to begin constructing a new skeleton for herself, and definitely couldn't hear him, "This should make your task a bit easier…"
*Sigh* "Seeing how lonely you look makes me feel myself guilty for some reason…" Someone sighed as some woman's voice sounded from behind.
"But you shouldn't," Natsu slowly shook his head, still looking at the golden cocoon. "After all, this became possible thanks to your gift," He added a few moments later as he finally turned around, "So, what do you think about my Spere of Inverted Reflections, Andromeda-san?"
In front of Natsu was standing a lady of otherworldly beauty. She was tall, with a shapely hourglass figure, and very long and slim legs. Her waist-long hair seemed like a waterfall of liquid sunlight, her head was crowned with six neat horns, arranged in two rows, her face features were soft and elegant, and her silver eyes were glowing with serene, silver light. The only strange thing about her appearance was that lady seemed half-transparent. That was the soul of a dragon, who resides in Erza's body, and as all members of great magical beast tribes – she can manifest herself in humanoid form, at which Natsu was looking right now.
"As much as I don't want to, I must admit – this is brilliant. Using only the scarce resources of this shithole (she meant Magicscar Triangle), selecting multiple substitutes, and still getting such a result…" Dragon Queen looked around "…that's worthy of a genius. If only you wouldn't been such a jerk…" She sighed. Andromeda's impression on Natsu wasn't really good. She still couldn't forget how he let Erza fight Haru just one day after she acquired Andromeda's inheritance, whilst Natsu himself was fooling around and making a showoff. And more she was learning about Natsu, the less she could understand – what such a just and noble girl as Erza found in this cunning, hypocritical and pretty ruthless guy. Though, maybe these two are that kind of opposites that attract each other…
Natsu was more or less aware of Andromeda's opinion on him, but he has neither reason no desire to improve it – after all, he doesn't need anything from dragon queen. As for why she managed to appear – that's definitely thanks to this place. Usually Andromeda, who is a fleshless soul, whose body died several hundreds of years ago, can exist only inside of host's Mahosui, but thanks to increased ethernano density in here, she can come outside, though she probably still can't go away from a host for more than 30 feet.
"I've helped her with every way I could," Dragon queen explained her reason to come out, "She's already began to create marrow, so I came out to not distract her." Seemingly, Natsu's timing with creation of this Spere of Inverted Reflections was perfect as it allowed Andromeda to manifest herself outside of host's body.
But of course, if she'd just wanted to not hinder Erza's re-origination, she wouldn't have talked to Natsu. Seemingly, she wanted something from him. So Natsu patiently waited until she overcame her reluctance to ask something from him, and his patience was rewarded. "What do you know about Erza's origins?" She asked, as she looked behind Natsu, at his wife inside of that golden cocoon. God of ruin looked at her questioningly, so she elaborated, "She's began her re-origination after just half a year after she became a dragon slayer. That's unheard of!" Andromeda, despite her alias, actually was very young for her race – she was a teenager at best, but she definitely wasn't ignorant – she was aware of general process of bloodline inheritance by humans and how much time it usually takes. "I don't really know how to describe it… Erza is extremely… susceptible to my power, to my bloodline, it's as if… she was meant to become a dragon…" Andromeda shook her head. "Who are her parents?" She asked.
"Not the slightest idea," Natsu sighed heavily. "After she told me about her past, that she lived in orphanage before being kidnaped, I began to look for information about her parents," He informed. Erza herself wasn't interested in her real parents, not that she's holding a grudge against them, she simply doesn't care. But Natsu wanted to know who they are, in case one of them will appear – he wanted to know what to expect. "But I found nothing. With Erza's talent – at least one of her parents has to be a powerful mage. I've checked hundreds of profiles, including already retired mages and personal guards of different countries' rulers, yet I didn't find anyone worthy of at least more detailed investigation. As if this girl just appeared from nowhere. Either her parents intentionally disappeared, or they are from another continent. Sadly, for now my connections are not vast enough to check that theory…"
"Understood," Andromeda replied as she shook her head in disappointment. Not that this information was crucial, but she really wanted to know. "This girl is quite mysterious…" She said, seemingly thinking aloud, "The new DNA she created… it is not an exact copy of my own – it contains sections that even I cannot understand! Not to mention that strange spell she used back then (she meant spell that Erza used to finish off Nirvana), that wasn't my magic…"
"Oh… so DNA she created isn't just a copy of your own? How very unusual…" Natsu noted.
"Yes," Dragon queen nodded, "But it doesn't seem like she made a mistake, she seems to know what she's doing…" Erza's new DNA construction took almost six weeks – that's too much time, even despite that Erza's accepting the inheritance of a primordial dragon with very pure bloodline, the DNA construction shouldn't have taken more than four weeks.
"Well, about that… I actually do have a theory," Natsu pronounced slowly, seemingly thinking – should he tell Andromeda about this or not.
"A theory?" Dragon queen asked for elaboration.
"Yes," Natsu nodded slowly, as he seemingly decided to explain. "I think that she's not a simple village girl, after all… I believe that she's actually a reincarnation."
"Huh?" Andromeda's eyes widened as she heard something unexpected. "Reincarnation?... You mean… like a soul of a very powerful expert, who retained some portion of his memories and powers even after his soul passed through Samsara's cycle and has born again?" She asked for clarification.
"Yeah," Natsu nodded uncertainly. "I know, that's an insane theory, but this is the best idea I've got," He admitted. Natsu actually has several reasons to believe into that theory – he is capable of seeing souls, and Erza's soul is not like of other humans – her soul looks… divine, majestic. Besides, he couldn't forget a strange phrase, dropped by his mother, when she appeared a day before wedding. She said: '…to think that it will be you, out of all opportunities and possibilities…' Is it possible that Erza, in her previous life, actually was Morrigan's acquaintance? Has the Supreme Goddess recognized her? Or she meant something else entirely? He couldn't be sure, but it is a possibility. "Physiologically she was a 100% human when we met for the first time, so all mysteries are contained in her soul…" God of ruin concluded.
"I see…" Andromeda nodded in sign that she understood Natsu's idea. And since she couldn't suggest any alternative, she just shrugged. "But you seem pretty calm, considering that your wife actually can possess some remnants of memories about her previous life," She noted.
"Remnants are just remnants," Natsu shook his head. "Reincarnations are very rare, but still it is known that scarce, fragmentary memories from their previous lives cannot affect their current personality – past life is a past life, after all. Besides, it seems that okā-sama took liking of Erza… so I have no reasons to worry. The ability to use spell one has never learnt – that would've been worrisome," God of ruin explain.
"I can disagree with that," Dragon queen looked at Erza. If she somehow "remembered" a spell from her previous life – that can be considered as an amazing phenomenon. But if she got it out of nowhere, that would've been troublesome…
"By the way, I'd also like to ask something, Andromeda-san," Natsu looked at a lady in front of him.
"Oh?" Andromeda looked at him questioningly.
"Yes," Natsu nodded. "I'm really interested to know – what are you, Imperial Princess of Avalon, were doing here, in Magicscar Triangle?" He asked.
"You really came here willingly, did you?" She asked in reply, though the answer was obvious. Even with Erza, Natsu never talked about why Morrigan sent him into Magicscar Triangle – because he didn't know the answer himself. But Andromeda, who also came from outside, easily put two and two together. "Well, how I came here has nothing to do with you. However…" She made a pause "…since you've answered my questions, and since you seem to like all who've been cast aside, betrayed and forgotten, I guess there's nothing bad in telling you," Dragon queen said casually, whilst Natsu blinked in surprise about ending of her phrase.
"I have a younger cousin, a daughter of my mother's sister," Andromeda began her tale. "Actually, she's similar to you in regard that she also obsessed with magic, science and artifacts. However, she lacks your cunningness and carefulness – in contrary – she's a carefree, airhead girl. But since our clan had me (every magical beasts' tribe has multiple clans, of course), no one was worried about succession, and, as such, no one was worried about Hesione being as she is, in contrary, she was adored by the most…" As she was talking, Andromeda's voice sounded nostalgic "…but definitely not by everyone. As I think of it now, a few elders decided to use my cousin to gain more influence in the clan. With me being gone, Hesione would've been appointed as a successor, but of course she was absolutely not interested in being a clan leader. As such, with her appointed as an official leader, those elder would've got all the power over our clan and a lot of influence in entire tribe… and if you say that this is a horrible cliché, I won't talk to you ever again!" She suddenly raised her voice and pointed at Natsu.
"I didn't…" He tried to say something but Andromeda didn't let him.
"Yes, this is a cliché, but this became a cliché because such things happen!" She glared at Natsu, raising her voice further.
"Calm down," Natsu raised his arms, "I'm not saying anything. I'm well aware of clans' internal struggles and how they may develop."
"Ahem!" She coughed, as if to clear her throat (she's a fleshless soul, actually). "Sorry…" She apologized for that sudden outburst of emotions, that was a very sensitive matter (obviously). "Anyway… I'm sure those scumbags made a setup. One of them asked me to inform my cousin about a 'treasure trove', which was recently discovered on one of the islands of small archipelago not far from our tribe's domain. I knew that those guys were dastardly, but I decided that they were targeting Hesione… only when it was too late, I realized that my entire way of thinking was wrong and I was the real target all along."
She continued, "So, thinking that those old punks were intending to harm Hesione, I decided to check that place by myself before I'd tell my carefree cousin about it. I've asked my fiancé and two of my strongest bodyguards to accompany me, and we went to check that 'treasure trove'. When we've arrived – we found nothing suspicious in particular and nothing really noticeable in general – just a lot of old, dusty stuff, just as my sister likes… After several hours of fruitless searches, I actually began to feel myself an alarmist. We were about to leave as I wanted to get back home and tell Hesione about that trove. I went to look at some sarcophagus-looking thing in the corner, and… before I knew it, I got dragged inside, world around me got twisted inside-out, and a moment later, I found myself lying on the ground on some grass field, alone, with no idea what happened and where am I."
"It seems that you actually have used the 'capsule of retransition'," Natsu assumed. "Looks like tower's inhabitants placed several of them around the world, in case the Schism Barrier would be activated, so they could get back to the tower. It is a one-time use, one-way transition device. I came here the same way, but… such a capsule has long and complex activation sequence. Okā-sama found one and began to research it long before my birth. How could you use that thing accidentally?" Natsu wondered.
"That you should ask those old punks from my clan!" Andromeda snorted. Then she sighed again, "I understand why you're concerned, but I assure you – before we met, before you and Erza got into that girl's trap, where I saw a part of your memories, I wasn't even sure that this Tower of Din actually exists. All I've heard in my tribe were just vague rumors…"
"I believe you," Natsu assured the dragoness' spirit, he actually had no reasons to doubt her words. If she'd came here to look for tower, she wouldn't have been in a state, in which she is now. Andromeda was 3 900 years old when she died – War of Saints ended several thousands of years before her birth. If you add the fact that Tower of Din is probably a taboo topic in her tribe, like in most others, it is very likely that her story is truthful.
"After I got here, it actually took me several months to realize that I'm inside of Magicscar Triangle," Andromeda continued her story. Actually, Natsu wasn't really interested in this part, but, seemingly, despite her outer reluctance, in fact, she wanted to speak about this for a while, and Natsu decided to let her speak up her mind for the sake of future relationships. "I mean – everyone knows that there's a huge piece of land, encased with barrier, but, unlike Hesione, I never was interested in it, so I never saw the barrier itself before I appeared inside. I've met some local dragonoids (she used this term to describe local dragonized beasts), but they all were telling me that there's no barrier at all!"
"Yes," Natsu smiled as his eyes flashed. "That barrier is a true piece of art. From outside it's just an impenetrable barrier, but from inside, it actually a teleportation field! Not bad, huh? It makes this part of the world seem connected, as a round planet! If you start flying straight forward, eventually you'll get back from where you've started, as if you actually traveled around the world, but in fact, you've just passed through teleportation field! And of course, the barrier also covers the triangle from above – no one can pass through from above, but light from the real skies can! It only let locals to see one moon, but they won't complain because they don't know about other three's existence!" Natsu explained with his eyes glowing.
"Sorry, but I can't agree with your fascination," Andromeda snorted, "When I got here – that actually confused me quite a lot!"
"Sorry," Natsu shook his head.
"Anyway, when I finally realized where I have appeared, I began to look for a way out, and local dragonoids weren't of much help. I never told anyone here about my origins, but despite they were dragonized by members of another dragons' tribe, they all could feel pressure from my bloodline. Due to this, they gave me an alias – Holy Dragon Empress. Despite I never interacted with any of them really closely, I've got acquainted with a few, Grandeeney and Igneel were among them, by the way. What a coincidence…" She said philosophically. "Regardless, when dragonoids started a civil war, I had neither reasons nor intentions to interfere. I wasn't tracking those events closely, either – all I wanted was to get out of here. However, when the beast's rampaging went too far, I decided to stop him. And…"
She didn't finish her tale, but that wasn't necessary anyway – those events were described in Monochrome Ruler ode. Knowing Andromeda's true origin and what she just told, Natsu could imagine what happened. Young and arrogant, pure-blooded dragoness decided that she'll just squash Acnologia like an annoying bug, and she paid dearly for underestimating her enemy. That was pretty obvious, but Natsu wanted to know a few not so obvious things.
"You've mentioned that you had a fiancé," God of ruin looked at a lady in front of him. "Why they didn't use your mark on him to revive you?" He asked.
"There was no mark…" Dragoness replied shortly, and deep regret reflected in her half-transparent eyes. "According to my tribe's tradition, fiancé and fiancée exchange their marks during official wedding ceremony," She explained.
"I see," Natsu just nodded. He didn't know about that tradition of Andromeda's tribe, and he definitely wasn't in position to judge it.
"Sometimes I wonder what happened to Ruggiero and my servants," She said thoughtfully. As she said that, Natsu thought that her feelings didn't seem too strong, her marriage was probably arranged (usual practice in clans like hers), but that doesn't mean she didn't love him.
"Well, according to what okā-sama has learned, capsule of retransition can transport only one person, so your fiancé and your bodyguards just remained where they were. And, after they didn't find you, they all were punished for losing an imperial princess and heiress of the clan, by being exiled in best case or by being thrown into the cell for several thousand years in not a very worst case," Natsu speculated. "If you're right and some elders wanted to get rid of you, they've arranged a proper story beforehand."
"You're really enjoy to rub salt into the wounds, are you?" Andromeda asked with narrowed eyes.
"Sorry," Natsu apologized for being a captain obvious.
"I don't believe that those old fools really learned what that thing was – they probably just hoped that if we'll go to investigate – we'll all die, disappear, or will be crippled, so I won't be able to stay as a clan's successor," Dragoness' spirit assumed.
"Understood," Natsu nodded. "Thank you for satisfying my curiosity, Andromeda-san, however, if you won't mind, I'd like to ask one more question," He said, and continued without waiting for dragoness' response, "When Acnologia will be dealt with, what are you intending to do after that?"
Andromeda clenched her fists when Natsu called the black dragon by his name, but kept her composure. "Aren't you're a bit too hasty?" She asked.
"Not at all," Natsu shook his head. "He'll be destroyed within next eight-nine years, consider it a given. We cannot waste too much time on him. You definitely were awake during battles against Procellion and Amentiana. They will return, no doubts. Black dragon may be powerful, but only by local standards, you don't need me to tell you about it. Can we actually compete against guardians, or they'll return and turn entire world into a cauldron of madness – that remains to be seen, but Acnologia won't stop me," Natsu proclaimed.
"You're not lacking self-esteem, I give you that," Andromeda shook her head. "But that has nothing to do with me anymore. I'm just a soul, after all. I'm dead, and I already gave all my powers to Erza. What else do you want from me?" She inquired.
"I do not want anything in particular," Natsu raised his arm. "I'm just wondering… You were young when you died. And even thought your soul was sealed for 400 years, it was preserved almost intact, as it seems to me," God of ruin looked with evaluating sight at the spirit in front of him. "If your body to be restored, you'll be able to live the most of your remaining natural lifespan normally…"
"I am a primordial dragon, the only way to recreate my body is the circle of life and death ritual, no way you can find resources needed for that in this ass of the world," Andromeda snorted, folding her arms.
"Do not underestimate me," Natsu replied imperturbably. "And never underestimate the Tower of Din. I'm just asking you to not be too hasty and plan your venture to the afterlife too soon. I may need an ally in one of great magical beasts' tribe, in return, I offer you a possibility to personally talk to those elders of your clan who effectively arranged your demise."
"You're really something," Andromeda shook her head, seemingly she was awed with Natsu's arrogance, or with what seemed like it. "Kill the black beast first, then we'll talk about future…"
"'Then' it will be too late, I may have no time for this task at that point," Natsu said as he jumped on his sword, preparing to fly away. "After her second re-origination Erza won't be needing you anymore. I'd really like to hear your decision at that time. But seriously, is it really something to think about?" He asked and flew away, standing on his sword.
Andromeda didn't know what to think. She already lost all hopes, and she didn't want it back. All she wanted was to see Acnologia's death so she could go into the afterlife in peace. However… what if… she really can see her parents and her cousin again…? "I hate you…" She hissed, looking at where Natsu disappeared. Somehow, he managed to revive that long-dead seed of hope in her soul. "This is why you love him so sincerely?" She asked, looking at that golden runes-covered cocoon, inside of which Erza began marrow creation stage.
January 27, X785, 11:50, Fairy Tail.
Natsu arrived to the guildhall. With both Erza and Mirajane now being in process of re-origination, Natsu effectively became the only S-class mage in the guild. Mystogan's social skills are severely lacking (or so it seems), Laxus' reputation is still very low, besides, he's away on a long mission, just like Gildarts. So, since yesterday, Natsu was hanging around the guildhall for about two hours, to keep abreast of events.
However, here were absolutely no events, and I mean it – no events at all. Usual missions, usual drunk guildmates, usual brawls and shouts. The only slightly unusual thing was Gray's especially gloomy (even for him) mood, but since Natsu knew the reason (more or less), this also was uninteresting.
Currently, Sin also was away – he was 'raiding' the graveyards around the continent. Oh course, he wasn't vandalizing them like he and Natsu did a month back, in Minstrel, in contrary, he was pacifying them, secretly draining the negative energy from 'troublesome' graveyards, making the job of local guardsmen a lot easier, for some time at least. Of course, each graveyard completely drained of negative energy will reduce the time he needs to regain his powers just for one week (two weeks in case of very restless cemetery), which seems like a grain of sand in the desert, but it is still much better than to sit idle and do nothing at all, considering that there is absolutely nothing else to do.
"Man, you know, you don't really have to stay here for nothing," Gray addressed Natsu, seeing that he's bored to the limit.
"Nah," Natsu shook his head. "Master is attending the local guild masters' league meeting, so someone has to keep an eye on the place, or it will turn into a beggars' den completely…"
"Whatever you say…" Gray sighed heavily.
"What about you?" Natsu asked, perfectly knowing the answer.
"As if you don't' know," Gray grunted, "I cannot find Mira…"
"Huh? She didn't tell you?" Natsu inquired, feigning a slight surprise. "She went away for two weeks (or so) training trip. She said something about improving her physique, so right now she may be running along the shore or something like that," God of ruin told to Gray a twisted half-truth.
"Huh?! She actually told you?!" Gray's pupils shrunk a little as he asked – he seemed offended because Mirajane told Natsu about her plans but not him. "Damn, what is going on?!"
"That I should ask you, actually," Natsu continued to lie, showing how much of a hypocrite he is, "You again didn't notice something obvious?"
"No!" Gray retorted furiously, ignoring Natsu's insulting remark, "I was very attentive and careful! It's just… she became strange after that Nirvana incident…" Gray shared his worries.
"Care to elaborate?" Natsu asked for a clarification.
"I'm not sure…" Gray admitted. "But she became obsessed with the ideas of getting stronger, improving her magic, protecting the guild, becoming 'worthy'… I mean… what the hell 'I decided to devote myself to magic' actually means!?"
"I don't think there are the second meaning, Gray," Natsu shook his head slowly. "During that battle she almost died – she was an inch away from death's clutches when Erza saved her. And Jane doesn't belong to the 'princess to be saved' type of women. You know that yourself. And when she was saved in that manner, and by her oldest rival, that was the last portion of humiliation she could take… and she already took quite a lot, so maybe that's her thing, huh?"
"Oh, c'mon man, don't vulgarize everything!" Gray exclaimed as she swung his arms in front of his face, as if to protect himself from Natsu's vulgar mouth. "I'm just worried – won't she lose herself with that obsession of hers…" Ice mage said worriedly.
"Maybe she actually found her real self," Natsu shrugged. "And, sorry if that will sound harsh, but if I were you, I'd been more worried about that for you there may be no place alongside of this 'new Jane', if you don't share her values and beliefs…"
As he heard that, Gray didn't become angry of furious. He just twitched slightly and said darkly, "I know…"
At that, Gray and Natsu's conversation seemingly was over, as Gray again submerged into thoughtful silence. Natsu stood up and walked up to the second floor. From there, he looked over the guildhall and his sight accidentally fell on Juvia. God of ruin's eyes flashed with some predatory light as he again looked at ice mage with eerie sight. 'I wonder, am I really have to turn every girl around you into a monster, to make a proper mage out of you, hmm? Gray Fullbuster…' Natsu thought as he smiled slightly.
February 15, X785, Evening, "Fire Zone".
During last two weeks, Natsu was visiting the guildhall from time to time. Also, everyone believed that Mirajane went for a short training adventure. However… it was more than two months since anyone saw Erza in person. Initially, Mirajane and Luciferona, and later Natsu – all three were just telling to everyone else that Erza is in secluded training, which essentially was the truth. But, recently, people began to talk… some 'wizards', especially among those who joined the guild during last half a year, began to spread some weird rumors. Luciferona, who also was visiting the guildhall sometimes, was very angry about that; Makarov seemed slightly displeased but he wasn't showing any reaction, but Natsu couldn't care less about those people.
Most of his time, just like Luciferona, he was spending in 'Thunder Zone' of his Sphere of Inverted Reflections, training. His elemental attribute, pulsar, a combination of thunder and metal, actually had slight bias towards metal (~55%), so training in 'Metal Zone' would've been more effective for him, but, sadly, this Sphere of Inverted Reflections doesn't contain the 'Metal Zone' yet. That was because Natsu couldn't gather enough resources to create a 'Wood Zone', which was needed to balance the 'Metal Zone' out. But those two zones could be added later, besides, training in 'Thunder Zone' was still pretty effective for Natsu.
Right now, however, Natsu wasn't training. He wasn't even in 'Thunder Zone'. He was in 'Fire Zone', on the small island, in the middle of the sea of lava. He was standing 30 feet away from the cocoon, inside of which Erza was, with his eyes closed and his hands behind his back. Andromeda's spirit also was still outside, she was sitting on her knees with her eyes closed, 20 feet aside from Natsu. The two of them were waiting…
They were waiting, because time finally has come – Erza's re-origination was almost complete! In the outside world, it was just three weeks since Natsu created this place and brought his wife here, but here, thanks to the time difference, more than two months have passed, and Erza was almost done. She already made a new skeleton, viscera, muscles, skin and even hair for herself. Only eyebrows, eyelashes, and fingernails remained – that should take just a few hours, maybe less.
By the way, Mirajane also was almost done – she successfully made a new DNA for herself, and, according to it, she already made new bones, viscera and muscles. All that remained were eyes, skin and hair. That should take just about five days (of local time). But now, it's not a time for her yet – now it's about Erza. By the way, out of courtesy, Natsu also invited Luciferona to watch, but well-bred and tactful girl refused – she would've been out of place there. Natsu didn't insist, because the end of re-origination is flashy but not really educating.
Two hours and a half later.
Both Natsu and spirit of Andromeda have abruptly opened their eyes. Without any warning, the gold-colored, runes-covered cocoon dissipated with bright flash, spreading the magical golden dust all around, revealing a young woman, who was hidden by that cocoon for 108 days.
Erza's overall appearance didn't change, as expected. She had sections of platinum scales on her tights, elbows and shoulder blades, and three pairs of neat golden horns, arranged into two rows (just like Andromeda), and that were all the outer signs, by which someone can notice that this girl's actually not a human, but, as they say, the devil is in the detail, or dragon, in the current case.
Despite that her re-origination began unexpectedly, and subconscious plays a very important part in the process, conscious is also used, so Erza of course was well aware of what she was doing. So, when she opened her eyes, she didn't seem confused, however, she quickly became confused, because, instead of a small stone room, she found herself in the middle of the sea of lava. "Huh? What?" She asked, looking around, with the voice that also didn't change, by the way.
"Welcome back," Natsu said with soft voice as he approached his wife.
"Natsu?" Erza looked at her husband, in hope that he can explain what is this place, but then she noticed that they are actually not alone here. "Huh? Who are you?" She asked in surprise as she saw a half-transparent, beautiful woman in red dress.
But Andromeda didn't answer, instead she addressed Natsu, "You know, that theory of yours… it doesn't seem so insane anymore…" She admitted. "Well, I must return," Dragoness added as she turned into a stream of golden dust and entered Erza's body, right through her eyes and mouth (all of which were wide-open due to Erza's surprise).
"Glog! Cough! Cough! What the hell!?" Erza exclaimed in shock.
"That was a dragoness, who resides in your body," God of ruin explained. "She came out to not distract you with her presence, but she had to return, because she cannot stay outside for too long. Even though ethernano here is filtered and density is doubled, comparing to outside, her soul will begin to wear out eventually, without protection of your body," He added.
"I… I see…" Erza said after a few seconds – it took some time to understand what Natsu was saying, partly because Erza never saw Andromeda in her humanoid form. "Wait, where is… what is… here?" She asked, as she again looked around.
"Ah, this…" Natsu said slowly as his face expression became quite conceited. "This is my most ambitious project so far, which I began to prepare almost two years ago. After we began dating, I decided to present it for your 20th birthday, but due to circumstances I had to accelerate my plans. Erza, this is my own little world – my Sphere of Inverted Reflections…"
Erza looked at Natsu in silence, however, she didn't seem shocked or awestruck, she seemed puzzled. She heard several wordings, but overall meaning seemingly eluded her. That wasn't the reaction Natsu hoped to see. "Erza?" Natsu asked. "You don't remember? A year ago, you asked about large papyrus with diagram in my (back then it was only Natsu's) library and I explained the basics about Papyrus of the Sovereign and diagram I was working on… you wasn't listening?"
Usually, other people's indifference doesn't concern Natsu, but when it comes to Erza, her 'couldn't care less' attitude was quite insulting. Seeing her loved one being quite discouraged made Erza to feel a strong prick of conscience. When Natsu mentioned it, she remembered some conversation between them, but she couldn't remember any significant detail. "Sorry…" She apologized awkwardly, "Back then… I was just…"
"You were thinking about something lewd at that time, were you?" Natsu narrowed his eyes.
"No!" Erza retorted furiously, though, probably, that was exactly the case. "You can't make a bad guy out of me here! I still didn't forgive you for that you let yourself to be captured back then! I was worried sick about you!" She reminded.
"Oh, you're about that…" Natsu noted negligently. "Sorry, my dear, but that case is an old history now. You lost the right to hold me guilty because of that case when you began your re-origination without warning and left me alone for more than three months…" Natsu waved his arm.
"Three months?!" Erza almost jumped due to shock. Re-origination is the process, in which subconsciousness and consciousness play an equal role, so concept of time is very blurry for those who are performing re-origination. Erza knew that her 'meditation' took more than one day, but she honestly thought that she was unavailable for a week or so.
"Yes…" Natsu smiled a bit darkly, "108 days, to be precise – longest re-origination I ever heard of, though my knowledges on this matter aren't on expert level," He admitted. Natsu has no need to perform re-origination, so he had no need to research this theme too deep, when he lived in Arx Tenebris. "Anyway, I made a blunder back then, I agree, but your re-origination made as even – as I've said – that's already an old history. And now you're at fault, because you ruined my present, on which I was working for two years, so shut up and let me take a good look at you," God of ruin said casually.
And as Erza found herself lost for words due to her indignation, Natsu was already walking around her, examining her body as if she was a prize pig (she was still naked, so nothing was hindering Natsu's sight). As it was said, aside from horns and few scaled sections on her limbs and back, Erza's overall appearance didn't change. But Natsu knew every cell of his wife's body, so of course he noticed some differences. By the way, Erza herself probably wasn't aware of those changes – she made them subconsciously. For instance, she became half an inch taller (she now was about 5' 8" tall (~172 cm)), due to increase of her legs' length… seemingly, when Nelliel called her a 'shorty' several times, during the battle against Phantom Lord, that did hurt Erza's self-esteem much more than Natsu thought…
As for Erza's three sizes… Her bust and waist sizes didn't change (B98-W57), though the shape of her chest changed slightly, seemingly her breast became more resilient – that probably requires a closer inspection. Her third size, however, changed. As they say – all humans can be divided into two categories: cat persons and dog persons. In similar way, all men can be divided into two categories: tits-lovers and ass-lovers. Natsu was among the latter, and of course he noticed that Erza's butt become rounder and more curvaceous as her hip size also grew for half an inch (now it was H92). That change Erza also made subconsciously, and specifically for him, her lover.
"Good girl," Natsu licked his lips, looking at a scarlet-haired girl, whose three sizes now were B38.6-W22.4-H36.2 inches. By the way, the color of her hair also became more vivid – like blood mixed with magma. However, the most important thing was hiding within. Aside from those small changes in her outer appearance, aside from the fact that Erza now has a body of dragon – there was a thing, which surprised both Natsu and Andromeda, when that cocoon, inside of which Erza was secluded for 108 days, dissipated. "I hope you know what you're doing," Natsu shook his head slightly as his face expression became more serious, "A special body constitution isn't something, one can trifle with…"
"Special Body Constitution?" Erza repeated Natsu's words, looking at him questioningly, as she noticed sudden change in Natsu's behavior. These words actually were familiar to her – she and Natsu did talk about it once, and that conversation Erza remembered pretty well, mostly because Natsu used himself as an example.
Special Body Constitution – a term, used to describe people with abnormal body structure, or, to be more precise, abnormal structure of magic conducting system (meridians and ethernano storage container – mahōsui), which affects the rest of the body, depending on the type of abnormality. Special Body Constitutions (SBC) are extremely rare, SBC can be inherited from a parent (with 25% chance), but also can appear out of blue, in someone, whose parents were completely normal, and in such a case the type of abnormality may be completely random. Even in outside world, the exact mechanism of such random appearance has not been researched fully. SBCs are not race-exclusive, aside from elementals, a specimen of any race (i.e. human, god, magical beast, angel and demon) can have an SBC. Special Body Constitution is an inborn ability, it cannot be acquired after birth (with exception of humans, who inherited bloodline from beings that had an inborn SBC).
If not handled properly, the Special Body Constitution can cause a calamity – usually it goes out of control and causes a lot of magical damage, depending on abnormality type, as owner of such a special body dies horribly. But if handled adequately – among any race the owners of SBC are highly valued.
Humans with special body constitution are especially highly valued by those wizards' super-guilds (outside of Magicscar Triangle), because human with SBC actually doesn't need a Magical Avatar Physique recipe – instead, he or she just have to properly refine their own SBC, and they will be on par with top-grade Magical Avatars. It is as if those humans with SBC have an already applied template for a Magical Avatar Physique. To refine an SBC, a mage still has to pass the re-origination-like process and use a lot of resources, but lack of need to have a top-tier recipe makes those people extremely valuable anyway. There are guilds with pretty bad reputation – rumors have it – they'll stop at nothing to force an owner of SBC to join their ranks.
Among other races, SBCs owner are also highly valued, despite they need additional resources to develop properly, because they have abilities different from other clansmen – this can give a critical tactical advantage in many cases. There are 18 known types of Special Body Constitutions. Outside of Magicscar Triangle, these knowledges are considered basic – all who are studying magic seriously know about it.
When he was born, Natsu was a 'normal' god – he didn't possess a Special Body Constitution since birth. However, his body was altered when he met Sin and lost half of his arm. Natsu hoped that everything will get back to normal when he'll get his primary domain. However, due to extreme circumstances, in which Natsu become a true god, or because that affliction appeared to be very persistent, as Natsu's body was re-forged when he acquired his primary domain, that abnormality fused with him permanently, so now Natsu can be called an owner of SBC. Gods with normal bodies use Mahō [Magic], which turns into Kahō [Mystic Weave], when they become strong enough. However, due to his artificially acquired Special Body Constitution, Natsu uses Jahō [Wicked Weave], and it won't turn into anything. Technically, you can say that Natsu actually became a guardian of Tower of Din, in regards of ethernano refining method he uses, at least. Of course, Erza didn't know that part, since Natsu actually had no chances to tell her, because she unexpectedly began her re-origination, so for now she only knew about what happened before Nirvana's incident. By the way, Natsu's SBC is artificial and is not counted among 18 known body abnormalities.
As for Erza herself… Usually, if one ain't using magic, it is impossible to tell if he or she actually has a Special Body Constitution, at least without taking a closer look. However, there are few exceptions. Both Natsu and Andromeda came from outside of Magicscar Triangle, so both of them knew about 18 SBCs. And both of them were quite surprised when Erza opened her eyes…
Heavenly Lotus Demonic Body – that was the name of Special Body Constitution that Erza now possess. This type of SBC has a distinct feature – the owner's irises and pupils take shape of a lotus flower (top view), regardless of owner's race or gender. When Erza woke up, Natsu saw a silver-colored, lotus-shaped irises, and instead of vertical-slit pupils, he saw a flower-like ones.
Despite its name, this type of Special Body Constitution has nothing to do with demons. It was named like that due to peculiarity it grants to the owner – one can amplify spells' power using his passion. Due to similarity with Juhō [Curse], which demons and fallen angels use instead of magic, this SBC got the word 'demonic' in its name. Second ability, granted by this type of SBC – increased vitality and self-regeneration – two things that lotus flower symbolizes. Drawback of Heavenly Lotus Demonic Body also comes directly from its similarity with Juhō – emotions, passion – it can be used by the enemy, putting an owner of this SBC at great disadvantage. To avoid it, an owner of Heavenly Lotus Demonic Body needs an ally to help control his or her emotions, someone very close and trustable…
One last thing – during her life, Andromeda didn't have an SBC – her body was normal for her tribe. Logically, Erza couldn't have it as well. But her new body that she constructed has a special body constitution, which is, logically, impossible. The only possibility, about which Natsu (and Andromeda) could think of – that came from Erza's mysterious soul.
Right now, Natsu decided to keep his theory (about Erza being a reincarnation) to himself – maybe her previous self actually was an owner of Heavenly Lotus Demonic Body, and maybe not – all of that are just vague speculations, and that doesn't matter anyway.
Natsu just explained to his wife that she now has an SBC, and told her about its pros and cons, without speculating about why she got it. Erza seemed quite puzzled, of course, but Natsu saw no point to speak about it anymore for now – what's done is done. "Heavenly Lotus Demonic Body is rare and powerful SBC," Natsu noted in conclusion, "However, due to the fact that owner's mahōsui [magic sleep] also takes shape of a lotus flower (normal mahōsui has a spherical shape), the difficulty of second re-origination increases significantly, so we must make sure that you're properly prepared to the moment when that time will arrive." Second re-origination is about re-creation of ethernano conducting system, including mahōsui, and having a non-standard magical container rises difficulty of second re-origination significantly.
"I understand," Erza replied seriously. Her first re-origination took everyone, including herself, by complete surprise, so she really wanted to properly prepare before second one.
"Well, since we've done with it…" Natsu said as his left arm suddenly grabbed Erza's neck, very roughly, and he forcefully pulled his wife closer to himself. A woman was shocked by this spontaneous action, but explanation came right after. "You've abandoned your consort for more than three months, and you think such a thing can go unpunished?"
Erza's eyes widened even more as she realized what Natsu wants to do, but she had no chances to say anything as Natsu forced her to kiss him. "Mmm… your taste became even more splendid," God of ruin said as he released his wife's lips.
Erza wanted to say a lot of things, but at that moment something drew her attention. "Natsu… your arm…" She said as she finally realized that this hand isn't a prothesis… Back then, right after Nirvana's battle, Erza was overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted (an immense number of things happened, after all). And right after, she didn't get enough sleep and was distracted by incoming re-origination. Natsu also wasn't drawing her attention towards his new arm – he wanted her to regain her wits and then surprise her, but all those plans went awry at that night…
But now god of ruin had no desire to hold back anything. "Oh, you finally noticed…" He smiled. "Don't you worry, I didn't have a woman for more than three months, so you're going to learn everything about this new hand's capabilities, believe me…" Natsu said passingly, once again examining his wife's body – she just finished her re-origination, so of course she had no clothes at all.
"Wait, you want… to do that… right here?!" Erza exclaimed in shock.
"Not *right* here, but inside of this Sphere of Inverted Reflections, yes," Natsu replied as he picked his wife with both arms and jumped on his sword, which he made to fly, using his powers. "Don't worry, we'll take a few breaks… probably. At that time, I'll tell you about Sphere of Inverted Reflections one more time, also I'll tell you about that I'm a full-fledged god now, about my new powers and some other things, which happened right in front of your eyes, and which you didn't notice, because you were jealous of me for my servants and also thinking about other trifles…"
Despite Natsu was carrying her in his arms, like a princess, it was obvious that Erza froze like paralyzed, and her eyes with lotus-shaped irises became saucers-wide, due to amount of information, which god of ruin poured onto her in one go. "Don't think about it too hard, my love, you'll have time for that," Natsu noted, as he seemed quite satisfied with the effect he made. "Right now – prepare yourself – I really, really want to test – how enduring is that new body of yours…" He added, as he left the fire zone, holding his beloved woman in his arms.
Omake – Artificial Entities
…
1. Sphere of Inverted Reflections. An artificial world. A pocket dimension. All these definitions are valid and they describe the same thing.
In the Earth Land (outside of Magicscar Triangle), all major factions have at least one. Pantheons, Magical Beasts Tribes, major Wizards guilds, etc. etc. More to it – if an organization/tribe doesn't have a Sphere of Inverted Reflections – it's pathetic, that 'organization' doesn't worth mentioning anywhere. The size of a sphere, that an organization owns, is a measurement of its power and wealth. Really powerful tribes, like four pantheons, have a Sphere of Inverted Reflections (SIR), size of which is comparable to a continent. Largest is known as Nine Heavens, it belongs to Nine Angelic Orders, and its size is comparable to entire Magicscar Triangle. The Sphere of Inverted Reflections, owned by Western Pantheon (to which Natsu's mother belongs), is called Pandemonium, and in size it is bigger than continent of Ishgar, for about 15%.
There are many reasons to create SIR. Most important – security. Entrance into the SIR is a chokepoint, which can be properly secured. There are many ways to limit access into the Sphere of Inverted Reflections, only allowing owners of certain guild marks or bearers of a certain bloodline to enter. If intruders somehow managed to get in – they can be tracked and found with relative ease. Every big tribe and major guild have their secrets – it is much easier to keep them in own 'little' world. Clan/guild members, who are training with secret arts, should not be observed by rivals.
Second reason – training efficiency – density and activity rate of ethernano inside of SIR is bigger than in outside world. Inside of most sophisticated spheres ethernano density can be three times bigger than in outside world, while activity rate may be quadrupled. Such an environment is very fruitful for training purposes (and it is just a comfortable environment for those who a recovering from wounds or diseases, for example). However, such environments cause addiction, so it is usually limited with training areas (which are comparable to countries in size).
Third reason – creation of zones with special properties (dedicated to some elements, for example). Some are combined with training zones, some have other purposes.
And fourth reason – the matter of prestige. As it was said – an organization, which doesn't have its own pocked dimension, is just pathetic.
Important note: knowledges, required to create an SIR, has been long lost in Magicscar Triangle, however, there are hundreds of them there, some possess very specific properties… but entrances into all of them are located inside of Tower of Din.
To create a Sphere of Inverted Reflections, one need to draw a diagram on Papyrus of the Sovereign – that requires, aside from papyrus itself, quite a number of rare resources and an immense amount of ethernano. Natsu spent a lot of his time and magic to draw a diagram, and the SIR that he created has the simplest possible structure. A central (host) zone, which has a form of a circle with 25 miles in diameter, and outer circle, circumscribed around a central zone. Outer circle has inner diameter of 25 miles and outer diameter of 60 miles, and is divided for ten equal sectors – each per one elemental. A basic, even primitive, structure for training grounds. By the way, two sectors were left empty for now – Natsu was unable to get enough resources to fill a sector for wood element, because of this he also couldn't create metal element zone, because it is mandatory for the opposite elements to balance each other out. Ethernano density and activity rate are doubled, comparing to outside world – these are most basic rates of performance, but Natsu is still very young and relatively weak – even such a small SIR is an astonishing achievement for his age, especially considering the very limited resources available in Magicscar Triangle.
By the way – usually, the time flow difference is considered as an undesirable side effect of small Spheres of Inverted Reflections – it can cause severe mental damage to those who live inside. However, since Natsu wanted to use his SIR for training purposes only, and he wasn't planning to live inside on a permanent basis, the time-compression effect was beneficial for him. Time-compression ratio was 3.14 (π, due to SIR's form), i.e. time inside of this SIR flows 3.14 times faster than in outside world. However, to avoid damage to their mind and senses, people cannot stay inside of this SIR for more than four days per week. That rule, however, doesn't concern those in process of re-origination, because their sense of time is dulled.
For now, this Sphere of Inverted Reflections, which Natsu created, displays the limit of his abilities – 11.3 thousand of square miles is considerate a tiny pocket dimension. However, when his power will grow – he'll be able to enhance and enlarge this place. His most immediate goal for now, though, is to get enough resources so he could fill the wood and metal zones.
…
2. Golems. Sometimes they are called 'artificial elementals', and this is a very wrong definition. If you wish to insult an elemental – call it a 'natural golem'.
Elementals born in nature, due to will of the world itself. Golems are created by others, the 'born' by will of their creators. All elementals are anthropomorphic, but golems can look whatever their creator wants, within reasonable limits (they can look like birds, like dragons, like snakes or like beasts, golems can have magical cannons instead of their arms, etc). But, most importantly, all elementals have internal energy, or spirituality, if you want – yin or yang, energy that gives birth to elementals. Golems don't have anything like that – they exist to serve their masters.
Actually, golems have several similarities with artifacts. They are created by powerful experts, and they also can develop their own consciousnesses, if their creators are skillful enough (tier-1 – tier-7 golems must be controlled directly, tier-8 – tier-11 can perform pre-programmed scripts, and 12+ are sentient). Maximum grade of a golem that can be created from scratch is tier-16. To become stronger, the golem must gain experience by itself, and then improve its own construction, also by itself, and by using necessary materials. Most powerful golems have managed to reach tier-19.
Golems can be based on any element, and – another important difference from elementals – golems can be based on several elements at the same time (up to three), only one limitation – opposite elements must not be used. For example, golem can be based on fire, wind and wood; or darkness, wind and void; but darkness, wind and rock combination is ineligible, because wind and rock is an opposition.
Unlike sacred artifacts, there is no limit to a number of golems that one person can have at once – one can have as many as he or she can handle. Golem is controlled by a special imprint, placed somewhere on (inside of) golem's body, and number of imprints that can simultaneously exist solely depends on one's abilities.
Important note: golem's owner must not allow the golem to become stronger than himself. Otherwise, golem can track and erase the imprint, through which it is controlled. What will happen next depends on golem's personality and how it was treated by its master…
Note: there are no conventional classification of golems, only unspoken rules about names. For example, advanced (sentient) fire-based golems called efreets, water-based golems – sylphids, wind-based golems are asparids, and so on.
Note: creation of golems, whose sole purpose is providing sexual services, is banned, but actually, among golem-makers, this is the most frequently violated rule ever…
And that's it for mow! See you soon people!