Born to Steal Gods ( Fairy Tail )

Lucius Draganov woke with a throbbing headache, as if someone had used his skull as a punching bag. The smell of damp earth and rotting leaves filled his nose, mixed with something odd—a sweet, almost electric tang he couldn't explain. He was sprawled on a soft, moss-covered ground, surrounded by trees so tall they seemed to scrape the sky. The trunks glowed faintly, as if alive, and twisted branches formed arches that gave the place a nightmarish feel. Sunlight barely filtered through the leaves, casting everything in a dim haze of shadows that seemed to move on their own.

He stood, groaning in pain, his muscles protesting with every move. The Tom Ford suit, already a wreck in the limbo, was now little more than a rag, caked in mud and clinging with leaves that glowed strangely. He ran a hand through his white hair with blue streaks, now tangled and gritty with dirt, and scanned his surroundings, his blue eyes blazing with anger and confusion.

"What the hell kind of place is this?" he grumbled, his voice hoarse.

He glanced at his right hand, where the black cross was etched, pulsing with a bluish glow he didn't understand. The mark stung faintly, as if it had a life of its own, but he had no clue what it was—only that it was the fault of that black-cloaked messenger and the so-called "ancient God."

"That damn ghost…" he muttered, kicking a stone that rolled and let out an odd hiss as it hit a root. "Dumping me in this hole… I'll rip his head off, and that God's too!"

He started walking through the forest, his Italian leather shoes sinking into the wet earth, making a muffled sound against the crackling branches and the hum of glowing insects. The place was bizarre as hell. The trees seemed to shift when he looked away, and shadows danced at the edges of his vision, as if toying with him. A deep howl cut through the silence, coming from far off, followed by a rumble that made the ground tremble slightly. Lucius froze, his eyes scanning the darkness between the trees, his hand clenched into a fist.

"What the hell is that noise?" he said, mostly to himself, his tone mixing anger with a hint of nerves.

The howl came again, closer, paired with a roar that seemed to tear the air. Lucius spun his head, heart racing, but saw only trees and fog. He cursed under his breath, trying to convince himself it was just another trick, but the cold sweat on his neck said otherwise.

"If this is to mess with me, you'll have to do better than that," he growled, taking a step forward, senses on high alert.

Suddenly, the ground shook hard. A roar so loud it felt like it exploded inside his head sent branches falling and leaves flying. Lucius froze, eyes wide, and then he saw it: emerging from the fog, between the trees, came something straight out of a nightmare. A gray Vulcan, a monstrous ape-like creature about two and a half meters tall, its muscular body covered in silvery fur that glowed sickly. Its arms were too long, ending in claws sharp enough to slice stone. Its jagged, oversized teeth jutted from its mouth, dripping saliva that sizzled on the ground like venom. Its red eyes glowed, locked on Lucius, as if he were a meal.

"What… what the hell is that!?" Lucius shouted, his heart in his throat, terror taking hold.

The Vulcan let out another roar, pounding its chest, the sound echoing like thunder. It charged, tearing up the ground with its claws, moving with a speed that made no sense for a beast that size. Lucius, driven by pure instinct, spun around and bolted, running like his life depended on it—because it did.

"What kind of cursed place is this!?" he yelled, leaping over roots that seemed to grab at his feet. "Damn God! Damn messenger! Damn it all!"

The forest felt alive, and not in a good way. Branches moved, blocking his path, and the fog thickened, clouding his vision. The Vulcan was right behind him, the sound of its heavy steps and roars filling the air. Lucius felt its hot breath on his neck, and a claw swiped so close it tore the air by his shoulder. He tripped on a root, crashing face-first into the dirt, but rolled aside just as a claw smashed the ground where he'd been.

"You bastard!" he screamed, scrambling to his feet, his heart pounding like it might explode.

He ran again, adrenaline making his legs fly. Another howl came from afar, as if more of those beasts were waking up. The forest was an endless nightmare, every turn leading to more darkness. Then he heard it: the sound of rushing water, like his only shot. Ahead, through the trees, a waterfall gleamed, its water plunging into a misty abyss.

Lucius didn't stop to think. With the Vulcan nearly on him, he sprinted to the cliff's edge, feeling the monster's claw graze his back. He leaped, diving headfirst into the icy water. The current swallowed him, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. He swam with everything he had, letting the water carry him, not daring to look back. The Vulcan's roar faded, muffled by the waterfall's roar, until it vanished completely.

The water dragged him for what felt like forever, slamming him against rocks and underwater branches. He fought not to sink, his arms burning with exhaustion. Finally, the current eased, and he was thrown onto a muddy bank, coughing and gasping. He crawled out of the water, collapsing onto his back, chest heaving like crazy.

"What… kind of hell… was that?" he muttered, his voice coming in pieces.

The suit was done for, shredded by the water and rocks. The black shirt was just a rag, and the jacket was gone. But the Patek Philippe still gleamed on his wrist, stubborn, and the ruby rings held firm on his fingers. He looked at his right hand, where the black cross pulsed, its bluish glow stronger now, as if it had enjoyed the adrenaline. He clenched his fist, anger surging back.

"You're gonna pay for this," he said, his eyes blazing with a fire he didn't even know he had.

He stood, legs shaky, and started walking along the bank, feet sinking into the mud. The forest seemed quieter now, but something was still off—no birds sang, and the air felt heavy, like it was charged with electricity. He followed a path through the trees, each step steadier, until the vegetation began to thin. Then he saw it.

Far off, beyond a valley shrouded in mist, a city glowed under the starry sky. Towers of stone and wood rose, with lights that seemed to dance, as if magical. The sound of laughter, music, and clinking glasses carried on the wind. It was a lively place, full of movement, but also secrets. Lucius narrowed his eyes, his crooked smile creeping back.

"Alright, you bastards," he muttered, his voice thick with defiance. "Let's see who runs this place."