Story Time

The Mage and the Princess

"Let me tell you a story, Natsu."

Those were the first words Zeref had spoken to Natsu since he was sentenced to infinite confinement. The permanent severing of his magic was what seemed to finally calm him completely. Surprisingly (not) Natsu was extremely impatient with his newfound psychotic, macabre fixated brother. Lucy was the one to tell him he had to wait it out. Let Zeref find the right words in his own time. The only reason the mass murderer was alive was because Natsu was able to argue that death would be a reward to Zeref, rather than a punishment.

It took two years, three months, and twelve days. Natsu hadn't waited that long for something in his whole life and all he got was 7 words. A total of 7 words that Zeref didn't elaborate on for another day because their ten minutes of visitation were up. Natsu thought he even saw a smile on Zeref's face when the guards came.

After a restless day and night, Natsu returned. Zeref was still in the same spot, bound with magic binding metal shackles. He was dressed in a loose white shirt and pants in a chair with more shackles around his elbows, wrists, waist, and ankles. This wasn't how he always looked, just when he had visitors.

The black haired man lifted his face enough to give a weak smile, as he did before each visit. But that was usually all Natsu had the chance to see. The moment those doors were shut, all light was gone from the cell. The only place there was even a modicum of light was just below the air vent above Zeref's head. It gave only a vague idea of the expressions on his face. For someone like Natsu, it was extremely unnerving.

"So, you have a story for me?" Natsu plopped down into his typical spot right before his vastly different looking brother.

Natsu had a hard time believing that Zeref was really his brother at first. The idea that someone so evil could be his relative shot him through the heart. It made him curious about all kinds of things he didn't usually worry about. Like, why did Zeref do the things he did? Were the deaths and atrocities he committed at all redeemable because he couldn't control it? Was he capable of the same kind of evil destruction?

"I do." Zeref's soft voice entered the darkness. "But it isn't the story you want to hear."

Natsu wanted to choke this guy. He was so vague about everything. Why couldn't he just be straight forward and tell him everything all in one shot?

"You're angry. That's understandable." He continued. "Nothing will quell that feeling. Don't hold onto it for too long or you could end up hurting someone you love." His already muted voice faded, the meaning of those words was left just as vague.

"I don't care what you tell me, just say somethin'. I'm done waiting to hear you out, Lucy's the only reason I haven't already kicked the crap out of you." Natsu's fists tightened, remembering her angry frown when he suggested that method of interrogation. She was a little more understanding than Natsu.

Zeref sighed. He knew this wouldn't be easy. It would be one of the hardest things he ever did in his very, extremely long life. But someone had to know, and if there was anyone he trusted with this information it was Natsu. He and Mavis were the only ones Zeref could speak to on this matter. Natsu would torch him for holding back his own story. But this had been sitting inside of him for so long that it needed to be let it out. No more darkness and death, Zeref was far beyond that. His mind now steadied itself on his sickening immortality and the lives he needlessly ended.

Natsu lit a small flame and placed it between them so he could see better. Zeref's eyes squinted closed, unused to seeing light anymore.

The pink haired man folded his arms. "You gonna talk, or what?"

Zeref smiled and looked away from Natsu, the darkness behind his brother was far better suited for these particular memories.

"Once, many centuries ago, an evil mage stole a princess..."

...

It was dark in those days. Zeref had all but killed every last person he knew. Ten years passed in a struggle, everything would age and die except for him. He split his time between working on new magical theories and sleeping. During his intense research he came across an interesting topic.

There was a group of monarchs in a distant country that were unaffected by magic. Physical harm would not come to them in the face of its effects. They were said to be blessed as opposed to Zeref's own awful curse. Perhaps they were his antithesis, perhaps they would know how to end his suffering.

Wandering about distant green forests, Zeref found himself lost and lonely.

There was a distinct difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Being alone was important to keep ones thoughts in order. It was ideal for research and meditation. Being lonely was a dark feeling that accompanied rejection from others. Against what many would want to believe, Zeref was a social person. He preferred the company of others. He yearned for acceptance and kindness. He respected life and the happiness it brought with it. Being lost in that forest for some time brought him to that understanding.

One morning he woke in a mossy ravine to the touch of a young lady, her hand pressed to his heart, searching for a pulse. He was surprised she wasn't repelled by the touch of his flesh like every other living thing. She was younger than himself in appearance. Perhaps 16 or 17. She let out a soft gasp when his eyes opened, relieved to find him alive. He hadn't seen relief for his sake in a long time. Soft, heather grey eyes watched as he unfurled from the ungodly position he'd been sleeping.

"Are you alright? You didn't appear to be breathing, sorry if I made you uncomfortable." She apologized with a slight bow to her head and a sheepish grin. "I'm Vala."

...

"...I didn't know that I'd just met the person who would ruin everything I'd researched up to that point." Zeref clarified quietly to a very serious looking Natsu. The memory of her face wracked the black mage. Something about those dead grey eyes staring blankly up at him he would never forget.

When he didn't continue the story, Natsu gave a grumpy face, "that's it? That's all I get after 2 years? What kinda bullshit is that!"

The ghost of a smile flashed over Zeref's expression, but like any apparition it was gone before anyone could see. "No, there's more. Our time is up for the day, and I would hate to be interrupted."

Just then the guards began tapping at the door. Natsu got up, reluctantly, casting disappointed glares at Zeref.

Honestly Zeref reveled in Natsu's anger, it meant that he felt something. Without another word, Natsu left, taking his light with him.

The days and nights faded into one another. In solitary confinement this was especially true. Zeref felt his heavy shackles, they appeared heavier each day. He used to pace and dream, but now he could barely lift himself from his spot on the wall. Most of the day he was allowed to walk and move about the cell so long as his shackles were in place. The only time Natsu was allowed to visit was when he was fully bound with magic resistant metal. No one else was granted permission to be in the same room at the great black wizard. Zeref rocked his head back against the wall.

Was it so wrong to wish for death? After all of these years, after so much death. Natsu, Mavis… Vala… Zeref's eyes clenched shut to silence the sharp, crushing pain in his heart. Even thinking that woman's name hurt. Losing Natsu had hurt as a child, as had losing Mavis, but there weren't words that one could use to express what Vala's shortened life did. The words fell somewhere on the gradient between something as tame as devastation and gentle a term as soul-crushing.

Cold tears rimmed his eyes just thinking of it. He had, by his own hands, killed so many people. Scholars, doctors, children, men, women, animals... He had taken their lives and there was no way to control any of it.

The only thing that helped to relieve the pain was hearing Natsu's voice. It helped when he visited each day. Even when Zeref was not speaking, Natsu couldn't stop. He learned that his younger brother was living with a young woman and that he was in love with her, even if he had not come to that conclusion yet. He knew that Natsu was taking missions, but he only discussed them when something truly drastic happened.

There was a light knock on the door before he was blinded by Natsu's arrival. He had seen the glassy look in his chained brother's eyes. He knew better than to ask what made him so upset, anyone would feel upset with Zeref's lot in life. He didn't make any remarks; he only set tiny fire aflame between them and furrowed his brow. Waiting.

Zeref took command of his voice and continued his tale, "Most days I considered myself the devil. But the day I met Vala everything shifted..."

...

Vala came across Zeref by accident. She had been picking flowers for her younger sister who decided to wander off. She thought he was hurt at first, and placed her hand over his heart. She could feel it pump slowly. He wore old clothes and looked as if he hadn't eaten in days. She wondered if he was trying to die. The city was a mere mile away, he could have easily gone there to feed himself. She sat back on her haunches and watched his face for a short time.

He didn't move when he woke. The young lady held one hand over his chest, feeling his heartbeat. It was a wonder that she did not shrivel up and die in the moment, so he spent the time she hovered over him wondering what was protecting her. When she moved away, he finally opened his eyes.

Her heart smiled when he opened his eyes. She thought he was a goner for a minute there. "Are you alright? Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I'm Vala."

Was he alright...? What a loaded question. He wasn't sure how to answer truthfully so he just watched her eyes. She seemed to understand to some small extent. Her small hand went to touch him again and he couldn't help but flinch and shuffle out of her reach. Her hand floated in the empty space, both worried and curious. She shuffled closer again and Zeref held up a hand to stop her, "Please don't touch me."

A light blush warmed her cheeks as she muffled a giggle and a soft smile, "sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable again. You have a leaf in your hair." She sat back to take in the summer sunshine. "If you need anything please go due south for one mile. There's an old abandoned temple there, if you're afraid of being touched then the city might not be the best option. If you go there, I can take care of you."

Zeref brushed the leaves from his hair with a sheepish smile. In exchange for her help, the black wizard helped the young lady find her young sister. Her name was Orie and she was maybe five years old. Seeing them hug and exchange affectionate banter made Zeref unconsciously appreciate what life had given them. The way Vala admonished her grinning sister for wandering off reminded him of a rambunctious pink haired boy he once knew. That wonderful feeling of warmth was quickly smothered by a deep aching pain in his head. He knew it was coming.

"R-run!" He threw one arm toward Vala and her sister. She took a hold of her young sister and did not spare Zeref another glance before heeding his warning.

The wave came on fast and hard, utterly decaying everything within a 20 meter radius. He sunk to his knees as the wave passed, wishing more than ever that death would just take him. Why was it that any time he came close to friendship this curse had to rip it away from him? Why couldn't he just be normal? He curled in on himself, hating every fiber of his own existence. That is, until a gentle hand fell lightly over his shoulder.

Zeref unconsciously flinched away, turning to see who was insane enough to touch the devil.

A pretty young woman with light brown hair and grey eyes looked him over for harm. How could he expect her to understand the danger of his proximity?

"When that happens, is there pain associated with the expulsion of death or do you black out when it is released from your body?" Vala asked, her sweet voice taking on a clinical edge.

Was she trying to study him? He had done enough research on himself but he did not know how to answer that question.

She circled him, brown riding boots crunching the forest floor from beneath her yellow neck high sundress. "Thank you for the warning, I don't understand much of magic. This," her hand splayed out to point out the destruction surrounding them, "is highly unusual, I'm guessing?"

Zeref's gaze dropped to the ground, "you should stay away from me, I will only cause your death."

"No you won't." Zeref's eyes lifted at the girl's strange words as she crouched before him with a bright smile, taking ahold of his hand before he could retract. Vala smiled even more deeply, "You can't hurt me."

...

"I was right, I would cause her death." Zeref felt his voice attempting to tighten and he paused. Natsu appeared disappointed at his halted speech, his interest renewed when Zeref continued. "She had a secret place in the woods, an old abandoned temple older than time. To my surprise, Vala was also right. I couldn't hurt her. She could freely touch my skin without fear. I was determined to figure out why."

A/N: Okay, so, yeah. This story is going to get very, very, very morbid and macabre in the coming chapters. It's a short one though! It should be finished in about six chapters. Let me know if anything seems off with the characters. I'm trying my best to improve my characterization. I'm a huge fan of Zeref's character, I think he's just so evil and sad and misguided. Those are the best bad guys. Anyway, please drop a review. I'd love to hear your thoughts.