Lucy followed closely to Zeref but still keeping her distance in thought. "So. If he's supposed to be the enemy… Should I attack him? No way. I wouldn't stand a chance. He's immortal." Lucy steps seemed to slow down and she fell a little further behind Zeref. "I'm weak. And worthless. All I do is rely on my spirits strength. Who am I next to Natsu or the others. Why am I thinking like this? Oh. Because I'm weak." Lucy awoke to being shook by Zeref. "Wha-?!"

Zeref stared at her, "You were screaming and crying." Zeref released her shoulders. "I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do… I don't have the greatest people skills. It seems to be a miasma. Miss Lucy. Please, try to stay close, if I was going to kill you… Believe me, you would have never saw it coming."

Lucy looked down, "Would it be weird if you held my hand then?"

Zeref raised an eyebrow, "Why would that be weird?" He took her hand and started walking. "If my theory of a miasma is indeed correct… Then your friends are suffering as we speak." Zeref stopped and shook his head and held his forehead.

Lucy blushed beet red at Zeref's touch, "Are you okay?" Lucy placed a hand on his shoulder.

Zeref trembled at her touch and the gemstone in the ring shined brightly. "Let's go." Zeref held onto Lucy's hand tightly and pulled her along.

Zeref stopped dead in his tracks, "Miss Lucy, can you hear that?"

Lucy listened closely, "Hear what? I don't hear anything."

Zeref turned to her, "Focus your magic, focus your mind. Hone your sense of hearing and listen to the universe around you. I will help you this one time, take both my hands." Zeref held out his other hand.

Lucy looked at his hand and gently placed her hand in his. "I trust you."

Zeref's expression softened slightly, "I see why he likes you. Now, Miss Lucy… Listen to the world around you."

Lucy closed her eyes as black magic began to swirl around them, she focused her magic power outwards and the black magic began to lighten in color and shine. Zeref watched the change in the magic slightly amused. "Help! Anyone! I can't see anything! Natsu! Lucy! Gray!" A small young voice cried out.

"There!" Lucy pointed towards a dark hall. Zeref nodded and pulled Lucy in the direction of the cries. Lucy stared at Zeref as she ran next to him, "He just taught me another form of magic…"

As they ran down the hall it began to light up with a village, "Zeref?"

He eyed the walls as they turned into surroundings, "It appears as we are being drawn into the miasma." Lucy gripped onto his hand tighter.

"Why isn't anyone here? I'm scared." A soft voice cried from inside a village that was in ruins.

"Wendy! I'm here!" Lucy yelled out.

"Lucy! Help me! I can't find anyone!" Wendy yelled.

Zeref narrowed his eyes and pulled Lucy under his cloak. "It's preying on their fears. Miss Lucy, find this Miss Wendy and stay with her, don't come out of hiding until I say so." Lucy nodded and Zeref pushed her into the direction of Wendy's voice.

Zeref stood completely still listening to the surroundings, "Come out before you try my patience any further!" Dark magic swirled around him once again as his eyes turned red.

A female voice spoke softly, "The Black Wizard has come to the aid of a Dragon Slayer… How unfortunate. I hoped to meet you when I was fully phased into this world. Nevertheless." A large snake slithered out from behind the tree.

Lucy reached Wendy and hugged her tightly, "Wendy! You're not alone! I'm here!"

Wendy hugged her back, "How'd you find me?"

Lucy never let go, "Him…" She pointed out the small window of the hut they were in.

Wendy peeked out the window, "Zeref? Why is he here? He's super scary."

Lucy smiled a little, "No… Deep down he's kind, I can sense it."

The snake drew closer to Zeref, he made no attempts to evade her. "I will ask you one more time. Leave this girl alone."

The snake cackled, "Her fear of being alone is deliciousss."

Zeref's eyes widened a little then narrowed in anger, "How dare you." Zeref made a few hand gestures and the dark magic swirled around him even faster, hurling orbs of black towards the snake.

The snake danced around them easily. "Is this the bessst you have?!"

Zeref closed his eyes, "Lucy! Take her away from here!"

Lucy grabbed Wendy, "That's our queue, let's get moving!" Lucy ran full speed away from the area.

"Death Predation…" The dark magic swirled around Zeref and flew outwards consuming all the life in its wake. All the trees in the area were dead. Even the once great snake laid in ashes. The gem on the ring was glowing brightly.

Lucy stood next to Wendy holding her tightly. "Wow… That's scary."

Wendy blinked a couple times, "It went around us."

Zeref hit a knee to the ground, "So… You do work." He muttered staring at the ring.

"Zeref! Are you okay!" Lucy and Wendy ran towards him.

He gave a soft smile, "Maybe. Are you two alright?"

Wendy placed her hand on his forehead, "Wow, that was a lot of magic. Let me help." Wendy's hand started to flow as she focused her magic to replenish Zeref's.

"You don't need to do that." Zeref said staring at her. Wendy smiled at his concern.

Lucy watched as the village disappeared into thin air. "Miasma?"

Wendy took her hand from Zeref, "It was my home… You remember…" Lucy nodded as Zeref stood up.

"You're friends are indeed in grave danger. We have to find them." Zeref picked Wendy up and set her onto his shoulders and took Lucy's hand, "If you would, Ladies? Please stay close, the miasma doesn't seem to affect me or the immediate area around me."

Wendy smiled and hugged Zeref's head, "Let's save everyone!"

Lucy looked at the smiling Zeref who was staring at Wendy. "Zeref Dragneel… The Big Bad Wolf from all the wizard ghost stories. Is it possible? That the creator of chaos and this man are the same?"

Zeref looked at Lucy and tugged her hand pulling her out of her thoughts, "Time is of the essence."

Lucy nodded and ran with him, "Right! Let's go get them!"