Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail or Sword Art Online

Wandering through the interior of this massive castle was fascinating. Granted, Kirito had strange company during his trip, but it didn't mean this place wasn't amazing. On the outside, it had looked like a floating fortress, unwelcoming and dangerous to anyone daring enough to try and enter. Inside, it was almost a replica of anything one could find in reality. With Zeref, he had walked through forests, while the man pointed out areas to avoid. "I wished to truly be able to experience a normal life…so this place is designed to replicate that as best I can. Dangerous animals were created as a result, for no ecosystem can maintain balance without its own predators."

His explanation had made a strange sort of sense to him, but that didn't mean he still wasn't lost as to what this guy was doing in this place. Convincing this man not to throw away his life was like trying to convince a baby not to cry when it was hungry. It just didn't seem to be possible to achieve. Any time Kirito brought the subject up, Zeref always found a way to counter his arguments. Really, it only enforced the idea that he had been considering this for an incredibly long time. It was as if he had heard all of the arguments before, and already had an answer as to why he still had to die, regardless of what others felt.

Instead, Kirito let the subject drop, deciding to think on it and bring it back up another time. So, he focused on following Zeref, watching the man practically give him a tour of this world he created. "We will be nearing the edge of the forest soon. If I recall correctly…we could potentially reach the next town by nightfall."

Nodding, Kirito ducked underneath a low-hanging branch on the path. The further they had gone, the more scarce animals were. Zeref said that was because the forest was wider in this area, and that the animals were more hidden amongst the trees. "Sounds good. I was beginning to think this forest would never end…"

With a slight smile, Zeref shook his head. "If you believe a trip that takes two days is forever, you have much to learn." They had stopped to make camp the other night, but Kirito found it difficult to sleep. Not only was the forest floor hard, he kept hearing unusual sounds from the forest around him. He was normally able to sleep through almost everything, but with all of his worries over what could happen in this place, he couldn't quite bring himself to relax. "Besides…this is the scenery I am more familiar with. In my more recent years, I did spend quite a bit of time on an isolated island…it was overrun by forests such as these, and it was the one place I found where I could rest without interference from mankind." He paused, studying the forest around them. "I suppose the island was more…colorful, then this forest, however. The plants were brighter, and the animals had been influenced by the magic of the island…it resulted in rather interesting creatures, wandering around the area and flying through the sky."

That explained a little bit, Kirito thought. The world labeled Zeref as a dead man, assuming his reign ended four hundred years ago. With that in mind, he still couldn't decide if the guy he was walking with was actually that wizard or not. However, isolation was a decent enough reason for the world to think he was gone. If no one had seen or heard of him in centuries, it only made sense for people to assume he had aged and died somewhere, vanishing without a trace. "If you liked that island so much, why did you even leave?"

Tilting his head, Zeref seemed to frown slightly. "It is…complicated, I suppose." He didn't speak much after that, letting the sounds of the forest fill the air for a moment. Somewhere, a bird chirped as the wind blew overhead, rustling the leaves on the trees. After a moment, Zeref sighed and closed his eyes. "I was…waiting for someone. In the end, I grew fearful that they would not arrive soon enough…so I left and returned to finish this project instead."

Hanging his head, Kirito felt his own expression turn into a frown. "Right…this project to get yourself killed." Oddly, almost everything ended up circling back to this topic between the two of them when they spoke.

"Actually, the person I was waiting for was supposed to kill me…this project was more of a long-term idea, one that even I was not certain would work." That was alarming, making Kirito's eyes widen and flash up towards him. Zeref turned his head back to stare at Kirito, a slight glint in his dark black eyes that made him look strangely amused. "You see, I needed to have something in place to stop myself, should my death truly be an impossible dream. This castle…that is its secondary purpose, in a way. Even I cannot escape, not without ending my own life first. And before you argue over that, I assure you, I've already attempted to end that life numerous times. In the end, all I managed to create was an era of endless agony."

Shuddering at the idea of how many times this guy had tried to mutilate himself, Kirito took a moment to take deep breaths. "Okay…you wanted to stop yourself. But what exactly did you need to be stopped from? Last I heard, you weren't exactly doing much in the world these days…Zeref's just the name of some ancient wizard that died, who created powerful black magic spells."

At this point, Kirito could see the trees thinning out around them. True to his earlier words, the forest was ending as they kept walking. "It isn't something I wish to speak about. To put it simply, let's just say my actions change with my mindset…and there was something very important I was on the verge of forgetting before coming here." Zeref seemed to glance up at the sky with that, pausing for a moment as Kirito kept moving until he stood by Zeref's side. "Being here, however…no, that is not quite it. Perhaps…finding a friend, is helping me recall how important such things are."

In situations like this, Kirito really wished he had more experience with people. Being called someone's friend, especially someone he met only a day ago, just felt…weird. Sure, he cared about others and wanted to keep his actual friends close, but was Zeref his friend? He couldn't deny that he wanted to help Zeref too, but he really didn't know much of anything about the guy. Thinking of a response to his comment wasn't easy as a result, so instead he gave Zeref a slight smile, nodding and rubbing the back of his neck.

"Uh…yeah. Glad to help." Really, he didn't even know what he was helping with. "So, what exactly were you planning on doing with me anyway? Sorry, I know this is a bit off topic…but just wandering around aimlessly doesn't seem like something a guy like you would want to do."

Zeref's gaze focused on the path ahead of them, and he began walking once more. "I told you before, I wished to show you the joys of this world. Oddly…I feel as if I could enjoy some form of life in this place. There is little for me to fear, and it isn't as if I am hunted in this world like I was back at home." Kirito wondered if he should have mentioned Laughing Coffin or not. However, Zeref continued before he had the chance. "Perhaps I am giving you an unfair advantage, but it wasn't as if I did not offer assistance to the people back in town. They simply did not wish to listen…and now, they will have to discover how to get by in this world on their own. Granted, there are sufficient materials to do so, but it will take them time to understand how to live without magic."

"And you've gotten used to it?" Kirito's question wasn't answered at first, so he elaborated further. "I mean, you are known as the Black Wizard…as one of the strongest wizards ever, actually. How did you go from that…to hating magic entirely?"

"One's legacy, and who they are often are not the same." Zeref spoke quietly, frowning. "Then again, I may as well not even try to change such things. In a way, I truly am the monster everyone claims…I was born a prodigy in magic, and I became a master of multiple branches of such power. No one could accomplish the things I could…and I relished in such power. However…it took me too long to see what I was sacrificing for my power…to see that I was destroying the world as I sought out a way to end my curse. That put things in perspective for me…and made me realize that it wasn't me, personally, causing such disasters…it was my magic. So, if my magic was what kept me cursed, what forced me to keep destroying, why not find a way to live without it?"

It was an unusual logic, but Kirito could see why it appealed to the guy. However, it didn't really answer his first question. "Making this place seems like a rather extreme way of doing that…but I guess you had enough time to make it—"

"Actually, extreme measures were required." He interrupted before Kirito even managed to get to his point. "A magical creation that blocks magic itself…such a design sounds impossible, contradictory even." There was an odd smile on his face with that comment, one that vanished quickly. "This was what I sought to create. I did not wish to be in a world, isolated and alone…part of me still longed to have friends, to still have my…family." He trailed off, biting his lip and shaking his head. Now, as Kirito looked at the man, he was beginning to see why he was so depressed. Considering his age…it really was impossible for any of his old friends or family to be alive.

When Zeref stopped there, not bothering to continue on, Kirito gave him a strained smile, reaching out and patting his shoulder awkwardly. He didn't really know much about comforting others, but that didn't mean he couldn't try. "Well, I have to say, I'm rather impressed with your work, Zeref. This place is amazing…and while I can't say I'm pleased to be stuck here, I am glad that I got to meet you. I mean…we're friends now, right?" It felt strange, saying that to this guy. However, it also felt like it was what Zeref needed to hear.

Taking a deep breath, Zeref seemed to wait for a moment. "Yes…and I suppose I am still adjusting to that concept myself. You did not strike me as someone so willing to make friends, Kirito. Oddly, that was why I wished to speak more with you…for I thought you would understand my own unusual tendencies better than others."

Laughing, Kirito rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah…I'm kinda a loner. Asuna keeps telling me I need to get out and make more friends, though…somehow, I don't think this is what she meant." Nodding, Zeref chuckled and shook his head, moving forward again. Now, the area seemed to be clear of trees. Instead, the path cut through a field of flowers, leaving them surrounded by colors of all kinds. Kirito thought he heard insects buzzing around, making him wonder just how much detail Zeref had put into making this world.

"I am doubtful she would approve of your choice as well…however, does that mean you also regret coming along with me?" It was a question Kirito should have expected, considering how his current company seemed to hate himself.

Shaking his head, Kirito folded his arms behind his head as he walked, staring at the sky above them. Clouds seemed to be rolling by, and he wondered how Zeref had managed to recreate such a view inside of a building. Likely, magic, but there had to be some kind of limits on what it could do, right? "Nah, this is great. It sure beats hanging around town doing nothing any day. Like I said, I'm glad I got this chance to meet you." After a moment, Kirito found himself chuckling again, shaking his head. "Never thought I'd see the day when I said I was happy to meet the world's most wanted criminal."

With slightly wider eyes, Zeref nodded. "And I never thought I'd encounter someone so…open-minded. I think this world may accomplish exactly what I had hoped it would…and I hope you can one day forgive me for trapping everyone inside, Kirito. While my methods may not have been ideal, they were necessary if I were to have any hope of truly connecting with others."

Kirito turned his head back towards Zeref, opening his mouth to ask him what he meant. However, at that moment he felt the sharp breeze as something flew by his cheek, darting towards Zeref. The sun glinted off of a metal surface, and his own instincts kicked in. Jumping forward, he tackled Zeref to the ground and watched as the dagger flew and landed somewhere within the meadow around them. From the forest they just walked out of, a group of people in dark purple cloaks began to emerge. Pulling her hood down, Veronica stood in front of them all, a smile on her face. "Finally…I've found you."

Underneath him on the ground, Zeref seemed to be frowning, turning his head in confusion. Kirito rose to his feet first, not bothering to help Zeref up when his focus was trained on the threat entering this area. "Right…I had forgotten that I invited them as well."

"Let me guess, a real world isn't complete without criminals, right?" Kirito sighed when Zeref merely nodded, brushing off strands of grass and dirt that seemed to have clung to his robes. As he rose to his feet, Zeref reached behind his head, grasping the hilt of his sword in his hand. Unsheathing it, he stood ready to fight if it came down to it. Based on their earlier attack, he assumed that was likely going to be the case. "Well, congratulations, you've got some. Let me introduce you to Laughing Coffin, some group determined to find you in this place. They announced that one on day one."

Studying them, Zeref seemed to be frowning, his gaze dark and calculating. "I see…perhaps I did not decide properly when sending them this invitation. I had thought I found a guild that cared little about myself…but it appears I was mistaken." With that, Zeref scowled in irritation. "They are destroying the peace I wished to have in this place…and I am beginning to question the necessity of having them here."

It was such an odd phrasing that Kirito couldn't help but turn towards him with a frown. "What is that supposed to mean?" Veronica and her guild were moving closer. By her side, two men seemed to be moving forward, pulling out weapons of their own. One seemed to carry a hammer of some kind, while the other wielded a sword of his own.

Feeling a tug on something on his back, Kirito stumbled slightly. His second blade was unsheathed, the crystalline blue sword now being held in Zeref's grip. "It means I will be borrowing this for the time being. As I told you before…you have not yet reached the point of understanding what it means to take a life." There was a dark look in his gaze as he studied the others, carrying the blade with a strange confidence. Kirito didn't know where Zeref had learned to wield a weapon, but right now was not the time to ask him about it.

"We didn't come to fight you, Lord Zeref." Veronica spoke softly, moving closer. Keeping his gaze alert, Kirito scanned for more attackers other than the three approaching. He thought he saw movement in the trees still, but he couldn't quite verify if someone was there or not. Either way, he kept his sword raised to defend himself if need be. "We are your humble servants…here to make sure this world becomes the most feared of your creations. Laughing Coffin knows of your great deeds, and we seek to accomplish your goal in full." With a dark look in her eyes, Veronica knelt before Zeref and let her eyes lock with his. "You brought us here to be your villains, to kill anyone who got in our way. As we speak, more members of my guild are sneaking back into that lowly town we first started in. They are searching for our first targets…and helping create the terror this world is desperately lacking."

There was something oddly expressionless about Zeref at her words. Kirito's fist was tightening around his sword, his free hand shaking slightly as his jaw clenched into a grimace at her words. However, Zeref spoke before Kirito could move forward and demand to know her motives. "Laughing Coffin…the murderer's guild. I went to you, believing you all had reasons for your actions. Guilds exist to make money, and dark guilds…well, they are not that different in that manner. You are willing to do the actions most would shy away from, and you get revenge for people who have lost lives to criminals. After studying the jobs your guild performed, I was confident that you did not kill for the sake of killing…every job was completed with the mindset that you were ending the life of someone who had only brought harm to others."

Laughing, Veronica tossed her hair over her shoulder. With her hood down, Kirito could now see that the girl looked like she was somewhere in her twenties, with long purple hair and amused blue eyes. "Yeah? That's exactly what we want people to think…those fools come to us, thinking we're a guild that seeks nothing but vengeance and money. No one sees us for who we truly are…a guild that serves no one but ourselves. Maybe we are good at keeping a low profile, but in reality…we want nothing but power. You, Lord Zeref, are the epitome of what we wish to become…a master of death that kills relentlessly, destroying everything in your path! Our guild will do the same, killing and making this world fear our existence."

"That…that can't be your reasoning!" Kirito shouted at her before Zeref could say anything. The girl turned towards him, scowling in distaste. "You are talking about people's lives, something that you can never give back. Throwing them away…you're doing it just to prove a point? Just to make yourself feel strong?"

In her palm, Veronica seemed to be tossing around a single dagger. It would spin in the air twice, before she would catch it again and repeat the process. "Sure am, buttercup. Let me tell you a little secret…only the strong survive in this world." She stopped throwing her dagger, instead reaching down and pulling aside the bottom edge of her robe. Kirito's eyes widened at what he saw underneath. Her entire right leg was gone. In its place was some kind of metal prosthetic, barely even shaped to match her missing limb. It was covered by the fabric of black shorts, so he couldn't quite see how it attached to her body, but for now, it allowed her to stand. "When I was a little girl, dark wizards came and tried to kill my whole family. They said my parents were in possession of some spell book they wanted, a book of spells designed by the legendary Black Wizard. I was too young, too weak to do anything to stop them…and I watched as they killed my parents. But, I had magic too…the strength to fight back. That day, I tried to kill my first victim, but I was weak. One of those wizards was a requip wizard, meaning they use weapons to attack. He brought out an axe, and hacked off my leg since I tried to fight back with my fists."

Just imaging that, Kirito didn't know what to say. However, Veronica let her robe cover her lost limb quickly, smiling at both of them as if it was a pleasant bedtime story. "He thought I was about to die, with how much blood I was losing. So, they left me alone…but I survived. Those guys, they were strong…they knew what they wanted, and they weren't afraid to do whatever it took to get it. While I wanted my revenge…I couldn't help but admire that power, and want it for myself. So, I learned." She flipped her dagger around in her palm, pointing it towards Kirito. "I grew stronger, and once I had the power I needed, the magic that could defeat them, I found them. They were my first victims, the first people I killed with this very blade. I've never let it leave my side since that day. Luckily, that meant my daggers were on my person, rather than trapped in the void that holds weapons for us requip wizards."

"That…there are other ways to be strong…" Kirito saw the way her eyes seemed to narrow, her body crouching as if prepared to lunge towards him.

"I don't care about other ways! This is my way, the way I am following. If you've got a problem with that…I can show you just what Laughing Coffin is made of, weakling."

Holding a hand in front of Kirito as he moved to take her taunt, Zeref shook his head. "No. This is a dilemma I created, and as such, it is a matter for me to deal with." Stepping forward, Zeref watched as Veronica seemed to smile at him, her expression immediately becoming calmer with him there. "Your guild murders for no reason at all…it wastes away lives that I still wish to value…in fact, Laughing Coffin truly does remind me of the man I once was." Veronica's eyes brightened at that, a huge smile spreading across her face as she clapped her hands together. However, at that moment, Zeref lifted the sword in his hand, thrusting it into her stomach with a glare. "I hate that man and everything he represented…and your guild is destroying the peace this world was meant to bring me. For destroying my dream…I shall end every single one of you."

His warning was whispered into her ear, but Kirito was standing just behind them as he said it. Kirito's eyes were wide, locked on the sight of her body falling limply onto the ground. That smile seemed etched onto her face, never fading away as her eyes stared blankly at the world around her. As she fell, Kirito heard the sound of something clicking, and his eyes shot upward. Arrows were flying into the meadow, coming from the trees nearby. Clearly, they had planned this as an ambush with the numbers they had. Right now, they were the ones with the advantage too, not only in numbers but also in placement.

With his sword flying around him, Kirito began deflecting the projectiles swiftly. Arrows bounced off of his blade while Zeref merely watched them closely, dodging as needed. Moving on to the next melee weapon wielder, Zeref attacked. The one with the hammer seemed to recklessly swing his weapon about, as if untrained. Likely, this wizard wasn't familiar with the tool, but he still tried swinging down his weapon on Zeref's head. Jumping to the side, Zeref seemed to dodge with ease, quickly slashing through the man's stomach and leaving him collapsed on the ground just like Veronica.

The sword user was just as unskilled, slashing around aimlessly with his weapon. While the sword looked like it was designed for single-handed use, this guy was using both hands as if it would make the weapon more effective. As he swung around with little pattern to his movements, Zeref blocked each blow calmly, with the same dark expression on his face that he had carried from before. However, an arrow flying between them forced him to jump back and disengage. Those archers were becoming the real problem, Kirito realized.

Moving towards the forest, Kirito decided it was time for him to at least do something. Maybe he wouldn't kill, but that didn't mean he couldn't fight. Finding one hidden within the trees off the path, Kirito smirked and tapped on his shoulder. The man spun around, his eyes wide as he saw Kirito standing over him. "Hey, mind if I borrow that?" He pointed towards the bow, only for the man to scramble away, as if trying to flee. Shrugging, Kirito slammed his hilt down on the man's head, knocking him out quickly. He didn't need the other archers being alerted to his presence so early on.

Taking a guess that these guys weren't fully trained, Kirito grabbed his new weapon and began searching the trees for where the arrows were coming from. So long as he could get close, he should be able to scare them off at least. Based on how few arrows were even nearing their target, it was actually pretty safe to conclude a low skill level from this group. When another volley of arrows was released, Kirito saw at least two potential locations for archers. Taking aim at a tree branch above one of them, Kirito focused. The arrow wouldn't quite break it, but it would shake the branch and likely make some leaves fall on the guy. Unfortunately, there weren't any weak enough to completely break through.

Releasing his arrow, Kirito watched it hit the branch quickly. He heard a slight shout of surprise as birds rushed away from the tree, seeing the arrow as an attack. Underneath it, someone seemed to begin glancing around, panicked at the shot that landed so close to her. The girl was short, but she was agile as she ran through the forest, disappearing before Kirito could knock back another shot at her. Either way, he turned his focus on the other hiding spot. This time, there was a very thin branch lower down, practically a twig just begging to fall off. With a smirk, he prepared to let it drop on the unsuspecting attacker, releasing another arrow.

His smirk vanished as his shot went wide, though. It hit the tree behind the archer, rather than the one in front of her. Cursing under his breath, Kirito dropped to his stomach to try and hide his presence. Luckily, his dark clothes seemed to blend somewhat with the forest around him. Granted, it wasn't perfect camouflage, but it was better than nothing. This girl was a bit more daring than the others, searching the forest for her mysterious attacker. Right now, Kirito was wishing he knew a better marksman to be here, because right now, he was out of his element. A sword was his weapon of choice, but this situation called for a different one. Trying to adapt on the spot was a skill he had developed over his years of treasure hunting, but that didn't mean he was a complete expert yet.

Abandoning the bow, Kirito crawled away from his hiding spot while the girl was glancing away from him. He had done all that he could without getting caught. Now, it was just up to Zeref to get out of this situation alive. As he emerged back onto the path, he saw Zeref wiping off the sword carefully with a white cloth, cleaning the blood away. His gaze was distant, yet focused on the blade as if that single weapon held the answer to every question in his mind. As Kirito approached, the man wordlessly handed the blade back to him. One last shot came from the remaining archer in the forest, but both of them ignored it. Zeref simply continued walking on, not bothering to stop and mourn for the lives lost. Kirito glanced back at them, feeling his stomach churn at the sight of their bloodied bodies. Closing his eyes, he sheathed both swords once more, questioning just what had brought Zeref to the point where he could kill like that, and not even flinch as his enemies fell. Then again, maybe he wasn't so heartless as he tried to appear. After all, instead of moving through the meadow towards the town Zeref had mentioned, he had turned around, moving into the forest back towards the place they came from. His quickened pace was hard to match, but right now, Kirito was determined to get back before this insane group got anywhere near Asuna and his friends.

And we've got a bit of a fight, and now Zeref and Kirito are heading back to the Town of Beginnings! I do hope you enjoyed. Feel free to review and tell me what you think!