"I can't risk your life."

"Zer!" Lucy exclaimed and dashed to his side, holding him in her arms as she helped him up. "Why are you here? How did you get here?"

"Lucy?" Zer murmured and forced his eyes to open and look at the beautiful maiden who's holding him. "Why did you come here?"

"I.. I can't leave you behind! Why did you leave and hide here?!" Lucy cried, her voice rising a few notches, worry coating her words.

"N-No.. You.. You must leave right now Lucy!" Zer said and pushed Lucy away.

"Wh-Why? Do you hate me, Zer?" Lucy whispered. It was her fault that he was in trouble right now. She was the reason for his pain. It isn't a surprise if he did hate her.

"N-No. That's not it. I.. I would never ever hate you Lucy but you need to leave. Now." Zer insisted before he grunted and clutched his chest as another wave of pain coursed through his body.

"Ugh. Now Lucy! Go home right now!" Zer exclaimed.

"No.." Lucy whispered and felt her whole body tremble. She was scared. She was terribly scared to think what would happen to Zer if she can't fix it. "No. I won't leave you Zer even if you end up hating me for this stubbornness!"

Lucy engulfed Zer in a tight hug. Zer could feel Lucy's warmth and her body tremble. He could tell she was terrified. He returned the embrace while thinking how much he loved her.

A dark circle appeared beneath them- similar to the one he saw while he supported Lucy. He knew his magic was going haywire as it'll try to take everything from things with life. He feared it would also suck Lucy's eternano and tried to pry her arms locked around him.

"Lucy! You need to let me go. You'll get caught up in this too."

"I don't care! I only want to be with you, Zer. I know I maybe of not much help but please, just let me stay in your arms." Lucy sobbed. She was still not sure just what was fueling her to go such lengths for Zer but if she could pick one word to describe it then she was sure as hell that it could only be Love.

"Lucy.." Zer whispered before he stroke Lucy's head and managed to calm down. "I understand."

Lucy looked up to his bloody red eyes in surprise and delight as Zer watched her with loving and gentle eyes.

"But, I'm sorry. I can't risk your life." was the last Lucy heard from Zer's mouth before she lost consciousness.

Zeref held Lucy's unconscious figure and carefully laid her down. He traced his fingers across her peaceful visage before he planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I love you Lucy and I'll never be able to live with myself if I end up killing you when I can no longer control my magic. So please.. spare me the pain of watching you wilt because of me." He whispered.

Natsu.. Can you hear me?

He attempted to reach Natsu through telepathy and heard him exclaim in shock.

Ze-Zer? How did you enter my head?

That isn't what's important now. I have a favor to ask of you.

Whoa, that's rich. I don't do any favors, you know? Especially from my nemesis.

Zeref's gaze wandered back to Lucy before he closed his eyes and focused on his conversation with Natsu.

You can find Lucy in a deep cave on the outskirts of Magnolia. Please keep her safe Natsu.

Wha-What is she doing there?!

...

Zeref opened his eyes and sighed. The only one thing he didn't want to do was the only choice he was left with. He swept Lucy's fringe away and reveled on the short time they'll be together.

"I am sorry, Lucy. Please forget me." Zeref whispered and placed a spell on Lucy, erasing her every memory of him.

"Zer.." He heard Lucy's faint whisper that surprised Zeref before he saw the tears trickle slowly.

"I love you.. Lucy. Goodbye." He left a lingering kiss on Lucy's lips before he vanished and walked away. He could feel Natsu's aura coming close and it was enough to tell him he must go.

Upon arriving, Natsu saw Lucy sleeping so peacefully on the ground. He looked around but he couldn't find the man who was supposed to be with her.

"What an asshole! Even with your reasons, you shouldn't have left her like this." Natsu mumbled before he carefully picked Lucy up to not disturb her slumber. "I swear you'll regret leaving her in the first place.. Zeref."

"Because that's the best for her. I can't expect you to understand me, Natsu but with a dangerous power like mine, I can never hope to live peacefully with the only woman I ever loved." Zeref whispered to himself as he stood at a far away place while overlooking the cave he left Lucy, his surroundings quickly dying and wilting.

As soon as he saw Natsu leave the cave with Lucy in his arms, he turned around and walked away while leaving traces of wilted plants on his wake.

Every step he took tore a piece of what was left of his heart. Every step felt heavy as he took steps away from the only thing that made him feel the happiest, loved, and accepted- from the only place he felt comfortable and warm.

With every step, he would ask himself if it was really the best choice. What would've happened if he didn't leave? Lucy would probably die. What if he didn't give up then? He'd probably end up hurtingthe last person he'd ever want to hurt. What if some miracle happened then? That's impossible.

Zeref brooded over his actions. With every question he asked himself, there was always an answer he knew by heart- and not a good one at that. He looked over from where he has trodden and saw the path dyed in either black or brown from loss of life.

See? If you had stayed then she would be like all these plants. Wilted, dead and devoid of life. It will all be your fault.

Zeref told and convinced himself that what he did was for the best. He'd have to live for another thousand of years filled with sorrow while watching Lucy outlive him from afar or he could miraculously find someone who can kill him and end his suffering. Either way, he can't really see himself having a peaceful life together with her.

Although what he felt for Lucy was beyond his imagination, he was thankful he got the chance to experience it. For the first time in his life, he was thankful to have lived so long and found Lucy. He was thankful for her mother and for all the unknown forces in the world that made both of them meet. He was thankful it was Lucy who taught him Love.

Little did Zeref know that on his path of absolute darkness and death, a single flower managed to bloom.

And I'm out. I hope you had fun reading the chapter. Stay tuned for more :D WAHAHAHA :D Thanks for the support ;) I hope to see your reviews, okay?

Xoxo,

Halloween Godspell