Adelie's eyes widened as she stepped on the ground and took a step forward. This caught the man's attention and looked straight at her. Gulping, Adelie forced herself to take another step forward.
"Su isn't here," She spoke, her voice wavering a bit. Seeing she is the only one able to talk, she gulped and continued. "And she isn't coming back for the next week."
"You won't be telling me what to do, cat." He growled and took step forward, but Natsu stepped in front. "Get out of the way. I have business with Team Bloodfall of Fairy Tail, not an insect." He stared right into his eyes.
"Team Bloodfall belongs to Fairy Tail." He said confident. "And so does Su."
"As long as I remember, she doesn't belong to any guild." The man didn't waver one bit.
"She is…" A female voice spoke. Everyone turned to the source and saw Nora and Aspen sitting up. "Suzume is part of Fairy Tail." She stood up and took a step forward.
"Nora-san…" Lucy murmured and quickly held her left arm, helping her to stand up. "Don't push yourself too much…" she looked at her pale face.
"Get out of his body," Nora cursed and straightened, confusing everyone before Aspen stepped beside her.
"You can't get me out of Zeref's body, mage." He smirked but narrowed his eyebrows when Nora held Aspen's hand and closed their eyes. "You w-" Before he could end his sentence he fell on his knees and held for his head.
"With rabbit's foot and magic verse, I turn around this wicked curse. As these words of mine are spoken, let this evil spell be broken." Nora and Aspen said at the same time before they opened their eyes and looked at Zeref.
He was kneeling on the ground for a moment before he started laughing. "Your tricks won't work on me anymore, Nora." He raised his head with a grin on his lips.
Nora took a step forward and bit her lower lip, feeling blood in her mouth. "Nora" Aspen called, knowing which spell she is going to use.
"Needle in the flame, needle of fire," She narrowed her eyebrows feeling pain in her chest. Zeref's eyes widened as he recognized the spell she was talking. "Pierce his thoughts"
"I don't think so," He growled and was ready to attack, but he couldn't move for an inch as Nora continued: "Make him writhe, agonize, till his heart turns back to me."
Both of them fell on the ground. Aspen ran to Nora and held her in her arms. "Nora," She called and gently shook her. "Get your grip together…" She murmured and looked at Zeref. "Why now of all times?" she groaned.
"Since when can you two do spells?" Makarov was the first one to speak.
Aspen looked at him and thought for a second. "One year after we left, we met a woman that taught us all the spells that could come in handy." She looked back at Nora, who groaned. "Nora, are you okay?" she asked.
"I should be the one asking you that…" She murmured and slowly opened her eyes. "Is he out?" she asked and looked at unconscious body that was still lying on the ground.
"Why is he after you?" Natsu stood in front of her. "Why is Zeref after your daughter?" he asked and crossed his arms.
"It isn't Zeref that is after Su and us…" Nora murmured and stood up with Aspen's help. "He has two sides… One side is gentle and he wouldn't harm a fly, while the other side is … you saw it with your own eyes." She sighed and walked to Zeref's side.
No one said a word. Moreover, no one dared to say a word. They didn't know how to react. Should they be angry or scared? Countless of thoughts were running through their heads until Wendy and Lucy stood up and helped the two women with Charle and Adelie following behind.
"Lucy… Wendy…" Nora murmured surprised.
"You need help, right?" Lucy smiled.
Nora smiled and looked down. "Thank you," she whispered and closed her eyes.
Lucy helped Aspen carrying Zeref while Wendy helped Nora walking. They left the guild, leaving everyone in confusion before Makarov sighed.
"This is going to be hard…" he touched his forehead and closed his eyes, thinking. "But if they think it is okay then…it is up to them, as long as no one else is harmed, though I am not really fond of this." He looked at doors where the girls disappeared to.
When they reached the house where Nora, Aspen and Adelie were staying, Lucy and Aspen laid Zeref on bed while Nora sat on chair. She grabbed her small notebook from table and opened it on a page for more spells.
"I cast this spell to protect you and us from the evil inside." She said loud and clearly before a circle appeared around Nora's bed, where Zeref was lying.
"Amazing…" Lucy murmured and put hand in front of her mouth. "Can you teach me some spells too?" she looked at Nora.
Nora looked at her surprised before she smiled. "Of course," she chuckled. "I won't go easy on you, Lucy." She said and looked at Aspen. "Now that the identity is revealed, we should do our best to protect Su." She added.
"I did say to not lay a finger on her, but I wonder if anyone will listen…" Aspen sighed and looked at Wendy. "Are you sure you want to be my student?" she raised an eyebrow.
Wendy nodded and held Charle in her arms. "I want to become stronger." She smiled and looked down at Charle. "I want to protect my friends…" she said quietly.
"Okay," Aspen nodded. "Nora and I will talk about your training. If we ask for something stupid bear with it because we think it is the best for you, okay?" she said.
"Un," Lucy and Wendy nodded at the same time. Aspen and Nora smiled before they looked at unconscious body on the bed.
Letting a sigh out Aspen looked at Adelie. "Adelie," She called. The black cat looked at black haired mage in wonder. "Search for Su and keep an eye on her." She said.
"I got it," Adelie nodded and looked at Nora, who was watching Zeref. She looked back at Aspen and quietly added: "Take care of Nora," before she flew through window.
"You don't have to tell me that." Aspen chuckled and let a sigh out before she turned to two Fairy Tail mages. "Let's go into kitchen," she stood up. Wendy and Lucy quietly nodded and followed her, while Nora stood up and walked to bed, kneeling on the ground.
"With this spell," She started quietly and closed her eyes, "I am warm I am fire, all this warmth I send it to you." she whispered and opened her eyes when she heard a quiet groan.
"N…Nora?" Zeref murmured and opened his eyes.
"I am here…" She smiled and held his hand. "I am here…" She whispered.
"W-what happened?" he asked and sat up. "Why am I here?" he looked around before his eyes widened and backed away. "Don't come near me, Nora. You know I can't hold back all this power."
"It is okay," She smiled. "I cast a spell around you, so you don't have to worry about anything." She said and stood up. "It seems he is getting stronger and I am getting weaker…" she chuckled.
"Eh?" Zeref murmured. His eyes widened at the realization. "Don't fight me, Nora." He claimed. "You know you can't win…"
"I know…" Nora looked down and bit her lower lip. Making a fist she forced a smile and looked back at her husband. "I will do anything necessary to stop us all." She said.
Seeing seriousness in her eyes, Zeref smiled and nodded quietly. "I know you will find strong opponents." He said and looked towards doorway into kitchen where he heard voices. "They are already strong, but their real power is still hidden deep inside." He looked back at Nora. "Will you tell them the truth?" he asked.
"When the right time will come…" She answered and sat on the edge of bed. "Before you leave I will cast another spell on you, so you will forget where we are and what happened." She looked at her hand.
"I trust you, Nora." Zeref whispered and held her left hand. She raised her head and nodded with faint smile. Zeref leaned closer and pressed his lips on hers, surprising her.
Ever since he disappeared in the attack of Acnologia, twelve years ago, they haven't seen each other. Nora thought he would change, grow up like she has, but when she saw him standing in front of him, she realized that what everyone was saying was real. He was the strongest dark mage.
But he wasn't alone.
