Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail or Once Upon a Time
Zeref had put his priorities in order, regardless of what was best for this town. Mavis came first, she would always be his top priority. This was why instead of creating his demon, he was with Zera, Emma, Irene, and August, approaching Lumen Histoire carefully with a wary gaze. It was still resting aboard the Jolly Roger, since no one had moved it since Zeref first arrived in this town. He could still sense the power within, the power that had been trapped within Mavis so long ago.
"Are you sure this is the best course of action? This girl may very well see you as an enemy after your attack on her guild, and while you may not mind death, I will certainly fight with everything I have to keep both of us alive." Irene asked, while Zeref nodded, gazing up at the crystal.
It felt like it had been so long ago that he gazed at it like this, back in the guild hall where it had resided for years. "I would gladly surrender my life if it meant Mavis could live on. Do not question my authority, Irene, even in this land, I remain your emperor and you will do as I ask." Zeref stated, watching the wizard nod, still looking concerned as she stared at Mavis.
Mavis' illusion body was with them as well, glancing between them with a smile. "Don't worry, Zeref! I promise, I have no intention of harming any of you if this works. I'll finally have my old life back….it will be like a dream come true." Mavis stated, sounding excited. Zeref smiled at her, nodding as she frowned, noticing he still held on to the Dark One's dagger. Even he did not know why he was reluctant to part with it. He had no desire for the Dark One's power, nor did he wish to control the man, so why did he hold it? Perhaps he still had a lingering attachment to the idea of death, something that he could not let go of even if Mavis begged him to do it.
"Are you sure this is the best plan for us? I still don't get how a child could be of any use in a battle like the one we're heading into." Emma asked, staring at Mavis with concern in her eyes. She was still chained to Hook by Invel's magic, so the pirate had been dragged along with her. Zeref wondered if she would be capable of freeing herself after this, with the magic she was about to gain. She already was strong enough to do so if she desired, she simply did not know how.
Zera smiled at Emma, looking somewhat amused with her words. "Mavis is brilliant! She can win at any game, against any one. I figured that one out in the Enchanted Forest, back when I still had my wings." she commented, before glancing nervously at Zeref. "Speaking of the Enchanted Forest….Zeref, you really should know something about August." she tried once more, but Zeref was not concerned. If August had spent any time in Misthaven, it was no concern of his. He was a loyal soldier, just like the rest of the Spriggan Twelve, and that was all Zeref could ask from any of them.
"We will speak on it later, after we defeat Acnologia. Right now, you need to get to work on explaining this plan of yours, the one that will free Mavis from not only Fairy Heart, but also from Ankhersam's Curse." Zeref stated harshly, glaring at the fairy in his impatience. Zera nodded weakly, looking too afraid to try again to argue with him.
"Zeref, you have to be nicer to her! Zera was our friend, she just made a mistake is all. I've forgiven her….just like I've finally managed to forgive you." Mavis told him, making him turn around towards her in surprise. "For so long, part of me hated you for what I had become….I wanted someone to blame, anyone other than myself, and you were the only option. I was at war with myself, hating you and loving you at the same time. I suppose that was the reason true love's kiss didn't put you to sleep like it did with me, but now….I believe you would join me in death if it occurred again. The hatred is gone, and I realize that I am the reason all of this happened. You may have been a part of my life, Zeref, but it was my choice to try and free you with true love. It was my choice to take Zera's cure before you. It was unfair of me to blame you….and yet, you stayed by my side regardless. I put you through so much pain….made you think I would never forgive you….yet you were always there, trying to help and cheer me up…." Mavis was saying, beginning to cry now as she gazed at Zeref.
The Black Wizard stepped closer to her, wishing her real body were here so he could comfort her properly. Still, he could interact with this version of her, unlike her other illusions. While she wasn't entirely solid, there was some form to her that he could feel, which allowed him to touch the back of her head and press his forehead against hers gently, his eyes closing. "Mavis….I've never been angry with you, not for this. It is quite alright, if I had never met you, none of this would have happened." he told her, a small smile growing on his face.
Mavis cried harder, still not appeased with his words. "No! It is my fault, it is! You brought joy to my life! You were the first friend I ever had…..you told me fairies were real, and promised I'd get to meet one. I got to go on so many adventures because of you….and you kept your promise when you introduced me to Zera. I would never regret meeting you, no matter what price I've had to pay! I am the reason I ended up cursed, it was never your fault!" she insisted, while Zeref gave her a small smile, opening his eyes to stare into hers.
"Swan, should we tell him there is nothing there?" Hook asked quietly behind him, while Emma seemed uncomfortable. Only those from Zeref's land understood that he truly was involved in a conversation with Mavis, and that was why he ignored the pirate's words.
"Hearing those words….you have no idea how happy it makes me, Mavis. You know how I've felt about you, since the moment I first met you I was drawn to your light. Let me free you from this darkness in your life, and return you to the person you once were." Zeref told her, watching her tear filled eyes stare into his, nodding slowly as she smiled up at him. "You know I would never leave you, even if you decided we were bitter enemies and wished for my death, I would stay by your side and help aid you however I could." he added, watching her reach for him, hugging him tightly even with her false body. He knew it was not the same as her real self, but for both of them, this was enough.
Zera cleared her throat behind him, trying to get their attention once more. "As I was saying before, you really should know this about August….before the battle starts. Both of you need to hear this, I've been waiting for over a hundred years to give you two this news." she stated. Zeref frowned, gazing at August who could not possibly be centuries old. Perhaps a century, but not much above that age. Humans did not live that long, unless they found another realm that prolonged their life, or a curse of some form.
Seeing his confusion, August gave Zeref a slight nod. "I spent a few years of my youth in a realm known as Neverland, seeking solace among those who understood my pain. It was there that I realized I was different from the other Lost Boys, from those who had no family, for I had Zera by my side to tell me about the parents I had never met at the time." August explained, while Zeref continued to wonder why he was learning of this. Zera had mentioned that August was born of true love, but he had never heard of who his parents had been. "Pan let me leave before I visited your land, granting my request to search for my parents under the belief that I would return after my curiosity was satisfied. Unfortunately, I never quite grasped the concept I was seeking to understand, the power of the love between a parent and their child." he told Zeref.
Zera patted August's arm gently, turning towards Zeref with a hesitant smile on her face. "Well, part of that is because you never told him, silly. August….is your son. When you left all those years ago in that cavern, Mavis was with child." Zera stated, watching as Zeref blinked at Zera in shock, taking a step back slightly as he glanced over at August. It wasn't possible, this man could not be his son. Mavis' body was frozen at such a young age, she couldn't possibly have been capable of having a child.
Mavis looked just as stunned, her eyes wide as she stood by Zeref's side. "Wait, what did you just say? August was born of true love, from this guy?" Emma asked, clearly not believing the idea. Zera nodded though, gazing calmly into Zeref's wide eyes.
"August can't be….Mavis can't…." he whispered, turning towards Mavis with a questioning look. She hesitated, looking thoughtful before nodding ever so slightly.
"It isn't impossible….but I still don't understand. I should have known, I should have felt different if I had a child alive in the world." Mavis whispered. Children had always been a dream of hers, something she enjoyed thinking about before she had been cursed. She had longed for a family, something that came out when she formed Fairy Tail and created a family for herself. Zeref had wished to give that to her in some form, but they had both accepted that it was impossible with their curse. Any child of theirs would die, simply because they would love their child even before it was born.
August gazed at them, an impossibility that had been born into the world. If either of his parents had known he was going to exist, he would have perished before ever having a chance at life. "August….I never knew." Zeref stated quietly, closing his eyes as he gazed downward, finally accepting the truth. Mavis took Zeref's hand, standing by his side with a look of sadness in her eyes. To have met their child was an amazing thing, however, it had come so late in his life. At least they had this moment, a brief time they could be a family for the first time in their lives.
"It was never the right time to tell you. Perhaps I can learn now, what it means to have a bond between a parent and child. Regardless, it is time to free Mavis from her prison, and free both of you from this curse. Emma Swan, have you learned to accept love and utilize your magic?" August asked, turning towards the girl from Storybrooke.
Emma glared at him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Not exactly, but if it means protecting my family, I'll find a way." she stated, while Zeref smiled at her.
"I shall give you a warning before you proceed, a warning that was never given to me when this spell was first performed. Fairy Heart is endless magic, a power that can only be contained by the crystal before you. Should you be incapable of suppressing it within your body, it will either kill you or force you to enter a state much like Mavis' current one. The choice is yours to make, help me if you see fit, or do not if you are not willing to take this risk." Zeref told them, seeing Emma as a potential friend for the first time since he arrived.
Emma stared at him with distrustful eyes, but it was clear that he was slowly showing her he wasn't as much of a villain as he had appeared to be at first. Still, it was a lot to ask of someone who wasn't used to taking risks for strangers. "Using magic is one thing, risking my life is something entirely different. How do I know that I can trust you? How do I know that you won't destroy this town once I help you free this girlfriend of yours?" Emma asked, while Zeref glanced over at Mavis, aware that there was no way he could show her that he was able to be trusted.
"You cannot, for even I am uncertain of what I will do in the future. Part of me still seeks death, it has been quite some time since I've sought out anything else. My life has always been filled with darkness, even when freed from this curse, I cannot guarantee that it will not linger within me." Zeref stated, watching as Emma frowned, not looking too pleased with his answer.
Hook touched Emma's shoulder, making the girl jump and pull away quickly. Unfortunately, that had the effect of tugging too much on the chain between them, pulling Hook closer to her as he tripped and stumbled into her. "That wasn't exactly my intention, love. If you wanted to get closer to me, all you had to do was ask." he said flirtatiously, smirking at Emma who glared at him, using her hand to push on his chest and put some space between them once more. "Regardless, I do have a suggestion for you, Swan. You told me not long ago that you regretted your decision on that beanstalk, that you wished you had trusted me." he began, watching Emma nod warily. "Don't make the same mistake twice, Swan. I've had a dark past, one that I still struggle with now, but it does not mean we cannot change. If a man like him can become good again, it shows me that there may be hope yet for a pirate like me." he stated.
Zeref did not know of this man's past, or what he had done, but he could see that he was telling the truth. This pirate had lived in darkness for years, and was only now beginning to move on past that. "Alright….but I'm not doing this for you. Henry wanted to save you, that is the only reason I am helping you now." Emma insisted, while Zeref nodded, giving both of them a grateful look. Without them, he would have no chance of saving Mavis. At least now there was a small spark of hope, something Zeref had abandoned long ago when he left Mavis in that cave. Thinking harder on it, he realized he had actually abandoned hope even before that moment. His hope had vanished when he discovered that his instructor had been correct, that his curse truly prevented death from ever finding him.
(Many years ago, in the land of Fiore)
The Institute of Magic became Zeref's home for quite some time after his curse arrived. Wizards everywhere abandoned the place, afraid of the dark aura that could be seen emanating from within. Those that did dare to enter soon found themselves dead, collapsed on the ground from being too close to the Black Wizard. Any who escaped alive would tell tales of the horrific wizard within, who killed everyone who entered without mercy. Few understood the Black Wizard's pain, and his loneliness was great.
Still, he had hope yet. He had his research into the demon realms to keep him occupied, something that could hold the key to bringing back his brother. Somehow, Zeref knew that Natsu would be able to make everything right again. If his brother was truly here, his pain would end, or at least lessen in some form.
It was on a dark night when he first decided it was too much. Another person had tried to come to the school, intrigued by the mystery of its sole inhabitant. They had perished immediately, just like all of the others that had come recently. His love of life made it impossible for anything to survive, and this death had been the last straw. He could not take another moment of this life, even if it meant abandoning his promise to Natsu. At least they would be united in death. After all, immortality was nothing but a myth. No one could survive all wounds, all living things came to an end at some point after all.
This was his logic when he picked up the dagger in his room, a plain weapon that he knew would be painful, but capable of piercing his heart. With a cold look on his face, Zeref plunged the blade into his chest, screaming in pain as he bled out and collapsed on the ground. Even so, just moments later, he felt himself waking up, as if from a dream. His robes had been torn, and blood was visible on them, but his wound was gone. There wasn't even a scar left behind from the wound, as if nothing had ever happened.
"No….this is impossible." Zeref had whispered, before deciding to try something else. If a blade would not work, perhaps drowning would. Knowing his body would instinctively fight against such a thing, he brought a massive boulder over to the school's indoor pool, using his magic. Jumping inside, Zeref lowered the rock onto himself, crushing his bones and forcing him to lay at the bottom of the pool with no escape. The pain of the weight was enormous, almost worse than the sharp sting of the dagger had been. His suffering grew when his lungs began to burn for air, his body trying to inhale the water only to discover it was unable to adapt to such a thing. Slowly, he felt his eyes close and lose consciousness under the water, finding peace for just a moment.
Before long, he discovered he was on the edge of the pool, a group of people gathered around with concerned looks on their faces. "How did he get under that thing in the first place?" a man asked, with the boulder torn apart and in pieces on the ground. Zeref tried to get away, seeing so many inside the school. He did not know how long he had been under the water for, but this was a bad sign. He felt the pounding in his head begin, somehow no longer painful after the injuries he had dealt himself.
"Please….get away from me…" he had whispered, his hands in his hair as they stared at Zeref in shock, only just realizing the boy was alive and breathing. People did the opposite of his request, crowding closer to him to inspect him and determine just how he had survived. He was a miracle boy, alive when anyone else would be dead, but it was far too dangerous. The magic exploded from his body, all of the people in front of him dying in an instant, and leaving him alone in a circle of death.
Zeref got up and went back to his room, still tormented by his own pain. His eyes were haunted, and his face was always marred with tears at this point. It would take him years to learn how to hide his pain, how to not cry as the world died around him. At that point, he would discover that his outbursts came less and less often, as he focused more on his plan for his own death rather than the suffering he caused others.
For now, though, he glanced at his research and became obsessed with a new idea. If he could not claim his own life, perhaps something else could. Many of the individuals brave enough to venture into the realm of Etherious died, unable to survive an encounter with the beings that lived within that realm. If he did the same, he would finally have peace, and be able to see Natsu again.
This was how he found himself researching portals of all forms, discovering just how challenging it could be to create one. Even so, Zeref had all the time in the world to make one for himself, one that would take him to this dark, terrifying world. After years and years of study, he finally found a way to do it. The concept was quite simply, when broken down into its components. Magic came form the ethernano in the air around them, something that existed in all magical realms. To create a portal to a realm without magic was virtually impossible, requiring one to force magic into the realm at least temporarily while the connection formed, but forming one between two magical realms was simple. By gathering the ethernano around one's own self, it could be forced to match the power and concentration of ethernano in another realm, to be drawn into it by the inhabitants' instinctive pull on the magic around them. That pull would draw him into their realm, and as he meditated in his room, that very thing began to happen.
He felt the pull of powerful magic users bring him into Etherious, though it was clear that they did not value his magic power. His arrival was interesting, to say the least, with him landing directly in front of what seemed to be a monstrous creature. It had scales running down its skin, and sharp, taloned hands that appeared to be quite capable of ending a life. That was exactly what it tried to do when Zeref appeared, slashing through his body with ease and ripping Zeref appart. The Black Wizard thought that this was finally the end, only to discover himself healed and awake moments later.
Demons began to gather around him not long after that, each of them taking turns to try and destroy him. Watching them, he began to realize that their culture was not all that different from humans. They sought to prove their strength, by using him as an example. The demon who managed to keep his body dead would be the strongest of all of them, a feat that seemed impossible yet strangely alluring to these beasts. As each demon destroyed his body, Zeref began to feel numb. Pain no longer affected him, and he stared at them listlessly, just wishing one of them would succeed.
Listening to their growling voices, he slowly began to pick up a thing or two on their language as well. It was not something any human could speak, but he could understand the sounds and begin to read them quite well. They began to try killing him in teams once each individual demon had failed, some using their strange magic while others simply attempted brute force. Eventually, Zeref grew tired of this and longed for an exit. This world could not destroy him, it was becoming quite obvious.
The next demon to approach him, with the intent to kill written on its face, would be in for quite a surprise. Zeref rose as the demon approached, something none of them and seen him do since he arrived. This got the crowd's attention, gaining their interest as they began to wonder just what he would do. Glancing at the demon blandly, Zeref realized that in this realm, he had yet to kill a thing. He did not care for these creatures, nor did he value their life in any way. In fact, he wanted to destroy them. They were vile, and they sought to destroy his own body. For that, for the torture they had put him through only to prove themselves too weak, he would destroy them.
He glared at the demon before him, raising his hand calmly as he tilted his head to the side. "I have allowed you all to have your fun, to try and destroy me. Now, it is my turn. You have killed me countless times, thus, all of you owe me your lives." he declared, smiling darkly as a wave of black magic exploded from his hand. It instantly killed half of the crowd before him, including the single demon that had been planning on killing him today. "Now, if you wish to end my rage, there is one thing I still seek." Zeref had told them, realizing that he had an opportunity here. He was already suffering far more than anyone deserved to, in the end, he might as well take the prize that was meant to come with this steep price. "Bring them back, and show me how it is done." Zeref ordered, wondering if any of them could understand his words.
Demons were quite intelligent creatures, though, and one stepped forward, speaking in English to Zeref. It had dark red skin, hardened like armor around his body with horns jutting out from his head. "You have proven yourself more than worthy of our secrets. For your strength, we bow before you. We are no match for you, and as such, should you ever need anything from our kind, simply ask. If you were part of our race, you would have been made King for your actions today." it explained, while Zeref nodded, getting impatient with the creature.
"I do not need to be a demon to rule over your kind. Do as I have asked, before I grow weary of your presence." he threatened, watching the demon gaze up at him in fear. Zeref was only just beginning to experience what it felt like to forget the value of life. This was the first time it had happened to him, and this was what forced him to bring so much destruction to the world when he returned.
The secrets of the demons were quite impressive, and he was pleased to note that his original theory had been correct. A variation on the Author's power was required to maintain a person's personality. Without that, they would lose their mind and go berserk when brought back. A tether for their soul was necessary, and the book acted as such. The other thing they showed him was their form of magic, the only kind they used in this realm that was what they claimed to be Curse Power.
"Magic Circles, as you call them, can be quite powerful when created properly. They are a necessary component of bringing back our fallen, utilizing our written language to draw energy from the world around us." one of their kind had explained. It was quite interesting, seeing how the proper use of a circle worked. It created an object that could store ethernano, allowing for far more powerful magic to be performed than anyone had realized.
He returned back to his world with all of this knowledge, after slaying every demon within Etherious. That realm was a world of war and chaos, it deserved to die in Zeref's mind. It felt strange coming back home, where things were quiet and bright. Life here was so different, and now, he could not quite bring himself to feel quite as attached to it as before. He had become empty inside, seeking only one thing in his mind. Death was his goal, and if he had to destroy the world to get it, he would.
Smiling, Zeref began his experiments, seeking to create a demon even more powerful than any he had seen within the realm of Etherious. With every creation, he faced bitter disappointment. Jackal's explosions were weak, only capable of injuring him. Even the most powerful one of that generation, Mard Geer, was incapable of destroying him. Thus, he was inspired one last time, by the power he witnessed in the forest just beyond his former school. A dragon had begun making his home there, one with powerful flames that Zeref believed would be able to burn even his skin at this point.
Staring down at the book, he began to write, creating his demon from the inspiration of those flames. In his room, Zeref paused slightly, turning towards his original project from before. Natsu was still here, resting and waiting to return. If he wished to find someone to end his life, to bring him peace, it would be somewhat poetic if it were Natsu. Staring at his brother, Zeref began to alter his story just slightly, fitting this demon's power to Natsu's personality as a child. They would be one and the same, his brother and his greatest creation. Etherious Natsu Dragneel would rise, and at some point, Zeref felt confident that this demon would end his life. Even so, the emptiness within him did not fade at this thought, his hope having faded long ago in the realm of Etherious, when he lived in a state of eternal torment and death.
(Today, in Storybrooke)
Zeref stood back as Irene worked, her enchantment focused on Lumen Histoire in order to extract Fairy Heart from Mavis' body. He could see strands of light pouring between Mavis and Irene, who looked focused as she began to do even more. The bands of light began to split off from her, strands now attached to Emma and August as the magic moved from Mavis' body to theirs.
Zera watched by his side, looking nervous about what would happen. "This has to work. I know it will, I have to save Mavis." she whispered, sounding as if she were speaking to herself. Glancing over at her, Zeref nodded, realizing he did owe her a debt for her care of August. Had he remained all those years ago, it would have been his responsibility to raise the child, something that would be virtually impossible when he would have been forced to keep his distance.
"At the very least, Fairy Heart is leaving her body. I can sense that much at least." Zeref told her, watching the fairy glance at him in surprise. The two of them had never been all that close, but perhaps he could do better this time. "I shall inform you when it is finished, because at that moment, we will have work to do. Freeing Mavis from Lumen Histoire will not be a pleasant task. From what I had seen, it requires the destruction of her illusionary body, and that means one of us must attack her in order to free her." Zeref stated.
Zera nodded, aware that Zeref would be the one to do so. Even Mavis seemed to agree, glancing up at him with trusting eyes. "You are correct, in the end, it must be done. I have to be present to help, for my plan to work." Mavis insisted. Zeref glanced over at her, wondering just what she had in mind. "I have witnessed it before, the one magic that even Acnologia cannot withstand. Fairy Sphere, our ultimate protection spell, is capable of containing him. At the very least, I can use it to allow us the chance to escape." she stated.
Zeref stared at her determined expression, knowing it was not the time to turn her away from this path. He knew that no one else in her guild understood the process for casting the great fairy spells anymore, that Mavis was the only one capable of using any of them. It had been possible before because she had been present, even if not in physical form, able to guide their magical energy to the form it needed to take for Fairy Sphere. This time, she would need her own power to activate it, since she would not have an army of wizards at her arsenal to draw power from.
Emma and August both gasped, their bodies collapsing as the light died away, leaving them kneeling on the ground before Zeref. Now was the time to see if this would succeed, if either of them were capable of sealing away Fairy Heart. Hook was kneeling by Emma's side, looking concerned as he tried to shake her awake. "Stand back. If this has failed, you will die from standing near her like that." Zeref ordered, while Hook turned to glare at him, waving the icy chain towards the Black Wizard.
"Like I have a choice, mate. I couldn't leave her side even if I wanted to, thanks to that little friend of yours." he stated, sighing as he settled for simply taking Emma's hand. Zeref could not blame him, he had not hesitated to charge towards Mavis when Fairy Heart first became one with her. Regardless of the danger, it had been worth it to bring her some measure of peace.
Emma blinked open her eyes after a few moments, staring up at Hook as she took a shaky breath. August sat up beside her, frowning as he gazed thoughtfully towards the crystal before him. "It appears to have worked. I do sense the power within me….tempered by my own will." he commented, stretching out his hands as he turned towards the water around him. From their spot on the ship, there was little August could use as a target. Focusing on the surface of the ocean, August shot out a brilliant beam of white magic, a smaller version of the outburst that came from Mavis when she received this power.
Emma watched him as Hook helped her back up, turning towards August with a frown. "Great, we've got more magic, now what?" she asked, watching as Zera's excited smile faded, turning towards Zeref. The Black Wizard sighed, closing his eyes as he stepped away from Mavis and turned towards her.
"Stand back, when I destroy Mavis' illusion body, the crystal will shatter. Keep in mind, she still bears the same curse as I, and unlike me, she does not yet have the ability to see people in a manner that keeps them alive." he told them.
Emma frowned at him, gazing over at him as she did as he asked. "Just how do you see us, then? Didn't you say that valuing life meant you took it away?" she asked. Zeref gave her a dark smile, nodding ever so slightly.
"Indeed, however, humans are nothing but pawns to me at the moment. I see this town like a game of chess, all of you following your roles as needed. If I viewed this in any other way, your lives would be at risk simply from your proximity to me." he informed her, seeing no harm in it. They were slowly breaking down that view of his, though, something he did not tell her. Once that happened, Acnologia would not be Storybrooke's only problem.
Emma nodded, watching as Zeref turned to the side, where Mavis was standing next to her real body. "I'm ready, Zeref. Destroy this body, so I can return to all of you once more." she ordered, while he nodded. This would be the hardest thing he had ever done, but it was necessary. Attacking someone who wore the face of his only loved one left alive, it was practically unbearable. Still, he had lost many people as a result of his curse, in the end, this would feel no worse than the years of torment and death he had lived through.
He raised his hand, his face expressionless as he began to focus his magic power on one strong attack. Black sparks began to fly from the darkness building in his palm, forcing Zera, Emma, Irene, Hook, and August to jump back. "What the hell are you doing, mate? This is still my ship, and I am not about to let you sink her with this plan of yours!" Hook yelled, clearly upset.
Zeref turned towards him, a look of anger and pain mixed on his face. "I'm destroying the one person I still love in this world." he stated, this time stunning him into silence. With that, he threw the magic towards Mavis, watching as the darkness expanded and turned into a massive storm of black death and lightning, colliding with her illusion body and forcing her to collapse down. Zeref could see cracks begin to form in Lumen Histoire, a sign that his attack was indeed having the desired effect.
Mavis stood back up shakily, breathing hard. Her body was clearly injured, though Zeref did not quite understand how an illusion became hurt. "Again. It took Cana three times to destroy me, and I will tell you the same thing I told her. Do not hesitate, and do not hold back. If you truly wish for me to live again, you must attack with all of your strength!" she declared.
Zeref nodded, his jaw tightening as he prepared another attack. "As you wish, Mavis. Tell me, just how did Cana free you anyway? It seems as if few have the power necessary to destroy you after seeing what your body can withstand." he asked.
Mavis gave him a small smile, looking slightly amused. "I let her borrow….Fairy Glitter. I suppose I could do the same for you, but I do not think that is necessary." she stated. Zeref smiled at her, trying to keep her looking happy for as long as possible. If he stayed in his dark mood, Mavis would be too focused on cheering him up to actually enjoy returning to her body once more.
"I do not think I am capable of utilizing Fairy Glitter to its full potential either. The bonds of your guild make that spell strong, I have no such bonds to draw power from. My own ability will suffice." he stated, watching Mavis nod, her smile fading as the black orb in Zeref's hand grew larger again.
Emma stared at him, getting up from the last attack. The vibrations it had caused knocked everyone to the ground, and now they were seeing that he was preparing another one. "Are you insane? You are going to destroy this boat and sink us all!" she demanded, glaring at Zeref for endangering their lives.
"His attacks are not directed towards the boat, if they were, the first one would have demolished it." August stated calmly, gazing at Zeref. "He is freeing his former lover, breaking her physical body free through her connection to her illusionary body. She will not regain consciousness until it is destroyed, a strange side effect of their curses. Even in death, they must find a way to live on. If one body dies, another is formed for them to continue on in, and if that second body dies, the first body is healed." August explained.
Zeref nodded grimly, his orb growing even larger than his last attack had been. "I suppose you are correct, our healing ability is quite capable of bringing us back from death. I cannot tell you how many times I've died and returned to life, it isn't ever a pleasant experience." he stated, before throwing his magic at Mavis once more. It collided with her illusion body again, making her collapse as the dark cloud covered her from visibility. The explosion still had black sparks mixed in, dancing around and striking Mavis at times.
Zeref watched as the cracks in Lumen Histoire grew, breaking further as they spread across the surface. As he watched it, they began to cover the crystal entirely, the entire thing breaking away and shattering before his eyes, just like it had done when he reached it the first time so long ago. Mavis fell from the crystal, her body hunched over as her eyes flashed open, blinking up at Zeref and those around him. As she shakily rose to her feet, Zeref smiled at her. She moved to step closer to them, only for her to be a bit too unsteady to do so, tripping over her own feet and almost falling to the ground. Zeref moved to catch her, not wanting her to be harmed after spending so much time imprisoned within that crystal yet again.
"Zeref…." she whispered, steadying herself as she gripped his arms, gazing up at him. "It worked, I'm free. It seems we still have work to do, however." she stated, gazing towards the town. Zeref nodded, well aware that there were problems to deal with in Storybrooke.
"Acnologia will be stopped, you are aware that I have a plan of sorts already, right?" he asked, watching her nod.
"I still do not trust him. His power must be contained, he cannot be allowed to reach the outside world." she told him, her face grave as she turned towards him. "There is only one option to trap him here, however, it puts all of us in terrible danger if you are unable to defeat him." she continued.
Zeref was aware of that fact as well, nodding in agreement. "There is little choice, we are dealing with a being who desires nothing but chaos and destruction." he informed her. Nodding, Mavis stepped forward, pulling Zeref with her as she grabbed his hand.
"Very well, I will need everyone's assistance, then. Please, take our hands and stand by my side. The strength of the bonds we've formed in this brief time will aid me and allow me to cast Fairy Tail's ultimate spell, Fairy Sphere!" she ordered.
Emma and Hook stayed back, looking a bit concerned as they stared at Mavis' outreached hand. "Didn't you just say she would kill us if we got too close? Sorry, but no protection spell is worth risking my life over. We'll find another way." Emma insisted. Hook nodded in agreement as well, though Zera was smiling, already moving forward and grabbing her friend's hand.
"Mavis! It's been so long, you have no idea how much I've missed you." the fairy stated, as Mavis' face lit up, hugging Zera tightly to her. "Uh…but I didn't miss you that much…..this may be a bit….excessive….Mavis…..can't…..breath!" she gasped out, while Mavis laughed and stepped back, ruffling Zera's hair.
"You've grown! I wish I could say the same for myself…." Mavis whispered, glancing down at her body. Zeref touched her shoulder, smiling at Mavis who turned towards him.
"One day soon, we shall be free. Zera has another plan in mind, so I would not give up hope quite yet." he told Mavis, wanting her to cheer up quickly. While he may not have high hopes for Zera's plan, he knew Mavis would. He watched her face light up with joy, hugging Zera again despite the fairy's protests.
"We will warn you if the curse is about to lash out and steal your lives. For now, do as she asks. Mavis has a nickname back in her guild, the Fairy Tactician. Any plan of hers is our best chance at success in defeating Acnologia." he stated, turning towards Hook and Emma. August had come next to Zeref, nodding in acknowledgment of his emperor as he grabbed the Black Wizard's hand. It was strange, learning that after all of these years leading him, August had been his son. Zeref had watched him grow from about ten years of age into an adult, living within his empire and learning magic so he could fight within the army. In retrospect, it was clear that he simply wished to get as close to Zeref as possible, but at the time, he simply saw a man with high ambitions, who sought to earn his favor and rise in the ranks of his army.
Irene came next, grabbing August's hand with a slight frown. "This better be worth it in the end. I didn't save your girlfriend back there for fun, you better not get us all killed with this plan of yours." she commented, her eyes narrowed at Zeref.
"Irene, enough of this. Our emperor always know the right path for us, have faith and follow his lead." August told her, while she scoffed and turned away from them. Zeref knew it would be hard for his militaristic nation to adjust to a life such as this. Even after nearly thirty years in this realm, they still desired a life of battle and bloodshed.
Glancing at Irene, he gave her a slight nod. "Do as you wish, Irene. I have no need for a disloyal subject, and we both know of the gift I've given to you. I suggest remaining calm and accepting peace for once in your life. Perhaps it will help you return to the girl you once were, so long ago." Zeref told her. Irene frowned, not looking comfortable with his words but she did not respond beyond standing in their almost finished circle.
"Emma, I promise it will be okay. I know you have been hurt before, that you are afraid of trusting anyone after what has happened in your life." Mavis began, watching as Zera reached over to the hesitant Savior. "I know what it is like to be alone, to grow up without a family. Like you, I lost my parents before I ever truly met them and was raised by a nearby guild." she stated, while Emma glared at her.
"If you think some magical guild filled with these insane people is anything like the foster system, you've got another thing coming." she argued.
Zeref glanced at Mavis, shaking his head. "She is putting her past far too gently. More accurately, they raised her to be their slave, of sorts. She worked among the guild, cleaning it and delivering products for them, but she was despised by every member within." Zeref told Emma, who glanced at Mavis with a bit of surprise on her face.
Mavis squeezed Zeref's hand, looking somewhat amused with his comment. "I suppose so, but I never saw it that way. In the end, a massive fire was started by an enemy guild, destroying everyone I ever knew and leaving me stranded on that island, alone at the age of eight." she stated. "Well, I suppose Zeref was there, but he was never able to get close to me, a result of his curse." she added, glancing over at the Black Wizard.
"Get to the point already, who cares if you had a painful past?" Hook demanded, looking a bit impatient. Emma simply looked stunned about the history behind girl that had seemed so bright and cheerful when they first met.
Mavis sighed, glancing at Emma with a determined smile on her face. "I learned to trust others, that is my point. I did not run away from love, even if it brought me pain in the past. Even when cursed, I still only loved life more, accepting that pain because the joy of being around others compares to nothing else in life." Mavis stated, watching as Emma seemed to be looking a bit more convinced. "Take a risk, just as I did. It may end in tragedy, but you will never know for sure unless you try." she told Emma.
The Savior glanced at them, seeing that they were standing nearly in a complete circle before sighing, moving forward and grabbing Zera's hand. "Alright, I guess I have no choice. Acnologia has to be stopped, and while I may not know you, I do know one thing. You haven't told me a single lie since the day we met, neither of you have. Even if I don't understand you or what you want, I trust that you aren't going to be deceiving me." she stated. Her other hand linked with Hook's, who held his hook over towards Irene to complete their circle.
"Finally! You've taken the first step, Emma. Just listen to us, one day, we'll get you to open your heart again." Zera stated, sounding excited as they stood together. Emma rolled her eyes at the fairy, clearly not believing her words as Mavis took a deep breath, focusing herself.
"Everyone, focus on your desire, on what you want to do for this town! Channel your will through our circle, allow your desire to protect others become the sole focus in your mind. Send that power to me, when you are finished." Mavis directed, interrupting any further taunts towards Emma.
Zeref nodded, closing his eyes as he focused on the one thing that mattered to him at the moment. Mavis' hand was in his, warm and soft, just as he had remembered. He wanted her to have a happy life, to return to the home she loved so much without having to live with the sorrow of her curse. Once Acnologia was gone, neither of them would need immortality to survive upcoming battles. They could be at peace, and allow Zera to try once more to free them. The thought was so pleasing to Zeref, that for just that single moment, he felt peaceful. His body felt like a weight was gone, the weight of his sorrow and sadness from the past. Perhaps there was a way to move forward beyond this, and forget his pain.
That was when he remembered the reason he could not forget it, the reason he held onto his pain so closely. It was the only thing that kept the curse at bay, that reminded him of why he could not value life or have friends. His tie to Mavis was unique, possible due to her own immortality, but beyond that, he had to be alone. He opened his eyes sadly, gazing at the ground at his feet as he did his best to refocus, thinking of memories of Mavis above all else.
Slowly, Zeref began to see what was happening and it shocked him. The circle they were standing in was beginning to glow, a golden light hovering around them. Lines were forming on the ground beneath them, something no one else seemed to notice as they kept their minds focused on their loved ones. This was a magic circle, an art that he had kept hidden from the world after his journey into Etherious. Unlike what he had learned, though, this one was bright and filled with light. As the lines continued forming a completed magic circle on the ground, Zeref stared in amazement at the complex writing within, reading the true purpose of this spell in a heartbeat.
"Ultimate protection….a spell, yet not a spell at all." he whispered, seeing it now. This circle did not draw upon Ethernano to activate, that was why Acnologia was unable to block it. Everyone else watching it would see nothing but magic, but Zeref knew what this truly was. Mavis had discovered how to utilize Curse Power, and when combined with a circle of this nature, it would be unstoppable. Even she did not realize what she had discovered with this spell, and as the light grew stronger, he wondered if he should even tell her. Curse Power was designed for darkness, which in theory should have made this impossible, but just as their curse transformed light into dark, it could transform dark into light. If anyone other than Mavis attempted this spell, Zeref knew there would be grave consequences, but for once, it seemed their Curse of Contradictions was aiding them in their battle.
Everyone opened their eyes as the power within the circle reached its peak, the light illuminating the ship entirely before bursting into the sky, shimmering brightly as it expanded and created a massive golden dome around Storybrooke. Mavis stumbled back a bit, looking tired after the spell before glancing over at Zeref. "What were you saying about Fairy Sphere just a moment ago?" she asked, looking confused.
Zeref shook his head at her, gazing out over the town thoughtfully as he tried to break free of his dark memories of that place. "Nothing important, I just determined the true source of its power." he stated, leaving everyone standing in confusion. He would tell them later, after their curse was gone. After all, it wasn't as if any of them were going anywhere at this point. Fairy Sphere was activated and until its power faded away, no one could enter or leave this town. It was quite similar to how Storybrooke began, but this time, the spell was designed to protect them rather than harm them.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This is a bonus chapter for the holiday, another one will be coming soon!
Sorry for how dark this chapter got, it is rather hard to create a backstory for Zeref that doesn't involve self-harm, especially when his goal is to end his own life. Still, I got to balance it out with a bit of Zervis!
Please review and tell me what you think!