Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail or Blue Exorcist

Zeref found that traveling with a sword and an unconscious person was rather awkward. He had requipped the sheath into a pocket dimension, leaving just the blade out so Rin's flames would not die down. However, that meant he had to keep the sword in one hand, with the boy in the other. To make do, he had Rin slung over his shoulder, awkwardly wandering away from the ruins to find a decent place to make camp for some time. He did not know how long Rin needed to recover, but once he had, Zeref intended on having their battle. That boy would end his life, before it was too late. He needed it to happen…because he feared it would take Natsu too long to find him.

The other downside of walking with a boy illuminated in bright blue flames was the impossibility of staying hidden. Some predators on the island were more likely to attack than others, so Zeref found himself killing a few more of them than he usually did. Yet, that was something he could have dealt with. Why that truly was an issue came from the fact that Rin's companions were also on the island, searching for him. "That blue glow has got to be Rin! Come on, we have to hurry before it vanishes again!" Zeref groaned, hearing Mira once more. He'd been teleporting around Tenrou Island for what felt like the entire night, and he was getting exhausted. With his curse constantly pumping out death magic, the constant healing from burns while carrying Rin, and fleeing from annoying wizards, he was getting worn out.

This time, he sighed and simply set Rin down for a change. He noted that the area round the boy did indeed burn away, but the flames did not catch and spread like normal fire would. Closing his eyes and stepping back for a moment, Zeref tried to collect himself and recover before they came. His robes were half-burnt away, Rin was still a mess, and Zeref was wishing the boy had been strong enough to just end it all before they got this far. "Mira! Over here!" A much closer voice shouted, the other female of the group. Zeref turned towards her, sitting down calmly with Rin's sword resting in his lap. He was still close to the boy, so it was safest to leave his demonic form active.

When he saw them approaching, Zeref lifted his gaze. "I would not come any closer, if I were you." The scarlet haired female paused, staring at him with a stern expression.

"You have taken my comrade hostage, and even from here I can see his injury. If you think we will simply stand down and—"

"I was not the one to injure him." Zeref met her gaze, smiling in the darkness. "That matter has been dealt with already. Though, if you truly wish to continue insisting such things, I will not stop you from fighting. It isn't as if it will have any effect in the end."

Walking towards her side, Zeref saw two others with her. Mirajane he recognized, with her long white hair and dark red dress. There was an older man with them, with burnt-orange hair and a dark brown cloak. "Hold on a sec, Erza." The man studied him, crossing his arms over his chest. "You over there. Who exactly are you?"

Meeting his gaze, Zeref remained silent. There simply wasn't a good way to answer a question such as that, not with his name. "He isn't answering, Gildarts. Right now, he is all that stands between us and Rin…and he has broken through the wards on the island as Master said he would. This man is our enemy, the enemy of our guild threatening all of us the longer he remains." Despite speaking more quietly to her companion, the silence of the island had given Zeref a slightly greater sensitivity to odd sounds around him. Perhaps it was more difficult, but he could hear her words.

"I have permission to be here." He saw Erza blink over at him, her eyes widening. "Though, it would not have been given in a way you'd expect." With that, Zeref dropped his gaze, glancing off towards where he'd taken Rin from. That had been how he knew Mavis still had…some form of existence. He'd sensed her, lingering around him at random moments in time. When he'd grown curious, he'd tried approaching as close to the guild as he dared, and discovered exactly what had become of her energy. That had been before Precht had sealed and hidden away Fairy Tail's greatest treasure, but Zeref had found the truth. So, when he felt the warmth again, he'd pleaded with the air, asking for a place to just rest…and try to hold on to what little remained of who he used to be. Nothing had responded, but he'd been aimlessly lost in the open waters, knowing that was as far away from living things as he could get most of the time. It hadn't taken long for the island to appear before him, with no one alive around him and everything pulsating with a familiar magic. Mavis had brought him here, in her own way despite being forever lost to the world.

Frowning at him, Mirajane glared in response. "Only Fairy Tail's guild master can lift the barrier and let someone on this island. Our Master told us that no one would be here, unless they broke through the ward…which means you are lying."

"Your current master would believe that to be the case." Zeref looked up, sighing and rising to his feet. "However, my…invitation was given by your first master, Mavis."

"She's been dead for nearly a hundred years!" Gildarts stepped forward, making Zeref warily take a step back. "There's no way someone your age got permission from her."

Zeref frowned, glancing towards Rin. Despite the noise, the boy was sound asleep. Yet, he did seem to be healing from what wounds remained on him. "That is a complicated matter. Perhaps she is dead, but as your guild is so fond of friendship, maybe it would be more akin to she lives on in spirit." He glared at the ground, not meeting their eyes. "I'm not so fond of such foolish optimistic thoughts…but that is as accurate as I can be with the situation."

They walked closer again. Zeref stiffened, pressing his arms into his side. "We aren't getting anywhere with this argument. Return Rin and his sword to us, and perhaps then you can be believed." Erza walked ahead of the others, boldly approaching him. Seeing that, Zeref stumbled back, holding his hands out rapidly with wide eyes.

"I told you to stay back!" She flinched at the force in his voice, while Zeref turned towards Mirajane. Inhaling slowly, he realized he had few options. Though, one was less harmful than others. "Mirajane can explain why it would be wise to keep your distance." The white haired wizard narrowed her eyes, hearing her name. "After all, we have met before…in some form. If you truly wish for a name to call me by, then call me Spriggan."

"Spriggan…" She stared at him, her eyes widening. Then, she seemed to glance at Erza, stepping forward and grabbing her companion's arm. "Erza, I'd listen to him if I were you. I know that name, and his magic isn't something you want to be near."

"What kind of magic does he use?"

The man asked, still watching them all warily. Before Mira could answer, Zeref met his gaze. "Death magic. It is…a curse, of sorts, but still magic nonetheless."

Growing pale, Erza stared at him. Then, her gaze flickered towards Rin, glaring at him just moments later. "You monster! If you claim to hold such tragic magic, then you truly do wish to harm Rin. We'll—"

"That is why I have his sword, without its sheath." Zeref gestured towards the blade, still coated in flames in his hand. "His flames have a certain…intriguing interaction with magic. Attempting to understand why it reacts as it does is fascinating. I could likely spend my time studying this for ages…" He trailed off, frowning at Rin. Then, Zeref slowly shook his head. "Though, that again is not my intent."

"What exactly is your intent with Rin?" Mira glared at him, her arms crossed over her chest. "After everything you said last time…and everything I know about the both of you, I just can't believe you'd willingly…separate from him."

"Moon drip breaks down nearly any spell, hence the reason for the separation. Recreating the spell from before…" Zeref trailed off, thinking to his work already on the island. "I do not think I would do such a thing. It is a complex matter, and the spell itself held a mixed purpose that can no longer be performed with Rin here."

"That still doesn't answer the question, kid."

Kid? Zeref glanced at Gildarts, before chuckling. The man frowned, while Zeref sighed, shaking his head. "Sorry. I do not interact with others often…and I find lately that I must take amusement in the small aspects of life when they come." Gildarts glanced at Mira, who shrugged at him. Yet, Zeref looked towards Rin, wondering how they'd react. "If you must have an answer…my intention is to have Rin kill me when he recovers."

"If you just want to die, there are easier ways to go about it." Gildarts shook his head at Zeref. "Seriously, you don't need him to do it. That'll just make Rin miserable alongside of you."

Glancing down at the sword in his hand, Zeref tilted his head. "I forget, most people require proof of the impossibility of my death." The crush wizard saw his line of sight, and tried to move to stop him. However, Zeref was faster, plunging the sword into his stomach with a groan. He bent over the blade, feeling the burning flames mix with the stabbing of the sword. It was an odd pain, compared to his previous sufferings. Yet, it was no worse than living would be. So, he removed the sword with a ragged gasp, watching his blood drip onto the ground. Slowly, the flames evaporated the liquid off of the blade, leaving just the stains on what remained of Zeref's robes. His body already healed from the injury, and Gildarts was far too close.

Glaring at the wizard, Zeref shook his head. "It seems as if I am not the only one with a death wish."

That made Gildarts blink, stepping back. "You're…"

"Immortal." Zeref replied, glancing over at Rin. "And his power does not belong here. That combination…is why he gives me hope, that perhaps he can end my existence."

"Rin won't do that." Mira met his gaze. "You heard the way he talked about you. He…wants you to have a happier life."

"Oh, I am certain I can change his mind." Zeref turned darkly towards them, glancing at the sword in his hand. They were staying too close, and they would not back down. Would Rin want to kill him if they were dead? Perhaps. Then again, he should try for a more peaceful option first. Holding out his second hand, Zeref requipped the sheath. Staring at it for a moment, he sighed and set both the sword and sheath on the ground, stepping back. "When he awakens…tell him that I am the one responsible for taking him from his family, that I alone forced him onto that path. Tell him…that if he wishes to gain his revenge, he is more than welcome to seek me out again."

Mira stared at him, as Zeref turned to leave. Yet, it was Gildarts that spoke. "The kid's family died in Pine Village. If you've been on this island for that long, how the hell did you have anything to do with that?"

Zeref paused, glancing towards the man. Perhaps Rin did need one more reason to push him towards this fate, the fate Zeref needed him to embrace. "Rin Huldra's family perished in Pine Village. That boy…is not Rin Huldra." Gildarts stared at him with wide eyes. "As for how I am responsible…well, I've been responsible for many things in this world. If he truly must know more of who I am, to grow to despise me as I need…then I suppose it would benefit, for me to tell you the truth."

"What truth?" Gildarts stared at him, while Zeref smiled even wider.

"The truth of myself." He glanced towards Mira, tilting his head. "You were wise to be wary of me, Mirajane. After all, there are few wizards in the world quite like myself…"

"If you are going to keep wasting our time, we will just take Rin and leave." Erza interrupted, while Zeref nodded.

"Very well. My real name is Zeref…and from the moment Rin set foot in this world until recently, I have been the reason he lost his memories. The reason he was separated from the place he called home. The reason…he suffered a pain unlike any other, incapable of seeking out help out of fear of being rejected. I forced him into that existence, and I knew exactly what it would entail for him. Yet, I did not care, for I was willing to do whatever it took to meet my own goals. Tell Rin that his true enemy has always been me…and share with him the legends of my name, Fairy Tail. I am certain you've at least heard of some of them, even if it has been ages since I've actively pursued anything of great worth in this world."

They stared after him in silence, while Zeref chuckled, walking away. Rin would hear the truth now, and the boy would hate him. Soon, he'd been enraged to the point of wishing he were dead, regardless of whatever memories Rin had seen. Zeref was, and always would be, the darkest wizard in Earthland. Once Rin knew the truth, he'd despise Zeref as well and the black wizard would finally be able to rest in peace, with his plan complete.

Please review and tell me what you think!