Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail

When Makarov woke, he saw Zeref still resting in the distance near what had once been trees. The black wizard had given him the white fabric he wore over his robes to use as a blanket, since the island apparently grew far colder than Makarov had expected over night. So, it was an odd sight, seeing him completely in all black, with a low-cutting neckline revealing the locket Zeref must've been wearing since the day they first met. As Makarov pushed the thick cloth off of him, he frowned and realized Zeref was likely still asleep. The black wizard had said he technically didn't need to sleep, though it was a decent way to pass the time so he actually slept more often than most people did.

Makarov's stomach grumbled, as he sat up, and he realized he really hadn't planned quite this far ahead. On the boat he came in, he'd brought camping and fishing supplies, but he hadn't thought to bring them onto the island with him. He probably should use one of the lacrimas he brought to contact the guild as well, and make sure things were going okay. Yet, with the warmth of the sun on his skin and the calm of the area around him, Makarov found himself wanting to just sit for a little bit longer. He could ignore being hungry, at least for a little bit.

A bird flew overhead, getting too close to Zeref it seemed. Makarov frowned as he watched it fall to the ground, landing on the outer edge of the circle of decay that surrounded the sleeping man. Even as he dreamt, the curse still seemed to remain active. It was a mystery, how that magic worked absent of his own will. Sure, Makarov understood it was a curse. He'd seen a very rare few in action when he'd taken various jobs, some preventing plants from growing in fields and some as minor as causing hair loss as a prank. This one was different from any of them, likely far more complex than what he'd heard of thus far. Curses had been illegal magic for ages now, and that meant the ones that lingered were either too ancient and complex to unravel or too simple to really seem like a curse. It was easier to hide and disguise those simple curses as other spells, after all.

Shaking his head, Makarov realized Zeref likely wasn't close to waking up at all. Instead of bothering him, Makarov rose to his feet, stretching slightly and getting ready to walk back. He could get his supplies, and come back to this lake fairly quickly. If Zeref woke up while he was gone, Makarov could find him again with ease. So, walking carefully around the man, Makarov moved to follow the trail of death back towards the shore. It at least helped in one way, guiding him towards where they came with ease. Makarov still kept forgetting to mark his trail when he traveled around the island. Eventually, he'd know this place well enough to get around without it, he supposed.

The trip was fairly short and uneventful, and before long, Makarov was making his way back with a small bag of supplies and his fishing pole to gather food. Once he actually had some fish, he'd look for firewood to start the fire again and actually get them cooked for a meal. It wouldn't be the first time he'd scavenged for food in the wild, and it likely wouldn't be the last either.

When he got back to the lake, Zeref was awake. Makarov paused, seeing the man was sitting up and frowning, gathering the extra white fabric from the ground. "Good morning, Zeref." Makarov set his stuff down, seeing the man turn around and blink at him. "Sorry, I woke up a little bit earlier, and figured I'd grab some supplies to help me get by while I'm here. Unlike you, I actually need to eat to survive."

The black wizard smiled faintly, dropping the fabric by his side and shaking his head. "Right." He gestured towards where Makarov was standing, where the fallen bird still seemed to remain. "The curse simply kills, it does not linger or taint the meat. It would be…nice, for their lives to not be completely wasted for a change."

Making sure his stuff was out of the way, Makarov instead grabbed the bird with a nod. "Well, sounds quicker than what I had in mind." Digging through his bag, he pulled out a knife he had planned on using to clean off the fish he caught, instead moving to pull the feathers off of the bird.

When Makarov glanced up, he noticed that Zeref seemed to be using teleportation magic to gather fallen branches for the fire again. It was strange, but he supposed the man had to avoid getting near with his curse. Either way, it made things quicker, and by the time Makarov had finished, Zeref had lit the fire again and had given Makarov space to approach and make his meal. "How…how long did you intend on staying here?"

Makarov was letting the bird cook, sitting down on one of the rocks and waiting. "I really can't say. Everyone knows I'm off doing some kind of work. I didn't specify what, so they likely think I'm trying to think of what to do about Rob." He scratched his cheek, before dropping his hand. "And I've been including others in running the guild, so it isn't like they're too bad off without me right now. I just don't think I'm ready to go back and face that responsibility. I don't know when I'll feel ready to go back, really."

"As I've told you before…there isn't much here in terms of entertainment." Zeref watched him as he spoke. "I simply recalled our conversation when I ran into this place before…and thought that perhaps you'd wish to come here sometime."

"Do you keep track of other places on the island too?"

"Yes and no." Zeref glanced up at the sky. "I know enough to understand where we are…in relation to other areas. Most of the time, however, I simply wander for something to do. Staying in motion as I think can sometimes be better than staying in place. At least then…I occasionally see things that are more lively." His hand brushed against the grass by his side, or at least what remained of it.

"Well, are there any non-living sights to see around here? It wouldn't surprise me if there were some interesting caves or rock formations, from what I've seen."

Zeref was already shaking his head. "It is too dangerous to approach those." He gestured off towards the distance. "There are a few safe paths that lead to the shore, and from there, I'm certain you've noticed that you are climbing upwards before reaching the forest you are familiar with." Makarov nodded. "The rock formations exist along that shoreline, however, it is not a shore you can walk along." There was an alcove where Makarov always had to approach to get anywhere on the island. Elsewhere, it was a steep cliffside facing him instead. "I may be able to approach them, but it certainly isn't friendly enough for others to get near."

"Are you usually so careless with yourself like that?"

"I'm immortal; if I can't be killed, what point is there in avoiding such things?"

"Doesn't it still hurt?"

Zeref shrugged, staring at the ground. "I've…grown used to it, in some ways." Makarov's eyes widened, uncertain of what to say. "Let's just say that the demons were not my first attempt to end my life, once I became cursed."

"Then you shouldn't just openly seek out danger!" Makarov shook his head, pulling the meat off of the fire. "Really, and Porlyusica says I'm reckless. I get that it won't kill you, but people don't normally seek out pain either."

"I'm not looking for it; I simply don't care if I end up in pain."

"Again, most sane people avoid such things." Zeref smiled faintly at that.

"Then I suppose I'm not quite sane."

Snorting, Makarov shook his head. "Alright, I suppose you've won there." He took a bite of food, chewing for a moment. Zeref was just silently watching him, and Makarov was again wondering how this guy managed living on this island alone. "So, why exactly aren't you sane?" Zeref blinked at him, his smile fading. "Trying to escape your curse is one thing, but I still can't understand it. Why would anyone want to just throw their life away?"

There was a pause, with Zeref staring at him in silence again. Makarov shifted his weight, dropping his gaze and trying to focus on eating for a moment. "Have you ever considered what life would be like, if you lived forever? Even without the death magic that this curse gives…just consider the immortality for a moment."

"Many people want such things. We're always trying to prolong our lives; few ever look to shorten them."

"True." Zeref nodded. "Yet, such measures prolong lives of everyone. Medicines heal all, new health discoveries allow for the prevention of other illnesses…all of it benefits humanity as a whole." Makarov frowned at that, though he couldn't deny it. "One person, only one person, with immortality…they are surrounded by those that die. People, animals, plants…all with life expectancies far shorter than eternity. Even the dragons, known for their incredibly long lifespans…cannot compete with such a thing. So…one who is immortal is destined to lose everyone he or she cares for. Destined to be alone, to forever lose…to forever grieve for so many deaths."

Zeref had lived for four hundred years. Thinking about it, Makarov felt cold. There was a pit in his stomach, imagining what it must be like. For Makarov, it would be as if Fairy Tail's members had all perished. Not just his team, but the normal members who he saw every day and observed within the guild hall. Zeref's family was gone, as was anyone he'd known from when he was first born. Yet, Makarov wouldn't let that drive him, would he? "You…you can still look forward to meeting new people. To making new friends, and living with what you have."

"Perhaps." Zeref glanced at the water. "Yet, at that point…factor in the rest of my curse. What joy is there in meeting new people when it results in their death? How can I maintain such friendships when always, always people are too foolish to stay away?" He gazed down at his hands, opening them in his lap. Makarov watched him, seeing that his shoulders were shaking slightly. "This world punishes my attempts at making contact, at coping with this eternal existence…it continually rejects me at every turn, showing me nothing but death and decay. I…I can't keep living like this."

His head lifted, turning towards Makarov. Within those black eyes, Makarov saw tears falling. "I am still here, and I am still your friend."

"My second one in nearly four hundred years." Makarov blinked at him, and Zeref regarded him with dark eyes. "And the last one I made is already dead, or at least close enough to that state. Given your new status, I'm certain you know exactly who I'm talking about as well."

"You did not want that to happen—"

"And do you think I want you to die either?" Zeref narrowed his eyes at him. "Every time you come here, I don't know if I should be afraid or joyful. If I should run away, shout, or embrace what is happening. I cannot be your friend, yet I want so desperately for it to be true. My entire mind, my desires, everything has become nothing but contradictions, and I'm tired of it! I'm tired of this curse, of becoming exactly what it is designed to make me."

"You know, I think you've done all of those but run away at this point." Zeref stared at him, on his feet and shaken. Makarov was grinning, shaking his head at the man. "Didn't I tell you that it's my fault at this point if something happens? I'm not Mavis, and you have no reason to believe I'll survive your curse. Nor do I have any foolish desire to go running into what is clearly a dangerous area to be, given all of the things dying around you." Zeref took a deep breath, locking eyes with him. "I've kept my distance because I know the dangers of being here. Yet, no one needs to isolate themselves completely, especially when it involves something beyond your control."

"I brought this curse upon myself, Makarov." That one was new. He frowned at Zeref, seeing the man meeting his gaze. "This curse is why it living magic is forbidden from use."

The connection between Natsu and his guilt suddenly seemed so obvious. He was cursed, because he brought Natsu back to life. Yet, how did Mavis get cursed? Who had she fought to bring back? Though, that shouldn't be his focus right now. "And you yourself said this was all worth it, to bring Natsu back."

"Yet, it changes nothing about the fact that I could have chosen not to bring him back. I was warned…warned to leave this alone."

"And can you control it now that you've disregarded that warning?" Zeref did not reply. "The past can't be changed. You told me not to focus on it yourself, so stop doing the same thing too. Focus on living now and accept that yes, you do have a friend. Maybe I'm not here a lot, and maybe I've been busy, but you can talk to me about your problems too and just relax for a change."

"You're wrong." Makarov frowned, staring at him. Yet, Zeref lifted a hand to his head, closing his eyes. "Don't…don't make me consider it again." Consider what? Makarov didn't know what he was debating. What was he wrong about? About them being friends? He didn't usually get so upset about such a thing. Then…about changing the past?

Even without having studied time magic, Makarov could imagine the amount of energy such a thing would require. "This…this is the plan you were considering when I was gone, wasn't it?" Zeref nodded, not meeting his eyes. He had considered going back to before he ever had his curse. Zeref had a way to get rid of it, but it would mean everything he'd ever done would vanish. Zeref's impact on the world would disappear and when Makarov really considered it, nothing would be the same.

"Did you want to tell me about your friends, maybe?" Zeref spoke, closing his eyes. Makarov was starting to realize he changed subjects like this to keep himself distracted.

"Well, if you'd like, you could probably talk to some of them." Makarov walked over to his bag, pulling out the lacrima and sitting down. "I wanted to check in and make sure they were okay, but if you want to get to know them too, I figure this is a safe way to do it, right?"

Zeref gazed at the lacrima, smiling faintly. "I suppose it is." With his agreement, Makarov activated it, hoping to get ahold of Porlyusica. When she answered, Bob was with her at the desk.

"I was wondering when you'd check in. I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away for a day without panicking about some disaster." Porlyusica sighed, shaking her head. "We're fine, so get back to relaxing. I don't want to be treating you for health problems because you keep stressing over every little thing, Makarov."

"Oh, hush. He's not that bad. All things considered, Maky's doing well, don't you think?"

Porlyusica shook her head at Bob, though she narrowed her eyes. "Where even are you? Behind you…that looks like…"

"Hello. Porlyusica, correct?" Zeref called out, his voice louder than before. The pink-haired girl blinked, before slowly nodding. "Makarov was telling me about what happened. I am…sorry for your friend. I wish I could do something to help, but I'm afraid my aid would bring little benefit." Zeref lifted his arms, gesturing around him. Makarov doubted she could see him anyway.

"I know that. Didn't Makarov ask you about where they might be? The idiot was supposed to find leads, not get you to lead a search yourself." She shook her head. "What sort of place would they need to build this spell they want to make?"

"In what sense?"

"What do you mean—"

Bob covered her mouth before Porlyusica could shout louder at Zeref, smiling at the lacrima. "Hello, sweetie! I'm Bob, and sorry for the interruption. My friend can be a bit easy to upset, so why don't I help take over now?" Zeref blinked at the man, before sitting down again and nodding. "See, our friend was taken by some mean wizards looking to use that spell of Zeref's. Now, I don't know all the details, but Porlyusica seems to think his life is in danger from it, so—"

"Ah, so that is the reason for your concern." Zeref interrupted, shaking his head. "Who are they seeking to resurrect? I can tell you quite easily if your friend was chosen to be the sacrifice or not…or more accurately, if he'd be accepted as the sacrifice for the spell."

Bob blinked, his hand falling from Porlyusica's mouth with that. "You know that much about the spell?" Zeref nodded at Bob, while Porlyusica narrowed her eyes at him.

"From what we overheard, they seem to be intent on bringing Zeref back to life." Her gaze flickered towards Makarov. "There are plenty of records that say the Black Wizard is dead, after all. It isn't entirely impossible that such a thing is true."

Zeref however was laughing at that. Makarov turned towards him, shaking his head. "Is this really so amusing to you?"

"Yes, it is." Zeref smiled at him, chuckling again and shaking his head. "They are a group of fools then, though didn't you say they found notes on the R-System at Mildian Magic Academy?"

"Yes. At least, that was what Goldmine thought the place looked like." Makarov saw Zeref growing serious again, frowning.

"Then…perhaps not complete idiots, if they not only knew he studied there, but also where the school once stood." He sighed, shaking his head. "Your friend's life will not fuel the spell, with that as their intention. Regardless of where they build the spell, or even if they change their intended target, you still have time to save his life." He paused, glancing at the lacrima. "Unless this seemed to be the sort of group to kill their captives?"

"No, they seemed to be enslaving the people they took." Porlyusica sighed, closing her eyes. "Now, are you going to tell me where this spell can be constructed or not? Knowing that we have time is fine, but that doesn't answer my original question."

"Again, I need more details. If I truly wanted to, I could build the R-System where I'm standing right now. However, other factors play into where and when they might build it. Are they smart enough to look for a location to avoid the Council? Are they salvaging from a previous attempt at constructing it? Where are they gathering their materials from? How many people are working on building it?"

"We don't have information on their numbers. Our job was to stop them, while we were under the impression that this was a much smaller group than it was." Makarov sighed, glancing towards him. "Based on that alone, they are avoiding the Council fairly well. Guilds were told to estimate maybe fifty members at most, which is why it was given an S-Class rating as a job."

"They aren't afraid of traveling either, dear." Bob glanced at them, shaking his head. "After all, they did send for back-up when we attempted to wipe them out ourselves."

"And there's no way someone attempted to make this spell before, either. This spell was designed by Zeref, and his notes were in those ruins—"

"This is one of his few published spells on resurrection, Porlyusica." Zeref glanced over at Makarov, who's eyes widened along with the rest of his teams' gaze. "What you found was merely the original copy of his work - and outdated when compared to the final result too. From what I've heard…" He trailed off, sighing. "There have been approximately three attempts to create it thus far, all of which were discovered by the Magic Council and destroyed swiftly. Another attempt…if they are intelligent, they will be finding someplace isolated, not unlike Tenrou Island in fact."

"If you see something there, will you mention it to us?" Porlyusica watched him, while Zeref blinked at her.

"You were with Makarov and August when they made the ward, correct?"

"Yes, but Precht is no longer with us, and I can't trust this idiot to know how to operate it."

Glaring at her, Makarov shook his head. "Hey! I'm not that stupid, Porlyusica. Once Precht transferred the ward to me, it was easy to figure out."

"Well, I think that just tells us they're not on Tenrou Island, dears." Bob frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "But there are other islands they might go to. Do you know which ones were used for the last attempts at this?"

"No." Zeref shrugged. "It…wasn't concerning to me. Really, people toying with this magic are the ones who should be concerned."

"Because they're idiots that'll get executed by the council when they're found out."

"Likely, but not what I meant." He glanced over at Makarov, his gaze dark. "Your guild master likely knows what I'm referring to, actually. These spells have far more danger for the caster than the victims, really." Makarov nodded, looking away. It sounded like this spell would curse anyone who used it too, then. "Though…there is a slight chance it won't. It is a trade of a life for a life, so the trade might allow it to…avoid such circumstances."

"Avoid what?"

"I'm more concerned with how he knows so much about this." Porlyusica narrowed her eyes at him. "Makarov may trust you, but I certainly don't. I don't care who you're hiding from, if you don't tell me who you are now, I'm going to get ready to turn you into the Council now."

"Porlyusica!" Makarov glared at her. "He is our ally, and he is helping us."

"And he knows far too much about black magic. You and I both know he's hiding, and that death magic of his was concerning enough before."

"Maky, Porlyusica has a point. We can't just have you hanging around dangerous people so easily. Not that we don't want to respect your friendships, but this one seems a bit too much."

"Makarov, do not alienate your friends for me." Zeref looked up, while Makarov lowered his gaze. "Do I have a guarantee from both of you that revealing my identity will result in me remaining hidden away secretly as I desire? That you will not turn me over to anyone wishing to find me?"

"Give me that and a promise that you have no intentions of harming our guild master."

"If Maky and Porlyusica are happy, then I have no reason to do anything."

Nodding at them, Zeref sighed. "That is…fair enough. Your guild master is the only person that I currently consider a friend…and as such, I assure you I have no intentions of harming him intentionally. Though, I cannot say he will not be harmed. You've seen my magic, Porlyusica…I cannot control it and guarantee he is safe as a result."

"That's why I asked for a promise of your intentions, idiot. This is exactly why I'm tired of dealing with people, you know." She sighed, shaking her head.

"Porlyusica, you know we're still your friends, dear. We—"

"Not now, Bob." Porlyusica glared at Zeref. "Now, who are you?"

Makarov watched her, sighing and shaking his head. "I am the one who created the R-System." She stared at him in silence for a moment. "Congratulations, I suppose. Makarov told me that your team was searching for me for some time a few years ago. He didn't even realize he was asking me for my own location, really."

"Yeah, well it's not like you make it obvious."

"You're…Zeref?" Porlyusica was still watching him.

"Yes, I am. So, if you have further questions about the R-System itself, I can answer them. I, however, do not keep track of all of the dark guilds, groups, and cults that grow and decide to seek out my work and my magic. Really, I prefer to avoid them…hence the reason your guarantee keeps my location hidden from anyone searching for me, not just the Magic Council."

"Well, I guess now we know the spell can't activate if they finish it, dear." Bob placed a hand on Porlyusica's shoulder. "Or…does it activate if they use it on someone already alive?"

"If they somehow manage to gather enough energy…it would have no effect." Zeref stared at them, frowning for a moment. "Though, it would likely be unstable. That much ethernano is not meant to be contained in one place for long. It would have its own dangers…" His brow furrowed, lost in thought. "On second thought, it would be safest for the users to change the designated individual to resurrect, rather than leaving the spell alone. That energy would need to be used, or else everyone involved would be killed."

"And the dangers to the caster? You mentioned before that there were risks."

Zeref smiled at Porlyusica's question, fanning his arms around him. "Potentially, they risk becoming like me." She frowned, while Zeref chuckled. "Did you think I wished to have uncontrollable death magic? No…this is a curse, gifted to those who toy with the magic of life and death. The R-System is more complete than what I've done - already contributing a cost to maintain balance…so there is a slight chance of it not activating the curse. I am not experienced enough in the triggers for such a thing to be confident, however."

"Oh my. All of that death magic is a curse?" Bob stared at him, placing a hand on his cheek. "You poor thing. Maky here will come back and we'll work on getting that sorted out then! I'm certain you'll be back to your old self in no time with us working on it."

Zeref raised his eyebrows, but did not object like Makarov expected him to. "You are welcome to try. It is rare to find information on it…but you'd be searching for Ankhseram's Curse, or the Curse of Contradictions. I have not seen it mentioned by other names, though I cannot say they don't exist."

August had mentioned Ankhseram's Curse, but the other name seemed more fitting. Makarov glanced at him, seeing the way Zeref seemed to be calming down with the new conversation. Yet, the discussion on the curse had him more tense yet again. "We'll get started on that while we wait, then. Maybe we have something in the library on it, Porlyusica!"

"Hardly. I've never heard of this Ankhseram fellow, and if he has a curse named after him, he should be rather famous. Must be a pain to cast, if it's been forgotten."

"Ankhseram is the god of life and death, not a wizard." Zeref glanced above him, sighing. "And if you want information on him, that would lie in mythology of sorts."

"For one discussing the ending of your curse, you seem rather uninterested." Porlyusica was frowning at him. "Do you think we're joking about searching for answers?"

"Not at all." He glanced over at Makarov, his smile faint. "Makarov is the sort of man that would not accept the plan I have in mind to end this suffering. I did not doubt he'd attempt such a mission…though I do doubt its success, given my own previous attempts at such a thing."

"Your own plan? Well, if you know a way to end your curse already, why didn't you—"

"Bob, don't encourage it." Makarov shook his head, sighing and setting the lacrima down. "It isn't a way to end the curse, so start looking on your own for better answers. I'm…likely going to spend some more time out here, trying to figure out how to move on from here. I want to be the guild master Fairy Tail deserves when I return, or at least to know what that should look like."

"Be careful around him, Makarov. You know all about the things he's done, after all." Porlyusica glared at Zeref, crossing her arms over her chest.

Bob smiled, however, shaking his head. "Oh, hush now. Zeref's nothing but a sweetheart, and he's been so willing to help us with Robbie! Have fun with your friend, and we'll take care of things here until you come back, okay?" Makarov nodded, letting the image of them fade away. He glanced back at Zeref, seeing the black wizard smiling faintly towards him.

"Well, sorry about the lack of warning there. Porlyusica's decided she hates people after Rob was taken and Bob has always been the overly friendly sort. Not what you're used to, I suspect?"

"No…no he's not." He glanced at the sphere on the ground, still smiling. "Yet…I enjoyed it. Meeting them. They…they weren't afraid, even after knowing the truth." His gaze flickered towards Makarov, that smile still lingering. "In that sense…I suppose they are like you, Makarov. Perhaps we really can be…friends, after all."

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