Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail
When August had said he had a place to stay in town, Levy figured they would be going to an inn of some kind. After all, that was the kind of temporary lodging that most people invested in when visiting an unusual town. So, August surprised her when they ended up arriving at an apartment complex, moving calmly towards one of the room and opening it with his own key. Alvarez must have paid him well to waste money on something like the rental agreement on an apartment instead of a hotel room. Then again, maybe it wasn't a terrible idea either. Considering August had every intention of lingering in Fiore for a while, the apartment gave him a place to continuously return to while helping Fairy Tail locate and retrieve Zeref. He had probably gotten the apartment while they were in Edolas, and had just continued to use it now.
Following him inside, Levy saw that very little decorating had been done to label the apartment as being owned by anyone. It still had the plain furnishings of the standard apartment room, with no decorations added or personal belongings beyond the necessities for survival. "Now…I will forewarn you that there is a limit as to how much I will speak on these matters. As I've stated before, this is already taking a risk in assuming his majesty intends on halting the war upon his return. Should I prove to be incorrect in that interpretation of his earlier comment, he will be quite displeased with my actions, and therefore, to minimize his anger—"
"It's fine." Levy quickly found a spot in the living area of the apartment. There was a plain couch there, with soft white cushions that squished down under her weight. Her body still felt weird, and she frowned as she felt the lump from the knot in the sash dig into her shoulder. "You might not really believe me…but I don't plan on abusing this situation for our advantage. Neither of us planned for Zeref to go and switch places with a dead man, and to be honest, I don't think it would really help us all that much to know details on how Alvarez is governed. Even knowing the magic of the Spriggan Twelve and how that functions…well, we already knew we were already outnumbered and weaker in comparison to your forces. We were relying on Mavis' strategies to win this war, and even those gave us a limited chance of success."
Nodding, August joined her on the couch, frowning for a moment. "I see." He seemed to pause again, thinking. "Then I believe it would be best to begin with the Spriggan Twelve. Given the fact that they are the main focus to be deceived, you should know them and their expectations of you well. Now, how much does Fairy Tail already know concerning our members?"
The guild master had given them a bit of information before the real battles began, but even what he had been able to find out was limited. "To start, they know that you are one of their strongest members…with Irene being the strongest female, comparable to your own strength." August nodded, folding his arms over his chest. "Other than the members we fought against, we don't know the actual styles of your magic. Brandish can shrink or grow anything she wants to…and her attachment to Zeref seems to come solely from loyalty to the place she grew up in. At least, that's how Lucy seemed to describe it to me…" Then again, Lucy hadn't been given much time to talk about what she'd learned with the fast-pace of the war. Things seemed to move by too quickly, transitioning from one battle to another in the blink of an eye. Before Levy could even process that Lucy had been attacked, Brandish had been arrested and held captive by the guild. "Dimaria can control time, Wall can create weaponry tailored to a person's weaknesses, Ajeel controls sand and Bloodman…" She trailed off, shuddering slightly. That battle had just been beginning as she left, the one between him and Gajeel. "His entire body is made up of Magical Barrier Particles, making him rather deadly to most wizards."
Nodding, August looked over towards her. "Then I suppose your knowledge is rather limited, it appears. Let us begin with those you will see the most of…though it will be simpler for you to halt the war and avoid Alvarez as much as possible to evade detection." Levy nodded, while August seemed to frown, his brow furrowing. He was likely trying to figure out how much to reveal, which Levy almost wanted to object to again. However, he spoke before she could voice any concerns. "Invel will wish to see you first. In terms of military and economic matters, he is one of his majesty's closest advisors. Usually, he leads the debates with other nations for trading agreements, and in battle, he excels in strategy and swift actions. He will do whatever is necessary to achieve his goals and is rather cold and distant in terms of personality. That is quite fitting considering his magic, which is complete control over anything relating to winter…he can create ice, freeze anything around him, and even form entire blizzards from nothing in the middle of summer."
She could hardly imagine someone like that, but August kept going. "Next would likely be Irene. She has been by his majesty's side for even longer than I, and what surprises most is that she is actually a dragon slayer. These days, she rarely relies on those gifts however, turning towards her magic as a high enchantress instead for battle. This allows her to animate and unanimate objects at will, breathing in a conscious mind to things otherwise not considered purposeful in battle. Her skill in hand to hand combat rivals that of any other you'll find, and while she may seem kind at one moment, she can change her mind swiftly and become enraged at the slightest of actions."
"Larcade, while not the closest of advisors to his majesty, will often seek out his attention regardless of his lower status among the twelve." There was a slight scowl on August's face, making Levy wonder why this bothered him so much. "He falsely believes himself to be his majesty's son…and he utilizes the title whenever possible, often gloating to others for his false status. In terms of magical talent, he is not without his strengths, however. His white magic revolves around the various needs of man, specifically pleasure, hunger, and sleep."
Such explanations continued on for the other members, leaving Levy wondering just how much she'd have to memorize to actually get away with this. She learned that Dimaria helped with training the army, side by side with Wall who helped them spot and exploit weaknesses even without magical talent. She learned that God Serena really hadn't been a member for long, and that he served no greater purpose in Alvarez other than just to fight in this war. Ajeel dealt with keeping the guilds in line, registering their wizards into Alvarez's own records and keeping track of which ones were loyal to their guilds and which ones were constantly switching their affiliation. Jacob helped to regulate immigration from other nations and was in charge of seeing if there were threats coming from nearby countries using his stealth magic to infiltrate important meetings of their governing bodies.
Brandish was in charge of tourism within Alvarez, something that surprised Levy. Apparently, she was supposed to create new attractions to help bring outside revenue in for the nation. Advertising the best sightseeing spots, and visiting them herself, seemed to oddly fit the girl who looked too bored to really care about the war in the first place. Finally, Bloodman and Neinhart were in charge of law enforcement. They seemed like an odd pair, but with Bloodman's intimidating appearance, Neinhart was used to balance him out and ensure that punishments were fair as opposed to simply torturous.
With all of that, Levy really wondered what Zeref even did in the country. However, even that was explained at the end of his run-down on the Spriggan Twelve. "I have been placed in charge of the rest of the Twelve, and often serve as the final executive decision on any unresolved matters that the others cannot come up with a solution for. His majesty rarely even plays a role in the country, despite having led the military conquest of Alvarez himself. When he does give an order, however…it is always absolute. None will counter him, not when he has gained such reverence within our nation for his power and wisdom."
"So…I'm not supposed to do much of anything while I'm there?" August shook his head, while Levy frowned. "Then why am I so worried about properly presenting myself as Zeref? I mean, once I talk to the rest of the Twelve once, it sounds like I probably won't even see them again."
"You might not." August smiled faintly at her. "However, do you truly wish to risk resuming the war against your guild? I assure you, that is exactly what discovery will result in. As I stated before, his majesty's authority exceeds my own by far…and his last orders beyond allowing this truce were to win this war at all costs. Invel will take leadership of the military as a result, and with our strength united rather than scattered…it will be a swift end, rather than the amusing game his majesty wished to play."
August had a very good point. Sighing, Levy nodded and looked up to meet his eyes. "Then I need to know more. What about Zeref's role in all of this? I know he has his curse, but he clearly knows far more magic than just that. He helped create an enchantment spell with Irene, based on what you told me before…and he has also looked into time travel, based on the Eclipse Gate spell we encountered a while back that was also created by his magic." She frowned, thinking further. "There's also creating demons, which also implies he has the ability to create and resurrect life."
Nodding, August frowned. "I'm not entirely certain as to what lengths his majesty's magic extends…in fact, I'm not certain any of the Twelve do. He is likely one of the only remaining wizards alive who can claim to have attended a wizarding academy." Blinking, Levy's eyes widened as she stared at him.
"Wait…one of the academies that shut down nearly two centuries ago?" August nodded, while Levy rose to her feet, a smile breaking out across her face. "That's how he understands so much about magic! Once the magic council was founded, I know they were shut down and blamed for teaching students black magic…but nothing actually proves that they did anything of the sort! Fundamentals of magic was vital to all branches, even if some students abused it. Knowing that Zeref studied at one of them…he must have been able to learn so much, not just about black magic but about branches that we can't even use today because they required that basic foundation of how different runes and organizations affected the results of a spell!"
Lifting his eyebrows, August studied her for a moment. "And you have a concern with being able to express a similar style of knowledge? From that statement alone, you possess some understanding of such ideas. Given how little his majesty speaks on—"
"I know, I know." Levy huffed, shaking her head. "He really should talk more about it, though. Really, can you imagine how much he could teach the world if he just tried? Maybe he could write a book or something since he doesn't exactly like talking…even use a pen name to author it so it could spread to other nations without that kind of a bias from the name alone on the cover. I'm certain any wizard could improve their skill by understanding why their magic works as it does, rather than just blindly creating the circles they've instinctively drilled into their bodies from repetition."
August shook his head, smiling faintly at her. "You seem oddly optimistic for someone endorsing an informative novel written by one considered to be one of history's most dangerous villains." Blinking, Levy glanced over at August. Really, hadn't she said something about a pen name? That should at least fix some of the issue, right? "Regardless of if the book is published under a different name, the actual individuals verifying the information within would have to be able to reference and confirm everything contained within for a nonfiction book such as what you are describing. That alone would reveal just how dated the information truly was…and from there, the actual publishers working with him would be aware of his real name, not simply a pen name. Perhaps an entire false persona would be possible, but that still leaves the debate of how he possibly had references of in-person communication from wizards who lived hundreds of years ago, without any recorded visuals of their lectures."
Despite all of her reading, Levy had never once considered everything that went into getting an actual book published. She supported Lucy's dreams of doing that, but the details of how much work was needed to achieve that goal had never been something Levy looked into. So, when August told her the details, it slowly began to sink in why Zeref couldn't really share much of anything. "People would either think the information was false…or they'd think he was insane." Unless he revealed his name, none of his knowledge would be interpreted as real knowledge.
Nodding, August sighed. "Such is the way of the world, it seems." He frowned for a moment, glancing towards Levy with narrowed eyes. "Though…you do not see him as such. Perhaps if you requested him to write something of that nature for you alone, he might do so in his free time. From what I know of him, he does often enjoy exercising such knowledge when possible to avoid losing his ability to recall those details…writing it down may aid him where his odd bursts of spell creation do not."
Would he? Levy bit her lip, not really thinking he would. Zeref didn't trust anyone enough to give away that kind of information in the first place, even if she thought it could help. Sure, it had been a good fantasy and all, but it was heavily based on his past, which Zeref clearly liked to keep to himself. Touching the locket that rested at the base of her throat, she swallowed and shook her head. "No…he probably wouldn't. After what I said to him…he probably thinks I'm just like everyone else now." Really, she wasn't special compared to other wizards either. She labeled him as a villain just like others, and while she might be able to read faster than anyone else in the guild, she wasn't the one heralded as the next upcoming S-Class wizard. During those trials, her role had just been to fill an empty space, not as an actual contender that anyone expected to win.
Sighing, Levy shook her head. Even Gajeel had outshined her during that time, and he hadn't even been the actual participant. She had tried her hardest, but she had known deep down that everyone was convinced either Gray or Natsu would win, at least before the trials were canceled entirely. "Yet not just anyone would go to lengths such as this on his behalf. Perhaps you released a harsh comment…but most people do when in an unstable state of emotion. Emperor Spriggan himself has done the same—"
"Why do you keep calling him that?" Levy didn't want to hear this, to hear about why August was convinced Zeref would forgive her. It made her chest hurt, yet feel oddly warm. Closing her eyes, she didn't know if she wanted to cry or smile, if she could believe his hope or only focus on her own thought that she had destroyed whatever chance she had at getting to know the reclusive black wizard she had just started to see. Instead, she focused on the first thing that came to mind, changing the subject swiftly towards August. "I know he's your emperor…that you serve him as a result…but, you're also…" She trailed off, realizing she probably should have selected a different subject. This one was bound to get far more personal than August wanted to get into.
The elderly man leaned back in the couch, staying silent for a moment. Levy did the same, uncertain of how to steer them back into comfortable ground. However, August spoke eventually, his voice steady and thoughtful. "I've never once had the luxury of referring to him as anything else." Glancing towards him, Levy bit her lower lip. "It was something I had accepted long ago, the fact that I could not acknowledge the truth. My first guardian…he thought he could utilize that truth to become closer to his majesty. He thought that by raising me, he could mold me into his weapon, into one who would serve only him…yet my ability allowed me to absorb far more than he realized. I caught on rather quickly, learning of my heritage, of why he thought I could gain him such a power…you see, he believed that Emperor Spriggan was the closest individual alive to the source of all magic. Regardless of if that assumption was true or not, utilizing a child to reach such a goal should be frowned upon, correct?"
Levy didn't quite know where this came from. Her question was meant to be simple, and she hadn't expected a response. Yet, August seemed to be leaning forward, closing his eyes and grimacing slightly at his words. "It was never my desire to be a servant. That man…it would not be fitting to speak of exactly what he did to me as I was a child. So, the moment I had an opportunity…I vowed to flee, to ensure he could never gain the power he sought. That man ordered me to find my father and discover the truth for him…and I did follow half of those orders. I located my father…but I ensured my father would leave this country and not meet that man again. Perhaps I did not wish to be a servant to that man…but by seeing and understanding his majesty further, I discovered that perhaps there was one person who deserved such loyalty. Never once did his majesty request for me to do something for him, not when I was a child. Emperor Spriggan always asked if it was something I wished to do…and he always requested for my input on the slightest of decisions. I felt useful to him…as if I could understand my father better. So, I told myself…I would remain by his side, and try to find a way to show him the truth one day. Given his curse, it would be cruel to reveal the truth then…so while serving him, I sought out a cure. Yet, not even with my gifts could I find such a thing."
This was getting far more personal than Levy wanted to deal with. Staring at him, she interrupted before he could keep going. "I…I didn't ask for that much." Her voice was quiet, and he seemed to blink a few times as if snapping out of some sort of daze. "Why are you even telling me all of this? I thought…I thought you didn't trust me, because I'm a member of Fairy Tail."
"Because I can." He spoke quietly, smiling faintly. "No one, not even the members of the Twelve know the truth. Yet…you do." He glanced towards her, an odd glint in his eyes. "Wouldn't you agree that it is oddly freeing to speak of your troubles to someone, even if you know little about that person? It does nothing to solve the situation…but there is still something freeing about the idea that they could help nonetheless."
Nodding, Levy reached over and squeezed his arm. "I guess I can understand that." He stared at her, nodding with a faint smile. "If…if you want to talk more then, I guess I can keep listening. I just…I didn't want you to keep going if you didn't actually want to answer the question."
He nodded, looking back at the ground with a frown. "I'm not certain what else there is to tell." He took a deep breath, shaking his head. "His majesty was never meant to learn the truth, not until his curse was gone. Emperor Spriggan made his own plans to make it end, and I tried to find my own methods. Neither of us truly found the ideal path…his were always far darker than I was willing to pursue myself, involving his own death on most occasions." His voice was quiet at that, and he closed his eyes. "Much like this most recent attempt, I suppose."
She heard the pain in his voice, thinly disguised. His hands were clenched tightly, and Levy could see his knuckles slowly becoming more pale the longer he sat next to her. His shoulders were hunched, and for the first time, she didn't see August as the elderly wizard beyond her in years that was trying to educate her on everything necessary to be an emperor to a nation. No, she saw August as the child he once was, desperate for his father to be by his side despite not being able to fulfill that dream. "It…it wasn't your fault, August."
"But wasn't it?" His gaze lifted towards hers, a sad smile on his face as his eyes watered faintly. "I know his majesty better than almost anyone…I understood the difference between him offering a threat he intends to follow through on and what he had just given, a threat meant solely to inspire fear. Yet…how could I express that to you without angering him? How could I allow his words to have their intended reaction…if you knew the truth? So…I attempted to be as subtle as I could. I attempted…yet I failed. It was my responsibility to protect him, Levy. I was not by his side when he went to retrieve Fairy Heart…and once again, I was not by his side to tell him that there was a better path than this."
"But you aren't just his general, August."
"And as his son, should I not wish to protect my father either?"
It was probably the most direct he had been since they began this discussion. Levy looked away, unable to say he was wrong. However, she knew it wasn't his fault. "You tried. You…you just didn't know much about me, that's all." He seemed to be ready to speak again, but Levy turned towards him, smiling faintly and feeling her own eyes burn with the need to cry with him. "See…he asked me, not long before that…if I thought we might have been friends, if the war didn't exist and if he didn't have the history he did as the black wizard. I…I told him I'd be willing to try…even without that being true." Levy touched her chest, closing her eyes. "Then…after he made that stupid threat, I took it seriously. I thought that for a brief moment, he really was the kind of person that would threaten to kill his own friends and not care. I thought…that because of the curse, there was no way to take that away from him. So…I told him he was no different than what history made him out to be…that he'd always be a villain and nothing more." She looked towards him, tears now falling freely down her cheeks. "Really, aren't I the one at fault, for taking back my promise to try and be his friend? From what little I've heard about him…he really needs someone to be there for him like that, no matter what he does. But…but I just lied to him and took that away without thinking about my words at all…"
"Friends…they are quite important to the wizards of your guild, aren't they?" Levy nodded, while August nodded, touching her shoulder as well. "Then I suspect you will find a way to make amends, Levy. Perhaps we both failed him…but we are working towards correcting this, are we not?" Staring into his eyes, she saw the slight flicker of doubt in the dark depths there. For the first time, she realized he wasn't confident about this plan. Really, there were a lot of risks. Neither of them had any idea of how to get that enchantment to work in Edolas, much less pass herself off as Zeref for long enough to research that fact. The war might resume in the process of all of this, and if she wasn't careful, she might discover the way to set off Zeref's curse without even trying.
Slowly, Levy nodded and gave him a weak smile. "We are. And…we won't stop until he's back, alright?" August nodded, while Levy's smile became stronger and more determined. "I think we've got a good team started for the job, anyway. With my background of doing all kinds of curse breaking jobs, I'm pretty good at research and creative solutions to virtually impossible problems. And with your own knowledge about Alvarez and Zeref…well, I'm certain we can pull off me presenting myself as him for long enough to put a more permanent stop to this war."
"Then let us return to your education, Levy." August smiled, this time a bit brighter than before. Oddly, as he continued talking to her more about Alvarez, the more comfortable it became. She got the impression that August really did enjoy being near someone who knew the truth about his heritage and didn't want to abuse that knowledge in some form. As horrible as his past sounded, she could easily see how badly August needed someone to show him that he had chosen the right path. Right now, she was almost certain that Zeref had needed August by his side, even if the black wizard never admitted it. August kept him grounded enough to fight to live, and right now, that was exactly the kind of thing Zeref was going to need once he got back to his life.
And here is some bonding between August and Levy. I hope you enjoyed. Feel free to review and tell me what you think!