Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail

Zeref…wasn't certain what to make of the girl that had come to break into the castle. She was smart, that much he could tell. Her understanding of magic was strong enough to not only infiltrate his wards, an impossible task as it was, but also to counteract pure death magic born of Ankhseram's curse. It…shouldn't have been possible. He'd seen her fear when he began to cast his spell, and knew she realized what it meant…but her sudden reaction, that instinctive spell created on the spot…it was a skill he wanted on his side, somehow.

Still…there were too many conflicts in his way to achieve that. She…was a Fairy Tail wizard, from Fiore no less. As a result, she knew who he was, and like most, held the same assumptions about his past. Gaining her loyalty…it would not be possible, like it was with the rest of the Twelve. So, it would be a shame, really, to have to hold her here as the war began, when she held so much potential for use.

That, at least, had been his initial thoughts. Granting her wish openly, while hiding away his true intentions…it was something he was used to doing in Alvarez, with the Twelve. Yet…then he'd seen the locket, the one she held onto so closely, just as he did with his own. He had only barely glimpsed inside. Yet, the one word he'd been able to read left him confused, mystified, and more uncertain than he'd been in…longer than he could remember.

Part of him wished he'd been able to read more. He'd barely managed to see his own name before she snatched it back, protectively holding it to her chest, as if fearful that he'd break it. As someone who held a strong sentimental attachment to his own necklace…he knew he wouldn't be quite so cruel to destroy her keepsake of a loved one. Yet…why was his name there? Why was she speaking to him, so familiarly, so eagerly, if she knew his plans for the war? He didn't understand, and it made no sense. So, he'd tried to speak with her, starting with safer topics. That proved to be the wrong course of action as well.

Never in the past forty years had he doubted the loyalty of anyone in his service. Yet…just one hypothetical scenario discussed with that girl had him questioning if Invel might actually do as she suggested. It didn't sound unlike the winter general, not in his mind. Yet, was it truly betrayal, if it was for the good of Alvarez? Part of Zeref wanted to speak with him directly about this, but that would be absurd. What would he even say? 'An intruder made me question your loyalty?' It made no sense, even to him…yet, she knew Invel well enough to make the case, almost as well as Invel himself would have managed.

Then, there was her other knowledge, which she clearly possessed but attempted to keep hidden. She knew about Natsu, not just his relationship to the other wizard, but also about his status as a demon. That meant she likely knew more. His plans? Perhaps, which may explain why she was uncertain of if she would stop him or not. If she valued Natsu as a friend…perhaps she saw some value, at least, in altering history. Yet…what more did she know? HIs weaknesses? His history with Mavis? The location of his home? He just did not know…and soon, she'd likely know even more, with what he'd given to her.

There was no doubt in his mind that if she truly was the one to decipher the wards, she'd be also capable of deciphering his notes…given a decade or so, but still capable. Yet…he hadn't gotten the chance to speak to her more, to ask her questions and filter through her logic further to analyze who she was. Already, he was realizing he had a more fearsome opponent within Fairy Tail's guild than he'd thought. She…she was intelligent, brave, and willing to stand up to him, quite boldly. Yet, she also seemed eager to start debates with him. She'd been smiling, hypothetically tossing around ideas about Invel and how he could manage to betray him. It…it was just a mental challenge for her, he supposed. Likely, she was pleased with the research challenge as well, if that was something she liked.

Even so…something had shifted, at the end of the conversation. He was trying to determine what he'd said or done to…cause such a thing. Yet, nothing came to mind. She'd posed a startling idea, the idea that perhaps she wouldn't be an enemy after all…and then she'd seemed to almost…break down. Zeref wouldn't have recognized the expression in her if he hadn't…handled his own fair share of mental strife. Yet, he was certain she was battling with something internally. Whether it was grief from the loss of the beloved who gave her that mysterious locket or something else…Zeref paused.

He was almost certain of another cause. As he stared around the dining hall, numbly wondering what to do next, he realized that part of that expression…had been guilt. One didn't look that devastated by mere grief alone; they had to feel responsible for what had happened as well. If that were the case…Zeref glanced towards the door. Would…would she be okay?

Zeref grimaced, touching his head as it pounded faintly. He…couldn't think like that, not here. He was sitting just like that, however, when August walked inside, stopping in the doorway. "Your majesty? I…did not expect you to be here. You do not typically take meals."

"I…was not eating." He glanced over at his general, dropping his hand to try and hide his discomfort. Invel was with him; the sight made Zeref frown, yet he made no comment. "How…how are the plans going? Have we managed to track down the current status of the former Fairy Tail wizards? I'd like to have an estimate of how many continued their practice…it'll assist in knowing where their skill level is."

Though, clearly, he'd underestimated with one of the most obvious files he'd gathered. Levy…he'd need to look back at that file. Yet, he'd been certain she was working in Era. As skilled as they were, he doubted a single one of them could do what she'd done to infiltrate Vistarion. "They are going well, your majesty. The files have been updated and are on your desk for review, when you get the chance."

He nodded. Yet…Zeref didn't know what to do. Levy…her distraught expression was on his mind. However, there was only one…friend of hers here at all. It wasn't as if he could send August to investigate if she was okay, after all. And…why did it even matter anyway? It wasn't as if he cared about her. She…she was a useful tool, to be kept out of the war, or on his side. That…that was all.

Zeref gritted his teeth, closing his eyes. The headaches never came in Vistarion; it was why he enjoyed vacations here so much. "Is everything alright? You seem unwell."

August's voice…Zeref glanced over, taking a slow breath. "Just…something unusual." He paused. "Unexpected." Why did he care? That girl…she could keep up with him, he realized. Not only that, but she…she didn't flinch away from him either. She'd stood her ground, even when he'd pinned her to the wall, threatening her for her words against Natsu. Which meant…she held none of the fear that was constant in Fiore either. She…Zeref stiffened, when he realized what it was that bothered him so much. That fire, that intelligence…while not quite so innocent, that girl was much like Mavis.

Swiftly, Zeref rose to his feet. He…couldn't think about why. No, he just needed to act, that's all. Acting…that would help. The war…he would think on that later. "Your majesty?" August spoke again, and Zeref glanced over towards the elderly man.

"Not…not now, August." If he stayed…the death predation was already starting. It…he was going to have an outburst, in his own home, his retreat from all of the suffering it gave him. The thought…Zeref felt exhausted, wondering when it would ever end. Already, it had taken away so much…and now, it would take away even this from him. He closed his eyes, taking in a slow breath. Behind him, August had stilled, watching calmly as Zeref hunched over. The magic…exploded rather swiftly, without much warning. Yet, in the same manner…it also ended, leaving the castle void of any sign it had ever occurred.

When it was done, Zeref rose to his feet. "I…I'm going to speak with the guest that came to visit six months ago."

"Already? I thought the plan was to leave him be until the war began, your majesty."

Invel was right…and his logic was usually sound. But…Levy needed a friend. It was the least he could do, for…whatever he'd done to upset her so greatly. No one deserved to be reminded of their guilty conscience, after all. So, he kept walking, shaking his head. "Do not concern yourself with this, Invel. I have…another plan in mind, for delaying his interference." He did not, but Invel would not be calmed without at least the thought of a plan.

The patio area was where he'd been kept waiting, away from the main castle where Zeref had been hard at work on his plans. Most of the time, Zeref was with Dimaria lately…tracking down the time rift was vexing, to say the least, but they were so close to determining its next location. As soon as it moved…the war would begin, maximizing his time to complete it and gain Fairy Heart. If it was even there, that is. Levy…had also made that outrageous claim as well, though that one was likely to save herself rather than anything else.

The old guild master was playing a game with one of the servants. Zeref saw him, scowling instantly. He didn't want to deal with this, and he needed to act quickly. "You." Makarov glanced up, his eyes widening.

"This…you can't be…"

"Yes, I am aware of your surprise." Zeref didn't wish to wait, though. "Currently, a guild member of yours has also arrived in Vistarion to speak with me."

"That's…not possible. None of them even know I'm here…" He trailed off, his brown furrowing. "I will not fall to your deceptions…I came here for a reason, and I will have you hear me out."

"Very well. Speak as we walk, then." Makarov blinked, and Zeref turned to move. "I did not plan to listen to you yet, Master of Fairy Tail. However, I cannot say I wish to deal with your companion either in her current state." It was…harsh, but necessary. More accurately, Zeref simply couldn't deal with her…not without unnecessary danger to her person. The meal with her today…likely, that would be the last time he'd be capable of calmly spending time with her, if that outburst was any indication of…how easily he could become attached to her.

"Her current state?" The master narrowed his eyes. "What have you done to one of my children? If you have harmed her…"

"I…I'm not certain." Zeref glanced towards the guild master. "Yet, she is greatly upset about something…and I thought that perhaps a familiar face would calm her. Given that only one such individual exists in Vistarion, I thought I'd at least attempt to provide her with some aspect of home."

The guild master was staring at him, silent as they walked. Yet…he finally seemed to recover. "You're…being kind to her? Trying to help her?" Zeref didn't answer, standing stiffly and ignoring his questions. "Odd. Considering your reputation…I assumed you'd sooner leave her to her misery, than come fetch an old man to comfort her." He paused, frowning again. "Who is it, even? I cannot imagine which member managed to determine where I was, let alone seek me out in this place."

He…could offer that much. Zeref stopped, just outside of her door. He turned towards the man, speaking quietly. "Levy McGarden…and this is where she is currently staying." Makarov nodded, moving towards the door. "Please…wait until I am gone to enter. I…I fear that somehow, I am responsible for her distress."

"I thought you did not know what you had done?"

"I…" He trailed off, glancing at the door. The girl…was strange. Yet…the name in the locket lingered on his mind. I'm afraid that they might be gone forever, at least…the person I saw them as. What…what had she meant? It was his name there, engraved in metal and somehow that which she valued so highly. Who had she seen him to be? Was it even possible it was speaking about him in the first place? He just…didn't understand. "I think…she expected me to be someone I am not." Yet…her expectations had been positive, not negative, based on her sadness. She…wanted to be near him, or at least, whoever it was that locket spoke of to her.

His name…that was the only thing he had, that made him think of any of these hunches. Yet…perhaps she knew another man by that name? There were plenty of wizards who admired his history and would be…willing to pass along his name. Dark wizards, sure, but they still existed. The more he considered it…the more certain he was that that was the case. He'd never met her before…so obviously, the locket came from another Zeref. It was just…a strange coincidence and he was overthinking the problem.

"Well…I cannot imagine she expected much of you at all." Makarov sighed, glancing at the door. "But…if you truly are helping her, then perhaps you are not as bad as I made you out to be myself." Makarov shook his head. "While I cannot say I will change my mind about stopping you…I will say that you do not seem to be the sort of cruel man that would start a war for nothing either."

That…was more than he expected. All Zeref could do was nod, before turning down the hall towards his own room. He…needed to think for a moment. Behind him, the door opened slowly as the guild master walked inside. Yet…Zeref did not linger to listen. For some reason…he wished he'd known what to do himself, to help, to have an excuse to speak with her more. This fascination with that girl…it just might prove to be his undoing when the time came to begin this war and enact his plans.

For those of you who think this is a bit rushed for past-Zeref to think this way...there is an explanation eventually, just not yet. Either way, he is definitely conflicted about some things for the time being. Feel free to review and tell me what you think!