Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail
When Zeref walked into the library, he was expecting to find it empty. Typically, it was only himself and Invel that really utilized the space for much. Invel did so to remain up to date on all things involving government. Zeref…just went here to clear his mind and distract himself with books he'd already read multiple times in the past. Yet, that was not the case today. As he walked inside, he froze, his eyes widening in shock. Not only was Invel here…but it seemed as if he'd been joined with more of the Twelve in Vistarion than he'd seen since their initial war meeting began. Dimaria, Brandish, August, and Invel were all meeting at once…in a rather strange choice of location too.
Considering security, he supposed it wasn't the worst choice to make. So, Zeref simply walked towards them, and as he did so conversation seemed to cease. They glanced up, with Invel's eyes widening. Brandish just leaned back in her seat, taking extra focus on her nails, while August smiled and nodded in greeting. Dimaria clung to Brandish, annoying the other wizard who glared at her comrade in irritation.
"Your majesty. I did not realize you had intentions to stop by for research today." Invel bowed, glancing towards Levy. "And it appears as if you've brought…an assistant?"
"Based on yesterday's account, she is more accurately an intruder, or possibly a prisoner, depending on his majesty's mindset." August looked towards her, frowning but nodding anyway. "Good morning, your majesty."
"If…if she is an intruder, why is she here? This information is guarded for a reason. Any strangers managing to gain an understanding of—" Invel continued on, but Zeref was frowning. He seemed…oddly rushed, in his insistence on keeping Levy away. The usual passion and concern…it just seemed off, somehow.
Zeref's gaze flickered around the group. Dimaria…he was fairly certain she had gone back using Neo Eclipse, and was acting under his future self's orders, not his own. Yet, with Invel's attitude…had he done the same? This group meeting, in the library which was rarely used…was it to keep something from him? This many of them…it would become apparent quite quickly, if that was the case. He still didn't know if he should consider it betrayal or not, either, given the fact that they were staying loyal to himself, just not his current self.
Touching his head, Zeref grimaced. He didn't want to deal with contemplating the complexities time travel would cause in such things. "She is…a guest." He paused, seeing Invel break off, nodding.
"Ah." He glanced over at August, shrugging. "Then I suppose August was mistaken."
"I suppose I was." The elderly man glanced towards him, narrowing his eyes. August was always too observant of him. If anyone would notice he was behaving oddly, it would be him. "Is there a reason you wished to show her the library? It does not seem like the typical place to bring someone when guiding them through the castle, given your usual security measures."
"Nah, he's probably just living up to his promise to introduce me to this girl instead." Dimaria grinned, leaning forward. "Dimaria, expert time mage and member of the Spriggan Twelve. I'm pleased to meet the girl that can overpower his arrogant majesty over here."
"Dimaria! Do not speak of your emperor that—"
"Invel, it is fine." At least that much had not changed. Invel was still strict on following protocol and displaying loyalty, while Dimaria was…far more relaxed.
Levy was shaking her head, however, walking forward to shaker Dimaria's hand. "Levy McGarden…a rather unimpressive solid script mage of Fairy Tail."
Dimaria snorted and shook her head. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that." In this instance…Zeref oddly found himself agreeing with Dimaria. Levy, even if she had been briefly learning from him, was far more skilled than he'd expect. If she actually managed to utilize living magic…he'd be certain that she had the capability of even surpassing him, should she manage to live long enough that is.
"I did not bring her here to meet with you. To my knowledge, the library was empty before arriving." He glanced around, narrowing his eyes. "Yet, instead…I find a strange meeting of my generals taking place instead. Is there a particular element of the war plans that has you concerned? Or perhaps something you wished to discuss more in depth?"
He was…disregarding Levy's presence. If he trusted her words from before, she would not fight against him at least. Maybe this was more reckless than he should be, but in the worst case scenario…he could keep her trapped here, while the war went on. "This castle is boring, and we've been working too long and hard on this war of yours." Brandish glanced over at him, a familiar frown on her face. "I just thought I'd gather everyone here to plan out the celebration of our victory when the war is over. After all…parties are great."
She didn't speak as if she enjoyed them though. It was always hard to tell with her, if she was pleased or not. "Planning…a party?" Brandish, he could expect that from. Perhaps even Dimaria, if Brandish suggested it first. Yet…August and Invel? Well, Brandish did have an odd sort of bond with the elderly wizard, but Invel would see a party as a waste of time and resources. That alone meant…they were not discussing such a thing at all.
"We figured you wouldn't approve, which was why we thought to meet in private about the matter." August glanced towards Brandish. "Yet, Brandish seemed quite insistent on having one, and I saw little harm in it. Plans are proceeding smoothly, and it isn't as if we are not capable of planning a party during breaks from war efforts."
"And of course, I can't resist the chance to see Randi all dolled up for the occasion." Dimaria grinned, glancing over at Levy. "Maybe she can make something for your guest over that. It looks like she's been sleeping in that thing. Seriously, did you not even let her get clothes?"
"Shameful. A woman has needs, your majesty, and you've been neglecting them." Brandish rose to her feet, walking towards Levy. A faint smile appeared on her face as she looped an arm through the other wizard's, while Zeref wondered…just what was going on? "Worry not, Dimaria and I will handle this. As women, we understand things that you simply are too dull to understand."
Since when did Brandish talk back? Baffled, he only stared as she began dragging Levy away, with Dimaria jumping up and following soon after. Turning around, he saw Invel and August watching. August was frowning, but remaining silent, while Invel had his eyes closed, shaking his head. They weren't surprised at all and Zeref was starting to think that he'd had enough.
He didn't quite know how to bring this up gently. So, Zeref decided the direct approach would be sufficient enough. "Just how many of my generals came back through Neo Eclipse?"
Both of them froze, turning towards him. August blinked, before sighing and looking away. However, Invel…he at least paled, and seemed to show some signs of guilt. "You—I did not realize you were…aware, your majesty."
"Recent events have made it rather obvious that it has been utilized, at the very least." He glanced back towards the door. "That Fairy Tail wizard, in particular. She gave me the first sign that something was amiss. Her interference with the wards, her knowledge of my generals…and the replica of my family heirloom." He touched the locket at his throat, shaking his head. "The secrecy, Dimaria's attitude…there are many signs. I just cannot fathom why…why so many of you seemed to have returned at once."
"It was a dire situation, your majesty." August spoke, looking over to meet his eyes. "We were following the orders given to us, at the time." He'd wanted so many to return? It made no sense. "And as of right now, I imagine Dimaria and Brandish are attempting to assure Levy that she isn't quite as alone as she feels, given the circumstances."
Make it to where she didn't feel alone? Then, Zeref blinked, frowning. Fairy Tail…their guild was known for close bonds, treating each other like family. That was the atmosphere Levy was familiar with. In Alvarez, that was far from the case. It made sense, for her to miss such things, and if she'd suddenly been plunged into the past as well, then that meant she had even fewer connections to rely on than before.
"I…see." He frowned, glancing between them. "And were you planning to inform me that Dimaria had sealed the time rift before or after I began the war?"
"We thought it would be best to wait for Levy to inform you of further details." Invel folded his hands on the table. "As strange as it may sound, she has done much good for Alvarez, and sacrificed many things to get to this point. It is up to her to decide how it would be best to proceed…"
He spoke about her as if…"You are…taking orders from Levy?"
He was angry. This was not a simple act of following his own orders from the future, but rather they had switched to following the orders of another. Zeref stepped forward, only for a voice to start coming through in his mind. I…likely had perished. He froze, his eyes widening. Given the circumstances, Levy may have been made the next empress. As such, following her orders is to be expected, is it not?
Zeref closed his hands into fists, slowly taking a deep breath and stepping back. He touched his head with a grimace, before backing away. "This…is tedious to manage. Why do you not simply determine a way to rectify your failed spell instead of tormenting me?"
August and Invel blinked at him, but Zeref ignored them. Because…that would be pointless. We share a body, yet you possess control. Therefore, you have any magic I might be able to gain access to.
"And I could…utilize it for you, instead."
Am I really that irritating to deal with? Strange…as I find you difficult to manage as well. It seemed as if his self-hatred still lingered, albeit in a different form then. Regardless, can you not see that they mean you no harm? Stopping the time rift…must be done. When it became unstable, it began draining away the ethernano in Alvarez. Immediately, it nearly killed myself, Levy, and August in one blow. If it can harm those of us with such massive quantities of magic, do you truly think there is any wizard that would be safe from it? Do you really wish to have the guilt of the deaths of all wizards on your shoulders, in addition to the weight you already carry?
He…knew his own logic. Zeref couldn't exactly argue with himself at all, it seemed. "Fine. Just…consider a way to fix this. I'd…rather not deal with having you with me, but separate like this."
You do realize that I will act in my own self-interest for this spell. If I am selecting it…I will attempt to take back my former self, and alter your path.
"And then we both get what we want, don't we?" Future Zeref did not reply, and Zeref only shook his head. He glanced over at the others, scowling in irritation. "Both of you…get back to work, and just…remember that I am your emperor, not her. You follow my orders, regardless of what may or may not have happened in this future I have not lived."
"Your majesty…are you okay? Typically, your curse does not make you argue with yourself—" August began.
"I said get back to work." Zeref glared at them, and the two rose to their feet. Invel gave a slight bow, walking out first. However, August paused by the door.
"We will not betray you, your majesty, but I also cannot find myself willing to participate in any plans that would cause harm to Levy either." She'd swayed August somehow? The elderly man's brow was furrowed, and his shoulders were tense. He was conflicted, it seemed. "So please, be cautious in what you do in the future. She means well, and to her, you are more important than you realize." With that, he walked out. Zeref stared after him, wondering just how he'd become so important to that girl in the future. He supposed he'd never have an answer. Either he'd vanish into oblivion as his future self developed a spell to complete his travel into the past, or he'd lose all access to knowledge from the future with a spell that got rid of his future self completely.
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