Natsu stepped into Mavis' courtyard, although it was more of a garden than anything else. Having been here countless times before, his feet took him to his destination without him having to even think about it. Gray's words from earlier still rang in his ears, making his blood boil. Who did Gray think he was to say those things to him? Who did he think he was to talk about Lucy like that? Realizing that he was slipping into anger again, Natsu took a deep breath and in turn looked at the garden he was strolling through. No matter how upset he was, Mavis' garden seemed to have a soothing effect on his mind and the bubbling anger was no longer there.
It wasn't long before he located Mavis who was seated at a large pavilion in the center of the garden. It overlooked the lotus pond and the scenery was exceptionally peaceful.
The blonde goddess sensed his presence and immediately waved him over, a gentle smile on her face.
"Mavis," Natsu bowed respectfully before taking a seat.
"I told you many times before that there's no need for there to be such formalities between us," she said somewhat helplessly, shaking her head a bit at the stubborn male.
Natsu seemingly ignored what she said and asked directly, "What was so urgent that you personally sent down an invitation for me to come see you?"
The gentle smile that was on Mavis' face before instantly dropped and she gazed at Natsu for a while, as if assessing him. She had sensed that before coming to see her, Natsu's mood was already in terrible shape. She did not know just how he would react once she told him of the matters that she had invited him over for. Seeing as Natsu was patiently waiting for her answer, Mavis said slowly, "I have reason to believe that Zeref has returned."
Natsu's face instantly darkened and an indescribable coldness settled on his visage.
"Impossible."
When the Princess offered her soul to the Etherion, it not only stopped the Etherion, but the backlash of it sealed Zeref within it. The Etherion vanished after the battle and no one has been able to locate it since. Without someone undoing the seal, there is no way that Zeref would be able to return.
Mavis waved her hand and an ice mirror appeared in front of the two deities.
"At first I was unsure myself, as I only sensed his presence in the Mortal Realm very briefly before it vanished. However, even this brief moment was enough for me to look into it. If it really was not him, then there would have been no consequences. If it were him, then it is best for us to nip the problem at the bud instead of coming to regret it later."
With a snap of her fingers, the mirror reflected back a map of a large continent. It comprised of three major kingdoms and many smaller countries.
"What is this?" Natsu asked, staring at the unfamiliar region in front of him.
"It is the mortal continent of Ishgar. I managed to trace Zeref's aura back to this region before it disappeared. Natsu, there is a possibility that I was completely wrong, but it is best for us to investigate this thoroughly. I will go notify the Celestial King and -"
Before she could finish her sentence, Natsu had stood up, a cold aura rolled off him in waves. His eyes glossed over the region of land, imprinting the map into his mind.
"No need. I will personally go down to the Mortal Realm and investigate this first. If it is indeed Zeref, I will immediately send word and notify both you and His Majesty."
Mavis frowned and retracted the Soul Gazing Mirror. She did not stand, but her gaze was disapproving as she looked to Natsu. The fire god simply shook his head, already knowing that she was going to try and dissuade him from going. In actuality, the reason why he was with Mavis so often was because she had been helping him try to locate the soul of his disciple ever since it was drained by the Etherion. There was only a slim chance that Lucy's soul would be reincarnated again, even Natsu knew that. When a deity or demon died, their souls would disperse into the Realm of Nothingness. However, rarely the Heavens would allow for a soul to enter the Reincarnation Cycle. Thus, for the past ten millennia, he would come by often to see Mavis.
When he got her invitation yesterday, he thought that she had found Lucy after all these years, yet instead of Lucy appearing before him again, it was that bastard Zeref! Demon King Zeref, the one who was responsible for the loss of his disciple. It would be strange if Natsu didn't insist on going. No matter if it was really Zeref or not, Natsu had to go check. Lucy was gone. What gave Zeref any right to remain alive while his disciple was dead? Natsu had to rid the Three Realms of Zeref, or he would not have any right to call himself Lucy's master.
"If I truly encounter a difficult situation, I will retreat," Natsu promised Mavis, who was still unwilling to let him go by himself. Although she was reluctant, she knew that this matter was the thorn in Natsu's heart that had changed him so. Seeing as she couldn't convince him otherwise, she could only pull out a jade tablet from her waist as well as the Soul Gazing Mirror and give them to the fire god.
"Take this communication tablet and the Soul Gazing Mirror. If you come across any danger, you must notify me immediately," she said solemnly, placing both of the objects into his hands. Natsu's hand curled around the piece of jade and after bowing towards Mavis in appreciation, he immediately turned and left her garden. She watched his retreating figure with a complicated expression and in the end could only helplessly sigh. She turned her head to look at the calm pond, worry in her eyes.
Animus sat coolly on his throne, his right hand nursing a glass of wine while his left supported his chin. He looked down at the Fiorian envoy kneeling in front of him with disinterest, but allowed for the man to speak nonetheless.
"Speak, for what matters have you come today?"
The envoy did not dare to lift his head to look at the seated king, and could only say, "King Animus, I represent the Kingdom of Fiore to strengthen the existing ties between our two nations."
Animus raised a brow and asked, "Existing ties? If it is the trade agreement you speak of, then consider it void."
The envoy clearly did not think that Animus would respond in this way and paused before saying, "Your Majesty, that agreement was established by your father and King Jude. You certainly cannot just -"
Animus simply laughed. "My father is gone. It is I who sit upon the throne of Stella. If I say there is no trade agreement, naturally there is no trade agreement. My kingdom has been dormant for so long, it is time for us to rise to prominence and dominate Ishgar!"
"Your Majesty-!"
Before the envoy could utter another word, his world was plunged into darkness. The last thing he saw was the evil glint in Animus' eyes. The blond king's eyes glittered maliciously, amusement on his face as he looked at the dead body of the Fiorian. The woman who killed the man scoffed slightly with disgust, blood still dripping down the blade of her long sword.
"Swan, get someone to send his head to Jude," Animus commanded lazily before standing up. The woman bowed, receiving her order. The king exited the throne room with ease, his hazel eyes fading into black, still nursing that cup of wine in his hand.
The fire deity calmly sipped the osmanthus wine that was placed in front of him. His gaze was set nowhere in particular, but while he looked as if he was absentminded, he was paying close attention to the conversations of the patrons around him.
After leaving Mavis' courtyard, he decided to directly come to the Mortal Realm. Before coming he changed his outward appearance and retracted his aura. Instead of his unique sakura hair, he was now sporting jet black hair. If Zeref was indeed here in the Mortal Realm, Natsu did not want to be spotted and have that bastard run away. Mavis said that she last caught Zeref's presence within the continent, but she did not specify where he was exactly. The Soul Gazing Mirror that she had lent him did not show any indications of Zeref's presence, so Natsu could only go to a nearby inn to gather information on his current location. At the very least, he had to get a hold of his bearings to prevent him from having to run around idiotically.
From what he had gathered so far, he was near the seaport city of Bloom which was situated along the borders of the Kingdom of Stella and the Principality of Veronica. According to the map of the region, he was at the northwest end of Ishgar. Though this particular continent of the Mortal Realm was not large by any means, looking for Zeref might prove difficult without any leads.
"- that bastard deserves to die! What is he fighting this God forsaken war for? My only son died on the battlefield for what?! For his pride and ego? Karma will catch up to him sooner or later, I tell you!"
Natsu frowned to himself. A human war? He had no such interests in petty mortal conflicts. He looked down upon the foolish mortals who only knew greed and plunder. More land, more wealth, more glory. Mortal lives were so short, yet their ambitions could span across lifetimes. Was it not better to lead a fulfilling life rather than one of endless conflict?
"Don't let anyone hear you say that outloud!" The second man said with urgency. His eyes swept across the room to see if anyone heard what his friend had said before he pushed his voice lower, "Do not underestimate the cruelty of the Bloody King. Seven months ago, he sent the severed head of that Fioran envoy back as a declaration of war. Haven't you heard that within the past four months alone, he has slaughtered his way east to Fiore? Last I heard, they already reached the country of Bosco. I'd say within half a year's time, they'll reach Fiore and Dragnof. Everyone in the King's way, no matter young or old, male or female, he massacres them without a second thought. If anyone has the slightest dissent…" The man made a cutting motion across his throat, the men around him falling silent.
"It's a damn shame I tell you. When the late king was still alive, our relations with Fiore were beneficial to both nations. King Jude and Queen Irene are both wise rulers, but they have to be met with the Bloody King's iron hooves," another man sighed after a while, shaking his head at the misfortune of the other nation.
"Is sympathy something we can afford to feel right now? Never mind Fiore and Dragnof, our own heads would be hard to keep attached to our necks if anyone reported us to the army," the second man sighed.
The man may have been speaking quietly but Natsu heard it all. The Bloody King? It sounded like this mortal has quite the bloodlust. Killing without second thought. Ruthlessly murdering the people. What made him any different from those demons and devils that humans were so afraid of?
The wine cup in Natsu's hand stilled. Zeref, before he was sealed, was known as the Black Wizard because he brought about death wherever he went. Nothing brought the demon pleasure more than blood and chaos. The second reason why he came to have this moniker was because bloodshed and slaughter was his unique way of cultivation. He was able to turn the blood spilled by others into energy that he used to further his powers and strengthen himself. If Zeref truly were here in the Mortal Realm, he would not let go of this opportunity to nourish his cultivation back to full health. He would definitely be partaking in the war.
Natsu placed the wine cup down and stood up, grabbing the white fan that he laid down on the table. Placing down a tael of silver for the wine, he calmly left the roadside inn. It looks like he has to travel eastwards.