Hey all, I apologize for being so untimely with my updates, but such is life. This past while has been very busy, but when isn't really?
Anyway, it seems that it was the lovely tsukiko-mizukami's 19th birthday this past weekend, so as a special treat I got off my ass and decided to publish this chapter (well, I was sitting while writing it, but you know what I mean). I know there isn't much jerza this time, so I've decided to do a double whammy and publish a fic that I started writing for Jerza Love Fest 2015 that I just never really finished, so keep an eye out for it shippers, especially if you dig exhibitionism :p
~TortoisLume ︎
Chapter 10 — A Matter of Time
The day passed with relatively little trouble; Jellal allowed Zeref to take over his body once again to give speeches to inspire the former prisoners and dictate what everyone should do with their time now that they were working as workers, not slaves.
Once the people seemed settled in, he took some time to look over the blueprints for the Tower of Heaven. His cross-analysis for how the cult had adhered to the instructions checked out for the most part, though there were a few places where they would have to change the materials used for insulating the walls.
Despite this, there was still one thing that confounded Jellal about the tower's construction: the blueprints clearly stated that around 2.7 billion Edeas of magical energy would be required for it to properly function. How on Earthland can I produce that much power?
After mulling it over for a few hours, Jellal resolved to ask some of Zeref's contacts about the dilemma — that Ultear girl seemed to have a grasp of what was happening. Perhaps she would have the answer. Speaking of which… he glanced at the book he'd received that morning.
Cracking it open, Jellal turned to the section outlining how to get started using thought-projection magic. He noticed that this book included the use of darkness magic into its practices. The same magic that those cult members used…
What those plebeians used was a mere shell of what darkness magic is. Its potential capabilities are far greater than that of regular magics. To become the greatest wizard you can possibly be, you must understand the link between magic and emotions. While some believe that the desire to help others is the most powerful feeling to rely on, they are wrong. The most powerful feeling you can possibly draw upon is your desire to achieve your goals.
Zeref's voice finished its explanation in his head, and he nodded to himself.
Without further ado, Jellal immersed himself in the book. Reading and rereading each instruction, Jellal squinted as he tried to take in the information as fast as he could. Even Zeref's magic can't help out, huh? He got up and grabbed the glasses Ultear had handed him. Donning them, he looked back at the page and marvelled at his newfound ability to intake the information at an alarming rate.
Once Jellal felt satisfied that he'd read the instructions thoroughly enough, he decided to try out a thought projection. Hopefully it's as simple as this book makes it seem.
He concentrated on step one: distinguish the different facets of his personality. Jellal tried to think of all the masks he'd donned with different people; kind, confident, scared, defensive, brash, righteous, cool. What should I put into my thought projection? he wondered.
He knew this projection would have to travel and probably interact with many people. I need it to be well spoken. Focusing on the part of him that could speak well in front of others...unobstructed by his fear and agitation that things might go wrong...he felt the entity of magic well up and float out in front of him, morphing into a shape that reflected his own body. He looked in front of him at the nearly transparent projection of himself. "Hello" he said to it. The projection just smirked at him. I see, I need to put more in to make him whole.
He thought again of his different characteristics. I don't need him to be burdened by my lack of skill in lying...I guess I'll give him some of my conviction, and perhaps whatever skills I have in manipulation. As he thought of his attributes, he felt them appear in front of him and vanish into the projection's body, slowly solidifying his opacity.
Jellal continued to think and edit the personality traits that would be most pragmatic for his projected self to have. I suppose I can always alter him as I go.
By the time he was satisfied with the set of characteristics that compiled his projection, it was already dusk. The book explained the process by which he could make the projection have a physical corporeal presence, and he was still marveling at the feat.
I suppose I should go down and eat. Jellal thought.
He stood from his position, walking towards the door. "Are you just going to leave me here?" he heard his voice ask from behind. Jellal spun around, surprised that the projection had started talking. I should have guessed. He looked at himself as the other him smirked.
"Don't worry — I'll bring us both some food." He nodded at himself. "Sounds good." The projection replied.
As Jellal left the room, he experienced the strange sensation of leaving part of himself in there. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could see what the other him was doing. He could will him to move, to do anything that he himself could do. It was both scary and exhilarating.
When he reached the kitchens-area, people swarmed around him. "Jellal!" One of them cried. "We've spotted a boat on the horizon! I bet it's here to bring supplies for the tower!" "I see." He replied.
Everyone gathered outside to look at the oncoming ship. I have no doubt about it. Time to take them down.
It took less than ten minutes to do so, using only a small fraction of the magic Zeref left at his disposal. The allies of the cultists were now dead and Jellal and his workers had materials, a boat, and food. Everyone was celebrating, singing his praises — even Sho and Wally both cracked a smile after being so forlorn.
Once they were done getting their supplies organized, Jellal went to the kitchen and grabbed two plates, filling them with food. "Guess you're extra hungry, huh?" He looked up to see Simon standing there. Something about his presence made Jellal uneasy. "Yes. It's been a long day for me." He replied, trying his best to look casual. Simon nodded and Jellal briskly walked away.
Arriving back at his room, he saw his thought projection staring at him and the mental vision he'd experienced from his perspective fused...sort of. They were in the same room looking at the same face at least.
"Good to know we have the supplies to carry on. We shouldn't forget to find the same suppliers for building materials." "Right." Jellal responded. I forgot I gave him over half of my meticulousness.
The two then grabbed the plates and started eating simultaneously. Jellal could even taste the food as it entered his projection's mouth. It's a wonder that he can take on an actual corporeal presence already, enough that he can physically move objects and consume food. It's most likely thanks to Zeref's presence within me. "Yeah probably" his double said, startling Jellal. He went back to eating his food.
"You should really give me a name — you know, to avoid confusion." Jellal looked up and smirked. "I was thinking the same thing, I just haven't thought of one yet. Not just any will do. I need one worthy of me after all." The both of them chortled.
"We'd better reattach. Wouldn't want anyone here to walk in and see the both of us" he said. "No, we wouldn't" smirked his double. Jellal concentrated and fused their forms back together.
A week later, Jellal sat waiting by the docks at dawn. Today was the day Ultear had said she'd come by again. He'd told the workers that he would be away for a while orchestrating shipments for materials and supplies.
Sure enough, he saw a small ship on the horizon. That must be her.
When the boat reached the dock, Ultear didn't bother roping it in, instead gesturing for Jellal to leap aboard. Silently, he jumped on.
The pair stayed silent throughout the duration of the boat ride, though it wasn't uncomfortable. This is the first time I've been away from the tower in a very long time. He thought as he looked out at the vast expanse of the ocean. When I resurrect Zeref, all this will be mine.
In the back of his mind, he was secretly scouring the waters for signs of Erza. He knew rationally there was no chance he'd find anything, but he couldn't help but think about it. She'd have already reached the shore ages ago, don't be stupid. He knew that she was still alive — surely he would have felt something if she'd drowned. He had to stop himself from thinking about what she was doing now.
Finally they reached the shore. A horse and carriage waited for them there.
As they traveled silently accompanied only by the clip clop of the horse's hooves, Jellal remembered his qualm with the Tower of Heaven's blueprints.
"Hey, Ultear, do you know of any massive reserves of magical energy? Say, 2.7 billion Edeas worth?" he asked. She cocked an eyebrow at him. "What brings on this question?"
"I was going over the blueprints for the tower, and noticed that I would need that much energy to activate it. What kind of power reserve could I even accumulate that much with?" He wondered. Ultear smiled. "I know of a way, but it's going to take a lot of dedication from the both of us to reach. However, with Zeref's power in you I have no doubt we will be able to achieve it." Jellal looked at her expectantly. "Well? How can we access that energy?"
Ultear chuckled to herself. "All in due course, Jellal-sama, all in due course." She looked out the carriage window. "Ah, it seems we've reached our destination."
Jellal looked outside and saw nothing but a barren desert strewn with what looked to be building rubble. "Is this really where you wanted to take me? What on Earthland are we doing here?"
Ultear exited the carriage and Jellal followed suit. She looked out over the rubble and smirked. "Patience, patience."
She lifted one arm, holding a crystal ball out in front of her and levitating it with her power. "Arc of Time! Restore!" She projected her voice. The rubble and materials in front of them began to rise and form the shape of a mechanical crescent moon. Jellal watched in awe as the demented building repaired itself in front of his eyes.
"Is that your magic?" he asked. "Yes, one of them at least. I like to dabble in as much as I can — something you will have to learn to do as well."
They walked towards the building. Once inside, Jellal looked around. Definitely not the most welcoming looking place. Then again, neither is the tower.
They entered a large laboratory, full of gadgets and machinery Jellal could only assume served the purpose of 'developing magic'. In the center was a large pit surrounded by cords. Just as Jellal was taking in the various contraptions around the room, he heard the door open behind them. He spun around quickly.
A dark skinned man with white hair entered. "Ultear, my dear, I trust you are well today?" he asked. "As well as I always am, Master Brain" she replied.
"This is Brain, Jellal. He helps out with the experiments here. He's going to assist me in developing your magic to its extraordinary potential" Ultear explained.
Jellal looked at the man. He was large, and Jellal probably would have feared him before the revolt. But now, he felt no more intimidating than Ultear. "Nice to meet you, Jellal. It is an honor to finally meet Zeref's blessed vessel."
"Good to meet you too, Brain. I hope you can live up to your name" he replied. Brain chortled, replying "Very good, very good. Let's get this experiment started with, shall we?"
The two of them began attaching the cords on Jellal's body, then had him jump into the pit, adjusting the cords to suspend him midair. Above him was a creepy eclipsed sun and moon face, grimacing down at him maniacally.
When the two began to tinker with the equipment and a bright beam came crashing towards him, Jellal felt little pain. Perhaps he might have back before Zeref had taken residence in his body, but not now.
After they were done developing Jellal's magic for the day, Brain approached him, smiling. "Jellal, my boy, you did well today. It's rare for me to come across someone who is able to lay unflinching during our experiments...how about I try teaching you some magic personally?"
"I don't see why not." Jellal retorted.
The pair left Ultear to manage the results of Jellal's experiments, walking through the barren landscape as rain began to fall.
"All right" started Brain. "First, I'll let you try your hand at some destruction circles." He reached his hand out in front of him, aiming towards a pile of rocks. A magic circle appeared, shattering the rocks into a fine powder with one explosion. "The trick is to see the destruction you want to create, and let the flow of your magic take over."
Jellal faced another pile of rocks, concentrating for a moment before letting his magic burst forth, detonating the rock pile in one go.
"Very good! You truly are a talented boy. Would you care to try out a more ambitious project?" Brain asked. "Of course." He replied.
The rain was now pouring down hard, and Jellal heard the roar of thunder in the distance. They walked until they came to a cliff overlooking a rock mountain.
"This spot should suffice. Focus your mind, your energy. Visualize the destruction you wish to see as a clear, crystalline pattern and then make it so." Brain instructed him.
"Yeah. I know that." Jellal responded. Damn geezer, enough with the redundancy. I could do this in my sleep.
He reached his hand in front of him once more, letting his power build up as he envisioned the mountain's destruction. Let it turn to less than dust. He clenched his hand, releasing the magical energy.
A giant magic circle appeared in front of the mountain, cracking it from the centre out. Jellal felt his stomach clench as the remnants fell to the ground, large and chunky and disgusting. There shouldn't have been anything left! He thought, frustrated by his lack of power.
He looked at the remains of the mountain, strewn at random across the ground, sullying it. Just like that damn sacrifice room.
Brain came to stand next to him. "And this after a single lesson? Your skill is outstanding. Walks up to stand beside him. I'm impressed. You've mastered the magic circle of self destruction in record time."
Jellal almost snorted at the statement. "I haven't mastered it."
Brain seemed shocked. "What?"
Jellal felt his ambition swell, and Zeref's presence within him swell with it. "I need to take it further. To a level of destruction that eliminates EVERY trace of existence."
Thunder shook the landscape, and Jellal smiled. This is just the beginning. Brain took a step back, regarding him with admiration.
It's all just a matter of time.