Just wanted to say, thanks for the concern for Juvia but I never forget about Juvs 3! The delay is soon coming to an end, don't worry. I encourage questions that you want answered! I also thought it would be good to point out that this is taking place during the time between the GMG and the Tartaros arc. Thanks for the support!

~~~5~~~

Erza insisted in buying the outfits she chose for everyone, which made Ariana and Lucy happy campers but the rest not so much. Who would have thought that the terrifying Erza Scarlet was so into buying clothes? Though nothing really came to a surprise to the ravenette and Ariana, they just laughed as if it was just another day. At least, they wished it would be and truly tried not to spoil the day.

Unfortunately, the day was destined to be a drag. Lucy was the first to ask a question, "Hey, I was wondering… Is your ring made of ice? Are you an Ice-Make Mage like Gray?"

The ravenette replied unsteadily, "Um, yeah. It's, ah, made of a more permanent ice. My dad passed down the powers to me."

"Who's your dad?" Wendy asked.

"I'd rather not talk about it. He's… He's gone," came the response as the man looked carefully at a clothing rack.

"Did he disappear or something?" Natsu inquired.

"Something like that. But he wasn't a dragon. He was human," he answered.

Ariana added, "I never met him. They say his magic placed scars on the lands that would last centuries. His ice was so cold, that no one could unfreeze it."

Natsu gleemed, "He sounds super strong!"

Ariana replied, "Strong enough to fight demons. Uncle said his goal was to get rid of END forever. If I remember correctly, that's Zeref's strongest demon that no one could kill. Not even Zeref himself."

"He's that powerful?" Erza questioned.

"So they say," Ariana shrugged, picking out a shirt for herself and looking at it. "Though, Mom said that Natsu could do anything. If he set his mind to doing something, he'll do it. So I don't think that END would have a chance against Natsu."

The ravenette tched, "I think that's enough talking about demons, hua?"

The brunette pouted, "Have you ever defeated a real demon?"

He returned, "They don't call me a Demon Slayer for nothing."

Natsu interrupted their spat, "Woah! You're a Demon Slayer?! That's awesome!"

"I'll stop you right there, Natsu. Don't try to challenge me in a fight. Who knows what can happen. My magic feels a bit unstable right now. I could kill you," the man informed, a cold aura glowing around his form.

"Uncle?" Ariana questioned, worried for the man.

"I'm fine, Ari," he responded with a sigh.

The group left the store. Any question remained unanswered. Though, the biggest question of them all was: What is END? The two refused to answer, claiming to not know much of the topic. Erza was suspicious of their passings. END was a book of Zeref and the strongest demon around. How did they know that?

Lucy attempted, "May I ask about your wife?"

The answer came, "No. No you may not."

Lucy continued anyway, "Is she pretty?"

The man snorted, "What kind of question is that? Yes, she is very pretty."

"What's she like? Is she nice?" Lucy pressed.

"Extremely," he replied. "Why do you ask about her? Why not about everything else that is probably way more important for you?"

"It is important. She's special to you. What about if I asked how Ariana and you are related? Is she the daughter of your sister? Or did you adopt her and she calls you 'Uncle'?" Lucy added.

"My brother and his wife adopted her," he answered. "I've been looking after her for the passed few months while they're out. It's been tough, but she's a good kid."

"Better not say otherwise as I'm still here," Ariana huffed amused.

Natsu but in, "Are you and your brother close?"

The ravenette returned, "Close enough. We're brothers. How close can you get when you spend your childhood punching each other's face?"

Natsu pondered, "About as close as me and Gray, I guess…"

The man nodded, "Yeah, just about."