Chapter 3: This is E.N.D
A/N Yo! Another Chapter
Just starting to get to the good stuff now.
Zeref is quite the mystery, the more I try and type , the more questions pop up, you know?
Anyway :)
Chapter 3 This is E.N.D
As Zeref stepped from the shadows, the shadows of the branches seemed to bend unwillingly to let him emerge from them, he belonged there, hidden from the world. He was noticably calm and collected, intelligence ringing from his footsteps.
Amoung his clingy black and white robes in his hands clung a familar book, which read E.N.D decoratively on the front cover. His presence, to Natsu ,felt like nostalgia. Other than wanting to beat the pulp out of him, he was unsure why he felt this way.
Immediately, Lucy took caution at the sight of the book and regretted the job they went on. It seemed like their luck became worse with every passing moment.
Zeref continued to approach, and the dragonslayers hesitation began to show its limits. Narrowing his eyes Natsu felt his skin go warm, thinking of what he had been training to beat an entire year.
An entire year spent training tirelessly to be able to let Igneel rest in peace. To make him proud.
"Why is it, when we meet, you become angry?" Zeref gestured. He still clung onto the book with consideration for its state.
But he was oddly not speaking directly to Natsu, rather the book, as if it was a companion rather than a cursed object.
He continued to speak, expecting no response.
"I've really only helped you achieve what you needed to, to become strong." he muttered caringly.
"What nonsense are you sputtering! We arent in the mood for riddles!" Natsu yelled toward the spacing Zeref.
"Natsu!" Lucy whispered in a scolding tone. Confronting the Black Wizard Zeref in this manner wasn't the best hope for being alive when the conversation was done.
Zeref, of course, wasn't focused on what Natsu would say. He continued to speak as if he were a performer acting out his lines that were planned for weeks, but only this time it was planned for years.
"I remember I had a little brother that used to spout his anger at me every passing second. We used to bicker in the meanest ways." he stated as a matter of factly.
Before anyone could interupt his monotone story, Zeref continued. Natsu's anger pressed on, but was taken back by the sudden comparison.
"At the academy everyone would always tell me that I was far too deep into work I could understand, it was then I understood that there are somethings you will always be hated for."
Zeref understood then, to make his point he asked a question directly to Natsu instead of looking down at the book.
"When I became cursed by the hands of the gods, I relished in the idea of death, and that is why I created you." He spoke softly having slightly pulled the book from his side.
It was unclear where Zeref had lost Natsu in his short story telling but everyone was still and silent, Natsu never removed his gaze from the book.
Zeref continued to speak, as if on the book's behalf.
"They were once called Etherious, I hope that you remember them."
Becoming frustrated once again, Natsu clenched his teeth. "What are you talking about?" Natsu peered over and Lucy subtly questioning wheither she could follow, she was smart. Her face showed hints of change, he didnt want to think that his composure was lacking the spirit to punch the story telling baby, but the purpose behind the story would sure help.
With the uncertainty filling the gaps between Natsu and Zeref, Zeref began to speak in an echoing wind passing by,
"If the fight came down to it in the end, would you be able to kill me, Etherious Natsu Dragneel?"he asked.
"Will you forget?" he echoed
Lucy shifted in her composer, more taken aback than the wind that couldve been pushing on her, although the wind could not be found.
If there was a third silence, it would be the silence that swarmed Natsu. If there was one thing he caught was that he was called E.N.D. It rung in his ears, it seemed outrageous.
He was there and the book was in his hands, there was nothing that connected them. There were more questions than answers, none of which Riddle Freak would answer with a solid statement.
Natsu pondered all that Mard Geer had spoke, and recalled his fight with Jackel, is that what they mean't?
"Who are you!?"
"What human could destroy a demon?"
"Why is a human making me tremble like this... it's impossible!"
"What is this guy?"
"Are you going to make a choice?" Zeref interupted
Instead of awaiting a response he meerly set the book on the ground with as much care as a baby.
"What are you talking about!" Lucy demanded from the background.
Natsu eyed the book intently, "What choice?" he thought
"There is an end to everything, which end will you choose? The Helpless, The Destroyer or The Savior?" he clarified. It was odd to leave such a valuable creation in the hands of someone who could cause the world to burn, but if he could do nothing other than watch, what was the harm in playing a few cards. Zeref knew that soon something would choose to act.
He wasn't much for goodbyes, and if Natsu chose right,it would be his last.
Leaving Natsu to choose, Zeref left with one silence,
and left the other two.
A/N
This chapter was rough. I hope you arent too confused just yet! It will make sense in later chapters.
Thanks so much for reading!
~review
-icesekki