I can feel inspiration slowly returning inside of me. I have a few new things coming up after Ravens have tails is finished. I plan to end the story tomorrow with the final chapter. Don't have much to say besides that. Enjoy the chapter!

Justinian had been badly wounded by Hades. He almost died, but the doctors kept him from falling into the pit known as death. Morale for the mage army was very low. What was even worse, the mage army had divided into two factions, constantly fighting over each other. On one side, mages from Saber Tooth and various other guilds fought against Fairy Tail and their allies. The civil war was a result of accusations that Saber Tooth secretly supported the Angkol forces. The fighting was still going on and neither side wanted to back down.

One thing was for certain. Without a strong leader, the mages would never be able to unite against the Angkol threat.

Field Hospital #192

Field hospitals were merely tents that were placed close to the battlefield, but far enough away that the wounded won't be in range of cannons. Usually, hospitals were very crowded with nurses and wounded soldiers, but Field Hospital #192 was almost completely empty besides a single patient lying on a clean white bed.

It was Justinian.

His entire body was radiating heat and the council chairman struggled to keep his eyes open as his head pounded. He could not move his body besides his head and he groaned as he felt a wave of heat go through him.

He knew what was coming. He was going to die.

That was the reason why the nurses no longer came by with fresh water. That is the reason why the other mages did not visit. But inside, Justinian welcomed death. His life had been a constant disappointment. He had always been looked down on by others, no matter how hard he tried to look strong. It was his own fault that everyone thought he was weak, and now, he was going to die. So the mage lord closed his eyes, and waited for the sweet darkness to take his soul away.

"...you wish to die, am I right?"

The voice forced Justinian's eyes to open. He moved his slightly, feeling the sweat drip from his forehead. He grunted when he saw who was standing by his bed. The mage lord moved his head back to its original position. He didn't even want to look at him.

"Yes, I truly wish I could die right now. Your world was the best thing that happened to me, but I am afraid that I can no longer enjoy it." Justinian said weakly.

"Justinian...there is a way you can 'cheat death'." the voice said.

Justinian turned his head again, looking at the figure standing beside his bed. He scowled, looking like his old self again. But then the wounded mage would sigh and then he would look back at the ceiling of the tent.

"I'm surprised you haven't killed me yet. I know how you came back."

There was a short growl, but it was cut short as there was a cough. There was a sliding noise and the glint of a blade was seen from the corner of Justinian. For the first time since his fight with Hades, Justinian felt alive. Maybe it was the satisfaction of his death, or perhaps the man who was speaking to him. Whatever it was, Justinian felt, alive. The mage chuckled slowly as he felt more sweat dot his forehead.

"So I was right. You still don't have it under control. You can barely maintain yourself!" Justinian laughed as the blade sank into pillow, next to Justinian's head.

There was another growl, this one menacing and prolonged. There was a screech as the figure staggered back, grabbing his head. A few seconds passed and he regained his composure, returning to the side of the bed, sweat dripping from his chin.

"T-that's why I need you! Don't you see Justinian? You, are my Edolas counterpart. Together, we will live within one body. You will be alive, I will regain control of my body. Do not let me fall into the hands of men who will do evil things once they have the ingredients they need!" the figure argued with Justinian.

The mage lord turned his head, seeing the features of the figure beside his bed. His black hair that was matted with sweat, the dirt stains on his cheeks, and his brown eyes. This was the face of his counterpart. Justinian smiled slowly, realizing what would happen if he accepted.

"Living with you? I would never make it a single day." he scoffed.

"I'm not that bad. But you can expect me to get even worse if you don't join with me."

"…fine."

"Please, take my hand."

The hand extended towards Justinian who was struggling to move his hand upwards, his body not wanting to respond. Justinian gasped as he threw his arm up, the fingers of his own hand connecting with the figure's dirty hands. Justinian felt the figure's icy cold hands and he grunted.

"You better be right about this, Julius."

Near Ash Town…

"Lucyyyyy! I'm getting a bit tired!" complained Natsu loudly as the celestial mage looked back at him with annoyance.

Lucy put her hands on her hips and she gave Natsu a look. They were currently heading to Ash Town, and Natsu had complained the entire way about the train ride, the horse ride, and the long hike. It was too bad that the train station was never rebuilt after the dragon attack so many years ago…

"Come on Natsu! How do you think Raymond fells? Asura and Azami aren't complaining at all!" Lucy said to Natsu as the fire dragon slayer headed up the dirt trail towards where Lucy was standing.

A bit behind Natsu were Asura and Azami. Raymond was not too far away, moving up the dirt path as fast as he could. It was very hot, like a jungle. In the distance, the volcano stood against the grey sky. It was almost like a pillar of black rock. Ash Town lay on the other side of the volcano, but it was not the town they were interested in. They were more interested in the volcano. Hitoshi had told them everything. Apparently, within the volcano, lay an artifact known as "The Blood Diamond Key". According to ancient legend, it could open The Void, the place where the goddesses lived. Hitoshi had told them that Tartaros was after the key and the group hoped they could reach the volcano before Tartaros did.

Side of the volcano

Jack had reached the top of the volcano quite easily. He was leaning over the edge of the volcano right now, looking down at the bubbling mess of molten lava down below. He couldn't see the many tunnels within the volcano, but he knew that Ferdinand was in there, searching for the key. All Jack had to do was wait around for anyone to try to stop them. The wind blew across the volcano and Jack felt his hood rustle from the wind.

He walked away from the edge of the volcano and he walked down the sloped side and he waited patiently. He was coming. Jack could feel it.

And then, it came.

The bolt of yellow light slammed the ground where Jack had been standing and within an instant, Jellal was standing on the side of the volcano, the cracked rocks flying through the air around him. Jack landed safely and he grinned.

"Where are your friends? I would have liked them to join you!" Jack laughed as Jellal glared at the Tartaros mage.

"They went to help with something. In the meantime, I will be dealing with you, corpse." spat Jellal as Jack took a step back, growling at the word "corpse".

Metal blades started to snake out of Jack's sleeves and Jack growled menacingly, but then he stopped and smiled. The wind blew across the volcano's side and Jck couldn't help but feel, looked down upon as he saw Jellal's glare.

"Corpse? I am no corpse Jellal. I am flesh and blood, like you." laughed Jack as Jellal shook his head darkly.

"No you aren't Jack. You died a long time ago. You should have stayed dead." Jellal said as his fists glowed yellow.

At least a dozen metal blades attached to chains were snaking out of Jack's sleeves as Jack replied to Jellal. They scrapped the ground and they snaked through the air as if alive.

"I am doing something good Jellal! Why are you so blind! I was resurrected for a reason! It was to bring Julius back so we could all live a life of peace! Why do you think we went through so much effort into brewing a soul? We needed Julius as flesh and blood! The Blood Diamond Key is the last ingredient we need to complete our project!" Jack laughed as Jellal made a stance, his glare hard.

"Then fight me, and we shall see who is the most righteous!" Jellal shouted as he blasted forward, the fist swinging towards Jack's face.

There we go. I thought this was a good chapter. I felt pretty good about it when I was writing it and I think inspiration is coming back. Good thing tomorrow is Friday! I hope I can finish up Ravens have tails tomorrow! Be looking for the final chapter tomorrow! FF