The carriage came to an abrupt stop and Lucy tumbled to the coach's floor. The stiffness in her body told her that she had been asleep for several hours. She sat up and looked at the opposite bench.

"Levy!" she hissed.

The bundle of paisley curtains didn't move.

"Levy," she said again, this time a little louder. She shook the mass of fabric.

To Lucy's surprise, an edge of the curtain uncoiled and swiftly slapped her hand away.

"Ouch!"

As she was stared at the mass of fabric, she heard a muffled voice and saw the bundle begin to shake.

"Oh, thank god you're still alive," said Lucy. "Don't worry Levy. I'm going to try to get you out."

The carriage door opened, bathing her in light. The sun's glare temporarily blinded her but Lucy could feel someone trying to grab her. Instinctively she began to slap and punch. The person who had been trying to pull her let go and Lucy tumbled out of the coach landing on her hands and knees.

There were several gasps. Confused, Lucy looked around. She was in the middle of a courtyard and at least a dozen people stood around her. A few of the bystanders looked strange and she realized that they weren't even human. One of the creatures had blue skin and four arms. Another only had a single giant eye in the center of his forehead and no neck. The diverse group of gawkers had one thing in common—they were all looking at her like she had just kicked a puppy.

"What?" she asked.

No one spoke.

Slowly, Lucy turned her head.

Her blood turned cold. The identity of the Mr. Black had just been revealed.

"Zeref," she whispered.

The devil's mask lay in the dirt at his feet. Lucy recognized the Killing Mage from a brief encounter on Tenrou Island seven years ago. He was more than 400 years old but appeared to be in his early twenties. Watching him now, it was obvious that Mr. Black had been the perfect alias. Everything about his appearance was black. Black eyes, black hair, black clothes—there even seemed to be a black aura surrounding him.

Zeref was proclaimed to be the most powerful and evil mage in all of history. He had mastered the black arts and killed thousands. His magic had resurrected demons and thrown the world into chaos. Children whispered stories about him around campfires and politicians accused their rivals of supporting him.

And Lucy had just smacked him in the face.

Zeref was looking down at his mask. Slowly his head lifted and his eyes met Lucy's.

"It seems I've lost my mask."

She swallowed. "Yes—Yes, you have," she said slowly.

He was silent for a moment and everyone stood motionless. When he finally spoke, he was eerily calm. "Well, I suppose I don't need it anymore anyway. Do you know who I am?"

"Yes." She was suddenly scared to speak more than a few words.

"Well, perhaps that will help move things along."

He pointed at the bound Levy. "Eximo."

The curtains unwrapped themselves, revealing a bewildered librarian. She sat up reached out for Lucy.

"Lucy, are you okay? Do you know what happened to Gajeel?"

Lucy winced, remembering Gajeel being tossed through her bedroom wall. "I'm fine so don't worry about me. Gajeel was hurt but alive the last time I saw him," she answered honestly.

Levy nodded and looked around. "Where are we?"

"Now isn't the time for questions," interrupted Zeref. He motioned for the carriage driver. "Keith, please take this young lady to the West Tower. I'll escort Ms. Heartfilla to the East Tower."

The driver hopped down and Lucy could finally see his face—or lack of a face.

Keith the carriage driver was a skeleton.

Levy saw him and shrieked. "Oh God, no!" She scurried back, trying to get away.

For a dead guy, Keith could move pretty well. He hoisted Levy over his shoulder and began walking towards one of the four castle towers, each of which were made of red stone, something Lucy had never seen before.

Zeref looked down at her. "Can you walk?"

"I'm—I"m not sure."

She wasn't about to start a fight so she tried to stand. Her legs were horribly cramped from her run through Magnolia but with a little effort, she made it.

"This way." Zeref began walking towards the tower opposite Levy's.

Lucy followed. The cramps in her legs were so bad her gate was more of a waddle.

She heard someone snort with laughter and she turned to see who it was.

A tall man with dark skin and crescent shaped earrings was grinning at her.

Lucy put her head down and kept walking. The hairs on the back of her neck pricked up as she felt the eyes of the servants watching her.

When they got to the tower, Zeref opened the door and ushered her up a winding staircase. At the top, there was a room furnished with an oak bed, wardrobe, and dresser. There was even a master bathroom with a soaking tub and toilet.

"Not bad accommodations. I see evil pays well."

Zeref began walking around the room. "I didn't buy this place. I killed the previous owner." He touched the shutters. "Praesideo," he murmured. The wooden boards immediately swung shut. He walked to the door and repeated the incantation. When he was done, he looked around the room once more.

"I think this room will suffice. I hear there is a dungeon in this castle although I haven't seen it myself. Try anything stupid, and I'll move you there." He walked towards the door. "Rest up. Tomorrow, there's going to be one final lesson."