Zeref released a giant fireball and easily deflected Cobra's poison attack. The heat from the spell made Lucy bristle even though it was never within 20 feet of her location. The spell also had the unfortunate side effect of making a large hole in the castle's wall.

In an instant, Zeref closed the gap between himself and Cobra. With a quick punch, Cobra was sprawled out on the ground.

And like that, it was over.

Cobra's lip trembled and he began to cry. There were heavy, silent sobs that shook his whole body. Zeref stood over him, watching the spectacle.

Everyone stood like that for a long time. Finally Zeref spoke. "I understand why you want to hurt me. I shouldn't have let you read my mind at the tournament. I'm sorry."

Cobra rolled over and rubbed his forehead against the ground. "Is that all you're sorry for? How about killing my fucking father?!"

Lucy gasped. So that had been the exchange between the two of them?

Zeref kept his eyes trained on the man in front of him. "Your father was a wicked man. He killed an entire town just to summon me. After I arrived, I was so distraught but the mass loss-of -ife that my deathwave was activated. He died instantly."

Cobra looked up at him. "So that's your story? An accident? I don't hear any remorse in your thoughts."

The two men stared at each other for a long time—it seemed that Zeref was letting Cobra listen to his thoughts. Emotions were racing across Cobra's face as his ears twitched. Finally, he turned away and moaned.

"I barely even remember my father," he said softly. "My mother took me away from him when I was just a child. She told me that he had gone mad but I didn't care. I believe that if we stayed with him, he would change."

"A wonderful thought, but I can assure you that he didn't change," said Zeref.

"Lucy!"

Everyone turned and saw Natsu running towards them. "What happened here?" he asked as he approached the rubble.

"This man just stormed my castle and tried to kill Lucy," said Zeref. His tone was flat and matter-of-fact.

Natsu's pupils narrowed to slits and his iris's enlarged. "What the hell, is that true?" he growled.

"Damn, what's happened to you?" Cobra's eyes were instantly wide when he saw Natsu approaching. "Your thoughts are..." he trailed off and began to back away.

Natsu bent over and picked him up by the collar. In one swift motion, he punched him across the face. A gush of blood and teeth flew out of Cobra's mouth and he hit the ground. Natsu went to punch him again but Zeref tackled him.

The two men were rolling around on the ground but Lucy wasn't watching them.

She couldn't take her eyes of Cobra.

In an instant, Natsu had done incredible harm. Cobra's jaw wasn't just broken, it had been pulverized. His chin seemed to be hanging loosely from the cheek bone. Cobra's eyes were looking around wildly.

She turned towards the two men fighting on the ground. Natsu had managed to get on top of Zeref but Zeref was gripping his arms, trying to prevent him from attacking.

"Natsu, please stop!" she cried out.

"Do what she says," said Zeref. "If you keep this up, you'll activate my deathwave and kill her."

Natsu froze. He sat there, breathing heavily for a few moments before his eyes finally turned back to normal. Slowly, he got off Zeref.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

Zeref was looking at him with shock. The fact that the Killing mage was surprised—maybe even scared—was a bad sign.

"I wasn't expecting that reaction from you. Once you're calm, I think we should have a talk about your… temper."

"You mean, locking me up in up in your dungeon?"

Cobra was beginning to make hysterical wails. Zeref pointed at him. "Look at what you did. There was no reason to do this to him. He wasn't a threat."

Natsu looked at the man on the ground and winced.

Zeref knelt next to Cobra and used his healing spell. Lucy exhaled in relief. No one should have to suffer like that—even for a minute.

"I'll do it," said Natsu.

Zeref turned his head around quickly. "What?"

"I'll let you lock me up in your dungeon—we don't need to talk about it. I was going to suggest it anyway."

Zeref stared at him and then slowly nodded. "Good. You're making the right decision."