Zeref's educational lecture on magic hadn't exactly helped Gray along much. Sure, he could conceptually differentiate between different branches of magic if he remembered all the details well enough, but that was nothing compared to actually doing something. Sorry. I'm…not exactly suited to being an instructor, I think.
Gray waved it off easily. Right now, that was better than nothing. There was a high chance he'd end up in some sort of a battle while here. Their team had debated leaving Gray's actual body on the ship or not, but in the end they'd brought it along. Gray was carrying it again, since he was the least likely to actually be able to fight. The concern of someone attacking the boat with no one there was just too great and Gray wasn't exactly fond of the idea of just randomly finding himself drowning in the ocean.
The tower was as he remembered it, still dark and creepy. Zeref's fascination with it hadn't faded either, with his mind focusing on random details as they traveled upward gradually towards the top. "It is strange that we've still seen no one thus far. Didn't we get stopped on this floor last time?" Lyon glanced around.
"Maybe. I thought this was the floor Zeref rigged with all sorts of traps, though." Lucy frowned. "It really is hard to tell where we're at."
Neither of you are correct. We are still below the floor where the announcement was made, and thusly, below the floor where I trapped Jellal. Zeref paused. Not that I anticipated any of you to realize it. The only differences in floors should be the magic circles inscribed upon the walls and even those are difficult to actually see given their color.
Looking over, Gray blinked, faintly seeing something scratched into the wall there. "Huh…I guess there is some sort of writing there." The others glanced at him and Gray turned back, shaking his head. "Zeref says we're still below both. Telling floors apart requires us to understand whatever the hell those runes mean and I doubt any of us know enough about his specialty in magic to do that."
"It just looks like random scribbling to me," Happy said, after inspecting the walls. "Is it really different on each floor?" Gray nodded. "Well, I guess we should just keep moving forward then. I mean, Natsu and I'll be able to handle whatever wizard they send to stop us."
It may not be wise to do so…the greater his magic use, the greater the clash will be internally. If my theory is correct, he should gradually begin to grow an anti-ethernano tumor at first…perhaps delaying that stage may delay later stages….Zeref grew lost in thought, theorizing more on what might happen with Natsu. However, all Gray needed to know was that using magic was not a good plan for Natsu, not if he planned to avoid becoming a demon.
Would it be better to be open and warn him? Gray wasn't certain if even that would stop Natsu, knowing how the dragon slayer was. The guy was impulsive and hard to predict. With something like this, he might not even care at all. Try to let me…think of something, before you do so. If I cannot come up with a solution…then warning Natsu directly may be the only chance we have.
Well, that was one answer at least. Sighing, Gray turned away, focusing on moving upward again. The floors really were repetitive in terms of how to ascend upward. The path was the same, circling around to the next staircase and moving onward. No one really had much to say, not with the tension still lingering about Zeref and if he could be trusted or not.
Eventually, Zeref informed Gray that they were nearly at the top and that it was certainly strange that there had been no conflict thus far. Yet, just before they arrived, the entire tower began to shake as a massive burst of energy tore through them all. Gray stumbled, tripping over his feet and falling down. The others reacted similarly, all either leaning against the wall or kneeling on the ground when the light faded.
Etherion has hit. You must move quickly. Around him, Gray could see the transformation in the walls. Rather than being a dark brown, they had crystalized into an icy blue. Nodding, he began to pick up his pace, rushing up towards the top. The others followed, agreeing with his change of pace. Before long, they found themselves exiting, bursting out onto the top of the tower. There, they froze, seeing Jellal standing in front of Erza. The scarlet haired wizard was unconscious with her arms half absorbed into some crystal pedestal behind the man.
"Well, well, here we are. I knew you'd come back sooner or later, for your precious Erza." Jellal smiled, stepping forward. "Now you see, however, that it is too late. Yet, there is no need to fear this fate. I assure you, even to those who did not endeavor to assist him, Zeref will be kind enough to grant true freedom. All you need to do is let him bring about your fate."
"Zeref's alive and well, you idiot. Stop this plan and let her go." Ur stepped forward, narrowing her eyes. However, Jellal smiled, nodding to the side. From another entrance, more people emerged. Gray didn't know a thing about any of them, but it looked like a team of four wizards were coming closer, standing by Jellal's side as they gathered.
"Interfere and we will stop you." Jellal glanced around their team. "It appears as if we are at least evenly matched in numbers, considering one of you doesn't appear to even be awake right now. So, it would be a fair fight…if not for me." Jellal shed his coat, dropping it to the ground. "After all, the magic council did label me as a wizard saint…or well, my thought projection as one. If my mere creation has the power to gain such a label, what do you think I would be like at full strength?"
So, he was Siegrain…Zeref trailed off. This is bad. He is a master of Heavenly Body magic, which will make him fast— Zeref broke off, as Jellal began to glow with a yellow light. Jellal was preparing for a fight, which made Gray look at his own team to figure out why.
He saw Natsu smirking at Jellal and his companions. Flames were dancing around him, as if to taunt their team. "I say bring it on. We've got more than enough power to handle you. After all, we've got Zeref himself on our side and if you can't figure out that your goddamn deity is helping us, we'll have to prove it to you with strength."
"Natsu, don't—" However, it was a bit too late to give him a warning. Jellal took off, flying towards Natsu in an instant. At the same time, the world went dark again as the other wizards began to assist.
This will not end well. While this darkness spell is temporary, Jellal will be capable of rendering us all incapable of battle before it ends…well, except you potentially. I'm almost certain that the immortality at least remains intact with this transfer…almost. Almost? Gray didn't exactly feel like getting beaten up to find out the answer. The spell will treat any magic from the curse as my own magic…and the curse will still treat me as the trigger, but I cannot reach it. So…it is a contradiction in itself, of which will win out. Currently, my theory about the death predation was correct—
That was just a theory? Zeref didn't respond and Gray narrowed his eyes. Now is not the time for ridiculous predictions, Zeref! Erza will die if we waste time now, just standing around doing nothing. Before he could argue further, however, Gray felt himself get toppled over by a massive force to his side. He gasped, feeling it knock the wind out of him as he slammed into the ground harshly, sliding across the smooth surface. His head whipped around, despite already knowing it wouldn't improve his vision in any way.
"You cannot harm Juvia's water body." Another voice at least told Gray he'd moved on, if only slightly. "She will—" Juvia broke off, frowning. "What is this? Why can Juvia not manipulate her body? These soft, furry, bands, they—" She broke off again. Then, she didn't speak more.
"I'm sorry for this; I did not wish for Erza to suffer this fate." A quiet voice whispered behind him, before Gray was hit again, this time sending him flying in the other direction. Well, at least he thought it was the other direction. He collided with someone else, who made an annoyed shout. He thought it was Lyon, but it could have just as easily been Natsu with how blind he was.
Get the lacrima again. Hopefully, you will be able to manage it this time. Gray grimaced, but tried to do as asked. Finding it by feel alone was also confusing, though he was half-certain when he pulled out more books that he had the wrong object. Eventually, he had something smooth in his grip, though he still wasn't entirely certain if it was right. Try activating it; if it does nothing, you have the wrong object. I shouldn't have anything that dangerous within my requip space.
That wasn't exactly comforting either. Still, Gray nodded and tried to connect through. "God Serena, at your service. Are you in need of a daring rescue? Need the most powerful wizard in all the worlds to come help? God Serena will do it all, all for the price of the chance to fight someone worthy of an opponent like me in the future!"
Does he always talk like this?
Unfortunately, yes. Zeref paused. Ask him to connect you to August instead. I don't have time to explain how to connect to him yourself but he should be capable of swapping who you've contacted.
"I, uh, need to speak to August."
"August? Oh, I see how it is. God Serena is at fault, so he has to deal with the tedious tasks is it?" The man scoffed. "I'll do it, but you better have real work befitting a man of my stature next time. I dislike wasting it on things like this, your majesty."
Gray really didn't know what to say. However, the sound seemed to attract attention out here. Something hit him again and Gray tightened his grip on the lacrima as he grimaced, holding his side tightly. Something else wrapped around his arm, feeling soft and fuzzy like Juvia had commented about. Yet, beyond feeling a bit if dizziness, it seemed to do almost nothing to him. It blocks magic. For us, that isn't a concern…the lacrima is active and it is the others utilizing magic on our behalf.
Gray nodded, before whipping his head around at a loud pop. It sounded like a gunshot, but he had no idea who'd been hit, or even aimed at. "Your majesty? I…it is difficult to see you at the moment."
Ask him to come to you. He will listen…but he will know the moment he arrives that you are not me, I'm certain of it. That was something he'd deal with later. If Zeref could get them help, he'd follow through with it for now and deal with the consequences later.
"Come here, August." He didn't know how Zeref gave orders and it felt awkward to do that himself, but it at least had some effect. Or at least, Gray hoped it would. For a moment, nothing more happened. There were more sounds of fighting and other groans, gradually growing more spaced out. Likely, quite a bit of the team had been injured already, though Gray had no idea how long it had been going on for.
Suddenly, light flooded his vision once more and Gray blinked in surprise. A hand was offered to him, which Gray blindly took to rise to his feet. An elderly man stared at him, with long white hair and a white beard, holding a wooden staff in one hand. "You are not his majesty." The man released Gray, frowning at him. "Who are you and how did you contact me?"
"That's…I don't have time to explain." Gray touched his hair, glancing around. Juvia was wrapped in strange cat-arm like things, unconscious on the ground. Natsu was kneeling down, breathing heavily but still trying to rise back to his feet. Lyon was unconscious, with Ur not far away. Ur, at least, was somewhat crouching, but she wasn't moving quickly and Gray could see bands binding her arms as well. Lucy was unconscious like Juvia, her hand hovering near her waist where her keys lingered. "To put things simply, Zeref is still sorta giving me directions on what to do, so I'm just doing as he asks. He's the one who lost control of his…er, magic, for a bit." He didn't know if this stranger knew about the curse or not, but he figured being vague was better to be safe.
"I see." August glanced around, frowning ahead of him. "This place is dangerous. The spell is unstable and this much energy is not meant to be contained for long."
"Which is why we will use it to bring Zeref back into this world!" Jellal stepped forward, his eyes wide. "I must do it. No one else is capable of doing so, no one at all. That is why the task was given to me."
"How many times do we have to say it? Zeref's already alive!" Gray shouted.
August shook his head. "There is no use. This man is under the influence of a strange magic." He stepped closer, holding out his hand towards Jellal. "Illusion magic combined with memory manipulation. It is a powerful combination, capable of influencing the mind greatly. And yet, there is a trace of something else too." He paused, tilting his head. "Time magic? Ah, I see. They wished to repeat the illusions, yet illusion magic is a temporary thing. Time magic, in contrast, can make the illusions reappear until the spell starts to run out of energy and weaken, almost transforming such a magic into a curse of sorts."
What the hell? Gray thought Zeref would sense that sort of thing before anyone else. Not before him. If there were ever a wizard that could compete with me in terms of knowledge and ability…it would be him. Gray didn't know if that was comforting or concerning to know. In actuality, he is a kind-hearted man. Yet, his loyalty and curiosity often overpower that trait of his. Zeref paused. I've known August since he was a child. I raised him to be my general and closest advisor. So, he was a part of whatever place Zeref led as an emperor. That explained why he came when called, at least.
"I am perfectly sane and there is no magic influencing me! This is my goal, my dream to bring about true freedom."
August shook his head and in an instant, there was a flash of light around Jellal. "Relax. Be at peace and know none of this was your fault in the slightest."
"Leave Jellal alone!" The blond man shouted, throwing a card at August in response to his spell. Yet, August merely held up his other hand, sending a flash of fire towards it. The card was destroyed instantly, leaving the blond blinking in surprise. "What are you doing to him? Guys, we have to save Jellal!"
"Leave it to me!" The girl moved forward, launching those weird arm things from before. Again, it took hardly a hint of motion for August to cast another spell, which stopped them in the air, making them vanish into puffs of smoke.
His magic…is copy magic. Simply seeing a magic allows him to memorize it and know exact counters to any spell used against him. There was a magic that could do that? It is massively overpowered and I am well aware of what the potential risks are with helping such a wizard come to understand all there is to know about his abilities. Yet, as I stated before, August's loyalty knows no bounds. He will do anything I ask, without question and without hesitation. I can rely on him.
So, he followed Zeref and no one else. Gray didn't want to know what Zeref had done to manage a man like August to be so loyal to him at all. Actually…even I don't know what I did. I tend to avoid children and tried to do so with him. Strangely enough, he kept managing to find me, despite me slipping away when he was asleep. Zeref paused. I realized later that he'd memorized someone's variation on tracking magic…and that he'd been using that to find me consistently, after he'd seen me originally and was capable of neutralizing my own protection spells against such actions. Too many wizards searching for me required such precautions, after all.
Watching August now, Gray found it easy to believe he could've managed to track down Zeref without much issue in the past. He didn't waste any time and he held off five wizards at once without even looking at most of them. Yet, the one he focused on stumbled back, his eyes widening in shock. After a moment, Jellal fell to the ground, staring down at his hands as his shoulders began to shake.
"What did you do to Jellal? You monster, I'm not going to let you get away with this!" The blond came at him again, but this time, August smacked him with his staff, knocking the boy out.
That seemed impressive too. For a man of his age, Gray hadn't expected August to be physically strong as well. Yet, August's focus returned to Jellal, who seemed to be in some form of shock. "What have I done? The other children, the people that were here, Erza…no, I don't want to be like this! Why? Why did I do any of this?"
"Because another forced you to be their pawn." Meeting August's eyes, Jellal took a slow, shaky breath. "You are free now. Tell them to stand down and I will stop the tower from activating."
"That isn't possible. Once in its active state, the only way to safely remove the energy is to use the spell." Jellal hung his head. "We can't stop this…"
"There has to be…a way." Natsu grimaced, unsteadily rising to his feet. "Gray." He turned towards Gray, narrowing his eyes. "Zeref said this thing needed a lot of energy, right?" Nodding, Gray wondered what the dragon slayer had in mind. "Well, if we take that energy away ourselves, it won't be able to do a thing then. All we gotta do is destroy this tower."
No…stop him! Yet, Natsu was already moving, slamming a fist down into the surface and shattering some of the lacrima. Gray moved forward, reaching out to grab him, but he was startled to see Natsu actually deciding to eat pure ethernano crystals.
"Damn it, this is a crappy meal, but I'm too exhausted to properly destroy things without it."
Ethernano will worsen his condition…it will activate dragon force, which more rapidly builds up the energy that causes his body to— Zeref broke off. And ethernano, not just flames, will feed it even more rapidly than a naturally induced variation of that state. How far will it go? How rapidly will it be produced…?
"We don't have time to come up with another solution, Zeref. Natsu needs to stop this, now." The black wizard didn't argue and let Gray move towards his brother. Grabbing Natsu's arm, he ripped the crystals from his hand and smacked him hard. "Stop being a reckless idiot, Natsu! Don't you know what happens when you eat things outside of your element?"
"Oi, I'm saving Erza, so back off!"
"August is getting Erza freed right now, flame brain." Gray pointed over towards them, where August was pulling her free from the tower. She looked weak, but was gradually starting to focus on her surroundings again. "Our goal should be to evacuate, not destroy."
"Well, what about Tenrou Island and Galuna Island? Who knows how far this thing'll explode? I'm not gonna let the people there get hurt too, Gray."
Damn it, he couldn't deny that it was a possibility. They were too close to other places and he had no idea if Fairy Tail had left Tenrou Island yet. "Find another way, then."
"What, you suddenly gonna use fire magic and help me out then?" In theory, he could. Yet…Zeref's magic wasn't stable for him. Doing that would not just be unfamiliar to Gray, but it would also likely push out death magic instead.
Shaking his head, Gray sighed. "You aren't giving me another choice, Natsu. Do you really want to know why you can't just recklessly go around eating and destroying things?"
"Yeah! Because you're acting kinda crazy, Gray and I'm tired of being stopped. I don't care what happens to me, not if it saves the people I care about."
It sounded a lot like the logic he'd used, when it came to using iced shell on Zeref the last time they were here. "Natsu…you can't do this, because it very well might end up being the death of all of us." The dragon slayer stilled, staring at him with wide eyes. "Zeref…Zeref tried to keep it from you, but that scarf from Igneel is probably more than just a simple gift. It helps suppress some weird magic inside of you."
"What weird magic?"
Meeting his gaze, Gray inhaled slowly. "Magic that clashes with something Zeref gave you, something you don't even remember happening." Natsu frowned and Gray realized he wasn't thinking about who he was talking to. The dragon slayer wouldn't take a hint; he needed things to be blunt and direct to understand them. "You died four hundred years ago, Natsu. Zeref brought you back to life as one of his demons. Do something stupid like this and whatever the hell is sealing off your demonic nature isn't gonna stick around for long."
"I—Gray…are you joking?" Natsu blinked at him, frowning. "There's no way I'm a demon. I mean, I'd realize if I'd died, right? Or if I wanted to like, do something demonic too, right?"
"The demons on Galuna Island aren't destructive either, Natsu." Gray looked away, seeing the others were slowly recovering as well. No one was close enough to hear quite yet, but soon they'd be close enough to ask questions about what was going on. "Zeref wanted you to continue to be the person you were, but he only knew how to create life in the form of demons. If it wasn't for that, he probably wouldn't have even made you one to begin with."
"Why the hell would he even want me alive? It just doesn't make any sense!"
"Because you're his brother." Natsu's eyes went wide, staring at him in shock. "And that's also why he's so willing to stick around and help you when something puts you at risk."
"So…Happy was right. Zeref really is trying to look out for me and I didn't even realize it." Gray nodded and Natsu ran a hand through his hair. "But then what do I do about this? Damn it Gray, I can't just let it do nothing. And I can't exactly fix my scarf either, so something has to be—" Natsu broke off, coughing for a moment and holding his stomach. "Damn…I'm already feeling sick from this."
I…will handle the tower. Gray blinked, turning away. How was he going to do that? Then, he saw the plan. Zeref was going to activate the spell, just like before. And yes, I know what you will say, Gray. However, there is no other safe option. Not even Natsu's ridiculous plan would succeed. The energy would still exist, just more scattered than before. Out of everyone here, I am the one that is least valued, the one who's sacrifice is going to cause the least amount of strife.
Don't go logically explaining why you should be the one to die! I might as well make the same argument for me, since at least that way, only one person will die, not who knows how many demons and yourself!
Yet, Zeref wasn't listening. Thank you…for showing me that it is possible for someone to value my existence, at least in some form.
I said we're not doing this, Zeref! Damn it, you know I'll stop you.
And do you think I wouldn't have August interfere? Do you think your companions wouldn't either? Gray glanced over, seeing Ultear standing up. She'd stop him, just like she'd stopped Lyon against Deliora. Gray knew it and Zeref did too. There is still a chance that…this won't kill me. I am still immortal, after all, and this spell would technically grant my curse again in theory. Plus, it has been designed to resurrect myself…in theory, it kills the sacrifice, then resurrects the target, so even if I do perish, it should simply resurrect myself once more, causing no actual ill effects.
Was he basically saying it was pointless to even try before as a suicide attempt? Well, Zeref seemed to imply he'd change the target then, though. Gray closed his hands into fists, staring down at the lacrima at his feet. Gray…there is no other way. Have Natsu take your body and flee the tower. After waiting as long as possible, return to yourself…and let me do something selfless for once, to save you. Let me prove that I was not as manipulative as everyone thought…show them that I truly did wish to be a useful member of this team to end my curse.
"What, worried about your reputation at the very end?"
If I am to die…I'd prefer my brother to not completely despise me. While I may have desired his hatred with some of my plans, it was never with one that resulted in a death like this…apart from him.
Glancing over at Natsu, Gray inhaled slowly. "Natsu…Zeref says he can handle the tower. But I need to give him control back to do that." The dragon slayer looked at him, frowning.
"You don't look happy about it."
Gray looked away. "How—how I feel doesn't matter. We don't have a choice and we don't have time. Take my body and start getting everyone out of this place. Get back to the ship and leave. I'll return to myself soon, alright?"
Natsu nodded, frowning but moving to pick Gray up. He paused before moving, glancing back over at them. "You better both come back, got it? I've got some questions to ask my supposed brother after that story you just told me, alright? And obviously, I'm not gonna just let another guild member die with him too."
Gray nodded, not answering. August looked towards him, nodding and giving him a faint frown, before bowing towards him. "Until his majesty needs me again, I will return to my work." He paused, frowning at Gray. "He must have a strange amount of trust in you, to place such a spell upon you. Do not abuse such a connection, whoever you may be, for if you choose to betray his trust, I will not be lenient or forgiving to one who causes him harm."
"Why do you care so much about him?" Gray couldn't help but ask as the others left, seeing the old man smile faintly.
"Because without him, I would not be alive." How could Zeref not remember saving someone's life? Yet, even Zeref seemed stunned by the response. "Call upon me again, if you find yourself in trouble once more. I am willing to help, so long as his majesty is in need of assistance and still granting you such levels of trust."
With that, the man left and Gray was alone on the tower, waiting for the right time to return to his former self. I don't even know how…though I suppose, I am glad to know. I've done something good, if my actions allowed a man like August to stay alive.
Gray didn't know what to say to him. There was a chance that Zeref would be dead, when this was all over, but even with this time, Gray had nothing to add. You could…remind me again, of why we are friends. If my life is to end, I think it would be nice…to have it end with one moment of light to cling to, however briefly it may shine for.
Sitting down, Gray closed his eyes, breathing in slowly. "Because you and I are alike." He was never good with words or speeches, but something needed to be said at a time like this, or else Gray knew he'd regret it. "You protect the ones you care for and there's nothing you wouldn't do to keep them safe. If it was a choice between yourself and your family, you'd always choose your family. And when you experience loss and grief, you don't let it shut you down. Instead, you pick yourself up and let it drive you forward, telling you what you should do next and how to react. Maybe you made mistakes, and maybe you've been dealt a rough hand, but as a person, ignoring the curse…overall, you're someone to be admired, not feared or hated. You're someone that more people should look up to, as an example for how to strive towards goals, how to make them and accomplish them." Gray stopped, rubbing the back of his head and inhaling slowly, opening his eyes. "Sorry. I'm not really the emotional sort to give speeches like this. It probably sucks, as far as last words go…or well, last memories to hold on to are."
No…it is exactly what I requested. Zeref paused and Gray felt that his thoughts were oddly light, considering what was about to come. I always thought I'd be excited for this moment…for a moment when my life might actually come to an end. Yet…I want to keep talking with you. I want to know more about the family you lost and the one you found. I want to face Natsu directly for a change and have a chance to make friends, not just pawns or tools for future use. I…there are so many things I want to do. Why didn't I consider them sooner? No…I know why. More accurately, I wonder why I wasn't allowed to consider them sooner…why my chance for such a peaceful life was stolen from me, when all I wanted was to save one child.
People…aren't meant to come back. Gray didn't know what else to say that wouldn't be harsh. Sorry. You asked for a light topic and here we are, talking about death instead.
It is my own fault, I suppose. Zeref paused again, waiting in silence. Then, he continued on. Gray…don't let this change you, regardless of the outcome. Stay true to who you are and value those around you as you live on. You are someone who…deserves their happiness, who has earned that chance.
It wasn't the sort of advice he expected to come from Zeref. Yet, the black wizard wasn't done. Also…promise me you will never use iced shell. Not for me, for your guild…for anyone. The price of the spell is not worth the end result.
I can't make that promise. Gray stared down at his hands, sighing. Just like you, I'll sacrifice myself if it means saving them.
For a moment, Zeref didn't reply. Then, Gray began living through another memory, one which he'd already seen at least from the outside. He saw Zeref unraveling Ur's iced shell spell and felt the mechanics of activating and maintaining the spell. It was so similar to his ice magic, likely the same style he was used to and everything. There. Now you are one of the only ones who know how to reverse the spell, beyond me of course. Surely, that makes you realize why you should never be the one to activate it. Without you, there'd practically be no way of returning from such a fate. After all, I'm far too selfish with my time to just go out and save foolish wizards without good reason.
Gray chuckled, shaking his head. Again with the ridiculous attempts to convince me of strange things. Gray paused, frowning. Why does it even matter to you so much? If you're just trying to say you changed your mind about wanting to use me like that, then just say it.
Because that isn't enough. Zeref paused. I want you to live, Gray. I value your life and that is something I both fear and love at the same time. Caring for others is never an easy thing for me and as you've already explained, when I do care for someone, there is little I do not wish to do to protect them. He stopped again. So please…do not let someone push you towards that fate again. I think I'd be even angrier than Ur was, if you agreed to something so foolish.
I doubt you'd ever be able to compare to her, even if you are the black wizard.
Oh, you'd be surprised. Gray frowned, and Zeref stopped again. I…care for you more than you realize, I think. More than even I…want to admit.
Smiling, Gray tilted his head. "Well, then you better make sure you stay alive somehow. Because if you can't admit your own feelings to yourself, then you definitely need to figure them out at some point and not just die without knowing the truth." It was a weak argument and they both knew it. Yet, Gray's chest still felt tight. He couldn't stop Zeref and they were out of options.
I think…we are out of time. Zeref was quiet and Gray nodded, closing his eyes. For a moment, he just…pressed against Zeref's mind, focusing on the black wizard's thoughts. When this all began, Gray never imagined he'd actually miss this presence in his head. Yet, he was so used to it now. He'd probably start to expect to hear commentary on his actions and thoughts, and get disappointed to find silence instead. He'd turn to make a joking comment to Zeref mentally, only to recall the man was gone. Overall, it would create a strange absence in his mind, one that Gray didn't think he was ready to deal with. He was so set on preserving all that he'd found that he hadn't considered what he'd do when he lost someone again.
"We'll be waiting for you to head back." Gray paused. "Like I said, you're gonna make sure you survive this time. Then, we'll figure out a better way to handle this curse of yours."
Closing his eyes, Gray felt Zeref grow quiet. The man likely didn't agree, but Gray wouldn't so easily see things as being that bleak. This spell was meant to resurrect the dead and Zeref was its target. No matter what happened, Gray was going to see him again. So, he took a deep breath, closing his eyes. While he didn't have many details on this magic, he figured going back wasn't that different from taking control. Since Zeref didn't object or comment on it, Gray went ahead and did just that, focusing on the connection between them and letting it drag him back.