Gray, red, crimson, it all blended together. A mist of color covered eyes' looking frantically all round, the rubble littered on the streets staining at their feet. Broken buildings; monuments of centuries of grandeur torn to the ground, charred by brilliant flames melting all around. The bell of the great tower still echoed amongst the ruble; along with it screams, roars and cries filled the ears, ringing as clouding as the mist in the air. Black pupils saw above; A white star amongst the gray, it shined bright as brilliant rays of sunshine. Shouts and screams rang out behind him, amongst them he could hear "Captain" it said. "Captain!" It got louder. A plated hand touched his shoulder and his head spun back to the urgent voice "Natsu! …
Lids shot open to see dots of light floating in the sky. Stars; Names there were for each and everyone and amongst them, four shined brighter than all else. With them more names came and none without reverence to be had in their uttering. He stared at them for a long time, what were those names? The question asked to no one in particular and it came with no answer, just like it always did.
His hands came to lay on the exposed roots of the tree he rested on. His longtime friend and companion, Happy, lay on his lap; he snored without a care in the world certainly dreaming of fish and delicious foods from the island.
The two had traveled to the Island nation of Caelum for their latest mission. While Ultear was sometimes strange in her requests for missions; a few times, not many, had brought him outside of the borders of Fiore. Though it wasn't much of a hassle, except for the trip by boat (that was tortuous.) Happy enjoyed the trip far more than he did, exotic sea food was the specialty of the province of Caelum they were in after all.
His calm was short lived, as he felt a small spike of magic come from his communication lacrima. With a quick use of Requip the crystalline ball was in his hands and the Thought Projection of a familiar face was now right in front of him.
"Hope I didn't wake you up." Ultear said, a smirk present on her immaculate face. Her Thought Projection, with the assistance of the lacrima, acted as if she was really there with the two in Caelum.
"I would have preferred if you did." he leaned closer to the Council Woman, "A beautiful face like yours blessing my eyes as I wake up, what I would give for that."
No words came from Ultear for a long while, a silence remaining until she giggled, a hand covering her mouth at what have been a laugh so loud it would have spooked the birds perched on the tree and wake up the blissfully sleeping Happy on Natsu's lap. "You're learning to flirt now?" she couldn't stop herself from giggling. The sound brought a tingle to the man and cat's sensitive ears.
"You seemed pretty lonely just doing that by yourself." he clicked his tongue. Natsu cursed his lack of knowledge on the subject. For a long time he noticed how different Ultear acted when talking to him from when she talked with other people, but he was only intrigued when Ultear's associate, Siegrain, called him her 'boyfriend'; So he'd asked Happy about it a few days back. The cat knew a lot of things about the subject, he suspected from hanging out with Levy a lot the past few months, and recommended to him a book he said Levy uses to practice her flirting in the mirror. Judging from Ultear's amusement though he thinks it might have been a bad idea.
"That's adorable." Ultear's projection continued to giggle as she hugged him, their closeness crushing the now lethargic Happy between the two.
Natsu couldn't help an embarrassed blush present itself after Ultear's remark. He softly pushed her away, and noticed she took Happy with her. "So what did you call for?" he asked crossing his arms.0
Ultear chose to calm down a little, she couldn't give her favorite and only Errand Boy another assignment if she couldn't speak full sentences. She did so while stroking Happy's fur, the tiny meows and purrs he made as she did amused her to no end. "I have a mission for you." she said finally.
"You really don't let up do you?"
"Nope." she grinned.
Natsu sighed, "I kind of want to go back to the guild, haven't been there in two weeks."
"I think I have something you might be interested in." she handed him a folder with many photos and profiles of some very ugly looking men, if she were to describe them.
"Hmm." Natsu skimmed through the documents, quickly reading the gist of what she wanted him to do. "Human traffickers." His eyes narrowed at the title, it left a bad taste in his mouth. "From Bosco, and last seen in Argeon huh." He handed her back the papers, which shortly disappeared as if they were never there.
"I also heard of a Salamander running around Argeon as well."
"Salamander? … A Giant Salamander?" he asked.
"Maybe." Ultear shrugged. She knew there was no Salamander Natsu imagined in the town. She just remembered, one day Natsu told her his favorite dish was Giant Salamander and thought that would be a great motivator for the Fire Mage. "Be sure to not cause any destruction, I have enough paperwork to worry about." she added.
"Hm, I'll do my best." he said, at which she sighed.
She stayed silent for a moment. This was the moment they would say goodbye and when ever she feels like giving the constantly busy mage another mission was when they would see each other again, but there were words she wanted to say. They dangled at the tip of her tongue, waiting to be uttered, but she stood there and after a while Natsu began to look at her with worry. No matter how much she wanted to nothing could break that wall in front of her. Her leg moved and she stomped the ground with force "Just tell me. Why is your guild so infuriating!?" she suddenly sneered. Ultear's sudden change of tone more than startled the Dragon Slayer.
"What?" he asked. He saw Happy jolting awake from the scream, his confused eyes stared at him, asking 'What did you do?'
"Why are your guildmates so destructive?" She began pacing around the place, shuffling around the dirt and flowers below the tree.
" … Is. Is this your new trick?" Natsu pondered. She was still a spy from Grimoire Heart infiltrated in a high seat in the Magic Council. Even if he liked to think they were good friends, she still had to bring new info to the Old Man to justify even talking to him.
"No! Can't a woman just lay out her frustrations to her boyfriend?" she narrowed her eyes at him.
"Well … Okay. Even if you're asking honestly I'm sure Precht has already heard this before." Natsu put his palms together, leaning back and putting them under his head.
"So, what's the reason? And it better be a good one." she demanded. She didn't want to think about anything else at the moment.
"It's caused by 'Fairy Heart' kind of like the Spirit of Fairy Tail." he said.
"The 'Spirit of Fairy Tail'. That's it?"
"Yeah. There's more to it, but that's the gist." He shrugged. With one eye open he saw the distaste on Ultear's face and decided to elaborate.
"Fairy Heart is more than just words. It is the unyielding desire to push beyond ones limits to do what is right. The guild exists for everyone, for everyone to grow strong at the face of adversity as a mage or otherwise together. And when two hands isn't enough to push past whatever barrier life has put in front of you there will always be another pair to help break through. Everyone play's their part to shoulder each other's hopes, dreams and aspirations, with nothing but the strength of our hearts; That is what it means to have the 'Fairy Heart'. Yet its different to every member and still the same." He explained.
" … Is that why, I get mountains of complaints of your guild on every single mission it takes?" she stated.
"Yes. Sometimes our enthusiasm can be destructive." He smirked.
She crossed her arms, once again crushing Happy against her chest and looked away from the smirking fire mage. "I-I guess, that's good enough."
His smile didn't waver for a moment. "You know, you aren't just limited to being a member of Fairy Tail to have that same spirit in you. I can see it in many people." He said, standing up he walked up to the woman both now centimeters apart from the other, his black pupils crossing with Ultear's red.
"You really see the best in people."
"I only say what is true." He replied. Between the two Happy managed to slip out, now floating in the air close by his wings spread out. His face red from being crushed by the two.
"Natsu" she began; "Just, please, remember. Idealism like that can't always be enough."
"From Hades?"
" … "
He didn't say anything either for a while, instead choosing to look up at the night sky. Both embroiled by a silence that didn't seem to end.
" … Maybe." his words broke the air around them. "—I don't know all of what Grimoire Heart or Hades is capable of." So close they were their foreheads touched "But, I know, it might be enough with you and Meredy by my side." A large grin spread across his face.
Ultear's eyes softened at his words, thoughts and doubts that always droned in her head leaving her, for a moment. Those words she wanted to say were still blocked by that wall. But she knew, with Natsu, it wouldn't be long before that barrier came crumbling down. "It needs some improvement, but you are getting good at flirting." She mirrored his smile.
She then felt the warmth of his proximity disappear for a moment and the ground leave her feet. Taken by surprise she was picked up by Natsu, carried in a bridal style position in the arms of the Fairy Tail mage; her cheeks lit on fire at that realization, but She didn't squeal!
"I'm a fast learner. What else could you teach me?" His breath felt hot against her skin.
She began to fight against his grip, "H-hey!" her scarlet face vanished as she cut the connection to the lacrima, her Thought Projection disappearing in the process.
Natsu laughed. It felt good to finally make that woman sputter and blush, as she did many times to him in the past. "And she runs when things don't go her way. Ha, haha!" He turned to his flying companion and saw him smirking at him, the gesture returned he said "It'll still take a few days to get back to Fiore, the sooner we go the better."
"We still have to go by boat." Happy said floating alongside his partner, with a paw shielding his eyes from the new found light of the dawn by the horizon.
"Yeah … Lets go." He wouldn't have a fun trip, again.
"We still need members to take on jobs." Makarov said to the group he'd been talking to more since this whole situation began. Erza, Mirajane, Gray and Levy were talking about the lack of members in the guild when they came in that morning. "There's no need to bring more attention to the guild if we all stop taking jobs to watch the episodes of the Lacrima."
"I guess, but why did you tell us to stay here?" Gray asked. Apart from the group there was only a few other members scattered around the guild, the rest told to go back to their routine of taking jobs to keep the guild working.
"You four just seemed the most interested." Makarov answered.
"I also think its best to keep this to involve the least amount of people as possible." Levy added.
"That would be for the best." Erza agreed.
"Have we agreed on what to do with this information after this ordeal is done?"
"Well Gray, Levy just talked to me about this Chronicle she wanted to write, about the history and people the Lacrima's showing us."
"Hey Mira! That was private." Levy looked away from the group.
Erza ignoring the embarrassment the Solid Script mage was going through made her own question "How would we make this public? Should we?"
"I believe we should leave that part to when its all over." Makarov said and Erza nodded her head in agreement.
Now that there were less members the group of five sat at a table with the lacrima resting in the middle of it. They were just waiting for another letter from the mysterious Onlooker to appear right before their eyes. Without it Erza couldn't activate the lacrima and begin the episode.
While waiting Mirajane got curious about a particular member of the group. "Gray, if you don't mind me asking. What made you so obsessed in Zeref?" she asked.
Gray didn't say anything for a while, crossing his arms over his bare chest. "I don't mind Mira, but … " Gray seemed conflicted to the group at the table. "No, its fine, I'll say." he rescinded and got ready to retell his story.
"I was born in the northern country of Iceberg. It was a cold place, where nearly no plants ever grew but it was home. One day when I was ten my village was attacked by a demon of Zeref, the Giant Deliora." He saw the two people who didn't know at the table gasp, Mirajane's eyes especially flew open at his statement. "My village was destroyed, My father mother and little sister were killed, leaving me as the sole survivor … I still don't know how I didn't perish with them as well."
"I'm sorry for making you bring up bad memories." Mira said looking down.
"Its fine Mira, you, you three and Makarov and Natsu are my closest friends, I don't want to keep any secrets between us." he confessed.
"Not long after I was found by a mage and her apprentice when they were looking for survivors. She took me in and taught me Ice Make magic." He continued, "She taught me for years and I grew well into an ice mage alongside my fellow apprentice, Lyon. After those years passed Deliora had appeared once again close to a neighboring village, and I overheard of his location from a few merchants who had survived one of his rampages. So I went to Deliora, I wanted to kill him and avenge my family."
"That was pretty stupid." Levy said.
"Yes, yes it was." Gray noticed Levy didn't seem to realize she said those words out loud her mind was somewhere else at the moment. "I couldn't do anything to Deliora, I was powerless and my master and her apprentice had to come rescue me. She was really powerful and she held off Deliora for a long while, but it wasn't enough. She had to resort to a powerful and ancient sealing magic, Ice Shell, to defeat Deliora, but she died as a result."
"G-Gray, I'm, I'm sorry." Makarov said. His guilt of that day had not willowed one bit in years that passed, the small smile Gray gave him didn't alleviate his mind one moment.
"Its fine Master, it was already too late … Master was the Wizard Saint sent to fight off Deliora after it reemerged. He found me in the ruins of the village and brought me to Fairy Tail." Gray turned to Mirajane. "To answer your question Mira, I'm 'obsessed' with Zeref because I want to know why monsters like Deliora had to exist, and make sure no Etherius like it walk this world again." No one said anything for a while, the others mired in their own thoughts of what Gray told them.
"That was what I thought for the longest time." Their attention once again turned to the ice mage. "But, after what the lacrima has shown us I think there is something else I want."
"I didn't mention this, but my master had a daughter before she took me and Lyon as her proteges. She had an Illness due to her magic and she brought her to an institute where they could heal her, but her condition only worsened over time and she died. The thing is, her name was Ultear Milkovich."
That name instantly ringed a bell with all by the table. "Like the Councilor friend of Natsu?" Mirajane asked.
"Yes my master, Ur Milkovich, was grief stricken by her death, me and Lyon didn't change that and I think that's the reason she chose to use Ice Shell against Deliora rather than flee. To unite with her in the after life. But, if Ur's daughter was alive this whole time, I. I have to tell her about what happened."
"There is far more to her than just being a Council member." Erza said.
"From what the Lacrima showed us, Natsu said she was part of a 'group' outside of the Council. With someone named Hades as her boss of sorts." Makarov said.
"That part you said about an institution, its suspicious. Is there anymore you know about it." Levy asked.
"I remember that one day a few men came to the home we three stayed at and told her the news of her daughter's death." Gray rubbed his forehead trying to gather his memories "I also remember that the institute doesn't exist anymore."
"What? What happened to it?" Levy asked.
" … One day Ur woke up and behaved as if … as if Ultear was still alive and in the Institute, so she brought me and Lyon to pay her a visit to finally meet her; but when we got there it nothing but ruins and Ur … " he didn't finish his words. He saw the other's listen carefully to his story, hinging on every word he said, tears threatening to fall from their eyes and he couldn't help but wonder why he couldn't shed tears as them. "—I-I think it was 'cause of her grief." he added.
Levy felt she had to change the subject, not only for Gray's sake. "That part about the institute being in ruins is strange." she began.
"And in combination with everything else we have." Mira cached on.
"—Natsu said 'discovered you' when we saw the future and counting in her role in the council and her connection to this institution and a 'Hades' we can assume she's a sort of spy infiltrated into the magic council." Levy deduced while looking over her notes.
"—And Natsu has known for a long time; judging from how 'close' they acted with one another." Erza muttered.
"If so, why hasn't he have done anything?" Mira asked.
"Like what?" Gray asked to which Mirajane went blank for a second. What would he do? The Magic Council hated Fairy Tail, if they were to send them information of a spy in the council they would probably scrap it due to their bias.
"Remember, he also offered her and a small girl a place in Fairy Tail. I presume in asylum from this 'Hades'." Makarov mentioned.
"She might be part of a Dark Guild or other organization, I believe because of that institute." Erza said
"Even with that; I believe she is on our side." Gray said.
"What makes you say that?" Erza asked.
"I trust Natsu."
Erza couldn't help the tightening of her fist. She really wanted to punch him right now. 'It wasn't that she didn't trust Natsu's judgement, it was … She's a high profile spy! In one of the highest authority positions in the wizarding world! That was it.' From a glance she noticed a subtle grin Mira directed at her. 'NO! I just.' 'sigh' … "Very well." she said.
From their lack of immediate response she poised her eyes back to the group and noticed they all had small smirks on their faces, as if she couldn't see them! Even Makarov, discretely had one. 'I'm not like that! I am not a character in one of those novels Mira raves to me about.' she swore in her own mind.
It was obvious Erza was jealous. Her attempts at hiding it only made it more obvious to everyone; And while endlessly amusing to Mirajane she's still the same. Even if it was better hidden, it was still there. 'I need to think of something else. I can't be like Erza.' She hoped that letter from the Onlooker would arrive soon … Thinking about that. Her amazing theory on reincarnation was only getting more and more evidence as time went on. While she believed it to be very believable from the moment Irene had been taken by that dragon to Ishgar, there was only more and more 'coincidences' pilling up.
It was the now the Ultear lookalike, Seilah who was in the spotlight. The only difference she could see between the two is that one had red eyes while the other had purple. But that could be just a side effect of reincarnating. Maybe when her past self makes appearance she might have green or blue hair instead of white. That part was something she was pretty sure of; she and maybe other members of the guild would appear at one point or another. After all Erza's past self already did, and they are both close to Natsu and have had past experience with a demon or organization related to Zeref before they joined Fairy Tail. So why not? She failed to notice a flaw in her logic as well as the blue letter already there laying on her lap, waiting to be opened.
Until Levy snatched it with haste. Quickly opening it and reading it before Mirajane got a moment to react.
I commend you on your judgement.
Episode Four: The Cult of Fay
'Judgement?' she thought. 'Might be 'cause of the small group size now.'
"What are we waiting for? Time to start." Mira said clapping her hands.
"Don't rush Mira." Erza said, taking the letter. Now she wondered why she was the only one able to activate the lacrima. Since there was no code she simply said the episode title and the Lacrima acted, lighting up the wall.
Ishgar X351
April 16th
Careful steps scrapped on rickety scaffolding. Wooden planks, old and withered barely stood the strain of his weight as he walked over them. While decrepit they still did their job. Allowing him and his companions to cross over from their small boat and step safely on the sand of the sunny beach. The air was hot and the sun shined brightly, lighting up the sand making it seem as if it were glowing. Past it there was a massive line of trees all over, big and small all over the island. Their light brown wooden exterior and yellow almost golden leaves were a combination he'd never seen before. Most of all the gigantic, impossible to miss tree right in the middle of the island. It was hard to believe something of that size existed, its intertwining trunk and branches seemed to travel all across the island, connecting itself to the earth its roots reaching down to who knows how long. Despite its size it did not leave a shadow that covered over half the island, instead it seemed to create its own light, its golden leaves glowed as if it were the sun itself. Its magnificence could only be called, other worldly, and to Zeref's eyes it was beautiful.
"That's Tenrou Island." Makarov half-whispered, his eyes more than widened at the implications. That surprise wasn't exclusive to him, the other four in the table also stared at the sight stupefied.
They walked further in, walking into the tree line and finding themselves in a cleared out stone walkway the Tree still in view.
"Isn't it pretty." Seilah asked Natsu. She watched him and Jackal simply stare at the sight, their mouths slightly open with no words to say. Their expressions brought nothing but joy her face and with a spring in her step she grabbed their hands and dragged them deeper into the forest, eager to show them the many creatures and wonders of the island.
The two left watched them run off with a glee neither had felt in weeks.
"Is there anything dangerous here?" Zeref asked, realizing the possible dangerous animals in a forest as large as the one on the island.
"Yes, quite a lot."
"Why are we letting them run off then?" he quickly asked ready to go chase the group.
"Seilah already knows the island in an out, plus there's something else you might want to hear." Briar informed, a hand holding onto the younger man's shoulder.
"... Alright." he said reluctantly.
Briar's hands gestured to the tree above their heads. So tall it was it penetrated the clouds above them. "This is the Great Tree of Tenrou Island. I'm sure you can see, it isn't like most trees." Waiting for Zeref to nod in affirmation he continued. "It is special. Its roots reach to all across the island, and those give life to everything on it, the golden light it emits can heal wounds of any kind and while on the island, each and every living being cannot die of unnatural causes."
'That's consistent.' Makarov thought.
Zeref listened to the man stunned, unsure if to even listen to his words seriously. "How is that possible?"
"One answer: The Fairy Queen." he grinned.
Zeref didn't say a word as they continued to walk the path. " … Are you joking?" he asked after a long while.
"Of course not." he replied, a wide smile covering his face and then said. "We're here."
"What—Zeref noticed he no longer walked on a stone walkway, instead he was atop a white marble like staircase with a gigantic door in front of him. He looked around and saw it attached to a large building, but he could only further describe it as a flower in bloom; its shape somehow perfectly fit its environment as if it was always there. Many different kinds of flowers decorated the outside and inside, all the color and brilliance were astonishing to him. Like the tree he couldn't formulate words to describe what he saw, he wondered what the heavens would look like, if something like this exists in the world.
Makarov's mind sped through his memories of the island. Through his many decades of life he visited the island many times, more than he'd bothered to remember. He remembered strange sightings on the supposedly uninhabited island. He knew that the first master had been born on the island, but that was only a hundred years ago. He'd never heard of the island being inhabited by people four hundred years ago, but he remembered seeing pieces of a white stone scattered in some parts of the island. The question came to him, if they were ruins what would've needed to happen to make them so?
"From that I can judge its pretty impressive." Briar said his smile of amusement not faltering for a moment. Looking away from the perplexed Zeref he searched for the group of kids that ran off. He saw them a bit far to the right, by a reef of white flowers. Seilah was putting flowers on the boys hair, she made a crown of flowers for Natsu with a joy he cherished to see again on her face.
Thankfully Seilah was a very perceptive girl and while excited to play with she knew the boys had to get settled into the place. Thus they came back to the entrance, with the decorations she made still on the boys' heads.
"Having fun?" he asked the group.
"Yeah!" Jackal excitedly squealed. "I found this rat." he held up the creature for everyone to see. It wasn't a rat, instead it was a small rodent-like creature, a long tail and two large ears were at the top of its head like a ribbit; orange fur as well with many brown polka dots all over it.
"She's not a rat dear Jackal." Briar with a finger scratched the head of the creature it beginning to purr at the gesture like a cat. "She's what we call a Curily."
"A Curily?" the boy pondered, and tried to pet the creature like Briar did, though not to as successful results. The Curily bit his finger and escaped the boy's grasp, running into the bush and disappearing to the forest. "Hey!" he called out to the Curily as it ran. The boy hissed holding his hand and slightly bleeding finger, water forming on the corners of his eyes.
While still amazed at the events shown Mirajane couldn't help her giggle at Jackal's misfortune. She noticed in the corner of her eye Erza did so as well, even if her face changed only a little.
Briar in turn told Jackal to hold up his hand and once he did they all saw as the wound colored by golden light quickly reverted and disappeared as if it was never made. The pain the boy felt fleeing with it, much unlike Briar's own magic the healing made Jackal feel as if he could run for the entire day.
"So this is what you meant." Zeref said as he inspected the boy's hand. He saw the old man smile at him, his grin turning to the kids as he approached the giant door. With force he prodded his hands on the handles of the doors and pulled them open, the sound turning heads from many different places.
Seeing the healing power of the tree Levy wondered how potent it would be. She hadn't yet gone to the sacred island of Fairy Tail. Could it only heal small wounds like the cut, or could it heal large wounds or even regenerate limbs? Healing magics were Lost magics now a days, perhaps with careful inspection she could find a way to replicate it, like Natsu taught her to replicate his own surprisingly complex Dragon Slaying magic.
Walking inside the three of Alakitasia saw witness to the inside of the giant church. Somehow it looked even bigger from the inside. Walls towered and curved, forming a dome at the ceiling. On it was a large hole which let ample amounts of light from the sun and tree; which in conjunction with several lamps all over the premises, lit the building as if it were open air. On the floor just below the hole in the ceiling was a small garden, with several plants and flowers as decoration. Further so in front of them was several tables and chairs all strewn about, haphazardly as if a typhoon has just ravaged the place. People in intricate robes like Briar, of many colors, populated the premises, seemingly uncaring of the destruction all over the premises.
Erza couldn't believe the familiar sight of destruction she saw o so many times in the guild.
Instead they huddled close, dozens of people crowded in a circle and following Briar the kids pushed past the outer ring of church members. They heard bated whispers told between the crowd, those whispers turned to conversations and then to cheers. In the in circle they bore witness to a sight very familiar to Briar and Seilah, but completely alien to the rest in the group filled their eyes.
"You got this!" "Keep going! "Don't lose!" some in the crowd shouted. Reddish liquid was spilled out on the ground and glass bottles were on the floor, some broken their pieces scattered on the ground. In front of them sitting separately on two tables were a man and a woman, both clothed in garments identical to Briar's apart from the color of their clothes and flowers patterned.
The man was tall and wide, not exactly obese, but not lean either. His narrow eyes, large beard, red hair and foul expression made him look dangerous in a way, his black robe had Cardinal flower patterns sewed on, complementing the red color of his hair.
The woman in contrast was short and petite, perhaps only reaching to below the man's shoulder. She had short black hair with a few Dahlia flowers on her hair. Unlike the man she held a mellow expression, her eyes closed and goofy smile on her face. Her robes like her hair had Dahlia's patterned on them complementing its pink color.
The two were embroiled in a drinking battle. The discarded wine bottles all around showed precedent of its intensity as other members of the church cheered as if this was an acceptable thing to do. That and the sight of their chugging only bewildered Zeref further. The amount they drank was inhuman, enough that Zeref wondered how they hadn't died from alcohol poisoning.
'What is going on?' Gray watched the sight more than bewildered. It seemed less to him like a congregation of believers and more like a Thursday in his own guild.
"What is going on?" Zeref asked Briar. The old man didn't seem at all surprised or concerned by the competition his fellow church members were in.
"Oh yeah." He just seemed to realize the reason for Zeref's confusion. "Don't worry, this happens all the time."
"That doesn't excuse it!?"
"So your church in Alakitasia wasn't like this then." Briar nodded his head pondering that thought.
"No! Yes? I don't know. I just knew a Saint and she certainly never acted like this." Zeref clarified, worried as he saw the two competitors starting to drink from barrels of wine.
"huh. Well just know that we conduct ourselves a bit differently from other churches." Briar smiled. As he said those words the two saw the competition come to a close. The barrels had been left empty and they had returned to drink from glass bottles. The woman finished the last bottle and raised it to the cheers of the audience, just to smash it on the floor glass smearing all over. At the same time with a thud the man slumped forwards on the table with the bottle he'd held halfway in and spilling onto the table.
"Dahlia stands victorious!" a man from the crowd exclaimed the rest bursting into cheers while some looked away in defeat, handing coins to a certain white haired woman in the crowd who looked very happy.
"Woah, she's like a Levy that drinks like Cana." Mirajane said as she stared at the petite woman
"Yeah! Fuck you Graham!" the winner, Dahlia, shouted in victory. Intoxicated she ran up to the unconscious man grabbing him by his shoulders and shaking him as she bragged to him the fact she'd won. Somehow, perhaps her intoxication she hadn't realized he was unconscious.
"And acts like Laki." added Levy.
"How does this relate at all to the Fairy Queen?" Zeref asked the still smiling old man. "Is this why you're all called heretics?"
" … Oh? Oh yeah, its part of that. I'll tell you in a bit. I'll just go get my wife." Briar replied.
"Your wife?" Zeref saw as the old man walked towards the winner Dahlia and pried her off from bothering the unconscious Graham.
"Oh Dear you're here." The lady called out. She did nothing as Briar picked her up and carried her on his back.
"Are you feeling well Honey?"
"I'm okaaay." she smiled.
"Not going to throw up?"
"Nah. I'm a big girl." she was momentarily surprised when her husband set her on the ground an unknown face in front of her. "The fuck are you?"
Zeref hadn't ever met someone as vulgarly direct as her before. It surprised him that she was Briar's wife, she looked to be in her forties and he was still sure Briar was in his seventies. "I'm Zeref, Mr. Briar brought my brother I and another here as of his request." he quickly presented himself.
"Oh? What you'd do this time?" Dahlia turned to her husband.
"Well, its better if I tell you later."
"Hmm." she narrowed her eyes at him, her eyes sharp despite the prominent blush on her face. "So, where are the other scamps?"
"Huh?" Zeref looked around and noticed Natsu, Jackal and Seilah were not there. "They left." He wasn't sure when, but they must have left around when he and Briar were watching the competition. "I'll go look for them." he said.
"No no no. Honey why don't you look for them? I have a lot to talk about with young Zeref here." Briar quickly interjected.
"Hmm … " Dahlia despite her jumbled head saw beads of sweat run down her husband's skin. She knew what that meant "What are you hiding?"
"N-nothing." Briar quickly said.
The woman turned to Zeref "Hey kid. Did something happen that my good husband right here would be unwilling to tell me?" she asked in the most polite tone he'd ever heard from her.
Zeref wondered why Briar seemed so nervous about the whole deal. Although, telling your wife that your daughter was kidnapped and the only reason why she was rescued was because of a couple of kids coincidentally showed up might be a good reason to be. "Some things happened." he vaguely answered.
She suddenly turned back to Briar and said "Nah! there's something you're hiding from me! Say it right now. Or!"
'Or!?' Briar only grew more nervous, he realized there was no out. "Okay, okay. I'll say." he gulped and prepared himself to tell her the events of the past two weeks.
"You fucking what!?" Zeref heard Dahlia scream to Briar for the tenth time. During the one-sided conversation he'd picked up that the two were actually the same age, even if Dahlia looked thirty years younger. The two had been together for more than fifty years.
'She's more like Porlyusica' Makarov thought.
"Yeah I know I messed up, but Seilah is safe now, thanks to the boys I brought." Briar turned his wife's attention to the present Zeref.
"So you saved my daughter?" she took a good look of Zeref.
"Partially, my younger brother was the one who saved her from being killed by one of the kidnappers." he clarified.
"You didn't mention that!" she scowled at Briar who recoiled at her glare.
"A lot of things happened." he weakly replied.
"Of course they did shit stain! ugh!" she stepped back, and held her stomach. "Give me a bucket right now!" she demanded, and once Briar quickly gave her one he picked up from around the place she began to throw up on it.
Zeref watched as Briar patted Dahlia's back as she throw up. The sight was strange in a way he'd never seen before. They didn't act like any married couple he'd ever met before. They certainly didn't act like his parents, or Irene's parents from what he remembered. He didn't think the kind of relationship the two had would last long at all, but judging by their age it must have, somehow. Still the woman continued to vomit back out all the drink she had during the competition.
"Ugh." she groaned and shook her head. "I don't feel like stomping your head in right now. I'll go look for the little brats. You still got a lot of things to say to …" she said as she got up, aided by Briar.
"Zeref." he reminded the woman.
"Yeah. But don't think you're off the hook yet." she finished with one final glare at Briar and walked away.
The two watched her leave, ones eyes wide and the other's relieved.
'Yeah, she's just like Porlyusica.' Makarov confirmed in his mind.
"Come, I'm sure you got a lot of questions."
" … Okay" Zeref said.
Briar led him towards a flight of stairs at which the two walked up in silence for a while before ending up on a balcony which overlooked all of the interior of the gigantic building. Now the two sat at small round table by a white marble railing. The other church members below were like small animals in a pen from the height. He watched as they picked up and cleaned the glass and wine stained floors and broken tables scattered all around the place. Despite their rather uncouth conduct they at least seemed to clean up their own messes.
Briar observed the young man study his fellows of the church. It was strange in way, it was the first time in a long while he'd felt judged by someone else. He'd never cared for the crass comments of his and his people's heresy from outsiders, but this kid made him nervous with his gaze. Perhaps because he wanted him to become a part of his church, or maybe it was because of his peculiar magic. Whatever it may be he was certain he and the other two would make a great addition to the family. Maybe they could even continue it and spread it to future generations. 'That may well be a distant dream, but one I pray be true'. he thought. He'd been so immersed in his own daydreams he missed when Zeref spoke to him. Catching on a moment later he'd asked him to repeat his question.
"I asked. Why are you called Heretics?"
"Oh, asking the big questions now?" Briar said, despite the fact Zeref had asked that question many times before. He wanted to know what Zeref knew about them, after all he and his companions were Outlanders from Alakitasia. A land of conflict, while Ishgar wasn't as peaceful as certain kings would swear it to be it still highly controlled by the Dragon King's rule. Alakitasia didn't have a powerful empire which regulated the conflict between smaller powers, so war was more prominent in the land. That kind of environment would certainly make his views of churches and certain faiths in Ishgar conflict with those of his homeland. He had one question he wanted to ask above all. "First I want to know. How are Fairies thought of in Alakitasia?"
"Like, how they act or do?"
"Yes."
Zeref thought deeply of what he remembered of that subject. While he knew that views changed from people to people and country to country and even more on different continents he was sure in particular the view of Fairies stayed consistent all through out the world. Defying a powerful figure like the Fairy Queen was difficult when she was so present in the land of Ishgar. "I guess from what I remember; Fairies are the messengers of the gods. Their faces are always covered by a silver mask and only appear to the eyes of a mortal when they want to make themselves seen. Even as messengers they are incredibly powerful, a single fairy can annihilate an army and are said to be able to fight a dragon." he recited all he remembered.
'I don't remember any of that' Levy thought. She wondered the reason for Briar to ask Zeref the question, but the response Zeref made only left a puzzle and many questions in her mind. How could Alakitasia see Fairies in such a way? Very different from Ishgar, it confused her since from what she read in the past there wasn't any known sight of Fairies in Alakitasia so how could they have view on them so different from the place they are from? It was very confusing and all the more the conversation between the future Black Mage and church leader continued.
Briar nodded his head and groomed his beard. "Yes. Much of that is true, but not so as well." he said.
Zeref simply raised a brow the unsaid question obvious to the old man.
"Let me tell you a story or a few, trust me It'll help explain your first question." Briar said. Zeref nodded and he cleared his throat at what would be a long talk.
"More than a century ago in the city of Crocus a young church maiden prayed to our dearest Fairy Queen. She was a young woman pure of heart. She never let someone be left without help and aided others even when it put her own well being in jeopardy. The woman prayed and prayed, she prayed with one wish in mind. She wished for power. But not any kind of power. She wished to the Fairy Queen for the power to aid others who she could never reach in her current form. She wished to become a Fairy. And that wish was granted. One day she disappeared, all who knew her worried over what happened to her. They prayed for her at the great church and there a person surrounded by light appeared in front of them. Clad in a mask of silver and white robes it was the young church maiden. She greeted, laughed and cried with them, for she became a Fairy, as so she would need to leave to fulfill her new duty." Briar told. "That is one of the stories told in the Book of Fiore of the Church of Fay. In the mainland that is."
Zeref was focused, quickly processing all that Briar told him. Once he finished his last statement he asked "The mainland?"
"Yes the story I just told you is not taught in this church. We do not believe it to be true." he said.
"That's why you're called Heretics?"
"Partially, but the real reason is a bit more 'Sacrilegious' you could say." Briar sighed. "I'm pretty sure that its known around the world that the Fairy Queen is one of two gods who physically interacts with their people." He looked to Zeref for confirmation. The other god he knew was from Alakitasia.
"Yes. The God of Mildian does so as well."
"Woah!" Levy verbally exclaimed at all the new information thrown at them. She quickly jotted down the story told by Briar and the facts about the other gods. It was simply fascinating to her.
The others as well intently listened to all the information said, a question forming in the heads of Gray and Erza in particular. Erza asked levy to write down the god Zeref mentioned, "God of Mildian." It was a place they'd never heard of before, but it must be important if its the only other place a god interacts with their subjects.
"Around a hundred and fifty years ago, an event unprecedented occurred in the lands of Ishgar. The Fairy Queen descended from the heavens on the city of Crocus. There she spoke of how the people had strayed from her ancient teachings and organized the people, forming a new grand church as well as forming the Fioran Confederacy and its alliance with the kingdom of Dragov and the Dragon King."
Zeref was a bit confused, he didn't understand how that could make other believe Briar's church to be ones of heretics. "Is it because you live in this island? I thought you said this island was special because of the Fairy Queen."
"It is … The thing is that we don't believe the 'Fairy Queen' in Crocus is the real one."
"Oh." Zeref realized the reason why. It was simpler than what he imagined, but no more Understandable? Still it didn't involve him, he'd only prayed to Chronos and Ankhseram in the past, the first for luck in the journey to Ishgar and the other for a safe passage to the afterlife for his and Irene's parents. Though it now interested him why the church of the island didn't believe the Fairy Queen in the mainland to be the true one. "Why?" he asked.
"Tell me, what do you think of my church. Do you think we behave in a disgusting or heretical way?" Briar pointed down to the people below them.
From their vantage point Zeref could see people drinking, fighting, and laughing. He saw it again and again. Two people or more drank together, they laughed telling stories or jokes, sometimes an argument arose but no one interjected to settle it down, instead it only escalated until the two or more people came to blows and wrestled. Despite their bleeding or bruised faces they laughed as the golden light above them healed all their injuries. In that moment they would pray, sing or dance and would go back to their seats and drink again.
"Oh that's it!" Mirajane blurted out. Once she did she felt the eyes of the other turn to her in confusion and interest. In turn she smirked and said "I'll see if you guys figure it out." Her statement came with no further explanation leaving the rest momentarily addled, but continued to watch with finding whatever Mirajane seemed to figure out in their minds.
It was concerning to him how brutal their fights could get, but when he saw Briar's face as the old man gazed over them he felt a certain closeness, a familiarity that couldn't leave him. They way his old eyes shined at the sight was nostalgic, his faint smile despite the fights that went on, it reminded him of himself. It was similar to when he would watch over the children of the orphanage with Jean, making sure everyone was safe, happy and make the place feel like a family … "Its different." he said after while.
"Great answer." Briar laughed a smile on his face. "Did you notice how 'old' everyone is?" he asked.
'Old?' Zeref wondered. He'd noticed that a lot of the members were a bit older than he would've imagined but he didn't think it was that weird. He took a second look at all the people below and noticed that like Briar said they were old, really old. He realized everyone in the church was in a late age, from their fifties to their nineties. There wasn't a single person who wasn't below their fifties.
"You've just noticed, huh?"
"How is it that everyone is so old? Is Seilah the only young person in the island?" he asked.
"Yes. This is how the church of fay behaved before the 'false' Fairy Queen appeared in the capital." Briar gave long sigh, his throat was a bit dry but there was more to say. "The old teachings of the Church of Fay taught every member to and how to pray to the Fairy Queen, not because she is our god, a powerful protector, but because she is life itself. We were taught to cherish life, for it precious and fleeting. As such one must understand life in all aspects, for this we live how you want to live and more importantly live for something you are willing to die for. Living the way we do is a form of prayer in itself." Briar informed. His smile turned downwards, anger grew in him of what he was about to say. "But it all changed once the 'false' Fairy Queen appeared. She told of how her teachings had been misinterpreted and how worship of her wasn't to live, but to serve. That first story I told, it teaches that the reason to worship and thus to live is to serve, serve others well enough and you might be able to serve the gods … It wasn't like that before, because of that we were shunned, thought to be selfish heretics and then cultists who rejected the wishes of our god! Over time our numbers dwindled more and more until this small island was all that's left; The first temple to the Fairy Queen." he finished.
Briar's monologue left the members of Fairy tail present amazed and saddened. Amazed at the knowledge of the hundreds of years of past history that seemed to somehow involve in the creation of their own guild and saddened at the treatment dealt to the members of the 'Cult' of Fay, similar to their own by many groups including the magic council of the country.
While it seemed to him that Briar deflected many of his questions he still couldn't help but feel pity for him and his people. The concept of living as worship instead of servitude was new. It was foreign to him, but he could understand their way of thinking it in a way. However, the style of worship this 'false' Fairy Queen had was very similar to the practices of worship in Alakitasia, a practice he had taken part in thanks to Jean.
"I'm sorry for my tone. Perhaps all I've said are the ramblings of an old man who can't accept change." he apologized.
"Its okay." Zeref reassured the older man. "Personally I believe your way of thinking is admirable." he saw as Briar's gaze fixed on him, expectant on what he might say next. Zeref was sure of one thing however; This place might not be so bad after all.
The two continued to converse. Thankfully, to Briar at least, they stopped talking of the past and he began to explain to Zeref the layout and what he could find in the building. There was the Main Hall, where the drinking competition took place, which was the latest area in the building connected to everything else. To the south-east were the living quarters, where each and every member had their own room to sleep in. To the east were the storage facilities where mostly food was stored. To the north east was the winery. To the north outside the building was the garden. An enormous field of flowers, of all kinds and many colors, which ended at the foot of the Great Tree where a special flower grew. To the north-west was the library/archives where all the past writings and knowledge were stored. The rest of the building was mirrored, to the west was a second storage facility, and to the south-west were another living quarters.
Zeref himself was more than enthusiastic to pay a visit to the archives of the church. He had a thought, an idea he believed now could come to be in a place like this.
After more than a long while in the archives night had set in and Briar brought him to where he, Natsu and Jackal would be sleeping. The room like the rest of the building was white, with a bunk bed on one side and a single on the other he wondered when they had the time to prepare for their visit. On the wall was a large window which would let in more than enough light for the room if it wasn't dark out at the moment. Still the brilliant golden light emanating from the tree was a sight to behold. Under the window was a large desk where he knew he'd continue his reading.
Fortunately for him, Natsu and Jackal were already in the room. Once he entered Jackal excitedly told him of their day. Apparently they had left them that morning because Seilah had gotten bored of waiting for him and Briar when they were watching the competition and had taken the two boys to see the flower reefs to the north of the building. There she made more flower crowns for the two boys and guided them around the island. She wanted to show them the dragon protector of the island, however even after hours and hours of searching they had found no clue of it. They chose to return then and were found by an irritated Dahlia who gave them a stern talking to and sent them to their rooms.
The boy finished his rant with a yawn. It was late and they had a pretty active day for the most part, they all agreed it was time to rest. Except for Zeref, he was quite interested in a certain book he found in the archives of the church. Its title was My Meeting With The Fairy Queen written by a woman named Zera over a hundred and sixty years ago, pretty close to the time the 'fake' Fairy Queen as Briar called her appeared. If what it says is true then the claims of the falsehood of the Fairy Queen in the mainland could be substantial.
The book was a journal of sorts. It recorded the time the author, Zera, supposedly met the Fairy Queen and various facts about Fairies and how certain magics worked. One detail he found interesting was that the author wrote that she found the Fairy Queen in the deep woods in the northern part of the island, beyond the Great Tree. She was in search of her in particular because of a rumor at the time. The rumor being that the Fairy Queen could grant wishes of any kind and she wanted to wish for riches. In an addendum beside that paragraph dated to X191 she admitted it was a selfish reason.
'I wonder if that book still exists.' Levy thought.
While reading he got more and more difficulties due to the absence of the sun. While the tree emitted a lot of light it wasn't enough from his position resting on the bed. Looking around for a candle he noticed Natsu was still awake, 'how fortunate'. "hey Natsu." he whispered and got his attention. "Could you light a candle for me?" he asked.
Natsu stared at him for a few seconds, he didn't seem to hear the question so he repeated it. After he did, Natsu nodded and searched on the drawers of the desk for a candle. Conveniently there was a drawer full of them and placed one on the table.
Natsu stared at the candle for a long time. The white wax was still pristine. The wick was like ice, its reddish color was muted from the cold; only a small flicker of flame would be enough to light it. He turned to his hand, on the tip of his index finger he could form a small light and light the candle with that, but as he stared at it his eyes traveled down to his palm and to his wrist and arm. All across them were marks of reddish color, they hadn't left despite the tree towering above them.
He didn't realize he'd stopped breathing until he reached down to the other drawers on the desk. In one he found a curious device. It was a small tube with a handle, with a trigger, on one end. It was a magical lighter. He remembered instruments like these back in his homeland, his mother had one to quickly light a fire whenever she needed one. If he remembered it worked by sending one's "energy" to the device and holding the trigger. He did as such and placed the end of the tube on the wick, effectively lighting the candle and handing it to Zeref. The light now allows him to see his brother's face of worry.
Natsu shook his head, "I'm fine." he said before Zeref could ask any question. He put everything how it was before and laid on his bed. Leaving a confused and worried Zeref staring at his back.
They all watched the actions of the Natsu doppelganger with a feeling that something was wrong, very wrong. They hadn't even realized they didn't think of him as a doppelganger anymore, that detail was something only Mirajane had realized. That feeling only got stronger as they saw the boy stare at his hands and search for a different way to do what would be a simple task if he'd use his fire magic. Something was wrong, very, very wrong.
Ishgar X371
July 2nd
As the months passed, the brothers and Jackal got used to the lifestyle of the people of the island. In the mornings they would wake up early, get dressed and tend to the gardens of the church for a few hours, there they mostly tended to the flowers and sometimes the fields of grapes and other vegetables and fruits on the eastern part of the island. After that most other members of the church would go back to the main building to either pray, rest, tread through the archives or simply hang around other members and talk.
Zeref unlike most got used to following around the group of Seilah, Jackal and Natsu as they ran around the island to make sure they didn't run into anything dangerous. During those times he would read books he got from the archives as he watched the group from afar. As those days passed however he noticed how Natsu got less and less excited each day as he ran around the island with the other two. He knew it wasn't because of something like boredom, Natsu was more than fascinated by the strange creatures and plants on the island, it came from something else.
It started when more than a month ago Briar sent a few members of the church to the mainland to bring them back news of goings on in the continent and other countries other than Fiore. When they came back they brought more than worrying findings. The Dragon King, just a few days earlier, issued a decree on the continent and in particular the country of Dragov. The decree stated that no non-essential goods may enter or exit the country, the country was to be isolated from the continent until further notice. The news hit no one harder than Natsu. Once he learnt of it he asked Briar when it would be lifted, but the older man couldn't answer the question.
"How strange." Mirajane voice everyone's thoughts in the table.
Zeref was more than suspicious of why the decree was created, but after a few weeks of inspecting the written decree he figured out a loophole to bypass it and for Natsu to enter the closed off kingdom. However, it was more than unpleasant. The method he devised would include Natsu joining the army of Dragov to enter the kingdom. He suspected the decree was issued due to geopolitical tensions between it and the Eastern Alliance and Dragov was preparing for war. But, to send his brother to a possible war was not something he'd ever want. Even after a month the news came he still hadn't mentioned the idea to him because he knew he'd take it in a heartbeat.
Besides Natsu was only twelve. The draft age for Dragov was seventeen, and the decree could still be lifted in the next five years. Even if he worried for Natsu's well being he more than understood his wishes. The two promised to find Irene and they had already traveled halfway across the world to do so, he knew it would be for the best to at least give him a spark of hope. He himself knew more than anyone that it could be frightening what he could do with just that.
Ishgar X371
August 13th
The moon oversaw the lands, while the tree oversaw the island. Both of their lights lit his path just enough to not bump into any trees. Not that it mattered, this was routine, the path ahead memorized with obsessive detail. His eyes darted from small colorful lizards to strange talking birds in the trees, not unusual for him now. He pushed aside branches on his way as he passed through the golden leaf forests of the island. In the northern parts of the island that is. As he walked the ground turned to stone, and the chill air turned lukewarm.
In front of him was a hot spring, and to Zeref it was a place he'd been visiting since he'd finished My Meeting With The Fairy Queen, less than three months ago. It was a place detailed in the book and favorite location in the Island of the Author. Once he found it he was more than pleased and frequently brought Natsu, Jackal and Seilah to enjoy the spring. Today however he came alone with the sole purpose to reflect in a particular thought which reemerged the previous night.
He undressed and slowly dipped into the water, he let a satisfied sigh once only his head remained above the steaming spring.
"Oh my!" Levy exclaimed covering her mouth a blush covering her mouth. The lacrima didn't hide anything and for a few seconds she and everyone else saw the future Black Mage be as naked as Gray gets every day in the guild.
"So this is what it feels like." A perturbed Gray said as he saw a sight he never imagined he'd ever see. 'Is there a magic to help me forget this?'
Erza and Mirajane reacted in a similar way, both were reminded of a memory of a few years ago they had with Natsu. 'It really runs in the family.' they thought.
'huh, so that's his dick' Makarov thought.
It also had to do with the contents of the book. Back when he first read it he was entertained by the rumor that got the author to supposedly meet the Fairy Queen. A rumor saying that she could grant wishes. The author wrote she wanted to wish for riches, but on a page further into the book she stated that the actual reason was because of a deceased relative. She wanted the Fairy Queen to bring them back to life. The book didn't say whether she succeeded or not, (not that he even believed what it said was true) but the whole thing got an idea into his head.
'Could she?' Levy thought shacking her head and trying to bring her thoughts away from the previous mortifying sight. She shared the same question, but the answer came from the previous notes she wrote on what the Lacrima told them of the fate of the Fairy Queen.
What if it was true? The Fairy Queen is believed to be the god of life; it was only natural to believe she could reverse death. If it was true and he one day got to meet the Fairy Queen could she bring his mother and father back to life? Would she? What would he need to do to get the wish? That was never mentioned in the book.
As his mind trailed by his eyes did as well, surveying the surroundings the steaming water blocking a lot of the view, but a shine amongst the steam didn't elude his gaze. Reflecting the golden light of the tree and above a rock lay a thing, or a mask? It was the only thing he could compare it to. A Golden mask which seemed to only cover from above the forehead to just where the nose ended. The design was familiar, he recognized some of its symbols from a book, but the names just lay at the tip of his tongue.
It was then he'd realized that not only was it a mask, but it was … a mask, a mask meant to be worn. Someone was in the hot springs with him and he hadn't noticed that beside the mask was a neatly folded blue fabric, a dress perhaps. However, right as the realization came to him his eyes spotted a feminine figure amongst the steam. "I'm sorry for intruding!" he panickily shouted, startling the figure in the process making him realize that she hadn't noticed he was there either.
No sound was made, only the flowing of water could be heard as Zeref got out of the spring and put on his clothes, wetting them in the process. The silence felt deafening and he knew his face was as pink as his brother's hair. It was in that silence he heard a faint sound, almost like a click, it zoomed through the air and flew right at him. He flinched for a moment before seeing the light stop right in front of him and in the light he could see a much smaller figure, donning a Silver mask his eyes couldn't widen anymore at the sight.
It was a fairy. A fairy was in front of him. He gazed over her … his … its features. The silver mask it wore was different from the golden one, it covered the fairies entire face, its shape smooth and pointy, ending at a point just below where the chin would be. It also had long silver hair longer than its entire body, it curved upward defying gravity at its end, forming what he would call a tail. It wore some kind of flower dress, made to look as if it were encased in a flower, or perhaps it was an actual flower he couldn't tell. As he gawked at the sight before him, the fairy continued to float in front of him, whether it floated through wings or something else he couldn't see, only hear as the 'clicking' continued.
The members of Fairy Tail saw with bated eyes. In unison their mouths opened in amazement and an unforeseen glee. The namesake of their guild was in front of them, (in front of Zeref) and they couldn't help but stare amazed. In that amazement their minds revisited memories of Fairy Tales told in starry nights.
It was during that time a thought crossed his mind. His excitement blinded him to the 'clicking' of the fairy getting faster. "Could you send a message for me?" he hastily asked. After his words were uttered he felt a sudden sting on his forehead. He flinched again, toughing his forehead he noticed the fairy had kicked him. The fairy kicked him! His surprise only let him stare as the fairy waved at him before flying away.
Mira and Levy giggled at the action, while the rest felt smiles creep onto their faces at the amusing sight.
Without a moment's hesitation he followed it, running as it flew faster and he chased the fairy as it zipped across the forest. He called out to it, asking it to listen to what he wanted to ask as it whizzed past trees flying in confusing patterns that only tired him out more. He didn't take track of how long he'd chased the little fairy, but he knew from how wobbly his legs were it must've been at least an hour. Halfway through he got aware the fairy was making him run in circles leaving him back to the hot spring once again as he collapsed on the ground.
The fairy flew back to him and landed at the tip of his nose and taunted him. The action only made him want to swat away the creature like a fly, but he was so out of breath he couldn't move his arm. He saw it as it flew away to the trees and behind a particular one. He thought that was it and fairy was gone. What he didn't expect was to hear a voice call out to him from behind the tree.
"Are you well?" a melodious voice worriedly asked.
Peaking from behind the same tree the fairy had disappeared was a woman. The same woman who'd only an hour earlier was in the same hot spring as him. She wore the same golden mask he saw before, yellow almost golden hair flowed down across her body, two curly bangs were on each side of her face which only emphasized the only uncovered parts of her face, her mouth; which held a frown. Her appearance more than reminded him of another woman he knew very well.
As he stared at her beautiful face, without thinking, only a single word came from his mouth "No."
The Lacrima stopped its projection, leaving the group of five hanging in suspense. One in particular didn't take kindly to that and voiced their discontent. "What! Come on, it can't end like that!" Mirajane whined.
By now I expect anyone to have read this far to be at least somewhat invested in the story. I've had this idea in my mind for a long time and know that this will be a long one. I want to update every four weeks or so, perhaps more frequent if I can. If you have any questions or comments you want to make feel free to I'll be responding to as many of them as I can.
Thank you for reading.