Chapter 15: One Kiss


[Previously:]

After everyone was done eating, they went to their assigned tents. Mavis sitting on her tombstone, staring at the night-starry sky with a blank expression. Being a spirit, it meant she didn't really need sleep…

Suddenly, she felt a familiar presence. Not needing to turn around to know who it was but knowing that he could actually SEE her now, Mavis did it anyway.

Green eyes stared into black wide-eye ones, he didn't make a sound… Mavis smiled to herself after a little scan, he still looks the same with his black fair and outfit. His flowing white toga draped around his torso.

Turning her attention to the camp, casting a sound-proof spell not to alert her family, she went back to gazing at the sky. Whispering in a soft tone, "It's been so long… Zeref."


"Mavis…" Zeref whispered, almost breathlessly. Not understanding how he could see her, eyes showing mixed emotions from confusion, amazement, longing, and finally love.

"Before anything, yes I am still technically 'dead'. My core body and soul are still resting safely, but for the upcoming war against my guild, I used a spell so everyone could see my spirit-self… I'm going to help them anyway I can," Mavis stated seriously, eyes dark and accusing.

Although the comment only brought grief and twisted up confusion to Zeref, "War…? Why are your fairies going into war, and with whom?"

At that moment, Mavis snapped her head towards him with wide eyes—Didn't he know? It was his demons after all… She looked into his eyes, trying to fight deception but finding nothing but truthfulness. "You mean, you don't know…? It is against your demons after all."

"My… demons? There are only ten real demons in total, and I put Mard Geer in charge of the Nine Demon Gates. If they're attacking Fairy Tail, then he must've found out E.N.D's true identity…"

Zeref sighed, sadly glancing away from Mavis and breaking eye contact, "Mavis… Mard Geer is planning to release E.N.D.. If that happens, this world will forever be stained in blood. My little brother… Natsu, he won't be able to control himself and will kill anyone in his sight. Even his friends… Until his one goal is complete."

Mavis side-eye Zeref before breaking out into a smile, giggling that had the dark wizard turn to her in shock at the fact she was laughing. After she finished, Mavis merely smiled sweetly, "There is ONE person who E.N.D can't harm... and that special someone could bring your strongest demon to his knees if only asked."

Zeref raised an eyebrow as if to say 'your-kidding-right', "Mavis, I love and have missed you dearly… But I think you got crazier over the years you've been dead—E.N.D cannot be controlled by no one."

Mavis blushed when Zeref told her bluntly that he loved her, quickly shaking her head in embarrassment. Throwing a pebble at him for calling her crazy, "NO BAKA! There IS only one person that can tame him—and her name is Lucy Heartfilia. If you don't believe me, when the war starts, we shall watch and see what happens from afar."

The dark wizard hummed, remembering the Heartfilia name well, and while he still didn't think so. Zeref agreed to see it through. The two sat in silence until Mavis remembered something, "Zeref?"

He was now sitting next to her on the tombstone, the one that holds Fairy Glitter, looking at the campsite that held Natsu. While Mavis admired the stars, "Hm?"

"Do you perhaps know the reason why a former guild member of mine is working with your demons? Her name is Lisanna Strauss… She used to be such a sweet girl, until jealousy consumed her one day—She was in love with Natsu, but he didn't reciprocate those feelings. Then, she became evil as greed consumed her to make Natsu hers," Mavis mumbled quietly in distraught.

"She's being used."

"What?" Mavis' nose scrunched, turning to Zeref only to be surprised at his dark gaze—He most likely didn't appreciate someone using Natsu as a "trophy" to gain.

"This Lisanna girl… She's being used—The girl may not know it because the demons are letting her boss them around, but she's really leading them closer to E.N.D. Once they reach their own goal, Lisanna will no longer be useful and they'll use her as E.N.D's first kill," Zeref stated, seriously.

Mavis looked at the ground in deep thought until sunlight started to crack through the sticks and leaves of the base. "You should go—Everyone will be up any second and there are four dragon slayers that know what the scent of dark magic smells like."

Zeref sighed, "Your right… I shall take my leave for now, but before I go," he turned to Mavis, hesitantly reaching out to touch her cheek. When it didn't go right through like an illusion would, he softened before pulling her close until their noses touched.

Both their eyes closed, leaning more into each other… Their lips met in a sweet and gentle kiss, showing all the emotion they had for each other.

Zeref pulled away, forehead touching hers and whispering against Mavis's lips, "One cannot die if their soul is not here… I knew nothing would happen this time." Dark magic surrounded himself, Zeref disappearing before anyone woke up and heading back to his empire—Mavis was still in a daze, recovering quickly and off to wake everyone for breakfast, then training. It's day six for mating season, but day two until the battlefield.

{Twenty Minutes Later}

Everyone was up and eating their breakfast, talking among themselves. Lucy, Mirajane, and Levy were both sitting in a circle, discussing ways to learn how to control their new power that was obtained… Yet, it seemed only Mirajane was able to do it with ease. Natsu and Gajeel were pigging out but turned to Laxus with curiosity when listening in on the girl's conversation. The lightning dragon slayer gives them a devilish smirk in return.

Yukino sat with Sting, talking to him as Rogue and Kagura played with Frosch, the tough exterior softening at the sight of the Exceed—The other Exceeds such as Happy, Lector, Carla, and Panther Lily were gathered, eating their favorite foods. Happy and Lector fighting over fish, Carla drinking her tea with a biscuit and Panther Lily savoring the taste of kiwis.

Erza was eating her strawberry cake when Jellal tried to gain her attention and talk, only to be ignored. Juvia and Meredy huddled together, catching up since the last time they saw each other.

Gray chatted with Rufus and Lyon, while Jura and Orga waited for their food to heat up.

And everybody else looked as if they were going to pass out from waking up too early.

The first-master and Makarov were far away, not wanting the dragon slayers to hear. From their facial expressions, it seemed to be serious.

When coming back, Makarov cleared his throat and caught everyone's attention, except the ones that fell asleep on the floor. Erza got irritated at the disrespectful snoring mages for not paying attention, summoning her swords and preparing to strike a punishment if It wasn't for Jellal holding her back from rampaging. Yet, Sting decided the best way to wake them was to jump and step on them, yelling into their ears. Which quickly earned a smack to the head by Yukino, the celestial mage scowling at him and saying it was rude.

Now that everybody was paying attention, Master Makarov cleared his throat again, "Children, we only have today and tomorrow for training. I want everyone to begin and head to their groups. Do not return until lunch time, then after lunch, I want you to do it again until dinner—Now off you go. All except Warren, Hibiki, and Cana!"

Groans echoed all around, but did what was told, leaving into the forest.

[Group 1:]

Gray, Juvia, Lyon, Rufus, and Eve walked through the forest until finding the place where Juvia fought Meredy.

Arriving, they began.

[Group 2:]

Jura, Sherry, Beth, Jäger, Rocker, Droy and Max made their way to rocky ground that was on the other side of the island.

Finally making it, a battle was started.

[Group 3:]

Wendy, Chelia, Ren, Wakaba, and Semmes went to higher ground where you could feel the wind blow and hit your body.

At the highest peak, everyone battled against the wind and tried not to get blown away.

[Group 4:]

Erza, Kagura, Jenny, Elfman, Evergreen, Meredy and Jellal were at the clearing when Acnologia wiped half the forest away.

[Group 5:]

Romeo, Macao, Freed and Bickslow arrived at the place where the guild camped out last time for the injured.

[Group 6:]

Ichiya, Bacchus, Araña, Risley and Millianna went to the spot where Natsu, Lucy, and Happy fought the seventh kin once.

[Group 7, 8, and 9:]

Mirajane, Lucy, Yukino, Levy, Happy, Panther Lily, Lector, Frosch, Carla, Laxus, Orga, Sting, Rogue, Natsu, and Gajeel are at the ground where Loke fought against Capricorn the last time.

.

From there, all the groups started training and fighting. Working hard to improve their magic power and intensity for the war that will be brought to them.