After waking Steph up and having her come with them to the guild hall, the meeting could resume as normal.
"So," Nashi's father said, "as I was saying before, we do have a plan of sorts. Can we get to that now?"
No one said anything.
"Good. So, as I'm sure you all remember, Damien was given a special staff at Zentopia. One that he can use to open portals into the Circles of Judgement. Our strike team is going to enter those portals, and we're going to take out the Demon Lords. Now, before anyone asks, yes I know that taking them out is exactly what will wake Zomrus up."
"The Archbishop wasn't specific," Damien continued, "but from what he said, it seemed to be that the Demon Lords would need to be killed completely for him to wake up. I don't know if that's true, and I doubt anyone does. But that's what he said."
"We need to operate with that in mind," Her father continued, "but frankly, we don't have much to go on. Especially considering that-" Everyone jumped in their seats when Damien jumped out of his, looking surprised.
"Damien?" Gray asked, "what's wrong?" The white-haired man looked like he's seen a ghost, but he slowly turned his head to look at Simon.
"The staff," he said. "Give me the staff." Simon looked confused, but nodded. He reached out into his requip inventory, and retrieved the staff. As soon as it entered their pocket of space, Nashi felt her body begin to thrum with magic. The artifact was so powerful she could feel the magic it created pushing against her in an attempt to gain enough room for itself. She gave up trying to track it's potential. It was hurting her mind.
"Just now," Damien said in a voice just above a whisper, "there was a voice in my head. Not the usual one. It was...different. It was telling me to take the staff."
"...Well," Elise said, "what is it saying, Father Dreyar?" Damien kept staring at the crystal imbued at the staff's head, his eyes full of wonder. Soon, though, everyone watched as Damien pointed the staff at his own forearm.
A blinding white light engulfed the guild hall. When it was over, Nashi opened her to find no one had disintegrated, thankfully. Upon Damien's formally blank forearm was not a collage of wavy markings, marking that's glowed with warm light. The markings began to fade into his skin, and he swallowed hard as they did so.
"It's a blessing from Anhkseram," he explained weakly. "He's given us a way to seal the Demon Lord's powers into their Circles, preventing them from manifesting fully in our world without the use of their host. That way, they can't go after Nashi."
"So have we figured out why big daddy upstairs isn't helping us with more than a tattoo and well wishes?" Gray demanded. "I mean, we're going to fight his own creations Surely he could offer more."
"The Archbishop said it was likely Anhkseram didn't want to hasten his brothers awakening," Steph said slowly. "Perhaps him directly intervening would ruin it all."
"Wait," Ultear said, "is this an endorsement from him? Are we doing the right thing, then?"
"It's not that," Nashi said immediately. She realised everyone was now staring at her, which made her blush.
"Why do you say that, Nashi?" Her mother asked.
"I mean, it's kinda obvious," she said. "Zomrus...He has people working for him, carrying out his will. Anhkseram is just levelling the playing field for us. It us and Anhkseram...Fighting against Zomrus, Hades and the Children of Nyx."
Her words cast silence over the group, everyone digesting this potential explanation. No one seemed eager to step up to the plate, so Nashi swallowed her fear and stepped forward. She got up in front of Damien and extended her left forearm, nodding at him. He nodded back at her, and then aimed the staff at her arm.
Another flash of brilliant white light.
But something was wrong.
When Nashi opened her eyes, she wasn't in the guild hall anymore. In fact, she was no where at all.
She was in a field of grass, which was glowing in the afternoon sun. A breeze wafted past her, And she closed her eyes to enjoy it. She'd never felt so at peace before. This was heavenly.
She felt a presence behind her, so she turned to look over her shoulder. When she did, she saw a small orb of glowing white light. In maintained it's distance from her, but she could almost sense it was staring at her.
"Where am I?" She asked. The orb gave her no response, and yet, somehow, an answer formed in her head. She felt surprise, but it was muted somehow. Wherever she was, it was keeping her calm and serene.
"So, you pulled me here?" She asked. She again got no response, but again an answer came to her. "Are you who I think you are?"
...
"Yeah, I figured." She said, "it's your staff after all. Of course you pulled me in."
...
"Damien did say it had the ability to communicate with you, but I figured it was more of a one-way signal."
...
"No, we didn't test it..."
...
"Why did you pull me here? Did you need to tell me something?"
...
"What do you mean, I bear no responsibility? I'm the one who got resurrected. I'm the only that's deciding the end of the world."
...
"I don't care that it's been in motion for ten thousand years. I just don't want it to be me."
...
"...I know we don't get to choose. I just wish he could have."
...
Nashi gave this some thought, frowning.
"No, I wouldn't want to force this on someone else." She thought back to Eastyn, Drakhosz's takeover wizard, who had wanted to die and have someone else be cursed. She didn't want that. "I just hate that it has to be me."
Something happened this time.
Nashi did hear a voice.
It was neither male nor female, yet it was the most melodious, beautiful tone she had ever heard. Although he spoke normally, his annunciation was like a song. His words vibrated around her skull and down her spine, spreading warmth through every molecule of her very being.
"Fate chose you because it knew you were strong enough to carry this burden."
Nashi looked back at the orb weakly, still recovering from the voice she had just heard. She was certain she would go the rest of her life without ever feeling that much joy and happiness again. Their mere tone sent here into a euphoric state.
"You are strong, Nashi Dragneel. The fire that burns within you has been cultivated for longer than you even know. And that fire will light the darkness when it engulfs the world. You will rise like a phoenix and defeat the evil. I know you can."
"...How?" She asked, "how can you believe in me like that?"
His response sent her head spinning.
"Because you are as I created you, beautiful and strong. Resilient and reliant. A natural leader, because you don't want to lead. You are exactly as I imagined humanity to be forever ago. You and your family, you are the beauty in humanity my brother refuses to see. He detests and tortures you so because you represent everything he rejected."
Nashi didn't know what to say. She felt like they had to be keeping her existence together, because their praise was causing her to vibrate with pride. She felt like they would split her apart if they weren't careful.
"...I-I don't know what to s-say."
"You needn't say a word. I know."
There was a blessed silence between them, which allowed Nashi to relax. Soon, the orb spoke again.
I will return you now, and know that no time has passed. When you return, the blessing I give will be on your arm, and your family will not know anything different happened."
"Okay," she said weakly, not wanting to burn her eyes by looking at the orb.
"I wish for you to relay a message to your father."
"W-What is it?" She asked.
"Tell him he is correct. He must open the chapters of his past and reawaken what he sent to sleep."
"...What?"
"He will know."
"O-Okay," she replied weakly, still not sure what to say. The orb continued.
"I will be with you and yours, Nashi. Do not doubt. All you must do is believe in the light."
Despite the fact that it burned her eyes, Nashi still turned to look at the orb.
"Thank you, Anhkseram."
Before light engulfed her vision, her memory was forever seared by the what she saw within the glowing orb, which was the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.
And just like that, she was back. She was standing before Damien, glowing tattoos on her arm. She looked down at them slowly, almost incapable of digesting what had just happened. Her ability to deduce was gone. Her entire being felt frazzled.
"Nashi?" She heard Damien ask, "are you okay?" It felt like an eternity before her head nodded.
"...Yeah," she said, realising her eyes were unfocused. "I'm fine...I just...Uh..."
"Did something happen?" He sounded concerned, but Nashi did not share that sentiment. She was still high from her interaction.
"Yeah," she answered, "I,uh, spoke to Anhkseram."
She couldn't tell if the silence was dramatic or shocked. She wasn't paying attention.
"You what?!" Damien finally asked in surprise. "What did he say?! Anything helpful?"
"Well," she said, "I guess he did...Dad? Are you here?"
"I'm right here," he said appearing near here. He, too, looked concerned. Nashi spared a thought to wonder how far away she looked right now. "What is it?"
"He wanted me to pass a message to you," she said. "He said, um...He said you were right. He said you half to open the chapters of your past and awaken what you put to sleep."
Nashi managed to gain control of her eyes, so she directed them at her father. His face was pale, and his eyes were wide.
"He said that?" He asked lowly.
"Yeah," she confirmed, "why? what did he mean?" Her father gulped, looking down.
"It means there's one more thing we need to do before we go," he answered.
"Are you sure?"
"Winter I already said, I'm fine." It had been a few hours since Nashi had spoken to Anhkseram, and since then her mother and father had both disappeared. From what she had gathered they had gotten into contact with Mest, who could travel quickly. She'd heard they would probably be back before the end of the day, but she had no idea what exactly they were doing. Everyone had received their blessing from the staff at this point, meaning they were just waiting for her parents. She'd been left to look after Luke in their absence, which she did by bouncing him on her leg.
As for own her well-being, everyone was concerned about her now. Not like they already hadn't been after her breakdown, but now that she'd spent the better part of the last few hours dazed and confused, they were worried she'd lost her mind completely. Quite the opposite. Nashi had never felt so lucid and clear in her life. Every felt so sharp and clear, and it was like some invisible haze had been covering her eyes. Everything seemed so...vibrant.
"What was it like?"Ultear asked, "speaking to a God?" Nashi gave this some thought as she thought back on the conversation, still bouncing her brother.
"Unlike anything I can describe," she replied. "Ever word spoken vibrated through every molecule in my body. His very presence was life-changing. It feels like everything is clearer. I can't describe it well."
"Sounds like it was fun," Elise replied as she punched her shoulder, making her wince. "What did he say to you other than to pass on that message to your Dad?"
"He..." Nashi's voice failed her as she recalled the praise he'd given them. "He said that we were the perfect example of what he thought made humanity beautiful. That we're everything about humans that Zomrus refuses to see. That's why he hates us."
"That's high praise coming from a God," Rina said, "did he offer any help beyond that?"
"No," she replied, keeping Anhkseram's praise of her to herself. It felt more personal. "I suppose that checks out, though. He doesn't want to intervene too directly."
"I still wish he would," Winter said wistfully. "Maybe then we could end this without a full blown God War."
The words registered with everyone there, silencing them. Nashi thought about what a full blown God War would look like. From what they knew, it would change the face of the world.
"The Archbishop said that the last one cracked the continents apart," Damien said, confirming her suspicions for her. "That there's a massive crater in Pergrande that they created when they fought. I imagine it will look that way again."
"...Is there really no way to avoid this?" Steph asked weakly. "Can we really not do anything?"
"We've been beaten over the head with the fact that Zomrus made this impossible," Simon said with his arms crossed. "I imagine that even if we abstained from this fight he'd have another plan. We've got no options and not enough information about him."
"It's always that way," Nashi said quietly, "not enough information, flailing around in the dark without any idea what to do."
There was another pointed silence between them as they stared at the floor, no one speaking.
Then, the doors to the guild were opened. Everyone looked on instinct, and Nashi saw who they had been waiting for. Standing by the doorway were her Mother, her Father, and Mest. Mest look exhausted from blinking to wherever they had gone, but he didn't show it. She could just tell from the sweat shining on his forehead. Both of her parents looked rather stoic, neither saying a word as they entered.
"Well?" Gray asked as they stepped further inside, "did you get what you went for?"
"...Yeah," Her father said, "we did."
"What was it, Dad?" Nashi asked. Her parents exchanged a look, nodded at each other, and her father reached into the bag at his side, reaching out what they'd gone for.
Nashi had not seen it in a long time.
An old, brown tome sat in her fathers hand. It by itself was unimpressive, but it was the memories that flooded to her that surprised her. A massive cavern. Enchantments all over the place to protect it. A pit of lava beneath it.
The secret her father had left for sixteen years to hide was now back inside the guild hall. It wasn't particularly impressive to look at, but the massive lettering on the front revealed it's origin.
The Book of END sat quietly in her fathers hand, but anyone could tell in was humming with power.
"Natsu, what the hell are you thinking?!" Gray shouted, "you went and got the Book of END?!"
"I had too," he replied.
"Why?"
"Because Anhkseram said it!" Natsu replied, "he...He used the exact words I did when I thought about opening it again. I haven't said a word to anyone, but he knew. He knew we needed it."
"Why?" Jellal asked from the bar, "what's so important about it now?"
"Because Natsu sealed his Etherious powers into it before Nashi was born," her mother said. "So if we unseal it now...We can use it against the Demon Lords."
"The Etherious powers Zeref gave me have the ability to kill even the immortal," Her father continued, "that was his aim, remember? To create a demon powerful enough to override the immortality of his curse. I can use this power now, again, but to protect my daughter. And I will."
Everyone was quiet.
"...What do we do with it?" Elise finally asked. Nashi's father sighed.
"I'd first advice you to step back. This is going to be dangerous, and Lucy's going to need some help."
Hades ignored the blackness of the void around him, focusing intently on the staff clutched between his fingers. He hadn't prayed like this is many months, but he needed one final message from his patron.
"...Ah, my prophet." A chilling, dark voice said in his mind. The darkness coiled around him, consuming him. "Why have you called to me?"
"For one final blessing, Father," Hades replied. "We go to battle soon. The Fairies and the Lords will fight. We will be there to pick up the pieces."
"Mm, you will indeed. You have been ever so persistent, Cain. I was not wrong to send for you." A chill went down his spine as his real name was spoken.
"We will end what you started to many years ago," he said.
"Indeed we will. Ten thousand years ago I was sealed away by my own brother. But no lock lasts forever. The Demon Lords are infighting, the most sacred Law was broken. Even now I feel my strength stirring. And you, my son, will deliver the final blow. You will start a New Age for your kind in this world." A chill went down Cain's spine.
"All I do, I do for you, my Lord," he replied. "But...I do have one question for you."
"What is it?"
"We...Well, your plan is of course ingenious, but we do lack the number required." Cain said carefully. "We do not have twelve offerings prepared." Zomrus was silent for a moment, and Cain began to worry he had offended the God by questioning him.
"Yes, we were never able to break the final piece. Tell me, Cain, how is it possible that you were not able to break his spirit?"
"...I-I an unsure, Lord. We did as you asked, and...Nothing came of it"
"Are you saying I am to blame for your failure?"
"Of course not, Lord! I-It's just that now, on the eve of your awakening, we lack the numbers. I would never question you."
"You needn't worry about numbers, boy. Even without the twelfth child, we will be fine. Because we have you."
"L-Lord?"
"Once I am free from my prison, I will have no use for a takeover wizard any longer. You will be free of my influence, and ready to take your place as my second-in-command. You are the twelfth piece, Cain. You will kill the Twelfth Demon Lord."
Cain's head was abuzz with excitement at this news. He had always assumed that awakening Zomrus would kill him, but now he got to see the plan grow to fruition? This was the best he could have hoped for.
"An excellent idea, Lord. I will carry out your wishes to the letter."
"You will. And the humans will know again what death truly is."
The shadows released him, and Cain nearly fell to the ground as he released the staff, gasping for air.
"Hades, are you okay?" He looked up to see Philotis helping him to his feet, looking worried.
"I'm fine," he assured her. "Zomrus gives good news. We can proceed uninterrupted." The redhead smiled widely at this.
"Finally," she said, "we can save our disgusting brethren."
"Indeed," Hades agreed with a smirk. "We will lead the world to a brighter era."
I hope I've been getting better at consistent updates, but it is at the cost of other projects. Oh well. I hope you all enjoyed, leave a review! Let's try and get five!