The End

Liana walked closer to Natsu, smiling and giggling at his confused form holding the little flower pot in his hands.

She took note of the changes that had taken place in his body. His increased height, his longer hair, his gaunt and bright face… he reminded her so much of Ankhseram.

Liana extended her hands out to Natsu. "Is that for me, Natsu?"

Natsu gawked at her for a while, before looking down at the Lily plant in his hands. He fumbled and extended Liana that plant. "It's… it's a gift. For you."

Liana smiled wider as she accepted the flower. "Thank you. I appreciate this."

She held the pot in one of her hands, and then pulled Natsu into an embrace. She placed her head atop his chest and breathed deep in his comforting ash like fragrance. Soon, Ankhseram would leave her alone to spend his life with another woman. Any closeness with him now was to be cherished by her. Soon, she would never meet him again.

She let go, and then turned to Erza. "Erza… I am glad to see you again. I have missed you."

Erza found herself smiling softly, yet a bit awkwardly. Liana was Natsu's wife… in a past life. But now, in this life, Natsu loved Erza. How would this situation be resolved? It was a weird predicament to be in for the three of them.

Liana, on the other hand, didn't seem disconcerted by that fact. She appeared happy and satisfied, as if she already had the answer figured out. She approached Erza and hugged her lovingly and affectionately.

"Don't worry." She whispered in her ear. "Natsu is all yours."

Erza gawked at the white horizon in front of her as Liana hugged her. Right now… she was being embraced by the goddess One. In her complete and full glory. She had just been hugged by Natsu, who was Ankhseram in his own right. But this hug… it felt different. This bubbling of peace and comfort and joy in Erza's heart, almost nearing spiritual bliss and devotional closeness… It was an experience to be had.

Liana pulled away from Erza, and caressed her cheek lovingly. "How are you, Erza? And how has Natsu been?"

Erza blinked. "Uh… I… I have been good. And Natsu too."

Liana giggled. "No need to be so awkward. Come on. I have somewhere we can talk in peace."

She grabbed Erza's hand and started to pull her towards a direction in that white world.

"Come Natsu. Or we'll leave you behind."

Natsu nodded and ran up beside Erza.

They walked for a while… until they reached a tree. It was tall and crooked, ancient and old. Its trunk appeared to twist and turn up its length before bursting into a hundred branches, each carrying thousands of leaves. A sweet honey-like fragrance seeped in the surroundings of that tree, pleasant and healing to the scent.

Erza looked at the tree, and the hundreds of golden glowing fruits that hung off the branches like lamps. She had… never seen such a tree before. Was this a divine tree that grew only in the realm of the gods?

Natsu looked up at the tree and smiled. "This place…"

Liana glanced at the tree as well. "Yes. This tree has flourished since you last visited."

Liana looked back at Erza, and found her awkwardly looking at her and Natsu. "I am sure you are confused. Natsu will tell you what this tree is. Come, sit next to me."

Liana knelt down on the warm floor, and Erza knelt down beside her. Natsu caressed the tree trunk, smiling lovingly. This tree… carried so many memories for him. It was a link to his lost and gone past. A past that was dark and riddled with tragedy. But now… he had come to terms with it.

He sat down next to the tree, facing the two women. His long hair swept in the winds and fluttered.

"So… this tree. Erza, this is an Etheria tree." Natsu began.

"Etheria?" Erza mumbled. "I… I have never heard of it."

Natsu smiled wide. But Erza could sense the grief behind that smile. What was the story behind this tree? Why did Natsu almost look… reminiscent?

Natsu slowly responded. "They used to grow on Tenrou 700 years ago. When I lived with Zeref and Mavis. After my death… these vanished too. Zeref… inadvertently named me after this tree when he reanimated me. Etherious… remember?"

Erza narrowed her eyes. She slowly turned her head to look at Liana. Liana looked at her and smiled, with nothing to say. As if she was silently asking Erza to believe in Natsu. As if that was a lesson that One was teaching Erza. To always trust in Natsu, no matter what.

Erza looked back at Natsu. She watched as Natsu stood up and picked three fruits off the tree branch. The boy who once couldn't even climb the tree no matter how hard he tried now could reach it effortlessly.

Natsu sat back down, and handed a fruit each to Liana and Erza. Liana accepted hers thankfully, but Erza fumbled before touching that fruit. Here she was… sitting down with Ankhseram and One, as if on a picnic, sharing sweets with them as if they were her friends. The two greatest celestial beings of the entire existence, sitting right before her. It was a surreal situation for her to be in.

She slowly accepted the fruit. It was warm to the touch. It glowed brilliantly yet subtly in her hands, as if she was holding a ball of energy. Does she take a bite now? What would the fruit taste like?

Natsu looked at the small apple sized fruit in his hand, and smiled demurely. "I apparently loved these when I was little. But… this is the first time I will be tasting one consciously."

Natsu took a small bite. It tasted halfway between an orange and honey. It was a weird taste, yet pleasant to the tongue and the senses. It warmed Natsu's body, but cooled down his tongue. He understood now why he loved these fruits so much.

As he continued to chew… his mind felt dizzy and blank. Throes of black lights entered his mind and purged him from inside out. A slight migraine coursed through his face, and he hung his head and shut his eyes. In the blackness before his eyes, he saw himself. A little boy alone in the forest, trying to climb the tree. He was too little to climb it yet, but one day that boy would grow up. He would die twice in life, one at the hands of his own mother, and second at the hands of his brother. One day, that little boy would become all that he was supposed to become. One day, he would transform.

Natsu walked closer to that little boy. The boy stopped hopping on his feet, and looked at the tall and handsome stranger that had visited him.

"Zeref…? Is that you? Why is your hair… YOUR HAIR LOOKS LIKE MINE!"

Natsu smiled and knelt before the boy. "I am not Zeref. But… I love you just as much as Zeref does. You aren't alone, Natsu. Remember that. Whatever happens next, you will never be alone. You have a great life waiting for you ahead, no matter how dark it looks now. Never lose hope, Natsu. Never ever feel scared or lost. You will find friends eventually. You will even find love. You will find a woman who will love you unconditionally and undeniably. Make sure you love her back just as much, okay?"

The little boy looked confused and lost. Natsu smiled to himself. He was too little to comprehend what Natsu was saying. But soon, he will grow up. He will learn things the hard way. But… Natsu had faith in that little boy. He will overcome all the hurdles and come out victorious on the other side. Natsu knew that.

"Umm… will she be as beautiful as Mavis?" The boy asked. "Do you know Mavis? She is very pretty."

Natsu slowly brushed the little boy's head. "I know Mavis. Yes. That woman will be just as beautiful and kind as Mavis. She will love you for everything that you have and that you are. She will never leave your side. Make sure you return her love. Okay?"

The boy still looked confused, but nodded nevertheless. "Okay, mister!"

Natsu pinched his cheek. He rose up to his feet, and plucked a fruit off the Etheria tree and presented that to the little boy. The boy squealed in joy. He grabbed that fruit and plomped on the ground, eating big mouthfuls of the fruit, like a squirrel would do.

Natsu smiled, and turned around. He walked through passages of black and white, as if walking through zebra coloured hallways.

He paused and looked back. The scenery behind him had contracted, but he could still see the little boy in the distance, alone and secluded, happily enjoying his treat.

Natsu smiled softly. "I believe in you, Natsu."

…..

Erza narrowed her eyes. She stared at Natsu, and found him having propped his head against the tree trunk, fast asleep.

"N-Natsu?"

"Let him be."

Liana said, smiling. "Wonder what he's dreaming about?"

Erza sighed. She sat back down, a bit uncomfortable. Natsu, even slightly asleep, could send her into a storm of worry. That's how deeply she was in love with him.

Liana looked at Erza. "Erza? How… how much do you love Natsu? I know it's a silly question, but please. I would like to know your answer."

Erza looked down at a small flower near the tree, her cheeks burning red. "Beyond words. I… I can't explain how much I love him."

Liana shifted closer to her and grabbed her hand. "Please do."

Erza thought about it for a while. "If… if I am on a boat sailing on the sea, I'd like to think that Natsu is that sea. If I am flying high in the air like a bird, I'd like to think that Natsu is the air. The food that I eat, the cakes that I enjoy so much, I feel like Natsu is the sweetness in my mouth. When I am angry and livid, I feel like Natsu is the cool wind caressing my body, comforting me. Asking me to not lose my sight of what's important. When I die… and my body is burnt at a pyre, I'd like to think Natsu is the fire that's burning me. If I am buried deep underground, Natsu is the dirt around me. When I am thirsty, Natsu is the water. When I am under the blazing sun, Natsu is the shade. When I am freezing, Natsu is my warmth. When I am tired, Natsu is the bed that I rest on. When… when I die… Natsu is the universe that I merge into. It's… it's difficult to explain."

Liana smiled. "When you look at Natsu, what do you see?"

Erza looked at Natsu, his long hair like a pillow behind his head. His dark lips softly parted, breathing in and out. His chest rising up and down. His hands clasped around his knees. His beautiful and sunken eyes shut and dreaming. He was… mesmerising.

Erza smiled. "I… I see myself in his arms. His arms around me, holding me dearly and lovingly. Providing me with comfort, solace, pain, sweetness, bitterness, rest and tiredness… all at once. I see stars twinkling in the darkest of the nights, the sun blazing in the brightest of the days, the moon, cold and lonely, the fish in the water, swimming beautifully, the flowers in a field, pretty and colourful… I see so much in him. I see my world in him."

There was silence, only cut by Natsu's soft snoring. Winds bespelled the surroundings, sending sweet scent of the Etheria fruits wafting into the air.

"And… if Natsu is taken from you? What would you do?"

Erza looked at Liana. She had no smile on her face this time. All that her glowing and beautiful face showed was a grim expression, in tune with the question she had asked.

Erza looked back at Natsu. She had already lost him once. That pain… wasn't anything like she had ever experienced. Her eyes ached from the tears that she had shed, her breathing had stopped from all the sobs that wrecked her fragile body, and her heart had shattered into a million billion pieces, like glass, piercing into her body like shrapnels. She had bled tears like nothing else. She still didn't know why she hadn't just killed herself after Natsu had left her.

"I would… destroy the world. Whether with my tears… or my anger. I can't live without him."

Liana breathed in, and sat back straight. She coralled a lock of her hair behind her ear. It looked like her questions had come to an end.

"To adore without reason, to give without expectations, to protect without fear, to fight without a thought. That is love. And… from what you have told me, you love Natsu. You love Natsu in its purest form. Just the way I had created the quality of love to be experienced."

She stood up, smiling. Erza stood up after her. Liana then faced Erza and held her shoulders.

"This was a small test, Erza. You have passed. Your words just now, they remind me of my love for Ankhseram. I have no right to snatch Natsu away from you. That would go against the principle of true love. I created that law. No being in the universe has the right nor the strength to hinder true love. That law… applies to me too."

Erza looked a bit uncomfortable. She grabbed Liana's hand. "Are you okay with departing from Natsu?"

Liana smiled, and kissed Erza's hand. "No. I will never be okay. But this isn't about me. This is… about Natsu. And you. Natsu may have been my husband… my love during one lifetime, but now… he is my child. Just like you are. I just want to see my children happy. And I know that you two are happy together. That is enough for me."

Erza looked down. "I… I am sorry, Liana."

Liana shook her head and smiled brighter. "Don't be. You havent made a mistake. Loving someone with all your heart… that is never a mistake. Be happy and proud that you were able to find love. It is rare to find such bliss. Not everyone in the world has such an experience."

Erza smiled. "Will you… test Natsu too? To see if he loves me or not?"

Liana giggled. "Do you want me to?"

Erza shook her head. "I don't care. I know Natsu's love for me is infinite. That will never change, no matter what."

Liana laughed sweetly, cupping her lips. "Just so you know, I have already tested Natsu. After you died, I sent Death to Natsu to tell him that he could exchange his Godly powers for your life. And… he did that without a second thought. That was my test. It was a bit tougher than yours, but it was nessecary. And, luckily, Natsu passed."

Erza felt surprised. Even shocked. That was… a test.

"That means… Natsu can still use his powers?"

Liana winked and shushed her. "Yes. But let's keep that from Natsu. He will realise that when the time comes."

Erza still didn't understand everything. She shifted uncomfortably. "Then… if Natsu didn't do anything, how did he bring me back to life? I thought you were the goddess of creation, and Natsu was the god of destruction."

Liana smiled. "When me and Ankhseram were together, we learnt a lot from each other. I told you, remember? I learnt intensity and ferocity from Ankhseram, and he learnt grace and elegance from me. That's what made us complete. In that process, we exchanged our powers. Ankhseram learnt of creating life from me, and I learnt of destroying one. When Acnologia killed you, that was my doing. I destroyed a life using what Ankhseram taught me, and when Natsu brought you back, that was Ankhseram's doing. He brought you back using what he learnt from me. That's how life goes on."

Erza slowly nodded. "I… I see."

So, Liana was the one behind Erza's death. That was one hell of a test that she put Natsu through. But… Natsu was a God in his own right. Maybe that's what being a god entails. Maybe this horrible test was written in his destiny. But… the fortunate thing was that he had passed past it. Maybe Liana knew that he would, and that's why she orchestrated Erza's death in the first place.

Liana looked at Natsu. "Well, it's about time that Mr. Sleep woke up, don't you think? Why dont you go rouse him?"

Erza nodded, smiling.

She walked to Natsu, and knelt down beside him. A few tufts of his hair fell before his eyes, dancing in the winds. A sweet smile garnered his dark lips.

"Erza…" Natsu muttered, smiling wider in his sleep.

Erza was taken aback, embarrassed a bit, and bursting with joy at another. Red crept up her cheeks. She looked at Liana, and found her giggling at the two of them.

Erza cleared her throat and looked back at Natsu. She gently shook him.

"Natsu. Wake up."

Natsu jolted out of his sleep and looked at Erza. He quickly sat up.

"Shit. I am sorry."

Erza narrowed her eyes. "For… what?"

Natsu shook his head drowsily. "I… I don't know. You looked angry. I thought you were going to smack me."

Erza suppressed her laughter, and smack him she did. It was a gentle bonk on his head.

"You idiot. Wake up. Do you even realise where we are?"

Natsu groaned and stood up. He looked at Liana and smiled. "Sorry. I must have been tired from that long flight."

Erza sighed and stood up beside him. Natsu sent his fingers through Erza's and held her hand tightly. Erza righeteed nervously, blushing red.

"So, Liana. I think it's time we headed back. We have bothered you long enough."

Liana shook her head. "Your presence here has only made me glad. But you can't return just yet. There is someone you need to meet. Well… two someones. Turn around, Natsu, will you?*

Natsu did so, and found two people standing behind the Etheria tree. One was a woman, with bright golden hair and a fair gaunt face. She stood next to a man with long black hair, and a slender physique.

Natsu's jaw dropped.

"Zeref… and… Mavis."

Erza looked at the two of them as well, having almost the same reaction as Natsu. Zeref was the dark wizard they had just been fighting. And Mavis… Mavis was the first master of Fairy Tail. After everything that Zeref had told Erza about Mavis and himself, she looked at the two of them differently. Any other time, she would have looked at Zeref with contempt. But now, she knew better. Zeref was not a villain. He was a… product of consequences. He was a simple man who loved Natsu to no end, and was ready to part with even his sanity to see his brother again. Just now, Erza had herself said that if someone were to snatch Natsu away from her, she would destroy the world. Maybe… Maybe Zeref loved Natsu just as much as she did.

Natsu slowly stepped closer to the couple. They were busy looking up at the Etheria tree, holding hands… reminiscent.

"Zeref…" Natsu muttered.

Zeref heard him and turned around. So did Mavis. They both smiled warmly at Natsu.

Mavis left Zeref's hand and walked up towards Natsu. Upon reaching him, she pulled him into a warm and gentle hug. Her eyes flowed with love and affection. This was her younger brother that she had longed to see after he had departed from her world. Now… she had finally seen him.

Natsu couldn't help but inadvertently hug her back, as much flabbergasted as he was. He looked down at the tuft of her golden hair that lay over his chest.

"M-Mavis…" he muttered.

"Natsu." She smiled and hugged him tighter. "I have missed you so much. Look at how tall you've gotten. There was a time when you barely came upto my waist. You were so tiny. So lovable and adorable."

She pulled away, and looked deep into his eyes, holding his shoulders. "You still are. You are just as beautiful. How time flies."

Natsu couldn't even muster up his thoughts, let alone speak. Mavis… and Zeref… they were both standing right in front of him, looking at him, smiling. This was something unprecedented. Unbelievable. Unaccounted for. He had never thought he would get to see these two again. These people… cared for him when no one would. They gave a damn about him when no one did. They raised him, just as much as Igneel did. They were his parents just the same.

Natsu shut his eyes. "Mavis… I…"

"Shh. It's okay."

Mavis hugged him again.

Natsu couldn't hold himself back. Tears invariably flooded his eyes, and they flowed. They flowed like nothing before. He barely knew Mavis at all. He only remembered her from the memories that he had ventured through. But… she felt like an older sister that he had somehow lost along the way. This embrace that he was in… it meant everything to him. It was the heavens. It was the skies above his head, the ground beneath his feet, the horizon where the two met. It was everything.

He sobbed, and hugged her closer and that much more dearly.

"I… I missed you too, Mavis."

Mavis couldn't help but smile, even through the tears that left her eyes in bulk. She had longed to see this man. She had waited and waited. Now he was all grown up, healthy, well, sound and safe. And he was loved and cared for. What more could she ask for?

"I am here, Natsu. I am right here. It's okay. Everything is fine. I… I love you, Natsu."

The two remained like that for a few minutes, crying into each other, sobbing, silently and peacefully.

Mavis slowly pulled away and wiped Natsu's eyes and cheeks.

"Come on, now. You are all grown up. Remember what I told you? Grown ups don't cry."

Natsu smiled and wiped his eyes himself. "Yeah… sorry. I… I am just happy to finally see you. How are you?"

Mavis nodded. "I am just fine. I have been here, in this white world, with Zeref. We have reconciled our differences. We are… at peace."

Natsu looked up at Zeref, and found him standing solemnly at a distance, smiling warmly at Natsu.

Mavis grabbed Natsu's hand and led him to his brother.

"There. Now, talk."

That said, Mavis stepped back and stood out of earshot with Erza and Liana. The three women happily looked at the two brothers awkwardly standing before each other. They had a lot to talk about. It wouldn't be easy, but it was necessary.

Natsu stared at Zeref, jaw dropped and eyes widened. Zeref on the other hand only smiled.

"Zeref…?" Natsu mumbled.

Zeref smiled wider and brought his brother in for a hug. Natsu couldn't believe it. Zeref was so close to him… and they weren't fighting each other. They were rather hugging it out, like brothers were supposed to.

Natsu slowly raised his arms and hugged his brother back.

"How… how are you?"

Natsu muttered, breathily.

Zeref smiled and shut his eyes. "I am doing good, Natsu. It's been so long since I have been able to hold you like this. Let me stay like this for a moment."

"Are… are you dead?" Natsu asked.

"Yes. Finally." Zeref replied. "I have left my cursed immortality behind. To… to even think that you… that you were Ankhseram all along. My own little brother. Natsu… I am sorry for what I did to you. I was blinded by rage and revenge. I had lost my mind. Mavis tried to correct me, but I even flicked her away. I have never been the same ever since. But here… now… I have finally found peace. The gods are still deciding whether to send me to heaven or hell. My deeds were horrible, and I hurt a lot of people during my darkness. But… I think I'll be here a while. So I might as well enjoy it, right?"

Natsu felt… saddened. "You… you were in a dark place. I hurt a lot of people too when I was Etherious."

"Yes," Zeref replied. "But you had no mind of your own when you were a demon from my book. You were acting under my command. I have to take responsibility for your actions too."

Natsu couldn't have that. He pulled away from Zeref. "No! I… I will talk to Liana. I won't let you go to hell."

Zeref smiled. "Even… even after everything that I put you through, you will still fight for me?"

"Always." Natsu replied firmly. That was one thing he was confident of. "I won't let you be damned. You are my brother. I…"

Natsu gulped. "I… I love you."

Zeref's eyes widened for a moment, but they were soon to squint again. "Thank you Natsu. That means a lot. But… I await whatever comes my way. And I am ready for it. There must be some justice for me."

"Natsu…" Natsu heard Liana's voice. She walked up and sent her hand up his shoulder.

Natsu looked at her.

She smiled. "It's time for Mavis and Zeref to go. They can't interact with the living for too long. I hope you understand."

Natsu nodded briefly. He looked back at Zeref.

Zeref hugged him again, one last time. "It's okay, Natsu. Just knowing that you have loved me is enough. I find that thought more comforting than leagues of heavens. I can go peacefully now, wherever I go."

With that, Zeref pulled away from Natsu and started to walk backwards. Mavis joined his tail, and soon the two of them disappeared into the fog of the white world.

Natsu stared at the empty space, his arms empty and aching. He… he had wanted to hold them for a bit longer. Both of them.

Liana frowned sadly, and held Natsu's shoulder. "I am sorry, Natsu. This had to be done. They are humans, just like everyone else. They need to pass through judgement, just like everyone else."

Natsu exhaled. "Can… can nothing be done?"

Liana smiled. "You are Ankhseram, Natsu. The ruler of the heavens. You have a say in this matter, so why not exercise your responsibility? What do you want to happen to them?"

Natsu looked at Liana hopefully. "Can… can they find the heavens?"

Liana shook her head. "That's… beyond our power, Natsu. Both yours and mine. That's how you and I have designed this universe. Mavis can find the heavens… but not Zeref."

Natsu sighed agitatedly, and took a deep breath. "Can they… can they take birth again? In another world? Where Zeref will at least have a chance at redemption?"

He looked at her.

Liana smiled ear to ear. "Yes. That's possible. I was hoping you would say that, Natsu. I was expecting you to say that. You are Ankhseram through and through."

She took a deep breath. "I decree that Mavis Vermillion and Zeref Dragneel will find life again, in a separate existence. They will be born in a place called Tokyo, in Japan, in another world. They will meet in school, and fall in love with each other. They will go through hardships just like everyone else. But they will also find their way through all of it. You have my word, Natsu."

Natsu narrowed his eyes. Tokyo? Japan? School? What was she even saying? But he trusted Liana. She would do no wrong. She had given him her word.

"Thank you." Natsu smiled, satisfied.

He looked back at the fog that they had disappeared into.

'All the best… Mavis and Zeref.'

Erza walked up to Natsu. "Shall we leave, Natsu?"

Natsu turned around, and found her smiling heartily at him. He nodded.

"Yes. We have spent enough time here."

Liana then stood back, and clapped her hands.

…..

Natsu and Erza were back in Magnolia. On the meadows. Where they had kissed after Natsu had returned. Liana had directly sent them back home.

They stood and looked at the sunset together. Both of them stood silently, nothing said between them but loving and caring smiles. They were in love, and the power of love was undefeated. Undefeatable. As long as they were together… nothing could harm them.

Nothing.

There we Go. This little story has ended. with all its flaws and shortcomings, i am quite proud of it. this is the first story that i have been able to finish. more projects by me are on the way. writing never stops.

let me know how you liked this little project of mine. Love and Best wishes to everyone :)