Chapter 38
Nightfall cloaked the ruined remnants of Tartaros, its halls eerily quiet save for the voices of Fairy Tail's finest. Within a secluded chamber, where Mavis Vermillion lay in her ethereal slumber, a rowdy gathering of mages—Natsu, Gray, Erza, Lucy, Happy, Mirajane, Wendy, Carla in her human form, Mystogan, and Naruto—chattered away. Despite their best efforts, keeping their voices down wasn't exactly their strong suit.
Natsu, ever the curious and reckless one, leaned forward, squinting at the intricate black markings that lined Gray's arm. He nudged his chin in the ice mage's direction.
"Speaking of which, what's with the weird tats on your arm, Gray?" he asked, his voice laced with mild suspicion.
Gray glanced down at his wrist, flexing his fingers as the markings pulsed faintly in the dim candlelight. He lifted his arm, allowing the others a clearer view.
"This?" he said with a soft chuckle. His fingers ghosted over the dark lines, a strange mix of nostalgia and pride reflected in his eyes. "It's my old man's legacy… my Ice Devil Slaying Magic."
His smile was large but carried the weight of countless battles and memories.
Wendy's ears perked up at the mention of slayer magic. "A Slayer Magic?" she repeated, tilting her head in curiosity.
Carla, still standing with her arms crossed in a dignified manner, eyed Gray with scrutiny. "So, you're like Wendy and Natsu then?"
Gray nodded. "Yeah. Originally, my father created it specifically to take down E.N.D. He expected the strongest Etherious to be some kind of nightmare-inducing monstrosity—" he paused, cracking a smirk as he jabbed a thumb towards Natsu, "Turns out, it was just this guy."
Natsu's eye twitched. "O-Oi! What do you mean by that?! You're not the only one with an upgrade here, pal!" He pumped his fist, flames crackling along his knuckles.
Gray's smirk widened as he rolled his shoulder. "Oh? You wanna settle this right here, right now? LET'S GO!" Ice began gathering at his fingertips, mist swirling around him.
The tension between them thickened in an instant, a familiar prelude to yet another legendary brawl between fire and ice.
Before the two could leap at each other, a loud, commanding voice cut through the room like a steel blade.
"ENOUGH, YOU TWO!"
Erza's voice boomed with the force of a seasoned general.
Natsu and Gray immediately froze. Their fighting instincts abandoned them in favor of pure, primal survival.
"Y-Yes, ma'am," they both squeaked in unison, shoulders hunched as they clung to each other for dear life.
Erza crossed her arms, her fierce gaze locking onto them with unrelenting authority. "Good grief, you're lucky the Founding Master sleeps deeply, or else—"
That was all it took. The fire and ice mages shrunk even further under her glare, swallowing their retorts as a cold sweat formed on their brows.
"S-Sorrymasen~" they whimpered together.
Happy, ever the peanut gallery, grinned with a fish in his mouth. "Aye! That's Erza for you! Rrrr!"
Lucy sighed, rubbing her temples. "Seriously, do you guys even know the meaning of 'quiet'?"
Mystogan, who had remained silent all this time, merely shook his head in mild amusement while Naruto chuckled beside him.
A low, grumbling noise echoed through the chamber, cutting through the quiet hum of conversation.
Everyone paused, turning their heads toward the source.
It was Natsu's stomach.
"Damn, I'm hungry..." Natsu groaned, rubbing his belly like a starved beast.
Lucy facepalmed. "Seriously? We just fought for our lives and received consecutive colossal revelations, and that's your main concern?"
Mirajane giggled, sitting elegantly on a stone ledge. "Well, Natsu's stomach is probably just as powerful as he is." She flashed a teasing smile. "Or maybe even more."
"Oi, Mirajane, don't team up with them!" Natsu pouted.
Mystogan, who had been quietly observing, glanced around at the group. "So… who's going to call them?" he asked, a slight smirk playing at his lips.
Naruto, lounging casually with his arms behind his head, turned toward Natsu with a mischievous grin. "Probably Natsu."
Natsu blinked, pointing at himself. "M-Me?"
Naruto nodded. "Yep. As far as I know, you're the VIP here." His smirk widened.
Natsu scratched his head awkwardly before sighing. "Fine, fine."
He walked over to Mavis's resting place, where a pitch-black lacrima sat atop an ornate golden stand. It pulsed slightly, an eerie glow swirling within its depths.
Clearing his throat, Natsu hesitated before speaking into the mysterious orb.
"Umm… you guys got any food here?"
Silence.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—WHOOSH.
Like shadows materializing out of thin air, three figures instantly appeared in the room.
Mard Geer stood at the front, his ever-calm and unreadable expression in place. Behind him, Kyoka and Seilah followed, both pulling several carts stacked with lavish dishes. The scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and exotic spices filled the air, making Natsu's stomach growl even louder.
"Here, Lord Natsu. At your service."
The three Tartaros members spoke in eerie unison, bowing slightly before vanishing just as quickly as they arrived.
The entire room fell into stunned silence.
Gray's eye twitched as he took in the ridiculous sight. "Holy shit…" he muttered under his breath.
He turned to look at Natsu—who was now sitting on a ridiculously fancy cushioned chair, legs crossed, arms spread, a smug look plastered all over his face.
"What's that? Eat up, peasant!" Natsu declared, waving dramatically toward the food.
A vein popped on Gray's forehead. "Guh! That pisses me off!" he gritted his teeth, clenching his fists.
Erza, unbothered by the power dynamics at play, took one look at the food and immediately grabbed a plate. "Well, no point in wasting it."
Lucy sighed but followed suit. "Might as well eat before he gets even more insufferable."
Mirajane picked up a dish with a smile, serving Wendy and Carla with a motherly touch. "Come on, let's eat before it gets cold!"
The rest of the group sat down as well, and before long, the room was filled with laughter, chatter, and the clatter of plates as they indulged in the unexpected feast.
Despite the absurdity of it all, they ate their fill, momentarily forgetting the battles they had just fought.
And as the night stretched on, bellies full and exhaustion settling in, the group gradually drifted off to sleep—except for Natsu, who, despite his title of "Lord," was soon found snoring face-first into a plate of meat.
The morning sun streamed through the ornate windows of Mavis's chamber, golden rays filtering through delicate curtains, casting warm patches of light across the room. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, disturbed only by the soft, rhythmic breaths of Fairy Tail's strongest as they lay sprawled across the chamber in varying states of uncomfortable sleep.
Natsu was slumped over a chair, his face buried in a half-eaten plate of food, a faint snore escaping him every few seconds. Gray, arms folded behind his head, lay stretched out on the cold floor, while Erza had somehow managed to sleep upright, her sword still resting on her lap. Lucy had curled up on a cushion, Happy nestled beside her, his tail twitching as he murmured in his sleep.
Mirajane, ever graceful even in sleep, had leaned against Wendy, who herself was snuggled up with Carla in her human form. Mystogan sat cross-legged against the wall, his breathing deep and steady. Naruto, on the other hand, had dozed off near the doorway, arms crossed, his face peaceful but ever-alert.
Then, movement.
Mavis's fingers twitched slightly, and her lashes fluttered. Slowly, her emerald eyes cracked open, adjusting to the morning light. She blinked, her vision clearing as she took in the sight of the room—her dear guildmates, the ones who had fought so hard, all gathered around her. A warmth spread through her chest. She was awake… and more than that, she felt free .
At the same time, Naruto stirred. A shinobi's instincts were always sharp, and even in sleep, he had sensed a shift in energy. His eyes snapped open, and for a moment, he simply observed the petite girl in the bed. When he saw her looking back at him, fully conscious, his heart skipped a beat.
"F-Founding Master… you're awake," he murmured, quickly rising to his feet before bowing his head respectfully.
Mavis smiled, a serene, almost ethereal glow about her as she sat up. Her hands instinctively touched her arms, her face, her chest—scanning herself, as if searching for something. But there was nothing. No trace of the curse that had tormented her for centuries. No weight of Ankhseram's touch upon her soul.
She turned back to Naruto, gratitude shining in her eyes.
"Thank you… Naruto."
The air between them grew still, but it was not an empty silence—it was a moment of deep understanding. Mavis had helped Naruto perfect his seal, refining the intricate sealing that led him to perfect Faux Baryon Mode—the Aokugan. And in turn, Naruto had freed her from a fate she had long believed inescapable.
A silent exchange passed between them, an acknowledgment of debts that neither saw as a burden. They had both suffered, both endured losses beyond what words could describe, but at this moment, there was nothing but quiet appreciation.
Then—
A soft creak echoed through the chamber as the door eased open.
A presence unlike any other filled the room, heavy with emotion yet gentle in its approach. Zeref stepped in cautiously, his raven hair falling slightly over his face as he hesitated at the doorway. His crimson eyes, always clouded with sorrow, widened as they locked onto the figure sitting up in the bed.
"M-Mavis…" he breathed, barely above a whisper.
Naruto tensed, sensing the immense weight of history between the two. The connection they shared was deep —far more complicated than just former adversaries or even old friends. It was something tangled, raw, and unresolved. Something more.
Deciding it wasn't his place to interrupt, Naruto turned toward the others. One by one, he gently nudged them awake.
"Guys, guys… wake up," he called softly, shaking Natsu's shoulder.
The others stirred, blinking groggily as they sat up and took in their surroundings. Erza was the first to fully grasp the situation, her sharp eyes instantly landing on Mavis.
"Founding Master," she breathed in reverence, standing up alongside Mirajane and Mystogan.
"She's awake!" Wendy gasped, her youthful face lighting up with joy.
A wave of relief swept through the group, but before the excitement could escalate, Naruto took charge once more.
"Let's give these two some space first," he said in a hushed but firm tone. With surprising ease, he hoisted Natsu—still snoring loudly—onto his back and motioned for the others to follow.
There was a moment of hesitation. Zeref had been their enemy for so long—could they truly just leave Mavis alone with him? But looking at her, at the way her eyes softened despite everything, they understood.
This was their moment. A closure long overdue.
With quiet nods, one by one, they followed Naruto out of the chamber, the door closing gently behind them.
The group stepped onto the grand balcony, greeted by the crisp morning air and the breathtaking view of the horizon. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting streaks of warm orange and pink across the sky. Below them, Magnolia stretched out in the distance, its familiar rooftops bathed in the gentle glow of dawn. The moment was peaceful—almost surreal—considering all they had been through.
Then, the quiet was interrupted by the smooth, deliberate sound of wheels rolling over stone.
Mard Geer, ever the picture of composed elegance, approached with a formal bow, his usual air of superiority softened only by his current role. Following closely behind, Kyoka and Seilah trailed him, effortlessly pulling a grand breakfast cart laden with steaming coffee, freshly baked bread, fruits, and an assortment of other delicacies.
With practiced precision, Mard Geer placed a cup of coffee before Natsu, his expression unreadable yet exuding an air of utmost servitude.
"Your breakfast, Lord Natsu," he announced smoothly.
Natsu blinked.
Despite having grown accustomed to their presence—his reluctant acceptance of the Etherious demons as both his chaperones and subordinates—he still couldn't get over the sheer absurdity of it all. The same beings who once sought to kill him, who prided themselves on their strength and superiority, were now… catering to his every need? Even as their recognized peer, their master—E.N.D., the one who had freed their creator, Lord Zeref—it still felt weird .
Erza, noticing his hesitation, gave him a light nudge.
"Say something, Natsu."
He cleared his throat, still feeling a bit awkward. "T-thanks."
"As you command, Lord Natsu," the three Etherious replied in perfect unison before stepping back, their demeanor as poised as ever.
From the side, Happy puffed out his chest, wings flapping as he grinned. "Aye! That's Lord Natsu for ya!"
"H-hey! Don't start calling me that, too!" Natsu shot back, flustered.
Just as Natsu was about to start arguing with his overly enthusiastic blue cat, Mard Geer turned his attention to Naruto. His voice remained composed, but there was an undertone of gravity in his words.
"Ah, Master Naruto," he addressed, "we are currently stationed atop Magnolia, specifically on its outskirts. During the night, we commandeered the floating fortress en route to Magnolia to shorten your journey."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Wait… you what ?"
Mard Geer ignored his reaction and continued.
"As for the passage you, Master Naruto, and Mystogan will require to return to your own world… the process is intricate. It will take weeks to fully prepare. In the meantime, we will remain here to assist Lord Zeref in completing the mechanism necessary for your return."
Naruto exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "Weeks, huh…? That's longer than I expected."
Mard Geer's gaze didn't waver. "I assume you will use this time to settle accounts. If I may speak plainly… this may be a one-way trip, Master Naruto."
A heavy silence settled over the group.
The weight of those words sank in. A one-way trip. The reality of it settled deep into Naruto's chest like a cold, unmoving stone. The thought of never seeing this world—the people, the bonds he had made—again wasn't something he had fully processed until now.
"I take my leave then," Mard Geer finally said, breaking the silence. He bowed slightly to Natsu. "Use the lacrima to call upon us when needed, Lord Natsu. We will arrange transportation to safely escort you all to Magnolia." With that, he turned on his heel, Kyoka and Seilah following close behind, their figures disappearing into the halls of the floating fortress.
Mirajane lowered her gaze, a sad smile playing on her lips. "...He's leaving, huh." Her voice was soft, almost wistful, as if she didn't want to acknowledge the truth out loud.
Nearby, Wendy fidgeted uncomfortably, her small hands gripping the hem of her dress. Carla, standing beside her in her human form, also seemed troubled, though she tried to mask it with a composed expression. But the way her ears drooped slightly betrayed her emotions.
Then Wendy finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "N-Naruto… Mystogan… are you really going to leave?"
The sheer sadness in her tone could break even the hardest of hearts.
Naruto and Mystogan exchanged glances, knowing there were no easy words that could soften this. Instead, Naruto kneeled down and pulled Wendy and Carla into a tight embrace. Mystogan followed suit, resting a hand on Wendy's head.
"I'm sorry, Wendy… Carla," Naruto murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Wendy squeezed her eyes shut, clinging onto him as if letting go would make him disappear right then and there. Carla, though more reserved, allowed herself to lean into Mystogan's hold, her usual sharp demeanor giving way to quiet sorrow.
For a moment, none of them spoke. They just held onto each other, letting the weight of the moment settle in.
It wasn't just a farewell.
It was the realization that soon, nothing would ever be the same again.
Silence.
Naruto leaned against the railing, staring into his coffee, lost in thought. Beside him, Mirajane stood with her hands folded in front of her, her silver hair catching the early morning light. Mystogan and Erza stood nearby, both gazing at the horizon, lost in their own reflections. Lucy, Wendy, and Carla sat at the stone table behind them, listening intently to the conversation.
In the background, Gray and Natsu were stuffing their faces with a major feast, too occupied with devouring their food to join the discussion just yet, though their eyes flickered toward Naruto now and then.
Mirajane broke the silence. "Naruto… about earlier… the Founding Master and Zeref—was there anything we're missing?"
Naruto exhaled, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. "Ah, that…" His expression turned contemplative. "To be honest, I didn't know much either. All I knew was that, just like Zeref, the Founding Master was also cursed by the god Ankhseram. And the fact that…" He hesitated, his fingers tightening around the warm mug. "Zeref may have had a much deeper relationship with her than we ever realized."
His eyes darkened as he gazed into his reflection in the coffee's surface. His mind drifted back to the previous day—his battle with Zeref in his Fairy Heart state at The Space Between Time . Amidst the clash of unimaginable power, he had caught glimpses of Zeref's memories—fragmented, fleeting images of a past shrouded in sorrow and regret. A woman. A connection. A tragedy long buried beneath centuries of suffering.
Mirajane tapped a finger on the railing. "I suppose…" she murmured. She, too, had sensed something—an unspoken tension between Zeref and the Founding Master back in her chamber. It was subtle, but as a woman, she could tell. There had been something there—something neither of them had spoken aloud.
Mystogan folded his arms, his expression unreadable as he voiced the lingering thought that weighed on all of them.
"Is there a possibility that the Founding Master won't return to the guild with us?"
There was a pause. Though his tone was calm, the implication of his words settled heavily in the air. He had a feeling—a quiet, nagging instinct—that Mavis might not walk the same path as them after all. That perhaps, when the time came, she would leave with Zeref and return to his empire instead.
Naruto exhaled, staring out at the horizon. "Probably…" he admitted, swirling the remnants of his coffee in his cup. "But that's for the Founding Master to decide."
As if on cue, the soft sound of footsteps reached them.
Mavis Vermillion stepped onto the balcony, alone.
She was now dressed in a modest white dress that complemented her petite frame, the morning sunlight giving her golden hair an almost ethereal glow. There was something serene about her presence, yet beneath that tranquility, a quiet determination simmered. Without hesitation, she smoothly joined Natsu and Gray at their feast, settling among them with an ease that spoke of familiarity.
"Founding Master!" the group exclaimed in unison, surprise and relief mingling in their voices.
Mavis smiled at them, then turned toward Wendy, Carla, and Happy, who were seated nearby enjoying their breakfast. Her emerald eyes sparkled with a childlike curiosity as she pointed at one of the dishes on Wendy's plate.
"Can I have those?" she asked, her tone warm and casual.
Wendy blinked, momentarily startled before snapping out of her small stupor. "A-Ah! H-Here, Founding Master!" she said hastily, pushing the plate toward Mavis.
Mavis accepted it with a small, grateful nod and took her time eating. It had been a long time—far too long—since she had indulged in a proper meal, in the simple pleasures of good food and warm company. There was something almost innocent about the way she enjoyed it, savoring each bite as if making up for lost time.
Naruto watched her, then finally spoke, his voice laced with quiet understanding.
"Founding Master."
Mavis paused mid-bite, then turned to him with a soft hum. Her cheeks were slightly puffed from the food, giving her a deceptively childlike appearance, but her gaze carried the weight of centuries. She swallowed, brushing her fingers over her lips before exhaling.
"I suppose all of you have an inkling about me and Zeref…" she began.
The group exchanged glances, but no one denied it. They had felt it—an unspoken history, a connection that ran deeper than mere enemies or tragic circumstances.
Mavis set down her plate, her expression turning wistful. "The truth is, there are things we still need to settle." Her fingers intertwined in her lap as she continued, her voice gentle yet resolute. "That's why… after Zeref finishes preparing Naruto and Mystogan's mechanism to return to their respective worlds, I will be accompanying him back to his empire."
Silence fell over the balcony.
Erza was the first to break it, her voice measured but tinged with concern. "You're… not coming with us, Founding Master?"
Mavis nodded solemnly, offering a soft, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry," she said, her gaze drifting toward the horizon, as if looking beyond what they could see. "But these loose ends of ours… they were long overdue. And that's why… I have to go back with him."
Her words carried a finality that settled heavily in their chests.
The group took it in at each of their own pace.
Then—
Reorganizing their thoughts after the flood of revelations and the weight of unveiled truths, the group—Erza, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Happy, Mirajane, Wendy, Carla, Mystogan, and Naruto—prepared to return home. With Naruto and Mystogan set to depart for their respective worlds, they had all reached an understanding.
At Natsu's call, his so-called personal chaperone , Mard Geer, arrived to assist them in safely returning to Magnolia. Their priority was to regroup with the rest of the guild and report everything to Makarov—detailing the events that had transpired in the floating fortress of Tartaros. More importantly, they would finally share the truth about Mystogan and Naruto with their fellow guildmates, who remained unaware of their true origins.
Chapter End