Hot and Cold

The End of Zeref and Mavis

~*****~

We ran down the streets, panting excessively. I hear the others cry out in pain, causing me to turn on my heel, peering at the others in confusion. They looked as if they were in horrible agony. "What the hell-" I murmur, peering around wildly. My right eye snaps onto the body in the sky, and I recognize him to be August. "He's going to destroy the entire continent!" I exclaim. August disipates in they sky, staring at something in the street. "What the hell just happened?" I murmur softly. The others let out a gasp of relief. "Uh, what was going on?"

"You could've helped us, too, ya know!" Lucy cried out with a harsh bonk against my head.

I cry out in pain. "Seriously, you have that fancy eye that cancels spells, yet you only use it for yourself," Gray complained.

"Whatever, let's go!" I whine. We round a corner and see Mavis staring into the sky. "First Master!" I call out. "We're here!"

"Are you alone?" Lucy asks.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Mavis gasps as she turns to us. "I'm so glad you found me!"

"Aye, sir!" Happy chirped.

"D'you know why the air turned scary, First Master?" Ballad asked curiously.

Mavis shook her head. "All I know is that the threat has passed for the time being. As for our allies, their fighting to the south of here. But the enemy force is largely decimated."

"First Master, will you tell us why you had us come out to meet you?" Gray asked.

Mavis pulls out a familiar book. "It's this. Earlier, I was Zeref's prisoner. When I escaped, I took this with me."

I stare down at the book as if it's insulted me. "The book of E.N.D." Lucy murmured.

"It's Natsu's," I retort bitterly.

"I wasn't sure you knew about his origin." Mavis expresses as she sets the book in my hands. "I'm positive he can win this fight. When he does, I'll eliminate Zeref. At that point, Natsu's only hope... is all of you. The strength of your bond." I stare down at the book, hands gripping it tightly. "I ask this of you: Please don't let anyone near the guild hall, not until all of this is over."

~*****~

I can't seem to tear my gaze off of the book of E.N.D. Just the sight of it makes my stomach churn. One wrong move, and Natsu's life would be ended just by damaging the book. I hated the thought of Natsu's life being confined to a stupid book. The pages of his life were much larger than this little thing.

"You okay, miss?" Ballad murmured as she tugged at my pants.

I nod gingerly. "Just pissed off." I comment dryly. "What kinda effect will this have on Natsu... it'd make anyone wanna rip out their hearts just knowing a stupid book could end their lives." I murmur.

"Aria-"

"KEEP YOUR GRUBBY PAWS OFF THE BOOK!" I bark at Gray, violently recoiling over it.

"I wasn't! Sheesh! I didn't know it was Natsu's, but since I do now, I ain't touchin' it." Gray retorted irritably.

I grimace and turn my gaze back onto the book. "Aria? Have you tried opening it?" Happy asked. I peer at him, brow furrowed in annoyance. "It's just... I think I get what First Master said before. When she gave the book to you."