Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Chapter 53

"Natsu is... " Lucy trailed off.

"A demon from the book of Zeref, my most powerful creation," Zeref finished for her, a slight smile on his face, as if he was proud he turned his brother into a demon like he hadn't destroyed his humanity, "doesn't the universe work in such mysterious ways?"

"You turned your baby brother into a demon?" Lucy repeated, staring at her hands. There were lacerations, cuts and scratched littering her palm, all of which stung profusely.

"I saved my baby brother by turning him into a monster," Zeref corrected her, resting his chin in the palm of his hand, "I saved him."

"Natsu is E.N.D.," Lucy whispered to herself as if to grasp the situation at hand, "he's not a monster." Lucy reassured herself, glaring at Zeref who chuckled at her facial expression.

"Have you seen him fight at his fullest potential in his true form? It's quite a sight to behold,"

True form?

"See? You don't even know the half of it," Zeref retorted, shaking his head slightly as he sat up more, "well, whatever, it doesn't matter now. I think your fiancé is making his way here. Come, let's put on a show."

-----

Natsu huffed as he tugged himself up towards the rickety guild hall. The trek was long, and it would've been easier for him to use magic, but he needed to preserve as much as he could. Zeref wasn't a bug that could easily be squashed.

Natsu knew that from experience.

As he approached the guild doors, he felt a sense of apprehension wash over him.

His brother had completely changed, sometimes Natsu wondered if he was even the same person.

The brother he knew practiced mercy and kindness.

The one waging one it seemed was capable of anything.

There was a good sign though that Lucy was alive, the bond was strong, pulsing steadily with a slight thrum. He took a deep breath. She was alive, he needed it to stay that way.

He slammed the doors open, catching sight of Zeref sitting at one of the tables with such ease. As if he hadn't waged war. As if he hadn't killed thousands. As if he wasn't the reason Freed lost his leg. As if he wasn't the reason Bixslow had a fake eye now. As if he wasn't the reason, Evergreen tormented herself day-in and day-out about what was stolen from her.

His brother was a monster. Natsu couldn't even really bear to look at him, but he did. He stared his older brother straight in the face, old memories resurfacing. All he felt was contempt and disgust.

"Where is she?" Natsu uttered, voice low as he tried to keep the growl out of his voice.

"She's fine, she's fine, don't worry," Zeref smiled, "you've grown since the last time we talked."

"Listen," Natsu exhaled slowly, trying to calm the raging fire beneath his skin that itched to come out, "it's hard enough not to blow your head clean off your shoulders right now, and I'm not in the mood for games. Where. Is. She?"

"I apologize that I broke our agreement, little brother, but I have to admit, how did you manage to score an heiress of her status? She's gorgeous, wealthy with millions to her name, yet she ignores her inheritance completely, it's fascinating,"

Natsu grit his teeth, clenching his fist at his side.

"It seemed you never told her anything though, she didn't know anything about me, or our parents, our village, any of it," Zeref mused aloud, "why is that?"