Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 102 - E.N.D.

Natsu rubbed his lips, a little streak of blood forming. He straightened his back, listening to his muscles groan while his heart ached with excitement. Gray was a few feet from him, recovering after Mard Geer's attack. Erza was still on the ground, exhausted but unwilling to give up on the fight.

"The legend of your tenacity is true, it seems," Mard Geer said. "I recall hearing tale of your victory with the Nirvana magic. Down to your final breaths, and you were still able to thwart Master Zero's plans."

"Guess info got around quick with the Balam Alliance," Gray muttered.

"Glad we can live up to the hype," Natsu said.

Erza finally got back up and strode forward, brushing stray strands of hair out of her face. "Well?"

"Yeah," Natsu said. He cracked his knuckles. "I think I've got him this time."

"Got me?" Mard Geer asked. "In what way is that?"

"You've been slowing down until just a few seconds ago, when I think your speed and strength hit some sort of equilibrium," Natsu said.

"Wow, big word, flame brain," Gray said.

Natsu ignored him. He could speak smart, too, if he needed. "I was already keeping track of your instincts and reflexes, but now I've got a good understanding of your base speed and power. It's pretty incredible, not gonna lie."

"Think you can keep up?"

"I wouldn't be talking if I couldn't. Besides, you've only seen my base power and speed, too. I think I'm gonna start kicking it up a notch so I can get to helping my dad up there."

Mard Geer chuckled. "I'd expect nothing less. Shall you show me your true power, then? The power that was designed to kill Zeref. Eh, E.N.D.?"

"What's he talking about, Natsu?" Erza asked.

"Apparently," Natsu said. "Gray's dad and some of the other demons are under the impression that I'm an etherious."

"E.N.D. Etherious Natsu Dragneel," Gray said. "The greatest of Zeref's creations, a fire demon that can, like, end the world or something."

"That's preposterous," Erza said.

"The truth can be shocking, but that makes it no less valid," Mard Geer said. "You are E.N.D., Natsu, and your apparent death at the hands of Acnologia seven years ago was the end of all hope for our Emperor."

"What are you talking about now?" Natsu asked.

Mard Geer sneered. "I've said too much. That you know your identity is likely a mistake, something that a too-excitable Keyes was willing to share. Once, I may have worshipped at your feet. You were our guild master, Natsu, though neither you nor we knew it at the time. E.N.D., as the most powerful Etherious, was to lead all of us back to Zeref, where we may fulfill his one true wish."

"What's that?" Gray asked.

"Death," Mard Geer said.

"Then that spell you have was designed to kill Zeref," Erza said. "The one you cast that Laxus stopped."

"Memento Mori is capable of wiping someone from existence, yes," Mard Geer said. "Unfortunately, I haven't the strength to cast it again. You've been spared a quick death and will now suffer at my hand directly. I believe, E.N.D., that you wish to get that started."

"You bet," Natsu said. "It doesn't matter if you're pulling my leg about this Etherious stuff or not. I'm Natsu Dragneel, a Fairy Tail wizard, and I'm going to avenge the people you've hurt today and for the last seven years!"