Keeping Secrets

Roll Up A Smoke And Make A New Plan

Hey!

Finally back with a new chapter! I think this one is even more chaotic than the last one, so I hope you like it!

Also, I enjoyed reading everyone's theories on why the tower failed last time! Hope you enjoy the reveal here!

On to the chapter!

Chapter title taken from the lyrics of the song "Workin Man" by Hank Williams III

Cover art not made by me- if you know the original artist, let me know so I can properly credit them!

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KEEPING SECRETS CHAPTER 45: ROLL UP A SMOKE AND MAKE A NEW PLAN

The grand council room of Alvarez's Imperial Palace was silent.

After the tower had failed to resurrect Thaddeus, Natsu, Zeref, and the others had returned to the palace together. No one had spoken since.

The day had begun with great hope. Now, defeat hung heavy in the air.

Natsu finally broke the silence, his voice lacking its usual heat. "Maybe it failed because you were too busy making the tower look all fancy." He shot a sideways glance at Zeref.

His brother rolled his eyes. "Oh, please."

Rustyrose cleared his throat. "With all due respect, Your Highness... I ensured the spell was reconstructed precisely as it was when we resurrected your mother. The only alterations were purely cosmetic."

Mavis frowned, resting her chin in her hand as she leaned back in her chair. "If the spell was identical... then why wouldn't it be successful?" She glanced toward Ruth. "We know it works."

Zeref let out a quiet, hollow breath. "It would fail if the target is still alive."

His words settled over the room like fallout from a bomb.

Ruth's gaze snapped to his. "Alive? After all this time? That isn't possible-"

"No, it isn't." Zeref agreed, a distant look in his eyes. "He took a dragon's attack head on. I remember, when I went to..." His voice faltered. "...bury him. There wasn't much left."

He stared at the center of the table, jaw tight, eyes glistening, breath shallow. From next to him, Mavis reached for one of his clenched fists, gently prying it open and lacing her fingers through his. On his other side, Ruth rested a trembling hand on his shoulder.

Lucy swallowed. "If the spell only fails when the person's alive... could that mean he was reincarnated?"

"Or perhaps... revived by some other means." August said quietly.

Ruth's voice broke. "Then how do we even begin to find him?" She let out a weak, humorless, laugh. "It's not like we can just ask the gods where my husband's soul ended up."

Natsu's, Zeref's, August's, and Invel's eyes met instantly.

A faint, almost disbelieving smile formed on Zeref's face. "Actually, Mom... you're not gonna believe this..."

"Invel," Natsu said, "can you call Dimaria-"

"Already on it, Your Highness." Invel said, communication lacrima raised to his ear.

After confirming Dimaria was on her way, Invel lowered it... only for the device to chime again. Looking at it again, his eyes widened slightly. "It seems we will have much to discuss today..." He murmured.

Natsu was the only one who heard him, but before he could ask Invel to elaborate further, the doors opened, and Dimaria strode in.

She surprisingly offered no cocky remark or smug quip this time- in fact, she seemed much more humble than usual. She kept her arms folded across her chest, shoulders hunched as though trying to make herself smaller. Lucy noticed, and bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.