Time passed in the battle.
Sizzle sizzle~ The solidified magic rubbed against the air, making a shocking sound.
Zorn clenched his right fist tightly, and a powerful force began to gather. Purple-red substance rapidly covered his entire fist, and golden-red light shone brightly around him.
This powerful force made Zeref pause, a hint of surprise and joy flashing across his face.
It was as if this power was enough to completely defeat him.
Zorn's eyes became firm and deep. He swung his right arm without hesitation, using all his strength to punch Zeref.
With a loud bang, a figure flew backward like a cannonball, crashing heavily onto the ground and causing a huge tremor.
The earth instantly cracked open, and Zeref let out a cry, spitting out a mouthful of bright red blood.
Then, a coughing sound rang out.
"Cough, cough, cough~" Zeref coughed violently, spitting out the last bit of clotted blood, then struggled to stand up.
Zeref touched the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, his steps faltering, and he looked at Zorn with a half-smile in his eyes.
"Zorn, you should have used more force. Don't forget, I'm immortal!" He said regretfully, with a hint of mockery in his voice.
The surface wounds were also recovering, as if Zorn's attack was nothing.
However, at this moment, Zeref suddenly felt his body shake, and a sharp pain struck him. His body involuntarily leaned forward.
"Wah~ Wah~" Mouthful after mouthful of fresh blood gushed out of his mouth. His face was as pale as paper, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
Finally, he collapsed weakly to the ground, his expression filled with disbelief.
Zeref felt as if countless forces within his body were resisting his death magic, and his body was suddenly unable to move.
Extreme pain spread throughout his body.
"This is truly the first time I've suffered such severe injuries!" Zeref murmured to himself. He truly hadn't expected Zorn to infuse his Holy Light power into his body.
And with every clash, a large amount of Holy Light power silently entered his body.
In the last blow, a qualitative change occurred, causing his death magic and Holy Light power to fight each other within his body.
The death magic in his body automatically mobilized to counter this Holy Light power. The two forces raged within his body, seemingly intent on completely destroying him.
"How truly formidable! Zorn... Hehe~" Zeref struggled to prop himself up, lying flat on the ground. He looked at the setting sun in the sky and let out a chuckle, full of desolation.
"No matter how many times I'm injured, I'll still resurrect, and even my injuries will heal within a few minutes!" Zeref said calmly.
But he knew very well that he was ultimately unkillable. How could the curse of the Reaper be offset by the power of a mortal?
It seemed that at this moment, his mind suddenly became clear, and his previous madness also sobered up at this instant.
He didn't know if it was the stimulation of the intense pain in his body or the temporary suppression of his death curse.
Thump~ Thump~ Thump~
Zorn walked with heavy steps, each one seeming to take all his strength.
His body had reached its limit and desperately needed time to recover.
Slowly, he walked to the side, sat down gently, leaned against the wall, and panted slightly.
The two sat there quietly, feeling the gentle breeze caress their cheeks, bringing a touch of coolness and comfort.
They didn't speak, just silently enjoyed this moment of tranquility.
Zorn suddenly broke the silence: "Zeref, as the Fourth Generation Master of Fairy Tail, I very much want to erase you from this world!" His voice was low and firm, revealing his deep determination.
Zorn looked into the distance, his eyes gleaming sharply, and continued, "But, your fate should be decided by First Generation Mavis."
Zorn paused, then turned his head and smiled at First Generation Mavis, "And, you still have your own family problems to solve..."
Zeref suddenly froze, seemingly not understanding the meaning of Zorn's words.
But he still tilted his head slightly, his eyes lighting up.
He saw Mavis staring blankly at him.
And Zorn, having said that, also smiled with relief, stood up, and brushed the dust off his clothes.
He waved to First Generation Mavis, then steadily walked away into the distance.
Mavis stood silently in place, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She whispered, "Thank you, Zorn!" Her gaze followed Zorn's retreating back, her heart filled with gratitude.
Mavis knew that Zorn had paid a huge price to protect the guild and her.
He not only engaged in an intense battle with Zeref but also took on the responsibility of being the Fairy Tail Master.
Mavis turned, facing everything before her. She knew she had many things to do.
"Zeref..." Mavis called softly, slowly sitting on the ground, her eyes hollowly staring ahead.
"If, back then, I had trusted you a little more, would all of this have already ended?" Mavis said remorsefully, her voice filled with self-blame and regret.
Her thoughts gradually drifted back to that special moment, the instant she and Zeref kissed, and her truest thoughts surged from the depths of her heart.
So, under Zeref's surprised gaze, she continued, "At that time, you fell in love with me. The proof is that the contradictory curse took my life!"
"But, correspondingly, I, who also bore the curse, failed to take your life!"
Mavis's tone was firm yet sorrowful, as if recalling that painful past.
"It must be that there was still distrust in my heart towards you. My love wasn't enough!" Mavis said this, biting her lip lightly, her body trembling slightly, and tears shimmering in her eyes, appearing very guilty.
She lowered her head, her hands tightly hugging her knees.
"You don't need to feel guilty about that. I've never been loved by anyone!" Zeref looked up at the sky, watching the white clouds slowly drift by, a faint sadness welling up in his heart.
He knew he had always lived alone in this world, never truly receiving the love of others.
However, when he recalled the time he spent with Mavis, a warmth couldn't help but surge in his heart.
They had spent many wonderful days together, exploring the mysteries of magic, accompanying each other, and supporting each other.
Although this relationship was not love, it still brought Zeref endless memories.
Meanwhile, Zorn noticed August not far away.
August at this moment seemed to have not fully recovered his magic. He sat quietly under a tree, his eyes always looking towards Zeref and Mavis. From his expression, a deep attachment and longing could be seen.
Zorn softly said to August, "August, now is a good time to acknowledge each other... After all, the outcome that follows may already be beyond my control."
Zorn's words made August pause, then he seemed to understand Zorn's meaning, and his body began to tremble slightly.
August understood that this moment might be his last chance to acknowledge his father, Zeref.
At this moment, Zorn also clasped his hands together, using the last of his magic to cast the most suitable spell.
In the distant ice pillar, Larcade's body began to glow.
Even Natsu's body, who was currently fighting, suddenly began to glow.
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