"This is Zorn's magic power…" Natsu's body floated uncontrollably, and right before Happy, Laxus, and the others' astonished gazes, he vanished into thin air.
Larcade, on the other hand, was frozen solid, unable to move at all.
This effect made Zorn pause, then a smile spread across his lips, and he secretly sighed, "This is truly unexpected. Has Gray's strength become this powerful? But he still needs to work harder."
He hadn't expected there to be an effect that prevented magic penetration, but it could be destroyed from the outside.
High-quality magic power destroyed all at once, in all directions.
Zorn's golden eyes flashed, he crossed his hands, and with a sudden exertion of force, the ice block instantly shattered, and Larcade vanished from his spot as well.
By the time Natsu and Larcade teleported over, they saw Zorn covered in wounds, and August, who had reverted to his childhood appearance.
"Zorn… Master… your injuries…"
Natsu looked at Zorn, his eyes filled with shock. He had never seen Zorn so severely injured, which deeply impacted his mind once again.
Clenching his fists, he became even more determined to become stronger.
Zorn smiled at Natsu and said, "I'm fine, Natsu. Now it's time for you and your family to reunite!" With that, he gently patted Natsu's shoulder, his eyes revealing encouragement and anticipation.
Natsu took a deep breath and nodded.
At this moment, Larcade's body was visibly shrinking at a speed perceptible to the naked eye, eventually returning to his childhood appearance.
Larcade looked at his shrunken hands with a bewildered expression, then turned to look at August, who had also shrunk, a surprised and confused look on his face, clearly not yet recovered from the sudden change.
"Zorn, you brat!!" August, in his small body, let out a tender childish voice, but his tone was surprisingly old-fashioned.
"Hahaha, they're cuter when they're little! This way, Master Mavis can easily hug you guys!" Zorn wore a mischievous, triumphant smile, patting August's small head while laughing heartily.
"Isn't this your biggest wish all along?" Zorn continued.
Then, Zorn's gaze turned to Larcade, and he said softly, "And Larcade, your father is different now; he will surely respond to you… He loves you."
Zorn's words stunned the two adults who had suddenly turned into children. They stared at Zorn, complex emotions flickering in their eyes.
The hopes and prayers buried deep in their hearts seemed, at this moment, to finally have a chance of being realized.
On the other side,
"As long as I deeply love you, I can kill you. That was always my plan!!!" Mavis cried out, her voice filled with pain and despair. Tears shimmered in her eyes, as if her entire world had collapsed.
"I want to be with you forever, I don't want you to die…" As Mavis spoke, her tears, crystal clear, dripped onto Zeref's body.
Every tear was like a broken heart, causing unbearable pain.
"Mavis…" Zeref softly called Mavis's name, his eyes also filled with deep affection.
"So that's how it is, the contradictory curse where the more one loves someone, the more it takes away the other person's life."
"The answer is love! Thank you, Mavis, and I'm sorry!"
Zeref, understanding everything, gazed at Mavis and slowly reached out, wiping away the tears from her eyes.
But this action only agitated Mavis further, making her emotions even more intense.
"I hate you, I hate you, why, why, why did you start this war."
"Wuwuwu~"
"Go to hell, go to hell, go to hell, don't ever appear before me again!"
Wuwuwu~
I don't love you, you enemy of the guild, enemy of the whole world.
Mavis's cries echoed all around, her fists falling repeatedly on Zeref's body, but the emotions of love, pity, and regret were clearly palpable.
Mavis lay on Zeref's chest, fully venting her emotions, tears flowing uncontrollably, each drop Mavis's regretful love.
Mavis gently caressed Zeref's cheek, her eyes full of deep affection, and she couldn't help but lean in for a soft kiss.
It was a kiss full of love, as if time had stopped at that moment.
"I'm truly so Happy… thanks to you, Mavis." Zeref's eyes welled up with tears; he felt Mavis's love, and this feeling made him incredibly Happy.
Above the sky, countless golden petals descended, swirling around the two of them. A soaring, peaceful magic power enveloped them, bathing them in the light of love.
At this moment, both gazed at each other with love, as if the entire world contained only the two of them.
Just then, their respective curses were also lifted.
This miracle allowed them to finally break free from the shackles of fate and gain freedom.
And all of this was because of the love between them.
"Father…" "Mama…" The voices of two children broke the tranquility. Mavis and Zeref came back to their senses and saw the two children before them.
"August?"
"Larcade?" Mavis called out their names in surprise.
"Come, come to us!" Mavis sat up, smiling as she extended her hands to the two children.
She knew very well that these two children, both adorable and well-behaved, had done everything for their parents and were not at fault in any way.
The true fault lay with their parents.
"Mama!" August shouted, rushing to Mavis without hesitation, hugging her tightly and fully enjoying her warm presence.
In contrast, Larcade seemed a bit hesitant, but under Mavis's gentle gaze, he gradually approached, eventually also being embraced into that warm hug.
The two children smiled exceptionally happily, and tears of joy flowed.
Zeref, meanwhile, stared blankly at the young August, his expression dazed, as if he saw that familiar face.
He turned to Mavis, his heart filled with regret and surprise, and tears uncontrollably welled up in his eyes.
So that's how it was; they had already met.
"August, Larcade, I'm truly sorry! Father was wrong!" Zeref extended his trembling hands, gently stroking the heads of the two children.
At this moment, he had no regrets.
"Natsu, I'm sorry. After all, I, your brother, have done many wrong things. I'll leave the future world to you!" Zeref turned his head and spoke apologetically to Natsu.
He knew that nothing could be undone, but he had to say this apology.
"Yes! I know." Natsu looked at Zeref, nodding firmly.
He seemed to understand Zeref's helplessness and pain, and also the goodness deep within his heart.
"Now that you've reunited, leave the rest to me!" Natsu said to Zeref, his voice firm and gentle.
However, Zeref keenly sensed the reluctance and attachment in Natsu's eyes, and a warmth and emotion surged within him, a relieved smile appearing in his eyes.
"Alright, August, Larcade, Mama and Papa are leaving!! You can't come disturb our time alone!" Zeref pulled the two children up, affectionately wiping away their tears, then said softly.
His voice carried a hint of tenderness and resolve, as if telling the children that their love would never disappear.
"Take us with you, Mama and Papa!!" August and Larcade cried out simultaneously, tears streaming down their cheeks.
They clung tightly to their parents' legs, refusing to let go. They could feel their Mama and Papa's bodies beginning to become ethereal, as if they could vanish at any moment.
"No, children." Zeref gently stroked their hair, his eyes filled with reluctance and love.
"You still have your own lives to experience, and many beautiful things await you."
"You must live a Happy and joyful life." Mavis squatted down, gently rubbing the heads of the two little ones, her eyes revealing endless affection.
"No matter what difficulties you encounter, face them bravely and believe in yourselves. Mama and Papa will always be with you in your hearts."
Then, Mavis looked into their eyes and continued seriously, "Don't come looking for us too early, okay? Mama and Papa finally got to be together, and we want to spend a very, very long time alone."
August and Larcade listened silently, and although they still felt reluctant, they understood their parents' wishes.
But tears continued to flow uncontrollably.
Zeref and Mavis smiled, embraced their children one last time, then turned and walked away, their figures gradually disappearing into the light. August and Larcade were left standing alone, tears blurring their vision.
The light transformed into countless colorful petals, spiraling upwards into the sky.
And carried on the gentle breeze, the bell-like laughter of First Generation Mavis could still be clearly heard.
Natsu stood quietly in place, watching Zeref and Mavis depart. He felt relieved, knowing that his brother and the First Generation were surely very Happy now.
...
Meanwhile, Zorn turned back, smiling as he watched the distant petals, his eyes shimmering with relief and emotion.
His steps were still slow, but each one was filled with determination and hope. He lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over the vast land, looking into the distance.
There, a familiar figure came into view—Cana was smiling and watching him, her eyes revealing boundless tenderness and love.
A warm current surged within Zorn, and he quickened his pace, walking towards Cana.
When they were within arm's reach, Cana unhesitatingly rushed into Zorn's embrace, holding him tightly.
Zorn gently inhaled the scent of Cana's hair, feeling her warmth, as if the entire world had become serene and beautiful.
"Has the war really ended?" Cana asked softly, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Zorn smiled faintly, his eyes full of confidence: "Yes, it really has ended!"
As he spoke, an ancient book, the Book of END, appeared in Zorn's hand.
At this moment, the book emitted a dazzling golden-green light.
Zorn gazed at the book, his heart filled with emotion.
The book bathed in the sunlight. The golden-green light grew even more dazzling, eventually transforming into beautiful petals that scattered with the wind.
These petals danced in the air, as if celebrating the joy of victory, and also as if proclaiming the arrival of peace to the world.
Zorn and Cana stood together, quietly admiring this beautiful sight.
He knew this was Zeref's final gift to Natsu.
Natsu is Natsu, after all.
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"