I, Draugr Chapter 63 (Patreon)

You know, being arrested is quite hilarious.

I'm sure I think that because not only am I partially insane – do they have therapists in Fairy Tail? Something to consider – but also because this world doesn't really pose much of a challenge to me, if at all.

I could just leave whenever I want, needing no Spells or protection against those magic staves shooting paltry magic bolts. Rain drops do more damage than those pathetic things.

Hell, the majority aren't even mages, just trained soldiers. It just goes to show how pathetic the Magic Council is. The Nords would sweep through them with ease so fast they can go back home to get drunk.

They didn't even read me my rights though! Fuckin' assholes…

Might be because I used two of their soldiers as weapons to beat the shit out of like… Five dozen more? Might've been more, kinda stopped counting after ten minutes passed.

I hum happily, kicking my legs while sitting in my dark and likely stinky prison cell. I'm mostly speed-running most of the story I remember so that we can focus on training, removing the main problems before they become problems.

While it'll just take a snap of the fingers and a few seconds to make said problems vanish and cease to exist for us, I'd rather still not be bothered and have to keep track of when things will happen.

We've come here to relax and train, not to be hassled. I should also check back in on Skyrim by the end of the month. I did ask Savos to write down anything interesting I might need to know about and leave it on my desk in my room at the end of each month, after all.

I'm mostly curious about how the new Tongues in training are doing. Two Dragons are training them personally, with the blessing of Kyne, so their progress must be quite fast.

I should start training hard myself. I've grown a lot since I devoured a portion of the Soul Cairn, but I am still nowhere near the level of power of a Great Sage.

There won't be many of them, of course, but they are still natural disasters that can sweep continents away with laughable ease.

My hums suddenly grow to a halt, and I tilt my head, "Are you going to just keep staring, or will you make your presence known?" I ask aloud, feeling the presence stiffen within the shadow she thought was perfectly hiding her.

The dungeon was dark, with barely any light, but shadows are basically my domain right now thanks to Sheo.

"Your senses are quite sharp." A familiar woman steps into view, wearing what looks like a white yukata with a yellow sash wrapped around her waists.

Ah, Ultear. Miss Time Lady, if I remember right.

Purple hair, red eyes, thick lipstick, curvaceous figure- Oh right, the author did love making women quite curvaceous in the series, didn't he? Based guy.

"Hm? Oh, you mean because of these I shouldn't have sensed you?" I ask playfully, lifting my bound hands, a thick block of metal wrapped around both of my wrists. A sort of Magic Sealing stone, apparently. Doesn't work on me, obviously. "I'm just wearing them for the prisoner fashion style, ya know? Heard it's a trend recently. You should try it!"

Ultear lets out a soft huff, more akin to a sneer. My my, am getting looked at like I am a most interesting vermin, aren't I? So cool! "You must be a special kind of stupid to so openly humiliate the Magic Council, attack the soldiers, and then allow yourself to be arrested." She drawls out, stepping close to the bars, arms crossed before her as she leans against them.

"Ever heard of the term 'Fuck around and find out'?" I question, putting a good amount of cheer into my voice, legs kicking once more, "Fine words to live by."

Another suppressed sneer, "So, what? You're just an idiot?"

"Partially insane – not diagnosed yet, mind you, but it's definitely there – idiot. Get it right, lady."

I tilt my head at her at the visible disappointment in her eyes, then speak up as she starts to turn away, "Why?" She pauses, "Did that walking illusion with a bitch-ass tattoo on his face tell ya to check on me?" Ultear freezes, eyes widening a fraction, pupils dilating.

Her hands tense against her arms, and now I have her full attention.

"Sharp indeed…" Her eyes narrow, wariness and curiosity clashing in her gaze, "You just play the fool, don't you?"

"Coping mechanism." I correct, jumping up to my feet and approaching the iron bars. Despite that, Ultear stills takes a step back, "I cope with my situation in a very special way."

An eyebrow rises, "Your… Situation?"

I hum, then tilt my head, "How about an exchange?" I drawl out, and her eyes narrow even more, "You deliver a message for me to a certain someone, and I explain."

A pause, her wariness intensifying, yet she grabs the sharp hook I set out, "And how would I find this person?" She asks, trying to fish for more information.

I chuckle, "Oh, you know them. You've known them for years, in fact!" More wariness, shoulders and fingers tensing, teeth gritting despite her lips remaining normal, "Here's the message; 'Stop fucking around with bullshit you don't understand, dumbass.'" I lean forward, and I make sure my grin could be heard in my voice… While also drawing back the darkness that shrouds my frozen skull, "Be a dear and bring that to Hades, miss Seventh Kin of Purgatory."

Ultear staggers back, pale in the face, enough to fall on her ass. Eyes trembling, mouth gaping open, she shudders as she stares at my skull before I bring back the darkness.

"Y-You…" She crawls back, before freezing. She stares, then for some reason, her eyes seem to fill with recognition and something like… Fanaticism. "A-Are you… L-Lord Zeref?"

…

What?

Is this chick dumb- Actually, this shit can be hilarious.

"I prefer to go by Leonidas in this day and age, so if you could keep that a secret, I'd be grateful." Oh this is going to be so fun!

Much to my surprise and amusement, Ultear instantly grovels and kowtows before me – shouldn't she also know how Zeref actually looks like, though? – forehead firmly pressed against the floor, "L-Lord Zeref! My Master is working hard to gather the keys required for your awakening-"

"Such things aren't needed." I drawl out, much to Ultear's shock and surprise as she lifts her head, "I'm already 'awake', I've just been… Mostly messing around for my own amusement."

I'm gonna ruin that man's reputation.

"The story about the keys was created by a group of cultists too high on drugs very long ago. They weren't even my cultists." Ultear's eyes turn haunted and empty, face going blank. I can tell how this just crashed everything for her, because she and the other dumbasses have been spending years gathering these 'keys'.

"B-But then… The Ultimate Magic World…?" Don't cringe, Leo. Don't cringe. Be strong.

"I've been working on it, but I cannot risk others meddling in it by following some stupid rumors." I sigh and shake my head, "Especially what that illusion guy is doing."

"Shall I kill him?" Is Ultear's instant request- Like, chill, woman! Damn!

"Hmm… Nah. Just… Mess with him." I chuckle and wave my hand, making the undercover woman blink in confusion, "Make all of his plans fail, then reveal him as a traitor to the Magic Council. That'll be hilarious."

I then turn my head, feeling a group approach, "People are coming, act normal, and remember my message." Ultear takes a sharp intake of air and rises to her feet, swiftly fixing her appearance and putting on a fake annoyed look on her face just as a group of guards arrived.

Extravagant clothes that aren't even enchanted or armored, just plain white and blue robes with the same bullet-shooting staves. Is the Magic Council really so damn incompetent- Ah yeah, they got massacred by a single guy back in canon, didn't they?

"Lady Ultear, what are you doing here?" The lead guard, probably the Captain, questions the woman before me.

Ultear scoffs and tosses her hair over her shoulder, "When I heard about the… 'altercation', I just had to see the culprit."

The Captain scoffs and throws a disgusted glare my way, "Yeah, this clown thinks he is above the law." I'm pretty sure Ultear nearly murdered you right there 'cause she thinks I'm some other guy, bud.

"The Law? What's that?" I dumbly ask, tilting my head at the Captain, "Clearly not whatever the hell you're doing. You ain't even a Mage!" Which is true. They are mundane people wielding weak magic tools.

How does the Magic Council expect to keep things in control when these are their foot soldiers? Jeez…

"Be quiet, cur!" The captain snarls, moving to open my cell, "Your trial is starting, so let's get moving!"

"What's with the attitude?" I question as the guy shoves me along – well, he tries to – to move out of the cell, "Were you one of the idiots I swung around to beat the other idiots?"

Silence, just the sound of teeth gnashing against each other.

"Oh shit, you was!? Hah!"

"Shut it!" His staff rams against my ankle, and promptly breaks, the Lacrima at the top just turning into powder. My robes are made of Stahlrim, Dragon Scales and Dragon Bones, so they are obviously hard as hell.

I cackle, walking along along while he gapes at his broken weapon. Wonder how much that's gonna cost him… This shit could be sold for two Septims and a mocking laugh to a damn kid back in Skyrim, as any Nord would eat the magic bullets for breakfast. Or use them to scratch their backs.

I was led out of the dungeon, the main building of the Magic Council basically being an extravagant and enormous mansion on top of a hill that had the top turned into flat land.

No protective wards, no nothing. Do they have that sort of stuff here? They can create magic weapons – weak ones, mind you – but it isn't that great.

I guess they are more akin to the Dwemer, huh? Just using Magic to advance technology, and think that'll be enough.

A pair of large doors are pushed open, revealing a grand hall with towering seats. And by towering I really do meat it. One would need to fly to reach and sit upon them.

Big need to stare down at people, huh? Drunk on power much, eh?

Seven seats in total, with three on one side and three on the other, with the highest being in the middle, where a very old man with a long white beard and hair sat, holding a fancy staff in one hand.

His appearance doesn't ring any bells, but he is passably strong, seen by the blue medallion over his right breast. The medallion of a Wizard Saint, basically one of the ten strongest folks on the continent.

I gaze at the others, until my gaze sweeps past a blue-haired douche. Jellal, or whatever name this alias of his has, it was from the beginning of the series and couldn't bother to remember it.

Two Wizard Saints in one room? My my, are they just trying to intimidate me, or taking me seriously?

"Announce your name, criminal." The old man on the highest seat spoke, and I held back a snort at how he used Magic to amplify his voice. If you need to use magic to sound intimidating, then it's just pathetic.

"Nah, thanks." I shrug, making the old Wizard's eyes blow wide open, then narrow dangerously. The air around him seemed to shake, and I concentrate to feel his magic.

So that's how one flexes their Magic, huh? Despite being weak, we've got much to learn from this world.

"Do you think this is a joke?!" The old Wizard's staff hammers against his seat, sending forth a shock-wave created by Wind Magic.

"Yeah, you are." I sigh out, sagging my shoulders, the guards behind me taking sharp intakes of air, "This whole place is a joke. Posturing on absurdly tall seats? Cringe, man."

The old Wizard snorts, beard and hair ruffling due to his magic constantly rising and rampaging out of him, but that's when the Illusion Guy speaks up, "Now now, Lord Sekken, no need to be angered." Jellal's illusion speaks up, slimy smile on his face, trying to put on a charming and friendly front that couldn't be more fake, "He has just a… Peculiar sense of humor."

I nod towards him, "What the fake ass illusion just said." Jellal stills, and the other Wizard Saint frowns and turns towards him.

"Illusion?" How are they so dumb to not even notice? The fucker doesn't even feel corporeal. "Siegrain, what is the meaning of this?" Ah, that's his dumb name.

Siegrain smiles nervously, "Ah, apologies, Lord Sekken. I was preoccupied with something else and couldn't come personally."

"Preoccupied sitting in that sweet tower of yours?" I scoff, making the illusion freeze, eyes widening in mild shock and restrained horror, "Yeah, right."

The old Wizard's eyes narrow even more, his magic clearly sweeping towards the Illusion to assess it. "We will have words later." He growls out, before turning towards me, "As for you… What is your true aim?"

Finally taking me seriously, huh? Good, then time for me to achieve my next goal here.

"I'm here for God Serana." I drawl out, and all eyes widen in horror, with the old Wizard Saint nearly falling off his seat, "You must defeat the old God of Ishgar to become one, right?"

My arms stretch, the 'magic sealing' cuffs freezing and shattering into powder before wide, horrified eyes.

Both Wizard Saints move to stand, their magic rising, but it was too late. I copy the way they do it, and grab my gargantuan reserves of magic and make them drop over the surroundings like a tsunami.

The world changes color. The skies go dark, windows shatter, walls and ground crack. Normal people pass out, while the two Wizard Saints turn as white as milk while crumbling on their knees.

Beneath me, the abyssal shadows stretch forth, demented cackles and howls echoing forth from their depths, while millions of eyes flicked all over.

I contain my frost, for it could freeze their Souls, and just crack my neck as I stare up at the two Wizard Saints.

"Bring me that pompous ass, will ya?"

After this, I can finally go back to my ladies and annoy them!

~XXX~

Aurelia had to admit that peace and quiet wasn't a good motivator to train. She felt… Lazy, like never before.

Months of constant training, fighting, killing and pure hard work, and now just… Nothing. Peace. No Dragons waiting to swoop down, no distant gazes always focused on her, no need to Shout a Dragon's name and challenge it to a death battle.

She put down her sword and armor for a while and just… Relaxed. Allowed the tension to melt out of her.

While she stopped training her body to enjoy a short break, that didn't mean she stopped training her other capabilities like the Thu'um and her Ansei lineage.

She started whispering the Words of Power beneath her breath, learning to control their output. Before, it was just full power, but Dinok had shown her a whole new world.

Shouts weren't always meant to be used as overwhelming force. The ancient Dragon Priest showed her how they could be used as defense too, by controlling their immense power and output through practice.

Like a whispered Fire Breath Shout to turn the area around herself blazing hot, so to resist a blast from the Frost Breath Shout or being frozen.

It could be done backward too. Or using the Time Shout for just a few seconds to dodge, for an expert Dragon won't be as affected by the slowed time and might be able to use the Shout too in order to fully resist the effects.

Dinok's knowledge and expertise with the Thu'um was terrifying to Aela. Even Lah had once speculated that they might be near equals in terms of capabilities, and that Dinok might know Shouts he himself doesn't, passed down by the World Eater himself.

Thus, when in private, she trained this way. A Dragon Blade always conjured at her side, shifting through the Words, moderating their power, infusing them, testing possible combinations, while also deepening her own understanding of the Thu'um, instead of relying on the knowledge she had attained from the countless Dragons she had slain.

She had to make this power hers and hers alone, and couldn't rely on what others had gleamed. Mortals won over the Dragons by making the Thu'um theirs and creating the Dragonrend Shout, so she had to reach their same level.

Create Shouts of her own. Easier said than done, obviously.

A heavy grunt pulls Aurelia out of her thoughts, turning to see Deinmaar place another large tree down on an already large pile, "I can't believe you decided to just build a house…" She points out with a soft smile as the Atmoran straightens and grins.

"It is quite relaxing." Deinmaar points out, "When I helped build Winterhold and make it a small settlement, I had a lot of fun. We broke as many houses as we made because we kept getting drunk. Man, that mead was something else…" The titan shakes his head with a wistful smile, patting a large log beside him.

Far behind him, Dinok was unleashing hell upon the forest, happily hopping around while whispering the Cutting Shout, and using it to perfectly slice trees apart, removing all branches and leaving it all behind for Deinmaar to gather.

Aurelia tosses a look back, where Serana was fixing a large section of earth from when the small Snow Elf sneezed and left behind a mile long trench across the forest.

Good thing they had distanced themselves from Magnolia for when they started training…

"How did you even build that settlement anyway?" Aurelia asks, using a log as her seat, "There weren't any trees up there, far as I remember."

Deinmaar turns towards Dinok, fond smile on his face, "Back then there were a lot more. A whole enormous forest between Dawnstar and Winterhold." He reveals, "Atmora wasn't yet frozen, and its glacial winds are what erased the forest, albeit I was already sealed away at the time."

Aurelia noted that Deinmaar didn't sag in on himself when mentioning his time being sealed away, or how he had slaughtered the previous Dragon Council.

His fight against Ysgramor had lit the fire within the Atmoran, which was nice to see.

"Septim for your thoughts?" Deinmaar asks, taking a seat on the same log as hers, "You look like you have something in mind." She probably had her brows all scrunched up.

Leo called it her 'super duper cute thinking' face, which she liked a lot. Well, she liked anything Leo-related, just not his idiocy… Most of the time.

"Doesn't it feel like… There's more to this?" She questions, waving at her surroundings, "More to this trip to another world, as crazy as that sounds."

Deinmaar hums softly, leaning forward and resting his muscular arms on his legs, "I've learned that Leonidas does not always do something for just the reason he reveals." The Atmoran sighs out, looking down at his calloused hands, "I think he means it when he called this a vacation. A training trip, even. But I know that there's… More. Not for him, but for us, for that is his focus. Us."

Aurelia breathes in, then out through her nostrils, shoulders sagging. She loved that idiot- Gosh, she loved him so much that it physically hurt, and that she wanted to spend all of eternity just in his presence, hearing his voice, and feeling his touch.

She should hate the way he always put her and Hildr before him, how he always did everything for the both of them, how hers and Hildr's happiness are his main focus… But she didn't. She loved being pampered, and so did Hildr.

"He probably wants us to do something, or learn something." Her shoulders sag, a small pout forming on her face, "Why can't that idiot just be straight?"

"He wouldn't be Leonidas otherwise." Deinmaar points out, and much to Aurelia's annoyance… He was right.

A distant howl makes Aurelia perk up, followed by an explosion, "Guess they found something…" Aurelia muses with a soft smile. Gretel and Hildr had turned into their wolf forms to relax and hunt, mostly Hildr wanted to keep Gretel company as she had fun.

For Hildr, hunting in her Divine Wolf form was a bit excessive. Especially since she had to work hard no to set the forest on fire.

"I'm not fixing that." Serana drawls out, approaching them with a flat stare as a pillar of smoke rises from the distance, "Fixing a sneeze aftermath is already enough, especially under this stupid Sun." The vampire grumbles, pulling at her hood, sweat visible across her face as she panted softly.

Aurelia lifts her hand, then halts just as she was about to place it on Serana's shoulder. The vampire woman gives her a flat stare, "You were just about heal me, weren't you?"

Which would have set Serana on fire and made things worse.

"...Sorry." They share a soft snort at that, "I'm used to Leo being weird, so…" An Undead blessed by a God that hates the Undead, thus Aurelia had obviously forgotten that Healing an Undead made them burn because Leo tended to bully her by juggling Holy Magic between his hands every now and then.

It still makes her question her religion, and why Arkay even blessed the dumbass.

That's when Dinok ran over, short arms waving at her side in a cute way. She launched herself at Deinmaar, climbed on him like he was a tree and she was a monkey, then pointed towards the forest.

Aurelia whispers a Shout below her breath, and her field of vision changes, purple auras visible through trees. Several, and approaching.

Dinok gestured again, and Deinmaar snorts softly, "No erasing them out of existence, dear." The small Snow Elf pouts and slumps against his back.

"Why is she so… Homicidal?" Serana questions, and the Atmoran shrugs.

"Dragon Priest of the World Eater. Him and Solomon were… Very protective of Dinok."

Aureria couldn't imagine the World Eater be protective of… Anything. That being was supposed to be the Apocalypse, what ends all of existence.

Moments later, people stepped out of the forest. One of them was familiar, the others not so much.

Aurelia remembered the pink haired teen as the one that she had somehow terrified. Something about her having killed Dragons and smelling like their blood, which… Rude. She didn't stink.

Said pink haired teen- Natsu, if she remembered right, was marching towards them with big and heavy stomps and a frowning face, the blue flying cat hanging around him. "Hey!" He calls out, voice loud and rude, "Where's the hooded guy?! He promised to answer my questions!"

Deinmaar's lips twitch, "He got arrested."

Natsu freezes, "What?!" His cry of outrage was quite hilarious to Serana and Aurelia, "I'll go break him out so he can answer my questions!" How… Strangely Nord of him.

A Nord would totally break someone out of jail just so they could punch him in the face, after all. Or do other things.

Deinmaar hums, remembering what Leonidas had told him about Natsu. Energetic kid with a Fate greater than he realizes, and dragged into things far beyond his scope of understanding while deep down he just wants to find his missing Dragon parent.

The Atmoran stares at Natsu. Young, naive, full of energy and innocence, unaware of the darkness of the world. Innocence and yout that may disappear due to the Fate hanging before him.

It was like staring at a younger version of himself. So full of energy and hope, so eager to achieve something, to make a difference.

His younger self then grew. He grew with bloodshed, through war, through countless battles. Through a betrayal that made history and sank beneath the ocean.

And if he did nothing, then this boy before him may chase a path that will have his hopes vanish away. His hopes of finding his Dragon parent, only to see him cease to exist right then and there.

Deinmaar's heart softens, and before him he sees opportunity. An opportunity to change someone's future, but also grow from the experience.

Is this what you want for me, brother?

"I can answer those questions." The Atmoran speaks, slowly standing up. His towering frame makes Natsu pause and having to crane his neck all the way back, "But on one condition."

Natsu grits his teeth and stomps his feet, "Spit it out, then!"

A smile crosses Deinmaar's handsome face, "I can see that your knuckles are worn out, and through the callouses on your palm I can tell that you are a hard worker, and a physical fighter. Like me." A large hand rests on his hip, "I'll teach you, and when you can land a wound on me, I'll tell you where your father is. Deal?"

The Dragon Slayer grits his teeth, eyes narrowed, hope and wariness within them, "Why not sooner…?"

Deinmaar grins, "Don't you want to show your old man how strong you are when you see him?" Natsu's eyes widen, "Give him a good ol' clobber for being gone so long."

"Deal!" Natsu cries out pretty much instantly, enormous grin on his face. Then he pauses and turns towards his companions, "Oh right, you guys are here too…" Why did he sound disappointed by that?

A redhead in a suit of armor stepped up, giving Natsu a glare that made the teen shudder in place, "I apologize for the intrusion." The young woman bows a bit too stiffly, "We came back from a mission, and Natsu mentioned newcomers that knew of his father's whereabouts, so we were curious." She then pauses, "I am Erza Scarlet, it is a pleasure."

"I'm Deinmaar." The Atmoran introduces himself, then jabs a thumb at the Dragon Priest still clinging to his back, "This is Dinok." The small Snow Elf decides to hiss at the newcomers for some reason. "She is Aurelia, and she is Serana."

Natsu tilts his head, "Weren't there two more?" He sniffs the air, "The sisters that smelled like wolves." Aurelia had to admit that the teen had quite the sharp sense of smell. It was like watching Hildr and Gretel.

"They're off into the forest." Aurelia informs with a gentle smile, before turning to the rest of his friends, "And you all are…?"

A raven haired teen lifted his head, "I'm Gray Fullbuster." As he introduced himself, he started undressing himself- At least until Erza slapped him over the head. "So, the matchstick isn't full of bull? His dad is actually a Dragon?"

His words clearly irritate Natsu, who shouts right back, "I've never lied, popsicle!" What weird insults…

"Bah, who would even believe that? No one has seen a Dragon in who knows how long." Gray waves off, making his voice sound annoying on purpose to clearly further irritate Natsu.

Deinmaar tilts his head, "But we ran into one not too long ago?" He points out, making everyone still, "A black and blue one. Fought our own Dragon and lost, quite badly." Because who could fight Lah and come out on top?

"...Seriously?" Gray's face had gone utterly blank from shock, "Wait- What do you mean 'your own' Dragon?"

Aurelia laughs softly, "We came here with a Dragon called Lah and his wife, Kara. Gildarts met them before we split off to come here." Shaking her head, she stood off her log, dusting off her pants.

Focus on the other three people, they looked like a pair of siblings, all with hair like silver. Two young ladies and a young man, though the oldest was dressed quite… provocatively. Lots of visible skin.

Though Aurelia also felt something… Darker. Evil. Like a Daedra, but also not. It made her eyes narrow for a moment, before Deinmaar walked past her field of vision.

He waved his large hand, putting some distance between the two groups and inviting Natsu to follow him, "Show me where you stand. Strike me with all you got." Deinmaar states, voice strong, hand patting his chest hard enough to release a miniature shock-wave that ruffled the grass.

Natsu grinned and didn't hold back, nor question Deinmaar. He lunged forward, sandals leaving the grass, right arm drawn back and soon being covered in roaring flames that made the air warp.

With a loud cry of "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!", the young man delivered his strike on Deinmaar's stomach. An explosion of flames erupted and swallowed the towering Atmoran.

It was… A strange attack, yet Aurelia frowned slightly. For it was weak, incredibly so. Absurdly, even. Even a normal Nord could punch much harder than that, much less the Nords with the Dragon Slaying armor, especially now that the Eye of Magnus is back and empowering them.

"Is that fine?" The redhead, Erza, approaches, "Natsu may not be an S-Class Mage, but he is still strong." Dust and smoke shrouded Deinmaar's form, so the final result wasn't yet revealed.

Aurelia smiled softly at the young woman, "I believe Gildarts is the strongest of your guild, yes?" Erza blinks in surprise at the mention of their Ace, and nods soon after. With an amused smile, Aurelia nods towards the cloud of dust, "Deinmaar defeated him with one hit, and he wasn't even serious."

A large arm swung through the smoke, clearing it and revealing the Atmoran's uninjured form, not even a burn on his form-fitting black shirt.

Natsu gaped in surprise, fist drawn back, "...It felt like I punched a mountain…" Deinmaar chuckles, while the pink-haired teen grins again and pats his own chest, "Your turn! Hit me! Show me how strong you are!"

At that, Deinmaar hesitates and glances towards Aurelia. The Dragonborn hums softly, then grins cheekily, "Just hold back, please?" They can't afford to ruin the forest, after all. It was a nice place, but it also wasn't theirs.

Deinmaar nods and lowers his stance, muscles swell, veins bulging across his giant right arm, hand clenching into a fist. His knuckles pop with a sound like thunder booming in the skies- And then it blurs.

The air explodes. The grass is stripped from the earth, and a blast of compressed air tears forth with an ear-rending howl, leaving behind a trench that swept into the forest, tossing debris and smoke sky-high.

The Fairy Tail guild members screamed in fright at the sheer power of the shock-wave that slammed into them, while Serana grumbled and held onto her hood to hide from the Sun.

When the dust cleared, Natsu was standing on shaky feet, eyes wide, a fist the size of his head just an inch from his nose. Everything behind him was destroyed, but Natsu was safe and unscathed.

Deinmaar pulls back, grin on his face, "And that's just part of my physical might."

Natsu fell on his knees, "Teach me, master!" The giant Atmoran burst out laughing at that, a shine in his eyes.

Far behind everyone, Dinok's face slowly calmed, her heavy frown disappearing. She couldn't see, but she was in tune with the world itself due to her mastery of the Thu'um, the power to commune with Reality and make it do one's bidding.

Feeling her beloved's joy, and hearing his loud laughter, and feeling him stand so tall and mighty, it made her heart soar with joy and overwhelming love.

That's when light tremors started shaking the ground. Everyone perked up at that, turning towards the forest as birds rose and flew away, the tremors shaking the earth were akin to… Steps.

Loud, heavy, and slow.

Moments later, a giant scarlet wolf leapt out of the trees, faster than the blink of an eye and the size of a house, startling the Fairy Tail Mages.

Aurelia laughed, much to their surprise, as she was tackled by said giant wolf, who nuzzled against her before perking up and running back towards the forest, barking and spinning in circles, full of energy and child-like glee.

Above the trees, a titanic figure was visible. A wolf that could put castles to shame, with a single paw the size of Fairy Tail's guild hall. The air around it warped from heat, scarlet fur glowing like the sun itself.

Within its jaws was a large monster, charred black and smoking, resembling a massive muscular gorilla.

The titanic wolf paused at the edge of the clearing and seeing the newcomers, before stepping forward. It circled the logs and let the corpse fall down near the silver-haired siblings.

The smaller wolf rushed to it and sat before it, shuffling and licking its maw hungrily, eyes dilated. Aurelia always found that adorable.

Leaning down, the enormous wolf nudged the smaller one gently, before surging into flames. With a sigh and stumble, Hildr stepped out of the flames and brushed her hair, sweat covering her brow, "By the Nine, that's a work-out…"

Beside her, Gretel started tearing into the monster, the sound of tearing muscles and snapping bones quite disturbing to the Fairy Tail mages.

"So… Who are you guys?" The eye-patched redhead asks, raising a brow towards the silver-haired siblings. "I'm Hildr, that's my little sister Gretel." The wolf feasting on the corpse let out a quick bark as greeting before returning to her meal.

The first to step forward was the dark-skinned young man, offering his large hand towards Hildr, "I-I'm Elfman Strauss…" He introduces himself, and Hildr smiles, taking his hand- Which makes Elfman freeze.

The redhead blinks, alongside Elfman's siblings, "You good, big guy?" Hildr question, a tinge of worry in her voice.

Elfman faints.

Silence.

Then everyone starts screaming.

~XXX~

Acnologia stirred the hot coals with a stick, gaze pensive, the darkness hanging above him. There was no moon in the night sky tonight, not that he really cared.

The him who enjoyed looking at the stars died centuries ago. Died with his people, with his village. Butchered in a betrayal that came out of nowhere.

His gaze lifted off the hot coals and drifting flames, coming to rest on the royal blue and gold Dragon before him. Lah, a proclaimed Great Sage. A Dragon of world-reshaping might that made Acnologia's strength look paltry in comparison.

What an eye-opening experience.

"You have questions." Lah's powerful, refined voice swept through the small clearing. His eyes were closed, yet he could still feel Acnologia's gaze, "Ask them."

The Dragon in Human body looked at the stick in his hands, "Why do you side with a Human?" It was a question that refused to leave his mind. So few Dragons stood with Humans in the past, Dragons he still butchered. Why did he do that?

Lah remained silent, eyes opening. Giant glowing gold orbs settle on Acnologia before answering, "For I know what happens when I don't." His head rises, wings folding down, head turning towards the distant lake where his wife was bathing.

"A long time ago, where we came from, Dragons ruled over all Races." Lah narrates, voice low, "Mortals were slaves, but the strong ones were picked, elevated to Dragon Priests, given power in the form of Masks. A status greater than Slaves."

"We ruled, we suppressed, we oppressed… Until mortals rose in rebellion, turned our powers against us."

Acnologia's eyes widen, for it sounded so, so similar. Despite being from two different worlds, the outcome of their two Dragon Races ended up the same way.

Their own powers turned against them by Humans.

"The mortals used their cunning to best a Dragon's might. Used their Hate to take our flight and Voice. Used our arrogance against us." Lah sighs out through his nostrils, "I watched my brothers die in the War until just a handful remained. I watched… And did not fight."

The Dragon lowers his head, "And now, I must watch as it happens all over again."

The four-centuries old Dragon Killer chews on the inside of his cheek, "Do you regret it? Standing by and watching, I mean."

Lah pauses, "I regret not trying to be the voice of reason. I know I could have stopped some from throwing their lives away."

Acnologia raises a brow, "You'd try to stop it, and not fight by the side of your brethren?"

Lah chuckles, "That would have been suicide." Those words stun Acnologia. A Dragon like Lah, who wields immense power, was assured of his own death if he took part in the war? "The mortals had a man on their side. His might was Apocalyptic. He was a God walking upon the mortal world, and my inspiration for chasing after the knowledge of Magic."

"Had I taken part in the war, I wouldn't have traded blows with Solomon, no… I would have been torn apart faster than I could even blink."

Lah lowers himself down, then gazes at Acnologia, "What about you?" He questions in turn, "When did you lose sight of your actual goal?"

Acnologia sighs through his nostrils, "I wonder that myself…" He gazes into the hot coals, stirring them with the stick in his hands.

He remembered traveling from the ruins of his village. He remembered the rage, the tears, the blood, the pain, the questions.

He remembered reaching another small settlement, and rumors of Dragon Slayers reaching his ears. He remembered chasing it to an ancient kingdom led by a beautiful woman who created these Dragon Slayers.

And he remembered getting his own powers. A beautiful black Dragon with a kind voice, always surrounded by laughing kids. A warm laugh and presence, and… And then just blood.

Blood and death. He killed, he bathed in blood and viscera, and just kept going, and going, and going, until the pain became too much, and he became the very thing he hated.

Perhaps that was when he lost his mind. When he lost sight of his goal.

It was then that Kara returned, steam rising off her form, her clothes the same as before just washed and clean, and her hair tied in a high bun as she used magic to dry herself. "Hey, Ac-boy." The minute, freckled woman starts, making Acnologia raise a brow at the weird nickname. "I got a question."

The Dragon in human form motions for her to keep going and leans back, tossing the stick into the flames as he did so, "Why does Dragon Slayer Magic feel more like… A virus than proper Magic?"

Acnologia stills at that. A virus? He never thought of it that way… Dragons giving their Magic to Mortals, thus leading to said Mortals becoming Dragons of their own.

It was indeed like a virus, but why just Dragons? Why couldn't Humans do the same with their own Magic? What was so special, and dangerous, about Dragons that had their Magic work like a virus that mutates whoever it infects?

"I… Don't know." He tilts his head, "But I remember that it has… Stages." Kara sits on one of Lah's claws and leans forward, clearly interested, "The more you use it, the more you change. Skin falling off and scales appearing, hands becoming more like claws, senses sharpening more and more, teeth growing sharper, and then there's… The pain."

"It kept growing until it was blinding- And that's when I became a Dragon." Or at least, how he remembered becoming one. The years after that were a blur of insanity and bloodshed unlike anything else.

"Hmm… That's so interesting." Kara sighs out, shoulders sagging, "I don't mind going through the process, just so I can study it. It also means gaining a long lifespan too, which will buy me time." Her head tilts back to stare at her husband wide grin on her face while she swings a small fist his way, "I'll get my immortality so I can annoy you, just you wait!"

Lah chuckles fondly- Then freezes, golden eyes eyes widening, then narrowing in pure, smoldering fury.

His power explodes outward like an extinction event. The forest ceases to exist, and so do the clouds above.

The sky shatters, a black void beyond it. Beneath Lah, the earth is slowly pulverized into nothing, the landscape shifting like an earthquake was ravaging it, geysers of magma spewing sky high and mountains becoming raging volcanoes.

Lah lifted his head, smoldering eyes gazing beyond the black void, jaws bared and furious. "I know not what your name is, Godling. But lay thine eyes upon mine wife once more, and I shall feast upon your innards and drown this world in thine ichor, mongrel."

And then the wave of power disappeared, the sky repaired itself, and Acnologia remembered how to breathe or even move.

Around them, the landscape raged and twisted, ruined beyond recover, but Kara just looked at her husband in worry, "Honey, what was that?"

Lah scoffs, leaning down to nuzzle his skull against his beloved.

"A God seemed to take offense at your desire for immortality."

Acnologia pauses.

...Wasn't that what happened to a guy called Zeref?

A.N. Bit of a wait on this chappy, but I've been in a Necromancer writing mood.

Though the chapters aren't doing as well for some reason. Oh well, I'll keep writin' till all of ya leave or die! Nyehe!

And yes, Kara got Ankhseram's attention with her wanting immortality, and Lah got pissed off.

Remember, the children of Akatosh are Gods themselves!

Hope y'all enjoyed this!

Toodles!