Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Shadows of Zeref
Chapter 7: Shadows of Zeref
Kael's POV
The return to Magnolia was anything but quiet. Natsu was still on a victory high, recounting every fiery punch he threw at the crystal. Lucy rolled her eyes every time he exaggerated, while Happy happily added sound effects. Erza, as always, remained calm and collected, though her occasional glances at me felt… analytical.
As we approached the guild, my system chimed again, bringing up another notification.
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[New Quest: Uncover the Origin of the Corruption]
Objective: Investigate connections to Zeref's forbidden magic.]
Reward: +500 System Points, Unlock: Arcane Insight Ability.]
---
I frowned, the name "Zeref" sending a shiver down my spine. I knew enough about Fairy Tail's lore to realize this wasn't just a random event. Something much bigger was stirring, and I had a sinking feeling I was going to be in the middle of it.
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Inside the Guild
The guildhall was its usual chaotic self, with laughter, shouting, and the occasional crash echoing through the space. Mirajane greeted us at the bar, her warm smile a stark contrast to the tension still lingering from our mission.
"You all look like you've been through a lot," she said, pouring drinks for the group.
"You should've seen it, Mira!" Natsu said, jumping onto a table. "Kael broke the crystal thingy, and I smashed it to pieces! Bam! Fire everywhere!"
"I helped, too!" Happy chimed in, striking a little pose.
Lucy sighed, sipping her drink. "You conveniently forgot to mention the part where you almost got us killed."
"And I wouldn't have broken the crystal without your cover," I added, feeling the need to balance Natsu's enthusiasm with some credit where it was due.
Mirajane's eyes twinkled as she leaned closer. "Kael, you're fitting in well. How's the magic coming along?"
"Still learning," I admitted, flipping my tome open. "But I'm getting the hang of it."
"Good," Erza said, suddenly standing beside me. I jumped, nearly spilling my drink. "Because we need to talk."
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A Serious Conversation
Erza led me to one of the quieter corners of the guildhall, her expression uncharacteristically grim. "What do you know about Zeref?" she asked.
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "He's… dangerous. A dark mage tied to forbidden magic. Why?"
Erza crossed her arms, her gaze piercing. "The crystal we destroyed was not an isolated incident. Similar corruption has been reported in other parts of Fiore. It's too coordinated to be random."
My system chimed again, and a new notification appeared.
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[New Insight Unlocked: Zeref's Influence]
**- Forbidden magic tied to Zeref is spreading across Fiore.
Crystals act as focal points for corruption, potentially linked to experiments with life magic.]**
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"Life magic?" I muttered aloud.
Erza raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Nothing," I said quickly, closing the interface. "Just thinking. Do you think Zeref's directly involved?"
"Possibly," she said. "And if he is, we need to prepare."
Great. No pressure.
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The New Mission
Before I could dwell too much on the implications, Makarov's voice boomed across the guildhall. "Fairy Tail! Gather around!"
The room quickly filled with chatter as everyone crowded near the small but imposing guild master. Makarov's serious expression silenced the noise almost immediately.
"We've received word of another attack," he said, his voice heavy. "This time, it's in the eastern region, near Onibus Town. Corrupted creatures are attacking travelers, and reports suggest there may be another crystal involved."
"Then let's destroy it!" Natsu shouted, already fired up.
"Calm yourself, Natsu," Makarov said. "This time, we must proceed with caution. The crystals are becoming more dangerous, and we need to gather as much information as possible."
He looked directly at me, his gaze sharp. "Kael, your magic will be crucial for this mission. You'll lead the investigation, alongside Erza, Natsu, Lucy, and Gray."
"Wait, Gray's coming too?" Natsu groaned. "Why?"
"Because I said so," Makarov snapped. "This is a critical mission. You'll need all the help you can get."
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On the Road Again
The trip to Onibus Town was… tense, to say the least. Natsu and Gray argued nonstop, throwing insults and the occasional ice or fire attack. Lucy tried to mediate but eventually gave up, and Happy provided running commentary like a sports announcer.
"You two are like children," Erza said, her voice laced with irritation. That shut them up—for about five minutes.
I stayed quiet, trying to focus on the map and the magical traces my system had detected. The closer we got to Onibus, the stronger the residual energy felt. It was dark, heavy, and far too familiar.
When we finally reached the outskirts of town, the devastation was worse than I expected. Trees were charred, the ground was cracked, and the air felt thick with magic.
"This is bad," Lucy said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No kidding," Gray muttered, his usually cool demeanor replaced by concern.
I activated Arcane Detection, and the system immediately highlighted a trail leading deeper into the woods. "The source is this way," I said, gesturing for the group to follow.
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The Hidden Laboratory
The trail led us to a hidden cavern, its entrance shrouded in dark energy. Inside, the air was colder, and the walls pulsed faintly with magical light.
"What is this place?" Natsu asked, his flames illuminating the path.
"It looks like some kind of lab," Gray said, pointing to the broken equipment scattered around. "But it's been abandoned for years."
"Not entirely," Erza said, her hand on her sword. "Stay alert."
At the center of the cavern stood another crystal, larger than the last. Surrounding it were runes etched into the floor, glowing with ominous energy.
"This is definitely tied to Zeref," I said, my voice low.
The system chimed again, providing another update.
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[Insight Updated: Experimental Lab]
**- Crystals are remnants of Zeref's life magic experiments.
This lab appears to have been abandoned after the experiments failed.]**
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"Failed experiments, huh?" I muttered. "What could go wrong?"
As if on cue, the crystal began to pulse, and the runes flared to life. Shadows emerged from the walls, taking the shape of corrupted creatures far more twisted than anything we'd faced before.
"Looks like we woke something up!" Natsu shouted, charging forward.
"Brace yourselves!" Erza commanded, drawing her sword.
I flipped open my tome, my heart racing. This wasn't going to be easy.
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End of Chapter 7