A barren land stretched endlessly. Above it floated the Sky Island, wrapped in a hemispherical transparent barrier.
Inside, the residents of Edolas were feverishly building their new home.
With the sudden removal of restrictions—no more suffering from the crippling lack of magic—the Edolas people erupted like a volcano, brimming with passion and creativity in the use of magic.
Every day, dozens or even hundreds of new magics are invented. Every day, countless others were discarded.
In their use and development of magic, they were rapidly catching up to Aslant, and within a century they were expected to surpass it—even to the point of transforming the moon into a habitable world.
Outside the Sky Island, Ed-Zeref rested against the void, sleeping soundly.
After a long time, he awoke, gazing toward the magical world of Aslant, eyes glimmering.
"So brutal…" he murmured, having learned by unknown means of the turmoil engulfing the continent of Ishgar.
In Natsu's actions, he faintly saw a reflection of himself. Only Natsu's circumstances were far better.
Natsu had overwhelming strength, inherited a predecessor's legacy, and faced feeble opposition.
Taken together, these conditions resulted in Natsu's crushing dominance over Ishgar.
He didn't need to care about political rivalries between nations.
He didn't need to worry about ethnic conflicts.
He didn't need to guard against ambitious schemers.
All potential violence was erased in the face of his superior violence.
This struggle was not about justice or evil, not about holiness, and certainly not about youthful ideals.
It was simply that the disparity of strength was so vast that the stronger could bend the world entirely to his will.
Ed-Zeref almost envied Natsu's position. If he himself had possessed such decisive power back then, he would not have needed to seal away magic for centuries.
But Ed-Zeref had known he was not unique. He could not control everything. If there was one Zeref in the world, there would eventually be another—and perhaps one even greater.
That would mark the end of both him and his ideals. So he gave up the idea of personally taking the stage.
Natsu, however, was different. Natsu was special—and after becoming entangled with Pai Pai, he was even more so.
"Mr. Ed-Zeref, we need to talk to you about something important."
As Ed-Zeref drifted in thought, a group arrived. Makarov led the core members of Fairy Tail toward him, their momentum heavy, their hostility plain. Ed-Zeref could clearly feel their hatred and discontent.
"This is about Ishgar, isn't it?" With a moment's thought, Ed-Zeref understood the source of their animosity.
He had to admit: Natsu's current deeds did bear some resemblance to his own past. It was little wonder Fairy Tail would pin the blame on him.
"So it really was you?!" Erza's expression turned icy, her hand already itching to draw her blade and cut him down—only for Makarov to hold her back. His face was dark and frightening as he demanded, "Zeref… we need an explanation."
"An explanation?" Ed-Zeref shook his head as he floated down to the ground, speaking with solemn weight. "There is none. People grow. Just as you chased after fairies, after adventure—Natsu found a new goal, and so he acts."
"This matter has nothing to do with me. I never intended to shape my brother into a reflection of myself."
"You mean… everything Natsu is doing is his own choice?!" Makarov's face darkened further, his leaking aura nearly shaking the earth apart.
Ed-Zeref remained indifferent, spreading his hands.
"If you must see it that way, then yes. But if you insist on finding someone who nudged him, look to Pai Pai. Think about what impact his actions had on Natsu.
A revered elder. An invincible master. And yet, for selfish desire, he sought to destroy the world. Do you think a pure-hearted junior wouldn't ponder the reasons? Wouldn't wonder what should be done? Hmph."
His words cut Fairy Tail like blades, dripping with ridicule. Their fury flared, but for Makarov it was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on his head. His aura collapsed, leaving him like a frost-wilted plant.
"Shut up, you—!"
"Stop, Mirajane!!"
Furious, Mirajane had transformed into her demon form, ready to strike Ed-Zeref down. Makarov, however, restrained her with his Giant Magic, his enormous hand gripping her tightly.
The next instant, Gray charged forward, his whole body exuding cold—only to be caught by Makarov's other hand.
"Master, let me go! I'll beat this bastard to a pulp!!" Gray shouted.
"You should hurry," Ed-Zeref said, glancing at the impulsive Fairy Tail mages. Unsure how else to describe them, he shook his head and turned to leave.
He needed to prepare his own backup plan.
Now, Natsu recognized no ties of blood. Though he was Natsu's brother, they had once fought side by side against Pai Pai with deep bonds of feeling—
Zeref was certain he was on Natsu's purge list as well. At best, he would be subjected to strict surveillance.
And Fairy Tail… most likely would share the same fate.
"How could this be…"
Within the Magic Council, as soon as Natsu began his campaign, some had guessed what turmoil might be stirring inside Fairy Tail.
Thus, a faction proposed using the Circumference Satellites to contact Fairy Tail on the moon—probing, perhaps tricking them into revealing something.
The result…
Reality gave them a brutal "surprise."
"That man actually lost… and then vanished."
The Council nearly collapsed when Fairy Tail, under questioning, told them everything.
At first, Fairy Tail seemed cooperative, even friendly, appearing oblivious. Some councilors thought it was back to "easy mode": all they needed was Pai Pai to resolve everything.
But then came the revelations. Fairy Tail hadn't simply been lying low. They'd been fighting battles in another world.
Pai Pai had transformed into the World-Eater, seeking to annihilate existence, severing ties with Fairy Tail. Zeref—who had shaped the course of history for four hundred years—appeared, leading Edolas in a coalition to overthrow Pai Pai. They had ultimately triumphed.
Then, due to ecological collapse, they migrated to Aslant.
The information overload left the councilors reeling, some thinking Fairy Tail was spouting nonsense. But reason told them it was all too likely true.
Which was awkward—Pai Pai was absolutely no longer a reliable card to play. Instead, they had to guard against him appearing again.
And Fairy Tail's intelligence suggested something worse: they had underestimated Natsu. With Pai Pai's legacy in his hands, Natsu might be even more troublesome than Pai Pai had been.
After all, in Fairy Tail's account, Natsu had played a decisive role in defeating Pai Pai.
One disaster piled on another—an utterly dire situation.
Org rubbed his temples. "If that's the case, how do we deal with 'Na-dsu the Former Dragon Slayer, the New Evil Dragon'?"
"There might be a way," suggested Crawford Seem. "If we reveal the function of Face, it might serve as a deterrent."
Unrestrained, uncontrollable power was terrifying. But if even a single countermeasure existed—something capable of matching it, or ensuring mutual destruction—then checks and balances could be built. And from checks and balances, order could sprout.
"This…" The councilors sank into heavy thought. It did seem viable. After all, Face's power was dreadful—no sane mage would wish for its activation.
But Natsu… was he sane?
A question worth pondering.
"Perhaps… we could contact Alvarez. Bring them into play. At the rate the Fire Dragon is advancing, once Ishgar falls, the Western Continent will be next. They should realize this."
Someone floated the idea.
Silence fell, heavy and absolute.