Chapter 49

"Who are you?"

Shin and the youth asked at the same time.

The difference was that Shin knew who he was when he saw his face.

Only, it would be weird to show it when they never met.

The young man was Zeref, known as the black magician.

His name was already well known and had spread throughout the continent as a person who had mastered black magic.

For the time being, his name was less known because Shin's presence had more impact on the continent, but the legend of Zeref would become known and would continue to be built up over the centuries, especially with the creation of demons over the centuries.

While Shin looked at Zeref calmly and a little surprised to see him here, Zeref inspected Shin with great intrigue.

'He gives off the same energy as this forest but in an immensely greater quantity'.

While travelling, Zeref had come across this forest.

He had originally come to see the new creature that had appeared called the Celestial Phoenix.

He was a very intelligent person and had a love for knowledge so he was intrigued to learn of such an interesting new creature.

But on his way, he came across this forest that miraculously seemed to fight against his dark magic.

Or more precisely the energy in this forest that also soothed his mind and gave him a sense of tranquility.

A feeling he hadn't felt for a while now.

He had decided to settle here so that he could continue to study his books with the aim of bringing his little brother back to life.

He also tried to study the energy in this forest but it was too powerful and uncontrollable.

Moreover, this energy seemed to disappear as his dark magic grew to his dismay.

So when he felt the insane amount of energy in Shin's body, he saw some semblance of hope.

"I am Zeref and you, who are you and why do you have so much of this energy in you?" answered and questioned Zeref still cautiously.

He knew that the person was on a level equal to his own with the magical power he was giving off.

Even if Shin hid his magical power, Zeref was at the same level as him and therefore could detect a bit of it and that bit was enough for him to be able to measure the power of a person.

"My name is Shin and I have so much of this energy because this energy and the energy of the forest is produced by me" Shin answered.

He didn't lie because he knew that Zeref had no bad intentions, he could feel it.

"You produce this energy?" exclaimed Zeref with surprise.

"Are you cursed like me? Or rather blessed for your case..." questioned Zeref with a little jealousy in his voice.

He considered his magic a curse so he considered Shin's energy, an energy that countered his own, a blessing.

"Sort of."

Shin couldn't explain that he had the lineage of the God of Life and that he was given to become a God King.

Zeref frowned at Shin's vague and mysterious answer but decided not to look any further, he had just met after all.

"Why are you so sad?" asked Shin thoughtfully.

Even though he knew the answer, he wanted to hear it from Zeref's mouth as well as talk with him to become friends.

Zeref's eyes widened as he heard Shin.

He tried his best not to show his deep sadness but the person in front of him had managed to see through him.

"It's a long story," Zeref sighed.

"Then let me hear it" Shin smiled gently.

Sensing his good intention, Zeref smiled slightly at Shin's kindness.

Shin's presence was soothing and his dark magic that was being unleashed was countered by Shin's Life Energy so his worries could be put aside for the first time since he was cursed.

Zeref sat by the lake as Shin walked and sat by his side as well.

"Before that, tell me, are you human?" questioned Zeref.

The magical power Shin released was equal to his own and he had never seen any human match it, only very powerful dragons could match it.

Shin smiled at his request and revealed his identity by spreading his wings.

"No, I am the one you call "Celestial Phoenix".

Zeref was shocked and couldn't believe it.

He wanted to see the Celestial Phoenix with his own eyes but it was him who came to meet him.

His day was getting better and better.

"I see, very interesting" Zeref replied fascinated.

Zeref's knowledge of the Phoenix was less than what was in the books.

When he discovered the existence of a Phoenix, he was euphoric because he had read that Phoenixes were linked to life and rebirth.

So he thought that maybe the Phoenix could help him lift his curse and bring his little brother back to life.

Zeref kept his excitement aside so as not to be disrespectful when he had just met him.

It itched to death but he was still a sensible, well-mannered boy.

So Zeref began to tell his story with a keen-eared Shin.

"...."

Zeref finished telling his story with pained eyes filled with sadness.

Shin showed a sympathetic look, what Zeref went through is really tragic.

Shin would like to help him but it would change too much of the story.

Imagine if he resurrected Natsu and lifted his curse.

But that's not the main reason, the main reason is that he's unable to do it at the moment.

Shin theorized that later on, he could lift Zeref's curse when he is on top of this world and that he could bring the dead back to life when he is a God.

"You really have a hard life, I feel sorry for you" said Shin with compassion and sincerity.

"It's not your fault, it already makes me feel good to be able to talk to someone without having to worry about killing them unintentionally" Zeref answered honestly.

"What about you?" asked Zeref curiously.

"Me?" asked Shin falling into his thoughts.

"Yes, your turn to tell your story, how come you're the only Phoenix to be seen"

Zeref was like a child discovering fantasy stories.

Shin then told him a made up story about the Phoenix.

He told him that he was born from an egg many years ago, that he grew up with no relatives or family and that he thought he was the last of his kind without knowing what happened to the others.

"I see, so the Phoenix are even older and more powerful creatures than the dragons."

"Older yes but more powerful I don't know, I think we are equal" Shin replied.

"So what abilities do you have?" asked Zeref interested.

"For the most part we are physically as strong as dragons and we have fire manipulation equal to the dragon or higher"

"For the most part?" questioned Zeref pressing on that part of the sentence.

"Well, since I was born, I know I have a talent so great that I could reach the top of this world, I also have the ability to control several elements and I have a special and powerful energy" Shin explained without arrogance.

"I see" Zeref replied in his thoughts looking up at the sky.

"I read that the Phoenix are immortal beings linked to reincarnation and life, is that true?" questioned Zeref still looking at the blue sky.

"Yes it's true."

"Yes moreover, this energy you possess seems to be linked to life itself" Zeref replied then continued.

"So I wanted to know, do you have the ability to revive the dead or lift my curse"

Zeref said this with his eyes straight up to the sky but Shin knew that his eyes held great hope.

A great silence appeared between the two until Shin broke it.

"I'm sorry but I don't have it..." said Shin.

Zeref's face showed disappointment and unease.

"Not at the moment."

Out of nowhere, Shin finished his sentence which filled Zeref with surprise.

Zeref quickly turned his head towards Shin.

"You mean later you can?!" asked Zeref with a louder voice than before.

"I don't want to give you hope for nothing, but in a few years I'll probably be able to lift your curse..." replied Shin making Zeref's eyes shine with a hope he had lost for a while.

"But bringing the dead back to life, I fear, can only be accomplished by a God."

Shin felt sorry for Zeref because he was going to become a God in the future.

Only, he wouldn't become one until much later and especially not in the world of Fairy Tail.

And when he becomes one, he doubts that Zeref is still alive and moreover, he will have removed his curse in the meantime.

And finally, he will have already resurrected Natsu.

In the end, Shin lied a bit because for the moment, he can't create life before becoming a God.

But breathing life into an object is something else and he doesn't know if he can do it.

Nevertheless, he will help Zeref in his search to bring his brother back to life, because Zeref will find an ancient magic to breathe life into objects anyway.

Zeref was torn between happiness and loss.

He would be able to lose his curse in a few years, but he would not be able to resurrect his brother.

However, he did not lose hope and continued to search for a way.

"Thank you and do you have people you care about?" asked Zeref wanting to listen to Shin after he listened to him.

"Yes, I recently married a beautiful woman and had a beautiful baby girl.

Shin showed a smile brimming with love as he spoke of them.

Zeref was a little jealous to see such happiness that he was deprived of but at the same time he was happy for Shin.

From the little they talked, he could tell that Shin was a good person.

"...

....

...."

In the end, Shin and Zeref talked for hours.

The state of this world, the war, the family, all these topics had been deciphered in depth, giving their own opinions.

These hours of discussion had really improved their relationship and the fact that they agreed on many things made them friends.

And as such, Shin hoped that his presence would ease Zeref's pain and keep him company.

"Well, the discussion was very interesting but I have to get back because I know one that has to worry and another that has to throw a tantrum" Shin said with a humorous tone.

"Ahah, go ahead" replied Zeref with a small laugh that was as weak as the sound of the wind.

"I'll come back to see you a few times to help you and keep talking" Shin stated as a way to comfort Zeref.

"I might even bring my wife and daughter along so you can meet them, I'm sure they'd appreciate it."

Zeref was surprised by his offer and soon smiled ruefully.

"I would love to but you know that is not possible, if she gets too close to me they will die, even they are your wife and d-"

Zeref couldn't finish his sentence as he saw a small, understanding smile on Shin's face.

Zeref's eyes widened as he realised the meaning of that smile.

'They are his daughter and his wife so surely they must possess this energy...!'

"Thank you."

That thank you contained great gratitude and thanks.

Shin smiled back at him and flew towards Dragnof.

---------------

\ Kingdom of Dragnof /

Shin arrived at Dragnof and immediately sensed the presence of Erza and Irene.

He walked over to a small flowery park with lots of human and dragon children playing together with their parents watching.

This time Irene was alone in a corner under a tree in the shade watching her one year old daughter play with butterflies, birds and all sorts of animals that came near her.

Sitting against the trunk, she looked like a supernatural beauty of nature.

Shin approached her quietly.

Irene sensed his presence, turned her head and pouted immediately.

"Did you miss me?" teased Shin as he sat down next to her and hugged her.

"No... Where have you been?" Irene responded by using some force to push Shin away but didn't last long before giving up and melting into his embrace.

"I met a friend in the forest where I lived before I came here."

"Um, do you have any friends?" asked Irene as she wobbled her head to the side with a little mockery.

"Of course, I have Belserion, Zeref and ...." stammered Shin as he listed his friends.

"Fufu" Irene cooed at her husband's cute ways.

"Hmmph" Shin in turn pouted as he saw that he was being teased like a beginner.

"Fufu, don't be angry, I'll give you lots of kisses tonight" Irene declared in Shin's ear with a sweet voice.

"Alright" said Shin convinced by this simple argument too powerful.

"I'd like to see the place where you used to live and meet your friend".

"No problem, I'll take you there with Erza".

"I'm sure she'll like to see where her beloved daddy used to live" said Irene sarcastically.

"Daddy!" From the distance, a small angelic voice rang out.

Looking in the direction of that voice, Shin was assaulted by a small body that pounced on him.

"Back," Erza said, chewing on the words, she was only a year old.

"Of course little princess, have you been good?" asked Shin tenderly.

"UN" Erza nodded her head in affirmation while clinging to her dad to smell him.

"She's been throwing a few little tantrums to see her dad so I brought her here to distract herself and think about something else" Irene stated with a small sigh.

"That's good, that means you're daddy's little princess" said Shin dreamily and completely gaga.

"UNO! Dad" Erza called to Shin and was spoiled by her dad with little guilts to her immense delight.

"Shin" Irene's voice was dark and rumbling.

"Sorry" Shin apologized wryly.

"Erza, would you like to go to a forest to meet daddy's friend and lots of animals?" asked Shin as he moved Erza between him and Irene.

"I would!" jumped an excited Erza.

Then they enjoyed this peaceful moment as a family.