The same wavering effect happened once more as the Demon shifted into his more normal form, but perhaps not natural, it was unclear to all perhaps himself what his Etherious form actually looked like. There had never been a moment where it had been required.
“A year, however, I would give or take a few months, the Dragon Slayer was never exactly good with time.” He gave a small shrug. “And you cannot blame me for being a little over zealous, it’s been quite some time I’ve been able to do anything… and it does pay to insure that I have control over all my abilities. Some are not as… awake as others yet.”
Anyone else speaking to the Guild Master and Demon like that would have likely not been greeted with such a calm response. Mard and Sayla were often the only two that had ever been able to get away with such things. Even when E.N.D had been a child.
“It’s already been a few months since his departure, I would wager the next Grand Magic Games would be a perfect time for the Dragon Slayer to return ‘home’. There is, however, the issue of the… what did they call themselves… Exceed.”
❝ A year then? You could always use that time to make sure you’re 100%. Then, make an appearance at the Grand Magic Games, ❞
He was confident that E.N.D would be able to complete this mission. He was the guild master after all, the strongest demon out of them all.
❝ The exceed however, what did you do with the one that was always with the slayer? ❞
The Demon grinned for a moment, knowing that both he and Mard had thought of the exact same thing, the air around him shimmering for a moment or two as appearance changed.
“I agree. However, I will have to slightly improvise.” Such a deception so soon after he had been unsealed, it had his side effects, arm was flashed forwards, revealing how, despite the fact that the rest of his appearance was that of the Dragon Slayer Fairy Tail knew and loved, his right arm was still marked with the patterns he naturally had. “It should settle itself, soon enough.” He hoped. He could not keep it covered for long without it arousing suspicion. While the plan was quite ingenious, there was no true way of telling how long the charade would have to take place.
He raised his hand suddenly, as though to silence someone.
❝ Calm, E.N.D you cannot go out yet, How long did Natsu say he’d be gone? ❞
Leaning back he then explained.
❝ Go only when that time has come, even though it would be better to return when the slayer has fully succumbed to the demon powers. Natsu was one to
A grin stretched to his features as Mard finished speaking. “Oh, I like that a lot… The Slayer will push his limits, last information I had was that he was dedicating everything to seaking me, along with the way he attained the magic, it shouldn’t take long for it to overwhelm him.” He paused a small chuckle leaving his lips. “And I’m sure his foolishness at taking all of Memento Mori upon himself may speed up the processes as well.” It wasn’t the curses design, of course, but it would react well to the progressive, for what of a better term, possession.
“However, Fairy Tail will still be an issue, broken up or not, if they see one of their nakama in such a state they will rush forwards, and I have seen the kind of miracles they work first hand… At least we should have some time to prepare. I am willing to take something on myself if required and the Fairies prove once again to be a nuisance.”
❝ Miracles will not help the fools this time, ❞
Of course he’d thought of Fairy Tail, without a doubt they’d try to fix the problem. And of course they couldn’t have them getting in the way.
❝ Would you be surprised if I said Mard Geer thought of that possibility? No, of course not. Gray’s falling will cause cracks in their shield, and your betrayal will shatter them. If you’re willing to take something on yourself, pretend you are still Natsu, work with them. Not only will you be keeping track of the slayer, when the time is right you can strike him down, and Zeref will be ours. The Fairies will be devastated at the loss of two central members, and will be too weak to stop us. ❞
There was a wave of emotions that bustled through him at those words, emotions that did not belong to the Demon himself, but to that of the Dragon Slayer, while his eyebrow twitched, he was able to quell the rest of them. “Indeed… and he will only speed up the process. It won’t take very long.” The information he had from the Dragon Slayer was enough to prove that.
“…Knowledge. I know all that the Slayer knew, but that is very limited as to what is important for most things. It will come in handy in the battles to come, but currently it leaves me out of the loop, as it were.” He offered the other Demon yet another smile.
“And you’re the only one I trust enough to fill me in correctly.”
His ever present smirk stretched a little wider as he watched his master’s eyebrow twitch slightly at the mention of the demon slayer. Hopefully, the residing emotions of the body wouldn’t hinder their plans.
❝ It is a great asset that you know so much, but a shame you found no consciousness in the book. My plan is to use the demon slayer to get you close to Zeref. If he grows strong enough, and the magic takes over then he should become a demon. I’m counting on him to join a demon guild, His goal will be redirected to Zeref, and he will forget all about destroying you. With another guild and the boy at the front, we can use him as cover. ❞
