dear_mun | Spoilers for chapter 398

{ Even Zeref knew it would take more than one punch to take Sayla out. She wasn't anywhere near as physically tough as someone like Torafusa or Franmalth, but he knew it would take more than that to bring her down. }

You have a lot of faith in Kyouka. { Obviously. Otherwise she wouldn't have tranferred her powers to her. } I've met Erza, you know. In the game we are at together. She's by no means weak.

Of course I do. Kyouka-sama is one of Zeref-sama's most faithful servants. Just as I am.

Don't you have faith in her too, Zeref-sama? Don't you trust her to get us the E.N.D of our story?

If anyone can do it, it is her.

I fully agree with that.

If Kyouka does indeed win - { A possibility that Zeref knows is completely possible, but isn't one he desires personally, since that means he might never die } - I promise that I will reunite the two of you.

{ A sigh. }

It is the least I can do, for your loyalty. { Even if he would have very much preferred that their devotion to him be spent in a way other than slaughtering humans simply because they think he'd approve. }

Zeref-sama...

[She's blushing and speechless for a moment.]

There's nothing I'd like more than being reunited with Kyouka-sama... and you, Zeref-sama. With both of you.

I know. { A long pause. } ... I know.

...Did I offend you in any way, Zeref-sama?

Of course not, Sayla. I'm just trying to think of what my next course of action will be, after that.

{ Which isn't a lie. }

I have faith in you, Zeref-sama. [Just as much as she has faith in Kyouka. Maybe even more.]

I know you do, Sayla. And if it comes to that... I won't betray that faith.

What endingsh would yoo be proud of?

To die knowing I allowed my Master's wish to come true, of course.

...Are you a demon?

I don't know whatsh a demonin ish, but I am a Hypello!

Who ish your Mashter?

What's a Hypello?

E.N.D. will be my Master when E.N.D. awakens. And Zeref-sama is the author of my book and my Master in his own right.

Edited 2014-09-07 05:38 (UTC)

[Erza dramatically points a sword at Sayla.] You and your guild will not reach the ending that you desire - I will make sure of it!

Now now... aren't you the arrogant one?

When one listens to you, no one would believe what the real story is. You nearly died at my hand without the intervention of that stupid b... girl. And now that Kyouka-sam received what was left of my power, she's going to be able to show you what Tartaros' members are truly capable of.

I hate to break it to you [Who are you kidding, Sayla?] but honestly? I really can't see you having any good part or ending in that story.

It was a dangerous situation, yes, but I could have found a way out. [Admittedly, it wouldn't have been anywhere near as quick as Mira's solution, but being able to summon and control swords with her mind worked against Midnight, so it might have been an option. Keyword being "might".] I should have prepared for the possibility that someone other than that woman might have been present, [Not sure how, but Erza prides herself on being prepared for everything.] but it was arrogant of you to assume that nobody else would be coming to the control room.

As for what Tartaros members are truly capable of, many of my guildmates have already seen that first-hand. It's impressive, to be fair, but it hasn't been enough to stop our guild so far. Besides, I still have to pay back that Kyouka woman for her "hospitality".

[Sayla laughs slightly and sarcastically at that.] If by 'finding a way out' you mean 'dying' then yes, I'm sure you could have. ...And who said I assumed that? I fulfilled my part of the story as intended. [Or so she wants to believe at least.]

You haven't been stopped yet. Though the clock is ticking, the pages are turning... You're reaching the E.N.D. of your story whether you believe it or not.

I'm sure Kyouka-sama will be touched to see you think that way.

Ah-hah... welcome to the 'mistaken for dead' club. Really, it's unpleasant to be underestimated like that.

It is rather unpleasant, yes... but at least it served its purpose.

...You know, feigning death is a war crime.

[Not entirely relevant, Asura.]

Why do you think that is, young lady?

[She gives him a quizzical look that clearly says: "Your point being?".]

You do talk like a human. Demons don't think that way. That's why stories of demons are better than any others.

[At the mention of being anything like a human, he looks outright disgusted. For reasons known only to him, he also lifts a finger to his temple and jams it right into his skull, black blood squirting out in a quick splatter.]

Don't you dare compare me to those specks of dust unless you want to die for real. That was a lead in to an illustration of an idea. Don't you think dialogue would be boring if it was written straight forwardly? Don't you want some subtext, damnit? You're just saying you like pop-up books without any depth, aren't you?

[He rotates his finger now and then, with a 'squit squit' noise.

What a weirdo.]

[Sayla leans in closer, eying him with great interest. Definitely not human.]

Quite the opposite in fact. I like books with lots of depth.

And to answer your previous question, the only thing I consider a war 'crime' is to fail my mission and my Master.

...What are you?

[He snorts, but decides to move on. Sometimes he'll hold a grudge for centuries, sometimes he just doesn't care after two seconds.

Besides, he never lets a chance to ramble about what he is slip past.]

I am an innumerable amount of things, but primarily I am three in one.

[He likes being dramatic, so a pair of his prehensile scarves move to form a ring behind in, the loop filling with darkness and stars.]

I am a god, whose will controls the fate of the world and rules all things that walk, swim or fly upon the ground, sea and sky, from the heavens to the underworld.

[Placing a hand on his forehead, he sweeps it down and in that motion replaces his rather pretty face with an utterly hideous one of melted lips, three gigantic eyes and a scratching, vibrating sensation around him. His voice is still softly spoken.]

I hated the lifestyle of a god that dictates endlessly and concerns itself with the workings of insignificant insects, the humans that are so below me their only use is as food. My philosophy was called madness and my behaviour demonic. 'What's wrong with being a demon' I thought, and became one by choice.

[He sweeps back to his old face and curls his scarves back into place.]

And I am an 'idea.' Surely you have heard the phrase 'the only thing to fear is fear itself?' Those who believe such a phrase should fear me.

I am the Kishin, Asura. Demon God of Madness.

[He finishes with a friendly little finger wave.]

Hi.

[What a nerd.]

Impressive.

[Though she doesn't look too impressed.]

It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Asura-sama.

[She bows her head slightly.]

I am surprised not to have found any stories about you. May I ask what world or time you are from?

[He's just happy someone is calling him Asura-sama again.]

Not surprising. Even if you were of the same world as me, my creator decided my story shouldn't be told and for eight hundred years tried to pretend I never existed.

In this particular place I can happily tell you the 'world' is 'Soul Eater.' I'm sure it's named after me.

[And not the guy whose name is Soul Eater. Or the fact the whole series is about soul eating. Nope, not him or that.]

[Indeed. Sayla, the Nine Demon Gates, Tartarus... they are hardly near their ending yet.]

I won't let the strength you lend me go to waste, Sayla. It won't be long until we'll all return to Zeref-sama's side.

Spoilers for chapter 398

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