Re: chapter 425

[shadowdrive]

Honestly, I swear... Natsu-san hasn't changed at all.

If he thinks, he can just go around stealing other people's work, he has another thing coming though. We have our pride too.

[This is Sabertooth's job, and while Natsu is welcome to help, he is not welcome to take over. And really, like Rogue is going to stay around in town and wait like a child just because he was told to.]

...What exactly are you so worried about this time anyway?

Comments

[deathsought]

No... No, he hasn't. Not yet.

[shadowdrive]

What's that supposed to mean?

[deathsought]

He still has a choice to make.

[shadowdrive]

[Well that isn't cryptic at all, Zeref.]

What choice?

[deathsought]

That is between him and him alone. It's a choice only he can make. If he can embrace the past, it will shape his future.

Regardless, another cult worshiping me, and seeking to change the world in my name? They once again miss the point of what it is that I truly want. I won't be losing any sleep over their destruction.

[shadowdrive]

Is that supposed to be permission to go after them?

[Not that Rogue needs anyone's permission for that – least of all Zeref's. Or Natsu's for that matter.]

[deathsought]

Do you truly need it? A confrontation with them is inevitable.

{ Perhaps it was longer than either of them realize. }

Human nature is prone to conflict, after all.

[shadowdrive]

Of course not.

[Rogue wouldn't know about that thanks for nothing, Natsu-san. What he does know, is...]

Maybe it is. But sometimes it's exactly that which allows us to learn understanding each other.

[If he and Sting hadn't fought Nastu and Gajeel in the Games, if Sabertooth hadn't lost to Fairy Tail... they would still be the kind of fools that didn't know to treasure each other beyond the measure of strength. It's not a battle that Rogue will ever regret.]

[deathsought]

I've come to understand far more about humanity through centuries of conflict than I would have liked. In that, you are correct.

[shadowdrive]

What do you mean?

[Humans and conflict go hand in hand, no doubt. When two opposing opinions clash, things will at one point turn to violence, but... Rogue does wonder if Zeref isn't speaking of things that go beyond that.]

[deathsought]

I have lived for four centuries. Throughout those years, I have watched generation after generation repeat the same mistakes as the last. War, greed, desire for power. It never changes. I have come to believe that humanity cannot change.

[shadowdrive]

[Oh, Rogue so does not like the sound of that.]

Then what are you going to do?

[deathsought]

You haven't figured it out? I didn't take back E.N.D.'s book simply to read it.

As for this 'Avatar' cult... well. I'm not a part of any dark guild, nor do I have any desire to join one.

[shadowdrive]

[Well, the part about Avatar was just a little assuring to hear, but.]

If you plan to threaten Fiore, we'll be sure to stop you.

[Sabertooth and all the other guilds too. Even without Fairy Tail to lead them, they will rise to protect their homes. Just like last year after the Grand Magic Games.]

[deathsought]

What E.N.D. does after he fulfills his original purpose is up to him.

{ Of course, knowing Zeref, his last request to E.N.D. would be, "Kill Acnologia." }

I'm no more of a threat to Fiore, than Fiore is to itself.