Enemy Attack

Zeref let out a pained scream as Su Yan's punch sent him flying.

Boom, boom, boom—!!

Zeref's body crashed through more than a dozen large trees before smashing into a rocky slope, leaving a huge crater in the mountainside. He slumped there, unconscious.

"S-Su Yan, you killed Zeref?!" Evergreen exclaimed, still stunned.

"No. He doesn't die that easily," Su Yan replied calmly. He knew exactly why Zeref seemed so frail: the Black Mage's strength was entwined with his mental state. If a person's mind was shaken, their magic could vanish without a trace.

Elfman asked, "What do we do with him, then?"

"I'll haul him in front of the old man," Su Yan said, glancing at Zeref's limp form. Zeref was a dangerous wildcard that couldn't be left to roam freely. Su Yan considered the possibility that Zeref might bring future chaos upon Fairy Tail, so sealing him or restraining him under the guild's watchful eye seemed best.

Meanwhile, high above the clouds, a floating guild airship belonging to Grimoire Heart loomed.

"We've finally found him," Ultear murmured, a crystal orb rolling on her arm. "But he still appears to be 'asleep.' The time has come, Master Hades."

Hades allowed himself a small smile. "Set course for the Fairies' island."

The airship began accelerating toward Tenrou Island.

"At last," Hades said, "the moment to awaken Zeref's power. Once we have him, we shall bring forth his might."

Ultear's voice carried a note of caution. "However, there's a problem. The strongest official guild in Fiore, Fairy Tail, is gathered on Tenrou Island for some trial. They've already eliminated Oración Seis of the Balam Alliance. Many of their elites are there."

"Pfft. Big deal. I'll burn 'em to ash!" crowed Zancrow, one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory. Black flames flickered across his body, his grin manic and dangerous.

Nearby, Zoldeo—a goatish creature and another of the Seven Kin—rumbled, "Don't underestimate them. We've been preparing precisely for this day."

"I, I, I!"

"Let's…liberate…!"

"Our desire…!"

"It'll be a mighty clash indeed…!" rasped Kain Hikaru and Rustyrose, likewise members of the Seven Kin.

"Grah, you guys talk too fast," Zancrow sneered.

Ultear turned to a pink-haired girl, Meredy. "Will you fight?"

Meredy's reply was simple. "Yes."

Standing up, Hades spread his arms. "How splendid. Let them discover what true darkness is. The absolute darkness that lurks in the abyss. Tonight, demons and fairies will clash in bloodshed. One side triumphant…or else annihilated."

"Let's see what Fairy Tail can do," he intoned.

On Tenrou Island

Lucy sat on a large rock, staring at the ground in thought.

"Any ideas, Cana?" she asked.

Cana shook her head. "No clue. We're told to find the first master's grave, but not a single hint."

Lucy frowned. "That's the strange part. None of Fairy Tail's previous exams have been outright impossible. There must be a hidden clue somewhere."

Cana's eyes lit up. "Right! I've taken this exam four times, and it's always been tough but fair. There must be a subtle hint."

Lucy brightened. "So maybe it's buried in what Master said. For instance, if you twist his words, maybe something about 'grave' could relate to 'the end of a life' or 'a star in the sky' or something like that…"

Cana raised an eyebrow. "That's kinda morbid. But hey, if we think about it as 'turning into a star' when someone dies—"

Lucy jerked upright. "Yes! Exactly! I might know where the tomb is!"

"What?!" Cana exclaimed, scrambling to her feet as Lucy broke into a run.

Behind some foliage, Gray and Loke watched.

"As expected from Lucy," Loke remarked with a grin.

Gray nodded, smirking. "The second stage is about brains and cunning. Let's follow them quietly."

They hurried after Lucy and Cana, stealthily.

Elsewhere, Gajeel was pacing irritably. "Argh, this whole test is idiotic! They want us to find a random grave? Lame! I'd rather face somebody head-on."

After hours of trudging around, his patience was at its limit.

Levy scowled. "All you ever think about is fighting. You're not even considering my feelings here!"

Gajeel blinked, then reached out to pat Levy's head. "Oh? So you want me to 'care' about you, huh? Then get stronger so you can fight me for real, short stuff."

"Small, weak—ah, just leave me alone, Gajeel, you idiot!" Levy snapped and stalked off.

"What'd you say?!" Gajeel barked, stomping after her. She kept going until—

Swish!

Suddenly, two creatures appeared from the undergrowth, blocking Levy's path.

"Huh?!"

One monster lunged with a drawn blade.

"Eek!" Levy shrieked, stumbling backward. "Who—who are you?!"

A birdlike monster grabbed her arm, slamming her to the ground.

"Let's kill one first!" snarled the doglike creature in samurai armor, raising its sword at Levy.

"Ahhhhh!" Levy screamed in terror.

Shhhhk—!

At the last second, Gajeel sprang in front of her, turning his arm into iron to parry the blade. Levy exhaled with relief.

"Tch," Gajeel growled. "You're always making me search for you. Don't run off again, shorty."