Chapter Fourteen: Threads of Betrayal

The Nexus had grown quieter in the hours since Fate's departure. Neralyth sat cross-legged on a glowing platform of woven threads, her wings tucked close as she meditated. Her mind raced with possibilities, strategies, and warnings. The Loom felt more fragile than ever, and her every move seemed to deepen its cracks.

Mavis's words echoed in her mind: "Trust the connections you've made."

But what did that mean? Her powers were vast, drawn from countless worlds, but they had not prepared her for the weight of responsibility that came with wielding them. As much as she hated to admit it, she was still figuring out how to use them without causing more harm.

She opened her eyes and reached out to the threads, her hand brushing against the glowing filaments. They hummed softly in response, sending visions of distant worlds flickering across her mind. One caught her attention—a fractured timeline in Earthland. The image was of a familiar face: Zeref.

Neralyth frowned. "What is he doing now?"

A Call from Earthland

Through the Loom's threads, she saw Zeref standing in the ruins of an ancient city, his expression darker than usual. He held the Book of E.N.D. in one hand, the pages glowing faintly with crimson energy. Beside him stood a younger mage she didn't recognize, their form wreathed in shadows.

"Zeref," she murmured, her heart tightening at the sight. Though she had inherited his vast magical knowledge, she had never truly faced him. Not in his prime. And now, the threads hinted that his actions could threaten the stability of Earthland—and by extension, the Nexus.

A portal shimmered into existence before her, its edges rippling with magic. She knew what it meant. The Loom was guiding her, urging her to intervene before Zeref's actions sent shockwaves across the multiverse.

Steeling herself, she stepped through.

The Ancient Ruins

The air in Earthland was thick with the scent of magic and decay. Neralyth landed gracefully on the crumbling stones of the ruined city, her wings folding behind her. The skies were overcast, heavy with storm clouds that seemed to mirror her unease.

In the distance, Zeref stood at the heart of the ruins, his back to her. The shadowed mage beside him shifted slightly, as though sensing her arrival.

"Zeref," she called out, her voice firm but calm. "What are you doing here?"

He turned slowly, his dark eyes meeting hers. There was a flicker of recognition, though he seemed more curious than alarmed. "You. The dragon who walks between worlds." His voice was as smooth and cold as she had imagined. "What brings you to my domain?"

She stepped closer, the platform of threads beneath her feet dissipating as she touched solid ground. "The Loom showed me this place. It warned me of your actions."

Zeref tilted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The Loom of Fate... Such a curious artifact. Did it also show you why I'm here?"

Neralyth stopped a few paces away, her eyes narrowing. "It doesn't need to. I can feel the chaos you're stirring. Whatever you're planning, it's dangerous—not just to Earthland, but to everything."

The shadowed mage at Zeref's side spoke for the first time, their voice distorted and hollow. "You presume to know danger, dragon. But you do not understand what Master Zeref seeks to achieve."

"And you are?" Neralyth asked, her gaze sharp.

The mage stepped forward, the shadows around them dissipating just enough to reveal a young woman with piercing red eyes and markings across her arms. "I am Velthara, a disciple of Zeref. And I will not let you interfere."

A Clash of Magic

Velthara raised her hands, dark magic spiraling around her in jagged tendrils. Neralyth barely had time to react before the attack was upon her. She summoned the power of Gray's ice magic, forming a crystalline shield that absorbed the impact.

"Stop this!" she shouted, her voice reverberating through the ruins. "You don't understand what's at stake!"

Velthara ignored her, launching another wave of magic. This time, Neralyth countered with Natsu's fire, the flames roaring as they met the shadows in a dazzling explosion. The ground beneath them cracked and shifted, the ancient ruins groaning under the strain.

Zeref watched silently, his expression unreadable. It was as though he were testing her, gauging her strength.

Neralyth summoned her celestial spirit magic, calling forth Taurus and Virgo to assist her. The two spirits materialized in flashes of light, charging at Velthara with coordinated precision. Velthara faltered under their combined assault, her magic flickering as she struggled to keep up.

"You're strong," Velthara admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "But you're just delaying the inevitable."

Neralyth narrowed her eyes. "What are you and Zeref planning? Tell me!"

But before Velthara could answer, Zeref raised a hand, his magic pulsing through the air. The force of it was enough to freeze both combatants in place. He stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Neralyth.

"You're not here to stop me," he said calmly. "You're here because the Loom fears what I've discovered."

Neralyth's chest tightened. "What do you mean?"

Zeref smiled faintly. "There are threads in the Loom that even you cannot see. Fragments of forgotten worlds, erased timelines, and buried secrets. I've found one of those fragments. And with it, I will rewrite not just Earthland's fate, but the fate of every reality."

Her heart raced. "That's madness! You'll destroy everything!"

He shook his head. "No. I will perfect it."

The Loom Frays

Neralyth felt the Nexus's warning pulse through her mind, a sharp pain that made her stagger. The Loom was reacting to Zeref's discovery, its fragile balance tipping further into chaos. If he succeeded, there was no telling what would happen.

"Zeref, stop this!" she pleaded, her voice breaking. "There's another way. There has to be."

He met her gaze, his expression softening for just a moment. "Perhaps there is. But I cannot trust you to find it."

With a wave of his hand, Zeref opened a portal of black light. Velthara stepped through without hesitation, casting one last glare at Neralyth. Zeref lingered, his eyes filled with an unsettling mix of pity and determination.

"Goodbye, Neralyth. Perhaps we'll meet again—if the threads allow it."

And with that, he was gone.

A Race Against Time

Neralyth collapsed to her knees, the weight of the Loom's distress crushing her. She could feel the threads fraying, the multiverse teetering on the edge of collapse. Zeref's actions had set something in motion, and she didn't know if she could stop it.

But she had to try.

Standing, she summoned another portal, her determination burning brighter than ever. If Zeref was unraveling forgotten threads, then she would follow him into the void. She would face whatever dangers lay ahead, even if it meant sacrificing everything.

The fate of all worlds depended on her.