Chapter 64 (1/2)

The war was now over.

They all joined at the end in the middle of the square as Shin was reunited with his family with Erza holding on to him.

Shin healed all the people who were injured and unwell but could not save the dead so a minute's silence for the dead was held before they were buried.

A huge party was held at the Fairy Tail guild.

The atmosphere was incredible and everyone was laughing and getting to know each other.

Mavis and Zeref were finally able to get together again and talk to each other quietly thanks to Shin's presence to prevent the curse from working.

After a good hour of discussion, they left the room to be greeted by everyone.

”Thank you all for accepting me,” Zeref said sincerely.

”It's okay, you're not so bad after all” said Natsu with a big smile.

”That's true. You've had a pretty hard life all things considered, you're a victim too” said Gray with understanding.

After talking, the whole truth about Zeref, Tartaros and END was revealed.

It had been hard for Natsu and Gray to digest but after being put in their place by Erza, they finally accepted and got over it.

The disappearance of the dragons was also hard on the dragon slayers but they managed to get over it thanks to their friend and the family they had.

Shin smiled as he stood up from the table where Irene and Erza were sitting.

”Come on,” Shin said as he looked at his wife and daughter and walked over to Zeref and Mavis.

”Zeref,” Shin calls as Zeref looks at him curiously.

”It's about time I kept my promise” Shin replied with a genuine smile.

”You mean...” Zeref widened his eyes as he remembered that promise.

”Yes, come on, I have a lot to tell you” Shin said looking at Zeref, Mavis, Irene and Erza.

”We'll be right back” says Shin to the others.

They head to the room and lock themselves in as Irene sets up a barrier to isolate the room at Shin's request.

”What's going on dad?” asked Erza curiously.

”Yeah, you're weird” said Irene at Shin's strange attitude while Zeref nodded in affirmation.

”I know, I'll explain, but first Zeref...” replied Shin calmly and then looked towards Zeref.

Zeref and Mavis approached Shin with some pressure.

Was he really going to be free of this curse?

Shin held out his hand to the two as Life Energy shot out of his hand and enveloped Zeref and Mavis' entire bodies.

Unbelievable!” thought Zeref and Mavis as they felt the power of this energy! He had never felt such powerful yet gentle energy.

And after a few seconds, it all stopped and they both checked in their own way to see that they were finally free!

Both cried with joy and threw themselves into each other's arms for several minutes.

”Sorry and thank you for everything, my friend” Zeref said to Shin, embarrassed with immense gratitude with which Mavis agreed.

”It's okay after all you are my friend” Shin replied happily and satisfied.

”Now it's time for you to talk about my secret, my past,” said Shin, regaining some seriousness.

Everyone became serious, especially Irene.

As a wife, she didn't know it herself.

She had never asked about his past, waiting for the moment when he would tell her.

”Take my hand and close your eyes, it will be easier to show you and explain like this” Shin said as he held out his hand and they took it.

-----------------------------------

”What happened? Can we open our eyes daddy?” asked Erza having sensed that they were not in the same place anymore.

”Yes” replied Shin as everyone opened their eyes and was shocked.

He was now in the middle of an island surrounded by a lake that was itself surrounded by a forest that seemed to go on forever.

And in the middle of the island stood the biggest and most beautiful tree they had ever seen in their lives.

The air was light and pleasant to breathe, the atmosphere was soothing, pure and tranquil while nature was so green.

”It's... it's beautiful,” Irene said, her mouth agape.

”Woah, what is this place dad?!” shouted Erza excitedly.

Zeref and Mavis were in contemplation.

”Follow me, I'll explain everything” said Shin with a smile as he spread his wings and flew to the top of the tree while the others followed him.

At the top of this tree was a huge wooden cottage the size of a mansion and yet at the top of the tree trunk there was still so much room.

”This is...” said Irene as she saw the cottage but was interrupted.

”This is our new home,” Shin replied.

”I know it's not as big as your old palace but...”

”Don't tell me, I love it” interrupted Irene as she gave a kiss and took his hand to go inside.

The interior was very warm and cosy with a ground floor and two upper floors.

Eventually they sat down on the large sofa in the living room and Shin began to explain everything.

Their expressions ranged from shocked to sad and surprised Shin had said it all.

It was coming from another world, being reincarnated, becoming a God of a new universe, the functioning and rank of Gods and universes, the existence of several universes, etc. He only left out the system and the fact that their world came from an anime because he didn't find it relevant to them at the moment.

”It's... unbelievable to say the least” Zeref said as he learned of the existence of multitudes of universes, gods, etc. but he was excited about it.

He had always been a person with a thirst for knowledge.

Shin looked at Irene and saw that she was upset about something but gave her a smile to show that everything was fine.

”Daddy is amazing! The best and the strongest!” said Erza as she threw herself into Shin's arms with sparkling eyes.

And just like that, they continued talking for several hours. Zeref was particularly diligent in learning about the universe.

”Besides, won't the others get worried when they see we're not coming back?” asked Zeref.

”Don't worry, time in the divine realm doesn't pass the same way as in the 'mortal' worlds, for them we'll only be gone a few minutes.”

”Good,” Zeref said, listening carefully to Shin and writing it down in his head.

”That's why I'm coming to a subject I wanted to talk to you about” Shin said seriously, looking at Zeref.

”Zeref, would you like to become a God of the divine realm?”

”What? To become a God? But how? I don't have the power and then from what I understand, I'm not from your universe so how?” asked Zeref calmly after being more than surprised by Shin's question.

”There is a way. Irene can extract Fairy Heart from Mavis' body allowing you to have the qualities to become a God. Of course, you won't become a God like that but in time you will.”

”And as for the universe, there is only the divine realm at the moment in my universe and via me you will be able to enter it and thus cultivate to become a God and when that is done you will be linked to the divine realm and thus to my universe. Of course, you will have the opportunity to become a God after absorbing Fairy Heart, but the chances of success are not 100%, it's up to you” Shin said.

”I...” stammered Zeref as he looked at Mavis.

”I can't..” But before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted.

”If it's Mavis' fate that you're worried about, don't worry, being the essence behind Fairy Heart and with our help, Mavis will have the opportunity to become a God to stay by your side” Shin said with a comforting smile.

Zeref and Mavis were surprised by this news but looked at each other with a new look.

”We agree” said Zeref and Mavis at the same time.

They hadn't thought about it. They had found a way to be together forever and live happily and quietly to recoup all that lost year.

”Good,” said Shin, happy to see that his friend had made this decision.

”Dad, when they become Gods, what rank will they be?” asked Erza curiously.

'System?” thought Shin.

[Zeref has the potential to become a first class God by absorbing Fairy Heart while Mavis can become a third class God]

'Thank you' thought Shin.

”Zeref can become a first class god by absorbing Fairy Heart while Mavis can become a third class god” said Shin perhaps expecting Mavis to be disappointed.

”As long as we're together” said Mavis giving Zeref a fulfilling smile.

”Yes, and then I'll protect you if ever” said Zeref with a sneer.

”What about me and Mom?” asked Erza to Shin with sudden expectation.

[Erza has the potential to become a first class god with very few equals while Irene can become a first class god]

”Mom can become a first class goddess while you, my princess, can become a first class goddess with almost no equals!” said Shin with amusement and excitement for the last part.

Following this, Erza was cheerful and boasted about it while laughing.

After continuing to talk for a while, the four of them went back to the party and celebrated for several more hours.

Finally, after talking, solving problems and having fun, Erza, Shin and Irene went home.

The city was not yet fully repaired but Shin decided that he would go and help tomorrow.

”This is a beautiful house” said Shin in front of the house.