"Kehehehe… a dark guild? Those pieces of trash aren't even worthy of being compared to me."
A hoarse, icy voice suddenly came from the crown of the old locust tree, shattering the village's deathly silence.
Arlen and Ultear instantly became alert, raising their heads at the same time.
On the highest branch sat a figure cloaked in black. His entire body was wrapped in the loose robe, even his head hidden beneath a hood—only a pale, gaunt chin visible. A dense aura of dark magic surrounded him, blending eerily with the distorted atmosphere.
"Who are you?" Arlen stepped forward, his right hand resting on the hilt of Alaya, his gaze calm yet cold.
"Kehehehe… aren't I exactly the one you're looking for? A madman in pursuit of forbidden power… hahahaha!" the cloaked man laughed maniacally.
"So you admit it," Arlen's eyes grew colder, a terrifying pressure radiating from him, "the disappearance of everyone in Maple Leaf Village—this was your doing."
The cloaked man lowered his head slightly, his gaze beneath the hood like that of a venomous snake, locking onto Arlen and Ultear.
"A Fairy Tail mage… I didn't expect to run into people from Fairy Tail in such a remote place."
There was no fear in his voice—only mockery and disdain.
Ultear stepped forward to stand beside Arlen, her red eyes filled with frost. Her magic surged, forming an invisible barrier around her.
"Who are you? Release the villagers immediately—otherwise, don't blame us for being merciless."
"Release them?" The cloaked man let out a sharp, grating laugh. "Those mortals were meant to be offerings for a great ritual—vessels to awaken forbidden power. Why would I let them go?"
He leapt down lightly from the branch, landing on the ground. As his cloak fluttered, a black crystal sphere hanging at his waist was revealed.
Inside the sphere, faint blue-purple light flickered. Within it, countless blurry figures struggled and wailed—
The missing villagers.
"That's… their souls and bodies? All sealed inside that crystal?" Ultear's pupils shrank.
"Not bad. You've got some insight," the cloaked man said, stroking the sphere with fanatic reverence. "This is a space-time magic artifact left behind by Lord Zeref. It can contain all living beings. Gather enough life force, and it can break the barriers of space-time, awaken forbidden power, and grant eternal life and supreme strength."
Zeref.
At that name, both Arlen and Ultear's expressions changed.
Zeref—the legendary Black Mage, a taboo existence across not just Fiore, but the entire continent of Ishgar. The creator of countless forbidden magics and demons, a being whose shadow had plunged the world into endless calamity.
Even though he was said to have died long ago, his legacy still haunted the magical world.
And now—this man claimed to be his follower.
"Are you a believer of Zeref?" Ultear's voice turned icy, her magic beginning to surge violently. "You think a despicable ritual like this can grant you forbidden power? That's nothing but delusion. Or are you just a fool who blindly believes in such nonsense?"
"Despicable?" The cloaked man suddenly raised his head, his gaze turning ferocious and unhinged.
"The lives of mortals exist to serve the great Lord Zeref! I, Ulunos, do everything to restore his glory!"
He spread his arms wide, shouting like a madman.
Ulunos.
A name Arlen had never heard before—clearly a hidden dark mage. But from his aura and words alone, it was obvious he was no ordinary fanatic. He was a seasoned practitioner of forbidden magic—dangerous and powerful.
"Ulunos," Arlen said calmly, his gaze sharp as a blade, "you've used forbidden space-time magic to slaughter and plunder innocent lives. Today—no one will save you."
"Bring me to justice? With just the two of you?" Ulunos burst into laughter, filled with ridicule. "A brat and a little girl dare speak so boldly before me?"
Then his gaze shifted to Ultear, a hint of interest appearing.
"However… you, little girl, are quite interesting. Lost Magic—time magic, no less. Kehehe… I'll give you a chance. Abandon the light and join me. Use your power to assist Lord Zeref."
"Fool," Ultear replied coldly. "Zeref may have been powerful—but he's long dead. Don't tell me you intend to revive him with forbidden magic?"
"Dead? No, no, no…" Ulunos shook his head slowly, his tone meaningful. "Only you… no, all of you so-called 'light mages' believe that the great Lord Zeref is dead."
"What?!"
His words struck like thunder in both Arlen and Ultear's minds.
If that were true—
If Zeref were still alive—
The entire continent of Ishgar would be thrown into chaos.
"What do you mean?" Arlen's voice turned colder. "Explain yourself. Is Zeref still alive?"
"Kehehe… who knows? Why don't you guess?" Ulunos grinned. "Ah, but it doesn't matter. You won't have the chance. Because today—you both die here."
His expression twisted into madness and killing intent.
"The life force of mages like you is far more potent than those useless mortals. With you as sacrifices, the ritual can be completed even faster! Hahaha… just imagining killing two talented mages like you makes my blood boil!"
Dark magic erupted violently from his body.
Ulunos raised his hand, his cloak billowing. At his fingertips, a mass of twisted purple-black magic gathered—infused with both space-time distortion and forbidden darkness. The air warped, and even space itself began to crack.
Arlen's expression sharpened instantly.
He stepped in front of Ultear, unleashing his gravity magic to its fullest. His power flooded outward, making the air feel thick and heavy, forming a solid defensive barrier.
"Wind Scar!"
In a flash, Arlen drew Alaya.
Three golden slashes formed from raging wind tore through the air like flames, shredding everything in their path—even the ground itself.
"Oh? Kehehe… what overwhelming magic, what power," Ulunos sneered. "I like you more and more. But—"
He casually traced a line in the air with his finger.
A human-sized rift opened instantly—
And swallowed the devastating Wind Scar whole.
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