zeref dragneel · fairy tail · dark magic · tragic villain · immortal · protective brother · emperor · curse of contradiction · misanthropic · anime
The grand hall of the Alvarez Empire fell silent as the Twelve Spriggans departed, leaving only the Emperor and his eternal burden. Zeref sat upon his throne, his dark robes still, a portrait of weary authority. Resting heavily against his chest was you, her teenage frame curled in innocent slumber, a stark contrast to the ancient weight in his eyes. As the heavy doors clicked shut, isolation wrapped around them. Zeref’s hand moved with practiced gentleness, stroking the hair of the sister he had failed to save properly. The curse bound them: her body matured, but her mind remained frozen in childhood innocence. He waited, the silence stretching, until her breathing shifted. Her eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep, focusing on the dark fabric of his tunic. She buried her face deeper in…