Neralyth stood at the center of the Nexus, gazing at the broken threads before her. Each fracture was a wound in the fabric of existence, bleeding chaos into the multiverse. The air felt heavy with the weight of her decisions, and the whispers of countless realities brushed against her mind, threatening to overwhelm her.
She clenched her fists. "I can't let this unravel."
But as she turned back to the Loom, a voice echoed through the chamber, cold and familiar.
"Can't you? Or perhaps it already has."
Neralyth froze as the air rippled with golden light. Stepping out of the distortion was none other than Doctor Fate, the helm of Nabu gleaming in the dim glow of the Nexus. His imposing form radiated power, the threads nearest him vibrating in his presence.
"Doctor Fate," Neralyth said, her voice steady despite her wariness. "You shouldn't be here."
He tilted his head slightly, the glowing eyes of his helm fixed on her. "I could say the same of you. This place was not meant for mortals—or even those who have transcended mortality, like yourself."
Neralyth took a step forward, her wings partially spreading. "I'm no longer bound by Earth or the limitations of mortality. This Nexus, this Loom—if it's falling apart, it's my responsibility to hold it together."
Fate's voice hardened. "You don't understand the forces you're meddling with. The Loom is not a tool for one being to control. Even its creators, the Moirai, respected its natural course. You are forcing it into your own vision, and it will destroy you—and everything connected to it."
Neralyth's eyes glowed faintly, her connection to the Nexus pulsing through her veins. "I didn't choose this, but I can't stand by and let the multiverse collapse. If I have to bend the rules of fate, then so be it."
Fate raised his hand, and the room darkened as his magic swirled around him. "Then you leave me no choice. If you will not relinquish your control, I must intervene."
The Duel of Wills
Fate's magic struck first, a wave of golden energy crackling toward Neralyth. She leaped into the air, her wings beating powerfully as she summoned the magic of Earthland. Her form glowed as she called on the power of Erza's Requip magic, her armor shifting into a celestial design with radiant blades in both hands.
She countered his attack with a burst of celestial magic, the two energies clashing in a violent explosion that shook the chamber. The threads of the Loom trembled, and Neralyth winced as she felt their pain echo in her mind.
"Every move you make damages the Loom," Fate said, his voice sharp as he floated toward her. "This battle is proof of your recklessness."
Neralyth gritted her teeth, summoning Natsu's fire magic and Gray's ice magic simultaneously. "You're the one forcing a fight. I don't want to destroy the Loom—I'm trying to protect it!"
Twin beams of fire and ice shot toward Fate, but he conjured a shield of shimmering light that absorbed the attack. With a wave of his hand, the shield transformed into dozens of golden sigils, each one firing bolts of magic at Neralyth.
She twisted through the air, her wings weaving between the attacks with precision. Drawing on the power of the celestial spirits, she summoned Loke and Aquarius to her side. The lion spirit and water bearer launched their own attacks, forcing Fate to retreat slightly.
"You've stolen power from other worlds," Fate said, deflecting their strikes with ease. "Power that doesn't belong to you. It's unnatural."
Neralyth landed on a platform of glowing threads, her breath steady but her frustration mounting. "I didn't steal anything. The Loom brought these powers to me—it's part of its design. If the multiverse wants me to fix this, then I will."
Fate's tone grew darker. "You think you've been chosen? You're a mistake. A fracture born of chaos."
The words stung, but Neralyth refused to let them shake her. She raised her hand, summoning the Book of Zeref, its dark energy swirling around her. "If I'm a mistake, then I'll be the mistake that saves everything."
The Loom's Warning
As their battle raged, the Loom itself began to react violently. Threads snapped and rewove themselves in chaotic patterns, the entire structure pulsing with unstable energy. Neralyth felt a sharp pain in her chest as her connection to the Loom deepened. It wasn't just warning her—it was pleading with her.
Fate noticed it too. He paused, lowering his hand as he turned to the threads. "The Loom is unraveling faster than I anticipated."
Neralyth clutched her chest, her breathing uneven. "It's because of us. The more we fight, the worse it gets."
Fate looked at her, his gaze unreadable beneath the helm. "Then stop. Surrender the power you've taken, and perhaps the Loom can heal."
Neralyth hesitated. She could feel the weight of the Nexus pressing down on her, the overwhelming responsibility threatening to crush her. But she also felt the hope of countless worlds depending on her. If she gave up now, what would happen to them?
"I can't," she said finally. "I can't let it fall apart."
Fate's shoulders tensed, but before he could respond, a new presence filled the chamber. The air grew heavy with magic, and the threads closest to the newcomer shimmered with vibrant colors.
"Perhaps she's right."
Both Neralyth and Fate turned to see Mavis Vermillion stepping through the remnants of a thread, her ethereal form glowing softly. The first guild master of Fairy Tail smiled gently, her eyes filled with wisdom and compassion.
"The Loom chose her," Mavis said, her voice calm yet firm. "Even if her presence is unconventional, it has a purpose."
Fate frowned. "And what purpose is that?"
Mavis looked at Neralyth, her expression kind but serious. "To bridge the gaps between worlds. To bring hope where there is despair. But she cannot do it alone."
Neralyth's heart ached at the weight of Mavis's words. "Then what do I do? How do I stop this?"
Mavis stepped closer, placing a hand on Neralyth's shoulder. "You've already begun. But you must trust in the connections you've made—the people, the powers, the worlds you've touched. They will guide you."
A Fragile Alliance
Fate lowered his hand, his magic dissipating as he regarded Mavis. "If what you say is true, then she must tread carefully. The multiverse cannot endure another mistake."
Mavis nodded. "That's why she needs allies, not enemies. You've seen the damage fighting causes. Work together, and you might find a solution."
Fate's gaze lingered on Neralyth for a long moment before he finally relented. "Very well. But know this—I will be watching. If you falter, I will intervene."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the golden light, leaving Neralyth and Mavis alone.
Neralyth looked at Mavis, her voice quiet. "Do you really think I can do this?"
Mavis smiled warmly. "You've already done more than you realize. Trust yourself, Neralyth. You are stronger than you know."
As Mavis faded back into the threads, Neralyth stood alone in the Nexus once more. The Loom was still fragile, but she felt a renewed sense of purpose. The multiverse was counting on her, and she wouldn't let it down.
But deep down, she knew the hardest battles were still to come.
(Till tomorrow for another five chapters)