For centuries, Neralyth had watched countless civilizations rise and fall, yet Fairy Tail's guild had a curious allure that even she couldn't deny. Their unyielding bonds, their power to persist against overwhelming odds—it reminded her of something she thought long lost in her own past.
But joining them—letting herself be seen—was a gamble. One misstep could unravel the delicate balance she maintained in the Loom of this world.
Still, the dark forces tied to Zeref's magic stirred stronger each day, and the world's fragile threads were at risk of snapping entirely. No matter how much she preferred the shadows, she knew this wasn't a fight she could face alone.
High above Magnolia, cloaked by her own spatial distortion magic, Neralyth stared down at the town. The whispers of the Forbidden Archive echoed in her mind, reminding her of the ritual that could sever Earthland from the multiverse forever. Someone had been working to finish what Zeref started—and if they succeeded, not even Fairy Tail could stop it.
"Just one thread," she said softly. "That's all it takes to change the pattern."
With a ripple of energy, her form began to shift. Her celestial dragon features shimmered, folding in on themselves until she appeared as a tall, humanoid woman. Her deep purple hair and faintly glowing violet eyes gave her an ethereal appearance, but otherwise, she could pass for one of Earthland's wandering mages.
Her cosmic aura dimmed as she concealed her power. For the first time in centuries, she stepped out of her solitude and into the bustling world of mortals.
Meeting Fairy Tail
The streets of Magnolia were alive with activity. Merchants shouted about their wares, children laughed as they chased each other through the market, and mages in Fairy Tail insignias moved in and out of the guild hall.
Neralyth's steps were deliberate, her senses tuned to the intricate web of magic that pulsed through the town. Each person she passed was like a note in a symphony, their threads resonating with the unique magic of Earthland. But it was the guild hall itself that drew her attention—a beacon of light and energy that seemed to hum with its own rhythm.
Standing outside the hall, she paused. For a moment, she questioned her decision to step into their world. What would they see when they looked at her? Would they welcome her—or would they sense the vast, alien power she had spent millennia suppressing?
The sound of a commotion inside pulled her from her thoughts.
"Come on, Natsu, not again!" Lucy's voice echoed from within, followed by the sound of something crashing.
"I didn't do anything!" Natsu protested, though the flames flickering from his fists told a different story.
Erza's voice cut through the chaos. "Enough! We don't have time for this. We need to prepare for the mission!"
Neralyth stepped through the doors, her gaze sweeping over the scene. The guild hall was exactly as she imagined—chaotic, lively, and full of energy. The mages were gathered around a large map spread across the main table, their expressions a mix of concern and determination.
Her entrance didn't go unnoticed. The room fell silent as dozens of eyes turned toward her.
"Who's she?" Natsu asked, tilting his head.
"Probably another client," Gray said with a shrug. "She doesn't look like a mage."
Neralyth smirked faintly. "Looks can be deceiving," she said, her voice calm but carrying an edge of authority.
Erza stepped forward, her gaze sharp and appraising. "Who are you? And what business do you have with Fairy Tail?"
Neralyth met her gaze without flinching. "I'm here because you're walking into something far bigger than you realize. The dark magic you're investigating—Zeref's magic—it's not what you think it is."
The mention of Zeref's name sent a ripple of unease through the room. Even those who hadn't fought him directly felt the weight of his legacy.
"What do you know about Zeref's magic?" Lucy asked, her tone cautious.
"More than you could imagine," Neralyth replied. "And if you're not careful, it will destroy more than just this world."
Her words hung heavy in the air. Erza's eyes narrowed, but she didn't sense any hostility from the stranger. If anything, there was a quiet confidence in her tone, as though she spoke from experience.
"Prove it," Erza said finally. "If you know something we don't, then show us."
Neralyth extended a hand, and a faint shimmer of cosmic energy danced along her fingertips. The map on the table began to glow, and new lines appeared—threads of magic that the others hadn't noticed before.
"These threads," she explained, "are remnants of Zeref's experiments. They're not just concentrated in the woods. They stretch across Earthland, connecting to sites of ancient power. Someone is using them to complete a ritual Zeref abandoned centuries ago."
Levy McGarden leaned closer to the map, her eyes wide. "How did we miss this?"
"Because it's not meant to be seen," Neralyth said. "The threads are hidden, woven into the Loom of this world itself. Only someone who understands the Loom's patterns can trace them."
Erza studied the map, her jaw tight. "If what you're saying is true, then we don't have time to waste. But I need to know—why are you helping us? What's your stake in this?"
For a moment, Neralyth hesitated. She could have told them the truth—that she was an immortal dragon from another realm, tasked with preserving the balance of the multiverse. But they weren't ready for that.
"I have my reasons," she said instead. "Let's just say I have no intention of letting this world fall to the same fate as others I've seen."
Erza nodded, though her expression remained cautious. "Very well. You can accompany us. But if you're hiding anything, I'll find out."
Neralyth inclined her head. "Fair enough."
The Mission Begins
As the guild prepared to set out for the woods, Neralyth observed them with quiet curiosity. Their bonds were stronger than she had expected, their threads intertwined in ways that made them stronger together than they ever could be apart.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them, just as she had been watching them. Somewhere in the depths of the woods, the forces of corruption were gathering—and they wouldn't stop until Earthland was torn apart.
Neralyth flexed her fingers, feeling the hum of the Loom beneath her skin. For the first time in centuries, she wasn't alone in her fight.
And for the first time, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: hope.